What is the replacement interval for engine gear oil?
2 Answers
Engine gear oil should be replaced every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Gear oil is essentially transmission fluid, which serves the following purposes: 1. Maintaining cleanliness in the gearshift system; 2. Lubricating transmission components. Signs indicating the need for transmission fluid replacement include: 1. Vehicle vibration and jerky gear shifting; 2. Transmission overheating warning appearing on the dashboard; 3. Engine stalling; 4. Unusual noises. Methods for replacing transmission fluid are: 1. Gravity drainage - After loosening the fastening nut at the bottom of the oil pan, the transmission fluid will automatically drain through the oil drain hole; 2. Machine-assisted circulation - Connecting the transmission to a circulation machine via piping to push out old fluid with new fluid; 3. Oil pan removal method.
Last time I chatted with the mechanic at the repair shop, he said most manual transmission fluids should be changed every 40,000 to 60,000 kilometers. My old Ford Focus had its fluid changed at 50,000 km, and shifting became much smoother afterward. If you drive aggressively with frequent high RPMs or often crawl in city traffic jams, you might need to change it as early as 30,000 km. Automatic transmissions can last longer, typically 60,000 to 80,000 km between changes. Some new cars advertise maintenance-free transmissions, but my neighbor's 'maintenance-free' car developed jerky shifts after just three years - when opened, the fluid was completely burnt. So regardless of what the manual says, regularly checking the fluid's color and condition is always wise.
