How to Change the Transmission Fluid of a Sail?
3 Answers
The method for changing the transmission fluid of a Sail is as follows: 1. Unscrew the drain plug and fill plug of the transmission; 2. Drain the old gear oil completely, then pour the new transmission fluid through the fill tube. Taking the 2013 Sail as an example, it is a compact car with the following dimensions: length 4249mm, width 1690mm, height 1503mm, wheelbase 2465mm, fuel tank capacity 42l, and trunk capacity 370l. The 2013 Sail is equipped with a 1.2L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 87PS, maximum power of 64kW, maximum torque of 115Nm, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and changing transmission fluid is basic maintenance. The transmission on the Sail is located underneath the chassis, so before changing the oil, you need to park on level ground and firmly engage the handbrake. Prepare a jack to lift the front wheels and place safety stands securely to prevent collapse. The drain plug is usually at the bottom of the transmission—use a wrench to loosen it and place an oil pan to catch the old fluid, which will be dark and a bit hot. Wait a few minutes for it to cool down and drain completely. Clean the drain hole before tightening it back. The fill port is near the engine—buy ATF transmission fluid; the Sail typically requires about 2.5 liters (check the manual for exact capacity). Use a funnel to slowly pour in the new fluid to avoid air bubbles. After filling, start the engine and shift through gears (R, N, D) a few times to circulate the fluid evenly. Check the dipstick to ensure the level is between the cold and hot marks. Basic tools are needed: a jack, wrench, and oil pan—doing it yourself saves hundreds in labor costs. Remember to change it every 40,000 km to protect the transmission gears and prevent excessive wear or unusual noises.
As a young person just starting DIY, I changed the transmission fluid for my Sail last week. The online tutorial made it seem easy: first buy tools, a jack and ATF fluid are cheap. Park on level ground with the handbrake on, felt a bit nervous when lifting the car, used stands to secure it. Found the transmission drain plug, twisted it hard and black oil flowed out. After catching it in a pan, wiped the opening clean. The fill hole is near the engine, used a funnel with tube to pour new fluid - must buy the right type, don't mix. Manual says 2.8 liters, used measuring cup to avoid overfilling. Then started engine, shifted gears a few times, checked dipstick to ensure proper level. Whole process took an hour, saved money and was fun, but be careful of hot fluid. Good first attempt, tools can be shared for reuse.
