The official recommendation of the service book asks to drain the oil from the Kia Rio manual transmission at the mileage mark of 100-120 thousand km. This condition is not suitable for operating a car in our latitudes, with unsatisfactory road surfaces, frequent gear shifts and more aggressive weather (frost, increased wear of the chassis). How to properly perform the replacement, which lubricant to choose - we’ll tell you more about everything in the article.
Frequency of oil changes in the manual transmission of a Kia car
The recommended frequency for changing the oil in a manual transmission on a Kia Rio is 70-80 thousand kilometers. If the car is in aggressive operating conditions (speed over 120 km/h, frequent gearbox shifts), it is necessary to fill in new lubricant every 50-60 thousand km. Following these simple rules guarantees accident-free driving for at least decades.
How to determine the need for replacement? For example, the year when the transmission oil was last changed is unknown. In this case, you need to check the condition of the transmission fluid.
We perform the following actions:
- We find the sump (engine crankcase), there is a control drain plug on the right - unscrew it;
- If the oil flows out with great pressure, the color is not dirty brown - the level is sufficient, the quality of the lubricant is acceptable for another 10-15 thousand km.
Which oil to choose? The manufacturer labels transmission fluid in accordance with certain indices:
- Technical composition by viscosity: 75W, 80W, 90W, 110W - the lower the number, the more severe frosts it can withstand and does not thicken. Those. You can add lubricant with an index from 75 to 90;
- By class (a set of special detergents, anti-corrosion and other properties): API GL from 1 to 5. Number 1 is applicable if the car is older than 10 years, 2 and 3 freight transport, 4 universal, 5 for increased wear.
Therefore, for the Kia Rio model, 75W-90W, API GL 4 or 5 is suitable. For this model, the volume of gear lubricant is 1.9 liters (a standard canister holds 2.5-3 liters).
Why is there oil in the gearbox and does it need to be changed?
The manual transmission or automatic transmission of any car is factory filled with transmission oil, which performs important functions.
Oil in a manual transmission is needed for:
- reducing the friction force of metal elements, as well as protecting them from corrosion and premature wear;
- removal of excess heat from rubbing parts to avoid overheating, deformation and jamming of gears;
- reducing noise and vibration;
- reducing the shock load on the box elements;
- reducing energy losses due to friction.
For automatic transmissions, oil performs the same functions as for manual transmissions, but there is a main feature - if it is absent from the automatic transmission, the car will not even move, since it transmits torque from the engine to the wheels.
Car manufacturers claim that transmission oil changes are not necessary throughout the entire service life. This is explained by the fact that the average service life of a gearbox is 10 years, but usually they last much longer, so checking the condition of the gearbox oil and replacing it is necessary.
What to do if oil leaks? What kind of breakdowns happen?
An oil leak from a manual transmission in a Kia Rio is only possible in the following cases:
- The engine crankcase is broken (hit by gravel at full speed), hit by a foreign object;
- Long-term operation - wear or loss of the drain bolt.
Problems can be identified almost immediately - noise in the gearbox when changing gears (especially at high engine speeds) and oil leaks where your car is parked. It is highly not recommended to seal the pan, install plugs and plugs - the lubricant heats up above 80-90 degrees, the plug will simply fly out under pressure. The only correct solution is a tow truck and repair of the breakdown in a workshop.
What do you need to know about changing transmission oil in a Kia Rio?
Kia Rio cars are equipped with 2 main types of gearbox - manual or automatic. In both cases, the box is a complex mechanism consisting of a large number of parts interacting under high loads. The oil prevents accelerated wear of the gearbox components, ensuring the operation of the mechanism throughout the entire operation of the vehicle.
Over time, the level of performance properties of transmission oils decreases. This happens the more intensely, the more difficult the conditions the car has to drive.
With a sporty driving style, driving on uneven and dusty roads, the oil resource is consumed much faster than when driving quietly on smooth city asphalt in a temperate climate, therefore, in this case, the transmission fluid must be replaced more often.
How to properly change the oil in a manual transmission?
You can replace the transmission fluid yourself in just 30-40 minutes.
List of tools for changing the oil in a manual transmission on a Kia Rio:
- A syringe (if not available, a drain hose with a neck);
- Old container for collecting used lubricant;
- Key for 14 and 17.
Stage one
First of all, it is necessary to drain the used lubricant. Draining is carried out in the following sequence:
- It is necessary to heat the oil to a temperature of 50-60 degrees - take a short trip for 15-20 minutes;
- Check that the pan in the manual transmission in the Kia Rio must be cleaned - when unscrewing the drain bolt, no dirt should get into the transmission unit;
- Unscrew the drain bolt and substitute a container (the required volume is approximately 2 liters);
We wait until the lubricant stops flowing and proceed to the next step.
Stage two
After the glass lubricant has been used up, the gearbox should be washed to remove any remaining residue. Many advise not to rinse, citing the fact that, unlike motor oil, mixing mineral and synthetic types is allowed in transmission oil. However, flushing is necessary to remove any remaining metal shavings, oil foam and other residual products of old lubricant.
To flush, tighten the drain bolt, find the fill plug and use a syringe or fill in up to 1 liter of new oil through the neck. Next, drain in the same order.
Stage three
The last stage of the work is to fill in new oil for the Kia Rio. This stage of updating the transmission fluid is carried out in the following sequence:
- Close the oil pan drain bolt.
- Fill in new lubricant through a syringe or neck (volume - 1.9 liters).
- Close the filler plug and warm up the engine.
The entire oil change procedure will take about 40 minutes. The time spent is not worth it to suddenly find yourself with a broken box somewhere far from the service and the city. Always mark the date of the last replacement and you will definitely not hear an unpleasant grinding noise in the car crankcase.
How to change the oil in a Kia Rio automatic transmission?
A capricious automatic transmission requires significantly more oil than a manual one.
If the manufacturer recommends changing it every 100 thousand km, in practice the period is reduced to 50-60 thousand if:
- the car often “walks” on dusty roads;
- the driver practices driving at a speed of more than 150 km per hour;
- The car is often transported by tow.
To change the transmission lubricant, the driver will need 6.2 (UB body) - 6.8 (DC body) liters of oil; DIAMOND ATF SP-III fluid is suitable. In addition, the filter will need to be changed at the same time.
Replacement algorithm:
- warm up the car by driving 5-10 km;
- install it on an overpass or inspection hole;
- set the automatic transmission to neutral, turn off the engine;
- determine the location of the crankcase and remove its protection;
- drain the used lubricant by first replacing a container with a volume of at least 7 liters;
- tighten the plug, carefully remove the pan, drain the liquid that has got into it;
- clean the pan of all contaminants, including old sealant;
- replace the filter by removing the bolts and removing the magnet;
- lubricate the crankcase in places of contact with the body with sealant, put it in place;
- Place a funnel in the dipstick hole and fill in new oil.
It is important that with this algorithm it will be possible to replace no more than 60% of the lubricant; the entire oil in the automatic transmission can only be changed at a service center.
When working on your own, keep in mind that waste fluid remains in the system. Frequent replacement of lubricant will help smooth out the negative consequences of this.
Replacing the transmission lubricant in the Kia Rio box yourself will save the driver money on contacting an official dealer. Simple DIY operations are accessible to everyone and do not take much time.
Video: Kia Rio how to understand that it’s time to change the oil in the box
The choice of the optimal oil option for the Kia Rio 3, including the previous generation Kia Rio 2, should be approached with special care. The market space today is overflowing with offers of this product, which has different viscosity and temperature properties.
We should not forget about the rather high risk of encountering a fake. It is better to work hard and look for original products, which will reduce the risk of incorrect operation of the transmission or its possible failure.
If the owner managed to find a product that is suitable in terms of quality, then the next time it is replaced, there is no point in resorting to another manufacturer or brand.
If you change the oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, without violating the replacement frequency, the service life of the units increases by at least 60%.
The third generation Kia Rio (UB) appeared on the market in 2012 and was restyled in 2015. The package included an engine with a displacement of 1.4 (G4FA) and 1.6 (G4FC) liters, the technical feature of which was the presence of a variable valve timing system. The declared motor life is at least 200 t.km.
If you choose the wrong engine oil, for example, then malfunctions in the piston group and the gas distribution mechanism are guaranteed for the car. The reason is oil starvation and carbon deposits formed on the engine valves and pistons. Below is a snapshot from the technical documentation, which indicates the classification of oils according to which it is necessary to select oils for a car.
The best motor oil. does it exist?
- The machine is operated under normal conditions. This implies a mixed driving cycle with the same mileage on the highway and in the city, without intense overloads with towing heavy trailers or driving at maximum speeds.
- There are no oil leaks, including through the seals. If this problem is detected, first of all you need to change the oil, then flush the gearbox and pour new oil with the recommended parameters. Otherwise, water may enter through the seals, which will become a source of corrosion inside the gearbox.
- The gearbox operates smoothly, gears change easily and effortlessly, there is no hum or extraneous noise.
Engine oil KIA RIO 3
For third-generation KIA RIO gasoline engines, KIA recommends using oil of a quality level not lower than ILSAC GF-4 (current specifications ILSAC GF-5A, GF-6A), or according to API specification class not lower than SM.
The viscosity of the engine oil should be selected based on the climatic operating conditions. For most regions of Russia, these are oils with a viscosity of 5W-30. Oil viscosity 5W-20, recommended to improve fuel efficiency. 3.6 liters is enough for replacement. Suitable oils can be seen at the link.
Pay attention to the frequency of maintenance of your car, and take into account the operating conditions. For more information about operating conditions, read the extract (open PDF) from the vehicle's operating instructions.
Step-by-step instruction
1. We drive the car into the pit and dismantle the protection. The protection is secured with four bolts.
We unscrew the front two bolts under the seventeen head completely. We release the back two by about half. Next, we take it, move the protection towards the face of the car and remove it.
2. Remove the protective cover to gain access to the filler plug. The casing is secured with four ten socket head bolts.
3.After removing the casing, we got good access to the filler plug.
4. Unscrew the filler plug, the edges are seventeen. We unscrew the plug so that there is air leakage and the oil drains out faster.
5. Place a container to collect used oil and unscrew the drain plug. It is also turnkey for seventeen.
6. After the oil has completely come out, screw on and tighten the drain plug.
7. We draw oil into the syringe and put on a tube. Insert the tube into the filler hole and add oil. There will be 1.8 - 2 liters of oil.
Don't be afraid to overfill; if you overfill, it will simply flow through the filler hole.
8. Screw on and tighten the filler plug.
9. Wipe off any oil spills with a rag.
10. Install and secure the casing with four bolts.
11. Install and secure the engine protection with four bolts.
Replacement frequency
The manufacturer indicates that you need to check the oil level every 90 thousand kilometers and, if necessary, top up. They also write that the oil in a manual transmission is designed for its entire service life. Under operating conditions in the Russian Federation, the oil needs to be changed every 30-40 thousand kilometers. In this case, there will be no problems with the manual transmission, and it will take a very long time. There are examples when boxes on Rio 3 were maintained for more than 500 thousand km without repair.
