Check the automatic transmission fluid level every 15,000 km of vehicle mileage.
Oil replacement is scheduled every 60,000 km of vehicle mileage.
If the oil has darkened and a smell of burnt oil appears, the oil must be replaced and the cause determined during diagnosis.
ELF Renaultmatic D3 SYN oil must be used in the automatic transmission.
Checking the level and topping up the oil
Start the engine and warm up the gearbox.
The oil temperature in the gearbox must be 50–80 °C.
To speed up warming, a short drive can be made.
The oil temperature is determined using a diagnostic tester connected to the vehicle diagnostic socket.
Place the vehicle on a level surface and apply the handbrake.
Press the brake pedal and, holding it pressed, move the selector successively through all positions, pausing at each position from «P» to «D».
To fill the torque converter and the hydraulic system of the automatic transmission with oil.
After this, shift to neutral «N» and release the brake pedal.
The oil level varies with temperature.
Place a wide container under the gearbox to drain the working fluid.
Undo the plug of the working fluid level check hole located in the bottom of the gearbox sump.
At the normal level, the working fluid begins to flow out at a temperature of 35–37 °C.
An overflow tube «B» is fitted in the level check hole «A», its upper edge corresponding to the normal fluid level.
A smell of burnt oil with foreign particles in the oil indicates the need for automatic transmission repair.
If the oil does not begin to flow from the control hole when the temperature rises to 60 °C, it must be topped up.
Disconnect the selector drive cable from the gearbox.
Undo the filler hole plug located in the upper part of the gearbox sump.
Pour in the special oil until it begins to flow out of the control hole.
The oil must flow out of the control hole in separate drops.
If it flows in a continuous stream, drain the excess until drops of oil appear.
Tighten the control and filler hole plugs to a torque of 35 N·m.
Changing the automatic transmission oil
Warm the oil in the automatic transmission to operating temperature by making a short drive.
Place the vehicle over a level inspection pit.
Move the selector lever to position «P» and apply the handbrake.
Place a 4–5 litre container to drain the oil.
Using an 8 mm square, undo the drain plug.
Drain the oil from the drain (control) hole.
As there is a level tube inside, not all the oil will drain out.
After this, undo the level tube.
Insert an 8 mm hex into the drain hole and undo the level tube.
The level tube (oil level control plug) is plastic, so do not overtighten when fitting.
This is what the level tube looks like.
After all the oil has been drained, fit and screw in the level tube by hand.
Screw in the drain control plug by hand as well.
Determine the amount of oil drained from the gearbox. Approximately the same amount as was drained must be added.
If the vehicle was on a lift, lower it and prepare it for adding oil.
Open the bonnet.
Slacken the air duct clamps and remove it.
Using an 8 mm square, undo the filler plug.
Withdraw the plug.
The plug is sealed with a sealing ring.
Insert a funnel with an extension into the filler hole and add oil in the amount of the drained oil.
After this, start the vehicle and warm the engine to operating temperature.
After warming the engine at idle, move the selector lever successively through all modes so that the oil spreads through the internal parts of the automatic transmission.
Place a container and, with the engine running, undo the control plug.
If the oil does not flow out or the volume of drained oil is less than 0.1 l, carry out the following:
- stop the engine and screw in the drain plug;
- add 0.5 l of oil;
- allow the gearbox to cool to 50 °C;
- start the engine at idle;
- wait for the temperature to rise to 60±1 °C;
- place a container under the plug;
- undo the drain hole plug.
These operations must be repeated until more than 0.1 l of oil is drained into the container.
Screw in the plugs and refit all the parts in reverse order.
