The most important and obligatory item in car maintenance is oil change. Knowing at least the main technical parts of the vehicle and having studied the instructions a little, you can safely perform this operation yourself, while saving on the service station. Therefore, it is necessary to find out in more detail which oil to choose for replacement in the Chevrolet Niva for the gearbox, transfer case and bridges.
Poor quality or improperly selected lubricant can cause malfunctions in these units, up to complete failure. As a result, repair and replacement of elements will be required. Of course, everything you need can be purchased at an auto dismantling site at an affordable cost, but it is better not to bring it to such situations.
When choosing an oil for a gearbox, first of all, you need to pay attention to its viscosity. This parameter is the main one, and it determines the temperature conditions of the vehicle.
Many Niva owners choose oil with a viscosity of 10-40. It is an all-season product that shows good results in both winter and summer seasons.
In the Niva Chevrolet gearbox, the manufacturer does not recommend the use of API GL-5 oils. Although, based on the performance of lubricants of this standard, at high temperatures it is much better than analogues. But the high concentration of additives negatively affects the synchronizers of the Niva box.
Most Chevrolet Niva owners use the GL-5 for axles only. There, internals are less susceptible to additives, and the characteristics of the oil are ideal for these elements.
The most popular brands of oils for Niva gearboxes:
- TNK 75W-90,
- Mobil Mobilube HD 75W90,
- Castrol Syntrax Universal Plus 75W90.
Of course, there are many more brands of oils, but these brands are in the lead in terms of demand. The automaker claims a recommended replacement interval of 45 thousand km. But as practice shows, much depends on the process and operating conditions of the vehicle.
For a transfer case, the choice of oil should be made taking into account several factors. The most important of these is compatibility with the lubricants used in the gearbox.
This does not mean that it is necessary to choose the same brand. But it is necessary that the oils are of the same viscosity and type of base. Mixing car oils of different chemical composition can lead to a deterioration in the performance of the entire vehicle.
It follows from this that if the box is filled with synthetics, then it is necessary to pour synthetics into the distribution box.
What type of oil to fill in Chevrolet Niva axles
For maximum functionality of the transmission components, it is recommended to fill the axles with the same oil as in the transfer case.
Chevrolet Niva owners agree that for bridges it is necessary to choose greases from well-known brands that have already proven themselves. These include products from manufacturers:
- Mobile,
- Castrol,
- Lukoil,
- Shell,
But when choosing, you should still observe the compatibility of the composition and viscosity of the oil.
In 90 percent of cases, Chevrolet Niva is operated off-road, which puts high loads on all components of the transmission. And therefore, already at 20 thousand kilometers, it is necessary to change the oil, or at least control its quality.
During maintenance, you should soberly assess the condition of the box, dispensers and bridges. It is not worth saving on lubricants, as this can lead to quite expensive repairs.
The transfer case, like any mechanism in the design of which there are rubbing pairs, requires periodic oil changes. Since they can vary significantly, you should carefully consider the choice of transmission fluid. Consider how to change the oil in the handout box with your own hands.
Classification of oils
The main types of classification of gear oils:
Some manufacturers, along with API GL and SAE J306, indicate the MIL specification, which only shows the compliance of oils with the requirements of the US Military.
How to choose the oil
The transmission should be selected according to the climatic conditions in which the vehicle is used. If in the region of operation the temperature often drops below -30 ° C, then oils with a low-temperature indicator of 70W are recommended (75W is also acceptable, but in especially severe frosts the oil will be too thick before warming up). In areas where the specified temperature barrier is unattainable, 75W should be used. For regions with a temperate climate, 80W is also suitable. As for the high-temperature indicator according to SAE, then values for civilian SUVs and passenger cars are quite suitable: 80.90 (for example, 75W90).
If you want to change the transfer case oil with your own hands, then information on the required tolerances, specifications, filling volume can be found in the repair and operation manual for your car model (or similar machines on which the same type of transfer case is installed).
Influence of the arrangement of transmission units
The type of transmission fluid will depend not only on the design of the transfer case, but also on the engine-transmission combination. In fully mechanical transfer cases, in which the principle of operation is reduced to moving the sliding clutches and changing the combination of rotating gears, a simple gear oil is used - API GL 4/5. It is also poured into manual transmissions, drive axle differentials. But if the same archaic type of transfer case is paired with an automatic transmission, then instead of conventional oil, ATF should be used.
Please note that doing the opposite - pouring an automatic transmission into the box when replacing it is strictly prohibited!
This requirement is due to the fact that the gearbox and the transfer case have a common shaft, through which the torque is transmitted from the gearbox to the driving axles of the car. So that in the event of wear of the stuffing box, mixing does not lead to foaming, thickening or the formation of an emulsion, in case of replacement, it is recommended to use the same class of technical fluids in both units. The same requirement is put forward for cars with manual transmission, where the transfer case is attached directly to the gearbox housing.
In which handouts is it mandatory to use ATF
The use of ATF is mandatory in transfer cases, the device of which involves blocking the center differential or connecting one of the leading drives with clutch packages. In TOD (Torque-on-demand) dispensers, Haldex couplings, oil performs not only a lubricating and cooling function, but is also used as a working fluid.
Every manufacturer of newfangled transfer cases recommends the original ATF. If you buy an analogue, it is important that the product meets the manufacturer's tolerances. The generally recognized classification of transmission fluids is called Dexron. In the absence of original products, the oil in the transfer case can be replaced with Dexron IV Service Fill, Dexron V or Dexron VI, but it is imperative to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations for tolerances and specifications. 
Replacement terms
It is necessary to change the oil in the mechanical transfer case approximately once every 100 thousand kilometers. It must be borne in mind that the resource strongly depends on the operating conditions. If the car is often used in difficult off-road conditions, dusty roads, it is advisable to shorten the replacement time by 1/3. Comparable resource and transmission of the rear axle reducer.
Please note that the oil must be changed if you overcame a ford, the water level in which is higher than the location of the transfer case breather.
For electronic handouts, the average replacement frequency is 60-70 thousand km. Also, the operating conditions affect the service intervals of the transfer case with an electro-hydraulic blocking drive. Frequent driving in sliding, overcoming off-road conditions accelerate oil oxidation, contamination with wear products of friction discs.
Simple verification method
Visual control of the consistency, the presence of an emulsion can be assessed by unscrewing the filler plug. Use a syringe with a suitable tube to draw out a small amount of old oil from the dispenser.
- The oil change in the distributor must be carried out within 10-15 minutes after the trip, the duration of at least 5-10 km. During operation, the oil heats up and becomes thinner, which is why it drains better.
- On most cars, the drain and filler holes are made to fit a "square", therefore, to unscrew, you only need a ratchet or a knob of the appropriate dimension. Of course, this is provided that the bottom is not covered with a boot, which will need to be dismantled before replacement.
- The accompanying tool will most likely require a hydraulic syringe for technical fluids. In some cars, the use of containers with a "spout" allows you to replace without a syringe.
- On most transfer cases, it is normal for the level to be slightly below (5-10 mm) the filler hole. You can determine the actual amount of oil poured in with your finger or with a piece of bent wire. To speed up the process of self-replacement, you can fill in oil until it flows out of the level control hole - this will not harm the transfer case or the rear axle in any way.
Self-replacement guide
Instructions for replacing the hand-out oil on the VAZ - 2121 "Niva" with your own hands.
In the video you can see how easy it is to change the oil in the transfer case both on the VAZ 2121 (2131, 4x4) and on the VW Touareg.
- one of the most common and mandatory jobs in the maintenance of any car. At the same time, having studied the instructions well, it is quite possible to cope on your own and save on car service services. To do this, we will consider in detail which oil is best to pour when replacing a Chevrolet Niva not only in the box, but also in the distributor, as well as bridges.
How to choose oil for a box, transfer case and bridges Chevrolet Niva.
Transmission oil tolerances on Chevrolet Niva
An important aspect when choosing a lubricant is viscosity. Based on this parameter, it is determined under what temperature conditions the car will operate. In practice, most car owners fill in oils with a viscosity of 10 - 40 for the Chevrolet Niva engine, both in summer and in winter. If you adhere to the principle of changing the oil according to the season, then:
- with the onset of cold weather, fill in 5 - 40;
- in the warm season, use grease 10 - 40.
Some pour completely liquid oils 0 - 40, but they are much more expensive, and they will not give much of a fundamental difference. If the car engine does not have hydraulic lifters, you can use 10 - 40 regardless of the season, and in the case of hydraulic lifters, fill in 5 - 40.
It is important to remember that it is absolutely impossible to add lubricants of the most common API GL-5 standard to the Niva Chevrolet gearbox. On the one hand, it is better in terms of performance: it shows itself well at high speeds, high loads and temperatures. On the other hand, it contains sulfur-phosphorus extreme pressure additives, which in high concentration can disrupt the operation of the synchronizers of the Niva manual transmission. Transmission fluids of GL-5 standard are recommended by most motorists to be used as an additive in axles and gearboxes.
The razdatka and the gearbox should be in compliance with API GL4 or GL4 / GL5 quality standards and SAE viscosity 75W-90, 80W-85, 80W-90. For gearboxes, front and rear axles, transmission fluid is designed according to API GL5 or GL4 / GL5. It is better not to use oil with GL4 standard.
What kind of oil to fill in the checkpoint
Time-tested and widespread brands of lubricating fluids for the Niva Chevrolet gearbox:
Of course, there are other brands of manufacturers of lubricating fluids, but it is the presented brands that should be trusted. The manufacturer recommends changing the lubricant every 45 thousand kilometers. But it all depends on the conditions and activity of the operation.
Selection of oil for dispensing
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right transfer case lubricant. One of the most important is compatibility with other fluids used. Be sure to check the correct viscosity of the grease before purchasing. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to purchase products from one manufacturer. It is also not recommended to use lubricants of different chemical composition so that they do not mix. This is very important if you want to truly improve the performance of your vehicle. Therefore, if you pour semisynthetics into a Chevrolet Niva, then in the case of a transfer case, purchase a semisynthetic lubricant.
What to choose for bridges
In most cases, the oil for the axles is chosen the same as for the transfer case. Their full compliance guarantees you high functionality of all components of the transmission during the active daily operation of the car. Most motorists are unanimous in the opinion that only proven lubricants are worth buying. These include the products of such brands:
- Castrol;
- Lukoil;
- Liqui Moly;
- Mobil;
- Shell;
This is a list of the most popular and widely used brands. Their products are used by a huge number of motorists with different experience. When buying, be sure to check the compatibility of the viscosity and chemical composition with the oil already used in the gearbox.
Outcomes
In most cases, the Niva is used for off-road driving, and this is a heavy load on the transmission. Therefore, it is optimal to change the oil after a run of 15 - 20 thousand kilometers. Do not save where it is fraught with bad consequences. When performing vehicle maintenance, assess the condition of all engine components, and change filters and spark plugs at least once every two oil changes.
Each vehicle mechanism, in which there are rubbing parts (including the transfer case), need (and, accordingly, its regular replacement for trouble-free movement).
Note that both the device and the method of operation of the "transfer case" can differ significantly among themselves, therefore, the choice of lubricant must be approached very carefully, preferably having previously studied the scheme of operation of the transfer case of your car.
In this article, we will consider what oils are and to which transfer cases they are suitable for changing speeds.
The transmission oil must be changed every one hundred thousand kilometers of the vehicle's mileage.
Important! The resource largely depends on the operating conditions. If you often move in dusty areas and off-road, then you need to replace it more often (once every 4 months). Also take a note, if you overcame a ford where the water level was higher than the breathers, then you need to change the oil as quickly as possible.
Electronic "handouts" need to change the lubricant every 70 thousand kilometers.
Note that frequent off-road driving, slipping and other "obstacles" to normal movement, negatively affect the level of oil oxidation, and also lead to wear of the friction discs.
How to choose
Today there are two types of lubricating oils for transfer case: ATF fluid and transmission oil for transfer case. As a rule, in those vehicles on which it is installed, you need to fill in - the transmission, and in those where there is an automatic transmission - ATF.
Note that for modern vehicles, manufacturers recommend pouring gear oils of the GL-5 class. They do an excellent job of protecting hypoid gears, and also do a good job while moving around (because they have shockproof additives in their composition).
Also, its viscosity plays an important role in the choice of lubricant for handouts. Take, for example, the value "80W90":
- W - this means that the material is all-season;
- 80 - values of the level of viscosity at low temperature conditions;
- 90 - viscosity at high temperatures.
If ATF fluid is suitable for your car, then it is recommended to buy original materials recommended by the manufacturer. In an extreme case, an analog is suitable, which has all the necessary tolerances in its composition.
What kind of oil and how much to fill
Transmission lubricants should be divided into several qualifications, namely:
- SAE J306 - viscosity grade. This indicator speaks of viscosity (namely, how it will react to severe frosts or heat). It is worth saying that lubricants under a similar designation are all-season.
- API GL - this indicator states the separation of transfer case lubricants by quality. The indicators differ among themselves by the level of performance, the level of antifoam, antioxidant, and antiwear additives. API GL 3 oils are suitable for all-wheel drive vehicles. API GL 4 is perfectly compatible with transfer cases installed on the following TZ UAZ, NIVA, Opel Frontera, Mitsubishi Pajero II, Toyota Land Cruiser 90. API GL 5 is considered to be the leaders in quality - they are best suited for the newest TZ.
How to choose
The transmission oil for the transfer case of your vehicle should be selected based on the climatic conditions where the car is operated. If in your region the air temperature often drops more - 30 degrees Celsius, then it is recommended to turn your attention to 70-75W greases (the latter indicator is suitable for very severe frosts).
For regions with a temperate climate, grease with the designation 80W is suitable. If you are constantly in a region where high temperatures are pleasing, then turn your attention to 75W90 grease.
Well, now you know what kind of oil you need to select and what it is. We have done our best and also conducted our own investigations in order to determine for various vehicles.
For the future, we wish you to be as careful as possible and, having certain knowledge, trust only yourself, and not the sellers (who, as a rule, are distinguished by their verbosity and the gift of persuading people). Trust only yourself!
We really hope that this article was useful for you and allowed you to draw certain conclusions. We wish you happy shopping and happy travels!
