Manual Transmission Oil: Signs You Need to Change, Functions, and Costs

An oil change is identical to engine oil, even though a car transmission is also an oil change. Just like automatic transmissions, manual transmission cars also require special oil. There are still many vehicle owners who do not know about manual car transmission oil. Check out this article for complete information about manual transmission oil.

There are many types of oil needed by a car, in order to operate normally, namely engine oil, axle oil, power steering oil, brake oil, and transmission oil. There are people who know more about automatic car transmission oil than manual car transmission oil,

Manual transmission, depending on the operation of the clutch and shifter by the driver whenever a gear shift is required. This type of transmission requires different fluids for best performance depending on the make, model and year of the car.

Function of Manual Car Transmission Oil

Before we talk about transmission oil, it helps us to know how to operate a vehicle's manual transmission.

Driving a car with a manual transmission requires the driver to move body parts from the feet to the hands. The way a manual transmission car works requires a harmonious movement between the two feet and the driver's left hand.

Manual cars usually have three pedals at the driver's foot. The right foot is usually used to step on the brake and gas pedals, and the left foot is specifically used to step on the clutch pedal.

Manual transmission cars also require that the left hand movement is always active, to move the transmission lever so that gear shifts occur.

To start a manual car, press the clutch pedal with your left foot and then your left hand moves the gear lever to 1st gear position. Then slowly lift your left foot off the clutch pedal. At the same time, slowly step on the gas pedal with your right foot.

Find a balance between the movement of the left foot lifting the clutch pedal, and the movement of the right foot stepping on the gas pedal, so that the car can go slowly. Do not immediately step on the gas pedal, just do it slowly adjust the speed.

If the car is moving steadily, then you can step on the gas pedal deeper to increase speed. If the sound of the engine is roaring, step on the clutch pedal again with your left foot and shift the gear lever to 2nd gear. Then step on the gas pedal slowly again using your right foot.

That's how the driver operates the manual transmission on a vehicle. Seeing how it operates, the manual transmission is very at risk of being damaged due to operating errors by the driver.

What Is the Function of Oil in a Manual Transmission System

In general, transmission oil serves to lubricate the components of the transmission system that work to change the gear ratio and increase speed.

This oil is in charge of facilitating the process of changing gears and also reducing friction. Transmission lubricant also plays a role in connecting the transmission to the axle.

Many people consider changing the manual transmission oil unnecessary, unlike automatic transmission cars. Yes, it is recommended to replace the automatic transmission oil when the odometer on the vehicle shows the number 80 thousand to 100 thousand kilometers.

In fact, manual cars also require a transmission oil change. Manual transmission oil must also be replaced periodically. This aims to keep the components in the transmission well maintained.

The following is a more complete explanation of the function of transmission oil for manual cars.

1. Improve engine performance

If you are diligent in changing the transmission oil, you will feel the performance of your favorite manual car engine increases. Acceleration of the car becomes lighter, then the engine also feels smoother.

This condition is caused by additives in manual transmission oil which can make the transmission performance like new again in distributing engine power. In addition, oil that has gone bad and blackened can cause black smoke to come out of the exhaust.

2. Maintain machine components

To avoid the appearance of harsh noises and heavy shifting, the manual transmission oil should be changed periodically.

Because manual transmission oil makes the friction in the manual transmission system smaller, so it can indirectly make the life of the manual transmission components more durable.

3. Prevent engine down

Vehicles that get routine maintenance will have good engine performance. The car is not easy to break down and get off the engine. Do not let you have to do down the car engine.

If you plan to sell your favorite manual car, then dropping the engine can make the price of the car go down too. It's better to spend on regular maintenance, rather than the selling price of your car having to go down in the future due to having experienced a downturn in the engine.

4. Prevents engine contamination by dust and dirt

Oil that is already bad can carry dust and dirt circulating in the transmission system. Dust and dirt can settle and corrode if left untreated for a long time. It can even cause corrosion which makes the transmission components become scuffed and damaged.

Sae Manual Transmission Oil

SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, an international institution that regulates the standardization of the viscosity index of vehicle engine oils. SAE also regulates the standard of oil's ability to maintain viscosity stability when affected by engine temperature.

Different types of oil, different specifications. SAE manual transmission oils generally have an oil viscosity specification of SAE 40 or 90, while other types of oil such as axle oils use SAE 90 to 140.

Several other sources also state that the lubricant for a good manual transmission is one that uses natural ingredients with an oil viscosity above SAE 40.

When to Change Manual Transmission Oil

Manual cars are generally designed so that the manual transmission oil does not need to be changed too often. Usually after a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers of new manual transmission oil replaced. But in practice it turns out not to be so.

How Many Km to Change Manual Car Transmission Oil

Each car may have different manual transmission oil change regulations. Therefore, it is recommended that you read the user manual of the car. Generally in the manual it is usually recommended to change the manual transmission oil on the car when it has reached a distance of 40 thousand kilometers.

However, these numbers can be different when they are on the streets. The owners of this car are advised to change the manual transmission oil faster, such as once every 25 thousand kilometers or even 20 thousand kilometers.

But that time interval does not apply if you have felt the strangeness of the car's manual transmission. Here are some characteristics of your car's manual transmission oil that should be replaced immediately.

1. Sound comes from the transmission

The sound that appears is the buzzing sound of the transmission. This buzzing sound usually appears rather loud when you are driving a car, and comes from the bottom of the car.

Just like other components, if it makes an unusual sound, you should take your car to a repair shop to check the transmission.

The hum of this transmission usually arises as a result of the contact between the gears in the transmission. This can happen if the quality of the manual transmission oil has decreased.

2. Black oil color

To find out the condition of the car's manual transmission oil, you must first know how to check the manual transmission oil.

The transmission oil indicator that is still good will be pink or reddish. If the color of your car's transmission oil has darkened a bit, you should immediately replace it with new manual transmission oil.

The black color of the transmission oil as it indicates a decrease in quality. It could also be that the oil is already dirty because the filter is also dirty.

3. Difficult to Enter Teeth

This condition is a sign for you to change the manual car transmission oil. Generally the gears become hard and difficult to get into the desired gear.

Characteristics can be a sign of two things, namely the transmission oil is bad or the clutch lining is thin. But it will be easier and cheaper for you to change the manual transmission oil first. We recommend changing the manual transmission oil along with changing the oil on the axle as well.

It is highly recommended that you remember the last time you changed the transmission and axle oil. If the manual transmission oil and axle oil have been changed, it will usually be easier for you when you want to shift gears.

4. Manual transmission vibrates

One more characteristic of your car's manual transmission oil that is no longer good is the appearance of vibration. The gears vibrate when in the idle or stationary position. The appearance of this vibration can come from various factors, one of which is the transmission oil or it can also come from the transmission mounting that is not good.

If the manual transmission has started to vibrate, there is usually a feeling of discomfort when your car is driving. It's better for you to immediately check the transmission by taking your favorite car to a trusted repair shop.

How to Check Manual Transmission Oil

Checking engine oil, maybe many people already know how. But there are still many car owners who still don't know how to check their car's manual transmission oil.

The short way is to look at the manual transmission oil dipstick. In some types of cars, there is a special oil dipstick for manual transmissions. This dipstick generally has the same shape as the engine oil dipstick. However, most manual cars are not equipped with this dipstick.

Before starting to check the manual transmission oil, your first step must have a measuring stick (dipstick), its function is to measure the condition of the manual transmission oil fluid.

Since most manual cars don't come with a transmission oil gauge, it's best to buy one separately.

Once you have the measuring stick, the second step is to remove the filler plug on the side or top of the transmission.

There is a hole where you can insert a dipstick, or your finger, to see if the fluid level is at the car manufacturer's recommended level.

You also have to observe the color and smell of the transmission lubricating oil. Transmission oil that is dark in color, or has a burning smell generally has a bad condition.

Also make sure the transmission oil does not contain metal powder or mud in it. The oil needs to be changed if it doesn't have a reddish tint, which means it's still in normal condition.

Change Manual Transmission Oil

If you feel it's time to change your car's manual transmission oil, take the car to a subscription repair shop and ask a mechanic to change your car's manual transmission oil. That is the easiest way you can do to change the manual transmission oil.

But if you want to change the manual transmission oil yourself in your favorite car, here are the steps.

1. car jack

Prepare a car jack, because the first step to do is to jack up the car. It's a good idea to use a jack stand jack to lift your car. If the car body has been lifted, make sure the position is stable and does not sway.

2. Find the position of the fill plug and drain plug

The fill plug is the hole where the oil is filled, while the drain plug is the drain hole where the manual transmission oil flows out.

Find the position of the two holes. If you have trouble, you can look for the information in the vehicle manual or browse the internet from a smartphone. Generally the position of the fill plug is on the side of the transmission, while the drain plug is at the bottom of the transmission housing.

3. Drain the old transmission oil

Prepare a large enough empty container. Then put the container for the used transmission oil liquid under the drain plug. Then open the drain plug bolt using a wrench.

You can also put a cloth over the container to filter the transmission oil that comes out. Check for metal debris or other material contamination in the used transmission oil fluid. If there is, immediately check with the repair shop for further action.

If no dirt is found, replace the drain plug bolt after all the transmission oil has been drained.

4. Put in the new manual transmission oil

After confirming that the transmission tank is empty, unscrew the fill plug bolt using a wrench. Then pour the new manual transmission oil fluid into it. To fill the transmission oil, you can use tools such as hand pumps and hoses.

These two tools are very useful in helping to enter the transmission oil fluid into the transmission hole, so it doesn't spill or spill on the floor.

5. Close and re-tighten the fill plug bolt

If you have done the steps above, reinstall the fill plug bolt and tighten it with a wrench so that the transmission fluid does not spill.

When the transmission oil has overflowed through the filling hole, it means that the oil fluid is full. Also attach the thread sealant to the bolt and screw it back in until it is tight.

Manual Transmission Oil Change Costs

If you have decided to change your car's manual transmission oil, also prepare the cost of changing the manual transmission oil. The price of manual transmission oil varies, depending on the brand of oil, and the viscosity specifications.

The price of manual transmission oil is in the range of IDR 50 thousand per liter, up to IDR 200 thousand per liter. Generally, your car requires approximately 2 liters of transmission oil, to replace the manual transmission oil.

If you decide to change the manual transmission oil at a subscription repair shop. usually the repair shop will ask for a service fee of around Rp. 50 thousand.

Manual Transmission Oil Change Costs by Car Brand

For more details, Auto Insurance Agencies will describe the cost of changing the manual transmission oil on several popular types of cars in Indonesia.

Ertiga Manual Transmission Oil

The Auto Ertiga manual transmission oil change should be done every 20,000 kilometers. The official oil used for the Ertiga with manual transmission is Auto Genuine Oil SGO Manual Transmission SAE 75E-80 GL-4.

The manual Ertiga transmission oil is sold for Rp. 95 thousand per liter, while it takes about 3 liters of manual transmission oil for one oil change. So the total cost of changing the Ertiga manual transmission oil is IDR 285 thousand.

Manual Gasoline Innova Transmission Oil

For the Toyota Innova, the manual gasoline Innova transmission oil uses transmission oil with SAE 90 GL5 specifications. Then how many liters of manual gasoline Innova transmission oil?

The capacity of the Innova gasoline manual transmission oil itself is about 2.2 liters. At Tokopedia, the price of manual gasoline Innova transmission oil varies between IDR 60 thousand per liter to IDR 150 thousand per liter.

Sigra Manual Transmission Oil

Daihatsu Sigra and Toyota Calya share a similar platform and specifications. So you could say the maintenance needs are similar.

The official Daihatsu workshop recommends that the Sigra manual transmission oil be changed every 40,000 km, the same is true for the duration of changing the manual Calya transmission oil.

The Calya manual transmission oil capacity is the same as the Sigra manual transmission oil capacity, which is only 1.2 liters. Use manual transmission oil with API GL-4 SAE 75W-90 specifications, or 80W-90, it can also be 90W-90.

Meanwhile, the cost to change the Sigra manual and Calya Manual transmission oil is Rp. 138 thousand.

Mobilio Manual Transmission Oil

If you want to change the Mobilio manual transmission oil, the required manual transmission oil capacity is around 1.75 liters. You can use Honda Manual Transmission Fluid as the official Honda manual transmission oil.

For manual Mobilio transmission oil, the price is Rp. 63 thousand per liter, so to change the manual Mobilio oil you need to pay Rp. 126 thousand, not including the cost of changing the transmission oil.

Agya Manual Transmission Oil

Toyota Agya and Daihatsu Ayla also share similar platforms and specifications. So the need for manual Agya transmission oil is similar to manual Ayla transmission oil. The Ayla manual transmission oil capacity itself is 1.2 liters, the same as the Agya manual transmission oil capacity.

It is recommended to use a manual transmission oil withAPI GL-4 SAE 75W-90 specifications, or 80W-90, or 90W-90. Just like Sigra and Calya, the cost of changing the Agya manual and Ayla manual transmission oil is around IDR 138 thousand.

Avanza Manual Transmission Oil

Avanza manual transmission oil specifications are recommended to use SAE 80W-90 GL4. In addition, the manual Avanza transmission oil should be changed regularly every 40,000 km interval. The capacity of the Avanza 1300cc and 1500cc manual transmission oil is 2.5 liters.

The price of the manual Avanza transmission oil itself is priced at Rp. 74,500 for a 1 liter bottle, so every time we change the Avanza manual transmission oil, we need to pay Rp. 223,500, not including repair shop fees.

Honda Jazz Manual Transmission Oil

The capacity of the Honda Jazz manual transmission oil is 1.5 liters. It is recommended to use Honda MTF (Manual Transmission Fluid) as the official Honda manual transmission oil, which is priced at Rp. 63 thousand per liter.

That way the cost of changing the Honda Jazz manual transmission oil costs Rp. 126 thousand, not including the service fee for the workshop.