Hi guys,

Not much talk here regarding the servicing of the 5 speed manual transmission in these cars. I've lost my manual and now that the car is out of warranty I service it myself now (oil changes).

Car is now nearly at 60,000kms and I'm just wondering do I need to change the gearbox fluid anytime soon?
Car still runs fantastic like new and no issues so far.
Thanks.

By the way the car is a 2013 1.2 pop manual.

Fiat service schedule here:

http://www.fiatusaofgreer.com/fiat-500-maintenance-schedule.htm

Mila said:

Hi guys,

Not much talk here regarding the servicing of the 5 speed manual transmission in these cars. I've lost my manual and now that the car is out of warranty I service it myself now (oil changes).

Car is now nearly at 60,000kms and I'm just wondering do I need to change the gearbox fluid anytime soon?
Car still runs fantastic like new and no issues so far.
Thanks.

By the way the car is a 2013 1.2 pop manual.

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frankly, i don't see any point in changing car gearbox oil in a manual car unless it is leaking. maybe if you keep the car forever, every 5 years? now the dualogic is another story all together, you should check the fluid level every time you service the car!

Ok but don't oil have a service life? I plan to keep the car for another few years. Probably until it's 10 years old.

Maybe I'll have it done when it come to the big service at 100,000 kms including timing belt service.

The gearbox oil should last about ten years or 100 k that's what my last car was as the oil is far less stresses than in the engine.

Mila said:

Ok but don't oil have a service life? I plan to keep the car for another few years. Probably until it's 10 years old.

Maybe I'll have it done when it come to the big service at 100,000 kms including timing belt service.

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Timing belt at 100,000 kms? That's a stretch, I usually do 75,000 = )

I remember a few years back, I changed the gearbox oil in my old Nissan Primera at 100,000 miles. A bit of a palava as I had to do it it my garage because that was the only level ground I had. Anyway, I drained the gearbox oil and it was absolutely filthy black, unlike the brand new fresh stuff that replaced it. So yes, it was definitely worth replacing, especially as the gear changes were notably more silky smooth afterward.

Back in the days Honda used ordinary engine oil on the gearbox and never had an problem

I change my manual gearbox oils at ~20K km once they're fully broken in. There's usually a lot of metal floating around in there. People who've done oil analysis have also found there are a lot of manufacturing remnants in the factory fill oil. For $30 or so that it costs, it well worth it IMO.

UFI said:

I change my manual gearbox oils at ~20K km once they're fully broken in. There's usually a lot of metal floating around in there. People who've done oil analysis have also found there are a lot of manufacturing remnants in the factory fill oil. For $30 or so that it costs, it well worth it IMO.

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So when would you next change it?

There after I'd probably change at 100K km. The friction modifers in gearbox oils do loose effectiveness over time so it's wise not to leave it in there too long, despite what the official service schedule might say.

Just for reference, Toyota don't require gearbox oil changes at all for the Prius, but a few people have had metallic particles build up to the point where the stator (motor) windings have shorted out, and that's in a car with essentially a single gear (no syncros which are a wear item and no gear crunching from miss shifts).