How to change the oil in a VAZ 2114 gearbox with your own hands

Changing the oil in gearbox is an important part of car care. Over time, the lubricant ages and ceases to perform its functions, thereby causing wear and tear on the device parts.

Changing the oil in the gearbox on a VAZ 2114 is not a difficult job; anyone can do it with their own hands. The first time will be longer than all the subsequent ones. Therefore, there is simply no point in going to the service for such a trifle.

In today’s article we will tell you about the reasons and frequency of changing transmission oil, the types of brands of oil that are recommended to be poured into the “fourteenth” gearbox, and I will also give you step-by-step replacement instructions with photo explanations of each action.

Reasons for changing transmission oil in a VAZ 2114 gearbox

It is worth noting that in model 2114 and others like it, the gearboxes are, so to speak, “indestructible”. But even such a reliable unit has periods when, for further uninterrupted operation, it is necessary to carry out maintenance in the form of replacing the transmission fluid.

If rustling or other noises begin to be heard from the box, the unit produces strong vibrations, gears shift worse and are accompanied by unpleasant sounds - the time has come for an oil change.

The procedure for changing engine oil in a VAZ 2114 box

To begin with, check the oil level with a dipstick (if the replacement was made recently), and inspect the unit itself for leaks. Only then proceed directly to the replacement itself.

For manual and automatic

Yes, that’s absolutely right - if there are different types of boxes, then you need to pour different technical fluid into them.
Without going into complex technical and chemical terms, this can be explained by the fact that they should have different viscosities. For our reliable, unpretentious VAZ 2014 and VAZ 2015, with a mechanical gearbox, gear oil certified according to GOST: SAE or API is best suited. Among domestic motorists, the first gradation is more in favor. What is it like? Conventionally, transmission oils are divided into three types:

80-250W - reliable oil for car operation in summer or in hot climates;
70-85W – perfect for preparing your car for winter;
all-season fluids preferred by most drivers.

Which one to choose - everyone can test it in action, and then decide for themselves.

It’s much more difficult with automatic transmissions on foreign cars. In them, the liquid serves not only to lubricate all units, but also itself enhances the torque. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you carefully study the manufacturer’s instructions, which indicate suitable brands of oils, and strictly follow them.

Transmission oil change intervals

Despite the durability of the gearbox, it also tends to wear out and periodically requires attention from the car owner.

A scheduled oil change in the VAZ-2114 gearbox should be carried out every 70 thousand km. mileage or after 5 years of operation. However, if extraneous sounds begin to appear from the device, the procedure must be carried out earlier.

It is also necessary to take into account the fact in what conditions the car is operated. Sometimes the replacement time is almost halved, for example, for cars subjected to heavy loads, the service interval will be about 40 thousand kilometers.

Replacement frequency and choice of gearbox lubricant

Depends on the operating conditions of the vehicle. In regions with colder climates, less viscous liquids are used. Oils with high viscosity are better suited for hot climates.

Depending on the season, it is important to consider the properties of the oil used. To better perform its assigned functions, it is recommended to replace mineral oil with semi-synthetic or synthetic oil before the winter period. Synthetics to mineral - before summer.

For long runs, you should focus on the mileage. For a VAZ 2114 car, replacement is carried out at least once every 60,000 km. If the car is rarely used, consider the expiration date of the lubricant. The average is 5 years.

About types of transmission oils

The oil for the VAZ 21014 gearbox requires careful selection. So what are the options - what to choose from? So:

When front-wheel drive cars appeared, owners tried two options. The first was the same as for the “classics”, that is, transmission oil TAD-17, but experience has shown that such oil is not suitable for the nine. And all because the main pair in the fourteenth gearbox is helical, and not hypoid, as on the classic.
The second option is regular motor oil. That's where we stopped at that time. This option will be discussed in more detail later.
Now there are many other options for oil for filling in the VAZ 2114 gearbox.
Foreign oils
Various classifications (GL-4, GL-5 and TM-4, TM-5)
Various viscosities (SAE 80, SAE 90)
Mineral, semi- and synthetic oils

Advice! As you can see, the choice is large, and the correct choice is usually one or two. Take your time, but carefully study the theory before you start changing the VAZ 2114 oil.

Synthetic or mineral water

There are no restrictions on the choice of base. From the point of view of characteristics, as well as operational properties, there seems to be no difference. However, using the example of the same motor oils, we know that stable properties are retained for a long time only by synthetic bases, or oils created on the basis of semi-synthetics.

Mineral water works well at medium loads and in temperate climates. In extreme heat, the base quickly “burns out”, ceasing to be a reliable link for additives.

And operation at temperatures of -25°C and below is difficult due to the tendency to thicken in the cold. It is synthetic transmission oils that force you to start the car in winter with the clutch pedal depressed. Otherwise, you can quickly damage the starter.

Synthetics are devoid of these disadvantages, have a longer service life, but the cost is corresponding. VAZ owners often prefer cheaper oils and shorten their service life. The savings are negligible, but there is always fresh oil in the box.

As usual, the truth is in the middle. The best solution is a compromise semi-synthetic. The service life and wear resistance are almost like pure synthetics, and the price is close to mineral water. The same Lukoil TM 4 - 12SAE80W-85 is produced on a mixed basis.

And the price is reasonable, and the characteristics are normal. If you do not trust the domestic oil industry, purchase foreign analogues on the same basis. A little more expensive, and no negative emotions.

Brand and volume of oil for gearbox VAZ 2114

The fact that the operation of the transmission depends on the quality of the lubricant being poured is no longer a secret, but a well-known fact. An incorrectly chosen product can affect the functioning of the device and lead to very undesirable consequences.

Transmission motor oils

When selecting transmission fluid, it is better to follow the car manufacturer's recommendations. This ensures the product is compatible with the box and ensures stable operation of the device.

The manufacturer recommends using all-season mineral oils of domestic brands with viscosity characteristics 80W-85, 80W-90:

Omskoil Trans P class GL-4/5;
Rexol T GL-4;
Volnese TM4 GL-4.

The plant poured mineral lubricant from Lukoil into cars, but in practice, in winter, the liquid is not adapted to cope with very low temperatures.

The range of compounds for the Nine transmission is quite wide and is not limited to a few brands. The manufacturer recommends for use oil of classifications GL-3 and GL-4, as well as TM-3 and TM-4 according to Russian standards. You can choose any one that meets these requirements. Semi-synthetic and synthetic lubricants behave much better in cold weather, providing rapid heating and maintaining their properties even at very low temperatures.

Transmission oil Zic

It is also equally important to purchase an original product without running into a fake, so you need to buy oil from trusted sellers who have appropriate certificates confirming the quality of the products.

On the very first cars produced, the same oil was used for the transmission that was poured into the engine. This was also recommended by the manufacturer. Now there is no shortage of auto chemicals, so it is better to use specialized products for their intended purpose.

Recommended lubricants for AvtoVAZ 2114

However, many car owners will ask a fair question: what oils (meaning specific companies) can be poured into the 2114 engine? I would look at this issue more precisely and write a list of transmission lubricants that can be poured into this unit:
Trans KP, Lukoil TM, Nordix Super trans, Slavneft. This also includes Castrol, Shell Getribeoil and some types of TNK lubricants. The latter oils are expensive, but in terms of chemical composition and additives they are much superior to similar products from other manufacturers.
For this reason, if the owner of the car is worried about his beloved “iron horse,” naturally he will choose these lubricants.

Checking the oil level in the gearbox

The easiest way to monitor the oil level in the gearbox is with a dipstick. But where is the oil level dipstick in the VAZ 2114 gearbox and what is it?

Dipstick for checking transmission oil VAZ 2114

The probe looks like a metal strip at one end of which there is an o and “max”, and at the second, opposite end, the part ends with a black rubber ring.

Checking the oil level using a dipstick:

Place the car on a flat surface.
We wait the required fifteen minutes.
We stock up on rags.
Open the hood.
On the side of the driver's fender we are looking for the black rubber ring of our part. It is located on the gearbox directly under the air filter tube for air purification.
We take out the found ring.
Wipe it dry with a rag prepared in advance.
Carefully, without touching the walls, put the dipstick back until it stops.
We take out and inspect the marks on the dipstick.

The optimal oil level in the VAZ 2114 gearbox shows about. If the actual level is below this mark, then the oil should be added.

Preparing for work

Before servicing the gearbox, it is necessary to warm the oil to operating temperature. To do this, we start the engine and take short trips around the city. The hotter the oil, the greater the chance that all the lubricant will leak out of the gearbox along with any dirt deposits. To gain access to the drain plug (under the bottom), you need to unscrew the motor protection, if any. So, a car with a warm engine should be driven onto an overpass and the ignition should be turned off. Then immediately place a pan to drain the old oil.

Step-by-step instructions for changing the oil in a VAZ 2114 gearbox

The process of changing the oil in the VAZ 2114 gearbox is quite simple and will not pose any problems even for a novice motorist. Let's consider the sequence of actions aimed at replacing the transmission fluid.

Drain the old oil

The first operation we will perform is draining the old transmission oil. For this:

We install the car on an overpass or inspection hole.
We wipe the place where the oil level dipstick and drain plug are located. Unscrew the drain plug and wait until the oil drains completely
Next, install a copper O-ring on the drain plug and screw it back on.

Uploading something new

Oil is poured into the VAZ 2114 gearbox through the hole into which the dipstick is inserted to check the transmission fluid level

We take out the dipstick and pour new oil into the box through a funnel or syringe to the required amount.
After changing the fluid, set the dipstick to its normal position.

Topping up transmission oil in the VAZ 2114 gearbox

We advise you to regularly (every 5 thousand km) check the oil level and top up if necessary.

Make sure the car is parked on a level, level surface. Check the oil level using the dipstick. Make sure there are no oil leaks.

You need to know this when adding oil to the VAZ 2114 gearbox:

Add the same brand of oil that you used previously. It is forbidden to mix with others.
During operation, try to keep the oil level at maximum or 3-5 mm higher.
If the oil level is at the minimum mark or below, get ready for problems with the gearbox.

To check the oil level, remove the dipstick, wipe it with a clean cloth and insert it back until it stops. Removing the dipstick again will show the actual oil level in the gearbox.

Video - instructions from Alexander Gurinenko (owner of VAZ)

In our video, you can once again see in detail, using the example of a VAZ car, how the fluid in the gearbox is replaced.

Share with us your oil change experience. What oil do you use?

The VAZ 2114 is equipped with a five-speed gearbox, which combines the main gear and differential. The input shaft is made in the form of a block with drive gears from first to fourth gear; for fifth gear the gear is removable. All of them are constantly in mesh with the driven gears of all front-wheel drive gears. The driven gears are located on the secondary shaft on needle bearings. Three synchronizers are located on the same shaft. For final drive, the drive gear and output shaft are combined. The VAZ 2114 gearbox has a two-satellite differential. By selecting the thickness of the rings, the preload in the differential bearings is adjusted. The main drive driven gear is attached to a flange on the differential box. The gearbox control drive consists of:

gear shift lever;
traction;
ball joint;
rod for selecting gears;
the mechanism by which gears are selected and changed.

A separate unit, attached to the plane of the clutch housing, is a mechanism consisting of a lever attached to the inner end of the rod, acting on the three-arm lever of the gear selection device.

Answers to frequently asked questions

And, now I would like to answer the most frequently asked questions that readers ask about changing transmission oil on a VAZ 2114 car

How much oil is needed (what volume) of oil is poured into the VAZ 2114 gearbox?

According to the manufacturer's data, 3.5 liters of oil are placed in the VAZ-2114 gearbox. But, as practice shows, motorists fill 3.3 liters. This is due to the fact that when the lubricant is drained, a certain amount of oil remains in the gearbox on the shafts, as well as on the walls.

Do I need to flush the gearbox when changing the oil?

Let's start with the fact that usually a complete oil change in the VAZ 2114 gearbox is carried out approximately every 60-70 thousand kilometers (the oil change can be carried out either independently or at a station). Also, before changing the oil, if necessary, the manual transmission is washed.

What oil do you recommend for a complete oil change in a VAZ 2114 gearbox?

After reading on the VAZ forums, I compiled a list of oils in the box that car owners recommend pouring:

NESTE GEAR S 75W-90, 1 l. – 650 rub.
Valvoline HD TDL PRO 75w90, GL-4/5, 1l canister – 900 rub.
Valvoline GEAR OIL 75w90 GL-4, 1l canister – 580 rub.
Syntrax Universal Plus 75W-90, 1 l. – 880.00 rub.
Syntrans Multivehicle 75W-90, 1 l. – 825.00 rub.
Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90, 1 l. – 765.00 rub.

Which oil should you choose?

The choice of gearbox oils in car dealerships is growing every year, new lines are coming from famous manufacturers, more and more foreign manufacturers are being imported, and you can’t figure it out without the help of consultants, but what if they aren’t there?

There are three types of oils: synthetic , semi-synthetic and mineral . The latter type is definitely not worth taking, as it is of low quality. Synthetic is of higher quality, but is too expensive and not everyone can afford it. But semi-synthetic is excellent in terms of price and quality.

Experienced motorists advise taking synthetic with a viscosity of 75W-85W, and semi-synthetic 85W-90W.

But a lot depends on the climate; if it is cold, it is better to take a less viscous one, since in frosts it can become too thick; if the climate is warm, you can take a little thicker, which will allow it to better perform its functions. Suitable for VAZ 2114:

Shell Spirax S5 ATF X, semi-synthetic, 1 l. – 450 rubles
Kixx ATF Multi Plus, synthetic, 1 l. – 350 rubles
LUKOIL ATF, semi-synthetic, 1 l. – 370 rubles

They all have excellent reviews, and many car enthusiasts use these brands.

Step-by-step replacement instructions

Essential Tools You'll Need

Oil to replace.
The key is 17 (we will use it to unscrew the drain plug).
The key is 8 (we use it to unscrew the air filter).
Plastic bottles of 1.5 and 5 liters.
Knife.

We stocked up on tools, then we need to drive the car onto an overpass and change the oil.

Stages (step by step instructions)

Using a knife, cut off the neck of a 5-liter container and the bottom of a 1.5-liter container and set them aside for now.
Using a 8mm wrench, unscrew the air filter and remove it so that it does not get in the way.
We remove the gearbox dipstick from the hole to change the oil.
We go under our car.
Remove the protection (if any).
We find and unscrew the drain plug of the gearbox using a 17 key. No difficulties should arise here, everything is extremely simple. ATTENTION! Be careful, when you unscrew the plug, oil will rush towards the front left wheel. As soon as the pressure weakens a little, we substitute our large container and pour everything into it.
When everything is drained, tighten the drain plug.
We get out from under the car.
Insert a funnel into the oil change hole from which you removed the dipstick.
Using a 1.5-liter container, pour 3 liters of oil into the funnel. You need to pour it slowly so as not to accidentally spill it.
Temporarily put the bottle aside, take the dipstick and check the level. If it reaches the MAX mark, great, if not, add a little more.
We wipe and put the dipstick in place.
Ready! Replaced. The gearbox of your VAZ 2114 has found a new life.

Take care of your car's transmission, use only the correct and high-quality oil, replace it on time and do not forget to check its level. Then you will not have any problems, and the gearbox will serve you for many years.