The Lada Vesta sedan has been produced by the AvtoVAZ concern since November 24, 2015 and is equipped with four types of engines:
- VAZ-11189 – 1.6 l, 87 hp;
- VAZ-21129 – 1.6 l, 106 hp;
- VAZ-21176 – 1.8 l, 122 hp. ;
- HR16DE-H4M (Nissan) – 1.6 l, 114 hp.
The engine is the most important component of a car, so we will consider in more detail the choice of engine oil for it so that the engine life corresponds to that declared by the manufacturer, and the cost of lubricants is reasonable.
Manufacturer's recommendations
AvtoVAZ recommends that consumers use Russian and Rosneft oils in Lada Vesta engines, and when servicing these cars, dealerships use products from these very companies labeled 5W40.
The operating instructions for VAZ engines say that the oil should be changed after 15 thousand kilometers, but better - after 7.5 thousand kilometers. If we mean the products of the above-mentioned manufacturers, then this recommendation raises some doubts, since the fuel and lubricants market contains products from many foreign enterprises that have proven themselves well in Russia and have been confidently used by the world's leading automakers for decades.
For those who are willing to pay not only for quality, but also for belonging to the brand, we will consider the possibility of using these products in Lada Vesta engines, having familiarized ourselves with the types of motor oils, classifications and recommendations of specialists.
Which one to choose: imported or Russian
Foreign manufacturers always focus on “their” car market. The domestic manufacturer relies on the technical characteristics of Russian cars, respectively.
At the same time, foreign analogues are compatible with engines of domestic cars. The reverse process is not always possible, at least at this stage of development of Russian technologies.
In recent years, cases of mass counterfeiting of motor oils, including foreign ones, have become more frequent. The reason for this phenomenon is obvious - the possibility of making more profit. Domestic brands are also counterfeited, but to a lesser extent. Therefore, service station managers recommend always buying consumables and oils at official points of sale.
Factors influencing the choice of engine oil
The purpose of motor oil is to reduce friction on the working surfaces of the engine in order to reduce their wear and increase efficiency. The choice of oil depends on the following main factors:
- engine type (petrol, diesel);
- climatic (seasonal) operating conditions;
- degree of wear of the internal combustion engine.
Motor oils have markings that allow you to choose the right lubricant, but you need to be able to read the information embedded in its symbolism.
In relation to the Lada Vesta, we will consider lubricants only for gasoline engines.
Classification of motor oils by base
Based on the type of base, lubricating fluids are usually divided into:
- synthetic;
- semi-synthetic;
- mineral.
This classification is conditional - fully synthesized oils are not produced, the manufacturing technology for all 3 types is the same - mineral-based, but “synthetic” and “semi-synthetic” oils differ from mineral oils in their high content of quality additives that improve the fluidity and performance of lubricating compounds, but increase their cost.
All Lada Vesta engines are modern power units, so for their operation it is optimal to use synthetic and semi-synthetic oils, which are more fluid and quickly distribute throughout the internal combustion engine lubrication system and clearances.
In regions with winter temperatures below -30 degrees, the use of mineral oils is strictly not recommended due to the possibility of their thickening and even complete freezing.
How much to fill
Nominal filling volumes are indicated in the Lada Vesta operating manual:
| Unit | Volume, l |
| Engine lubrication system: – 21129 (cast oil sump) – 21129 (stamped oil sump) – 21179 (cast oil sump) – H4M | 4,4 (4,1)* 3,2 (2,9)* 4,4 (4,1)* 5 (4,2)* |
| Engine cooling and interior heating system** – 21179/21129 – H4M | 7,0 (6,4) 7,0 (6,3) |
| Transmission: – AMT 2182 – MT 2180 – MT JR5 515 – Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | 2.25±0.05*** 2.25±0.05*** 2.2*** 6.9 (full volume) |
| Hydraulic clutch and brake system | 0,559 |
| Hydraulic brake system (for versions with AMT) | 0,517 |
| Ozone-safe freon R1234yF in the air conditioning system, kg**** | 0,475±0,02 |
| Ozone-safe freon R134a in the air conditioning system, kg | 0,475±0,02 |
* When changing the oil (without replacing the oil filter). ** The use of mixtures of coolants of different brands is not allowed. *** Reference value! The oil level should be at the lower edge of the filler hole. **** Variant execution.
It is noteworthy that the consumption standards for technical fluids and the technological instructions indicate the amount of refrigerant charged to the LADA Vesta climate system (410 and 390+/-20) grams, respectively.
Viscosity classification
The most important characteristic of motor oil is viscosity, the degree of which is determined using the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) classification, deciphered from tables.
If the viscosity value contains only a two-digit number (SAE 30, SAE 40, SAE 50), it means the oil is of a summer grade or for a climate where the temperature does not drop below +5. If the marking, in addition to the one- or two-digit number, contains the letter W (Winter) - winter (SAE 5W, SAE 10W), the oil is winter.
Currently, seasonal oils, although they are found on sale, are practically replaced by all-season oils, the marking of which contains two groups of designations separated by a hyphen (SAE 5W-30, SAE 10W-30, SAE 10W-40, etc.).
In Russia there are no climate zones where there is no frost, so for Lada Vesta engines you need to use only material with the letter W in the marking.
Rating of the best oils for Lada Vesta (simplerule)
| Nomination | Place | Name of product | Price per liter |
| The best synthetic oils for Lada Vesta | 1 | SHELL Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W-30 | 806 ₽ |
| 2 | ADDINOL Superior 030 SAE 0W-30 | 880 ₽ | |
| 3 | NGN Nord 5W-30 | 695 ₽ | |
| 4 | Castrol Edge 5W-30 | 635 ₽ | |
| The best semi-synthetic oils for Lada Vesta | 1 | Castrol Magnatec 10W-40 R | 350 ₽ |
| 2 | SHELL Helix HX7 10W-40 | 270 ₽ | |
| 3 | LUKOIL Genesis Advanced 10W-40 | 333 ₽ | |
| 4 | TOTAL Quartz 7000 10W40 | 285 ₽ | |
| The best mineral oils for Lada Vesta | 1 | SHELL Rimula R4 X 15W-40 | 230 ₽ |
| 2 | MOBIL Delvac MX 15W-40 | 644 ₽ |
Classification by performance properties
This characteristic was proposed in 1947 by the American Petroleum Institute, denoted by the abbreviation of the same name - API and is still in effect.
According to the API classification, oils are divided into 2 categories:
- “S” – service (for 4-stroke gasoline engines);
- “C” – commercial (agricultural machines, construction equipment and other large vehicles).
Lada Vesta engines are designed for category S oils, but this category has 11 indices (SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF, SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM), of which only SJ, SL are suitable for Vesta and SM, and the rest are still in production, but are intended for obsolete, but still in use cars. Therefore, when choosing fuels and lubricants, you should pay attention to the API index so as not to purchase material that is not designed for the parameters of your engine.
Oil for box Lada Vesta
The machine is equipped with three types of transmission units. The VIN code will help determine which modification is installed on a particular car. The presence of one of the following digital segments indicates the design of the gearbox:
- GFL 11 – mechanics VAZ 21807;
- equipment GFL 12 – AMT robot;
- GFL 13 – manual transmission Renault JH3-510.
At the same time, for “domestic” designs, the plant pours a mixture of TM-4-12 SAE 76W-85 GL-4. Imported mechanics are offered with Elf Tranself NFJ 75W-80 on board.
Vehicle mileage factor
Considering that only a year has passed since the start of Lada Vesta sales, the mileage of cars even of the earliest production today will not be high.
For cars with mileage from zero to a quarter of the lifespan declared by the manufacturer, an oil with a viscosity index of 10W30, 5W30 or 5W40 is recommended at any time of the year. After the engine has consumed a quarter of its resource, you can continue to use SAE 5W40 throughout the year or change the oil twice a year, using 15W40 or 10W40 in the summer, and 5W30 or 10W30 in the winter.
Should the viscosity of the oil used increase as the mileage increases? The question is controversial.
With a significant increase in the viscosity index relative to the recommended one, an immediate positive effect is possible, but with an increase in mileage, the wear rate of the internal combustion engine will also increase.
Recommendations for selection
From the list of motor oils of medium cost, but of good quality, we can highlight products from Castrol and Mobil.
Let's look at some samples of these fuels and lubricants.
Castrol
The company's products include about a thousand types of oils and lubricants, which are sold in 150 countries around the world. Castrol produces 3 lines of motor oils:
- GTX – semi-synthetic;
- Magnatec - synthetics;
- Edge is full synthetic.
A good choice of engine oil for Lada Vesta (all engines) would be materials from the Adge line of viscosity 5W30 or 5W40, produced using Titanium FST technology, which prevents the formation of deposits in the engine and doubles the strength of the protective oil film on parts.
Mobile
The products of this brand are one of the most advertised today, but its declared advantages are not overstated - brands such as Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, Porsche, Nissan and Lexus use it as a factory product. Mobil has the widest selection not only for cars with different mileage, but also for new cars.
A special feature of Mobil is the presence of flushing additives in its composition, eliminating the need to flush the engine when switching to products of this brand.
With the correct selection of viscosity, a good choice for both the three VAZ Lada Vesta engines and the HR16DE-H4M engine (Nissan) would be Mobil Super 3000 or Mobil 1.
What do they pour out of the factory?
Lada Vesta cars are filled with semi-synthetic 5W-40, or Lukoil, from the factory. But according to drivers’ reviews, this oil is not of good quality, so many change it as soon as they leave the car dealership, which we recommend that you do too.
It is recommended to drive with factory oil: 1-2 thousand. km. then replace it. After draining the factory oil, you can see its “zero” state. If you drive with this kind of oil, the factory recommends it, i.e. 15 thousand - then the engine will coke, the rings will stick, and this is death to the engine. But it is worth considering that when changing the oil not at the office. dealer, you can void the warranty, but we know how to do it without the dealer seeing it. But about this in the article (How to change engine oil?)
