12/05/2021
Care for your car with Ace Cars & Spares
Tip 1- GEARBOX HEALTH – CHANGING THE OIL
WHEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY GEARBOX OIL AND FILTER?
Manual gearboxes usually require a gearbox oil change every 48,000 to 80,000 km.
Automatic gearboxes usually have gear oil change intervals of 96,000 to 160,000 km.
It’s advisable that you change your gearbox oil filter at the same time as your oil.
If you have a gearbox leak repaired, then always change your oil after the repair to ensure it’s fully topped up.
HOW TO CHECK GEARBOX OIL LEVEL
Because these ranges are so large, a good way to gauge your oil health is to check its colour. New oils are brightly coloured (usually red) and semi-transparent, but as they degrade or accumulate deposits, they turn a darker shade, lose their transparency and can smell burnt due to oxidation.
To check your gearbox oil:
Open the bonnet and locate the transmission dipstick (its location should be shown in your owner’s manual). If your model doesn’t have one, you will probably have to raise your car using a jack or lift, then carefully remove the transmission fill cap located on the transmission assembly.
Pull the dipstick out of the filler tube. If you have raised your car, insert a ruler, screwdriver or other implement into the system to sample the oil.
Check the colour of the oil.
If your oil is dark brown, black, or light pink (usually due to water contamination), then you need to change it. Red-brown, semi-transparent fluid is often slightly degraded, but doesn’t necessarily signify a need for a change.
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