Manual Transmission Oil Change

Intro: Manual Transmission Oil Change

Most people ignore transmission fluids. Even worse most people only talk about the importance of flushing an automatic transmission. If you have a manual transmission automobile, don't neglect that gearbox. Old oil can have metal shavings in it as well as sludge build up. Just as with motor oil, and oil change is cheap insurance. This instructable I'll show you just how simple this process is.

STEP 1: Gather Your Tools.

Gather the tools and materials you will need for this job.

You will need:

- Jack and Axle stands or tire ramps to get your car off the ground
- Set of wrenches and ratchet set (depending on your vehicle.)
- Torque wrench
- oil drain bucket of some type
- Fluid pump
- rags
- WD - 40 or a penetrating oil
- Gear oil (most likely 75-90 or 80-90, check your owners manual)

STEP 2: Locate and Remove the "filler Bolt"

First Jack your vehicle up by the jack points and secure the vehicle with the axle/jack stands. NEVER GO UNDER A VEHICLE SUPPORTED ONLY BY THE JACK!

Next we will locate and remove the filler bolt. In some cases the filler bolt will become completely siezed that heating it won't even work. Or the filler bolt may become stripped. If this happens to you, you don't want to this to happen with an empty transmission.

In the first image we see the bottom of the transmission looking up. The recessed bolt on the bottom is the drain. The square head on the side is the filler.

Loosen the filler by selecting the proper wrench (not an adjustable one!) and turn the wrench counter clockwise. If the bolt doesn't let go; spray the wd-40 on the bolt and let sit for 1 hour. Still stuck. Don't force it too much as it may break. You can use a propane, or MPS gas torch to heat the housing around the bolt and then gently apply pressure to loosen it. In the picture you can see I used the wd-40

If the bolt still won't budge. Stop. Lower the car and visit a shop for service in rare cases the transmission must be removed and taken to a machine shop.

If you get the bolt loose. Unscrew it, but don't remove it completely.

STEP 3: Remove the Drain Bolt.

Use the same process you used to remove the filler bolt to remove the drain bolt. On my vehicles, the drain bolt is a perfect fit for a 3/4 inch drive ratchet.

Loosen the drain, place the drain pan under the transmission and then remove the drain bolt allowing the oil to drain.

STEP 4: Clean the Magnet and Remove the Filler Bolt.

The drain bolt usually has a magnet on it that catches the metal shavings. Clean them off really well. you can see how filthy it was on this vehicle. I'm betting it's been over 50,000 Kms for this vehicle.

Now remove the filler bolt. (you waited until now to keep the oil from draining too quickly and splashing all over.

STEP 5: Replace the Drain Bolt.

Replace the drain bolt, thread it on by hand first for at least 3 complete revolutions to make sure you haven't cross threaded it. Then tighten it with the ratchet. Lastly tighten it with a torque wrench to the manufacturers specifications. If you are unaware of the settings call your dealer and they will tell you.

STEP 6: Fill the Oil. Close the Filler Bolt.

Add your gear oil back into the gearbox using the oil pump. Fill the oil into the filler until the oil reaches the level of the filler (It will ooze back out.)

replace the filler bolt once again turning it by hand for a few revolutions. then tighten it and torque it using a torque wrench.

STEP 7: Drive

Clean up and take the car for a test drive.

Please take your used oil to a recycling depot. It's free in many areas. Old oil can be processed into Diesel fuel or plastics among other things.

Canadian Tire accepts old oil at their Auto service bays.

Comments

[Aikid0]

Do I need to jack up all four wheels?

[KenronS]

How much quarts of gear oil does it usually take to fill up the transmission?

[TerenceV]

Thanks for a common sense and clear instruction.

am going to do my 100.888mls Skoda Fabia tomorrow.

[louie90]

If my manual gearbox has less oil in it what happens with the gear changing?
Thanks.

[louie90]

If my manual gearbox has less oil in it what happens with the gear changing?
Thanks.

[gino.gazali]

what is the capacity of gear box oil for BMW 630i 2 doors , thank you , how many liters does the gear box needs ???

[RoseH1]

My BMW's transmission is having some problems and I didn't know if there was a way I could try to fix it on my own instead of taking it to the shop. Thank you for the great instructions. I think my husband and I will try this tomorrow since he loves messing with car stuff.
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[gearboxes]

I have a few problems with this instructable.
1/ Oil draining and filling must be done on the level so ramps aren't enough and must have jacks at the other end.
2/ Modern oils are vehicle specific and the wrong oil can cause expensive damage to a gearbox. (If you put EP oil into the illustrated Nissan you will not get 2nd gear on a cold morning)
3/ On some front wheel drive gearboxes the bung that looks like a filler bung is only a level bung. If you get it wrong you're putting no oil into some of the gearbox.

Having said that changing gearbox oil is a great idea. I owned a transmission shop foe 40 years, most of my work came from poor maintenance.

[JCK]

These are pretty good instructions I just think you left out a few details that may help. Make sure you have the correct fluid for your trans. the owners manual is not the best place to find out pull the fill plug and stick your finger in there to be sure. Some manual trans. take 10w30 motor oil some take dextron auto trans fluid some take hypoid oil. It can be different in the same year, what is in there is correct regardless what the store/manual says. The fluid should be changed while hot or at very least warm It's not very safe or fun but it is the best way to get all of the grit out. It also makes the plugs easer to remove. If you have a plug that wont come out wire brush all around the plug before you use the penetrating oil or torch helps the oil wick in the threads and reduces the risk of setting the trans on fire. I also change the fluid in the rear end at the same time because nobody ever thinks about the rear fluid until it fails or starts making noise.

[glad2bjstme]

what do you mean by rear fluid? I am new to the car repair thing.

[xaenon]

He's referring to the drive axle(s) in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles. The drive axle(s) have differentials in them and the fluid in these assemblies must also be changed periodically - typically at the same time as the transmission oil. In 4WD vehicles there is also a transfer case bolted to the rear of the transmission, and it, too, requires period oil changes.

If your vehicle has front-wheel drive, your drive axle and transmission are built as a single assembly known as a transaxle.

[germanpickle]

Never trust the oil that's in your vehicle as being the correct oil, unless you know the oil is factory original, or you know exactly what went in at the last change. Don't trust what a shop tells you or what you requested to be used, as all too often shops will cut corners. I'm sorry, but i couldn't disagree more. The manual was written for your vehicle and will mention what oil you should use for the driving style, and temperature you're driving in. In some cases there are a variety of transmissions for a specific vehicle. If you're not certain contact dealer, as they will know what goes in the car.

[glad2bjstme]

I have not tried to change my gear oil yet but Thank you for instructing on this subject very helpful. So do I really need a torque wrench?

[Hugh Jorgan]

Cheers Matey, a brilliant step by step set of instructions for those of us who havent been blessed in the brain department.
I am now going to nip out to my garage and change my gearbox oil. I wasnt confident enough to tackle it myself prior to your instructions, so once again CHEERS !

[lilroud]

I changed mine in my 91 Geo prizm about a month ago.... it was a 24mm socket for the fill an drain... my fill was boogered up and the socket didnt work... I used PB buster and that stuff is amazing, it is magnetically charged and can actually work its way up hill..... i let it soak for about 15 minutes and only had to use one hand and some good vice grips to break it free

[fourthhorseman]

I have a 1997 jeep wrangler 5 spd.  I know where and how..... but I just cant figure out how to get the oil into the filler hole.   I tried a siphon tupe but that just ended up being fubar.  I saw some mention of pumps.. I wasn't able to find one at the parts store -- suggestions there?

Also -- I agree it is important to do as I just bought this tranny brand new after 160k mi (oops) I torture the poor girl.  But I had a 1989 VW that I drove very very hard for 380k mi -- never replaced the clutch never touched the fluid, what did her in was a moose in Maine. -- so you never know

[tjfoley]

If your local parts store does not stock them then find a different parts store! Go to the counter and ask for a gear oil / lube pump! it looks like a over sized hand lotion pump with a small hose attached They are running around $12 on Ebay depending on the requirement of your car you will need 1 to 3 Qts of either 80-90w gear oil (lube) or 120W I recommend you have 2 sets of old clothes a sheet of painters plastic and keep young children out of the area because of a PG rating on your project! :> once you have the fluid drained & have replaced the drain plug it is just a matter of pumping the new lube in to the tranny do not worry about overfilling the tranny once it starts coming out the fill hole it is full. hopefully you put plastic under the car before you started makes clean up easier! also cover the drivers seat because you will want to move the car for clean up. Now for the reason I said 2 sets of old clothes one set you will throw away. The other set will get you in the house and to the shower. Nothing in your car smells worst than gear lube! If you can work with the wear a pair of vinyl gloves (Saves time in cleaning under your nails)!

[2 stroke]

thats anice truck id love to get that for my first ride

[JCK]

I got my gear oil pump @ pep boys they screw on to the quart bottles. If you are using ATF get a small spout that screws onto your oil bottle and put a vacuum/fuel hose on it and squeeze it in. or a really long hose and hold the bottle above the trans. level.

[Robertez]

The drain plug on this Nissan pickup fits a 1/2 inch drive ratchet not 3/4 inch drive. The filler plug as stated was removed with a 17mm wrench. Loosening the filler plug first is a very smart move. Let’s say you removed the drain plug and the filler plug is stuck. Well now you have an empty gear box and no way to fill it. Wire brush the filler plug before removal to reduce the possibility of contamination. Just changed tranny oil on my 91 Nissan pickup with your help! This site ROCKS!