Skoda Octavia A5 is a car with a long history, developed on the Volkswagen Golf platform. Today the car is in demand in the secondary market. Skoda Octavia A5 owners are attracted not only by the cool driving qualities of the car, but also by the affordable prices for consumables. For example, for oil in a manual transmission. The problem of choosing oil is becoming more and more urgent today, given the large assortment of trade brands on the world market. In this article, we will consider what you need to pay attention to first when choosing a suitable lubricant using the example of the Skoda Octavia A5 with a manual transmission.

Oil properties

The correct choice of transmission oil should be based on viscosity characteristics, operational and anti-corrosion properties, as well as lubricating and thermo-oxidizing properties.

Marking

Transmission oil, like motor lubricant, has its own marking. Naturally, it is better to know how to decode it correctly. For example, on the product label there are so-called SAE and APi quality grades, which determine the resistance to certain temperatures. In addition, the packaging contains the designation ZF and MIL, as well as original approvals from the manufacturers.

Viscosity characteristics 75W and 90

75W90 is the most popular viscosity grade for transmission oils. The parameter 75W indicates the resistance of the oil to low temperatures. This means that the liquid with the indicated designation can be used in winter. Thus, we have before us a more fluid and liquid oil, which is not able to freeze even in severe frost. On the other hand, a W grease is ideal for the summer season as well.

A product with a viscosity of 75W90 is considered the most optimal for Russian climatic latitudes, so the Russian owners of Skoda Octavia A5 can recommend oil with just such parameters. But also do not forget about other equally important standards.

If the machine is operated in moderate temperature conditions, then it is necessary to focus on the viscosity "90". If the designation "140" is indicated, this oil is preferred for hot climates as well as for intense driving style.

Oil functions

The transmission fluid is responsible for cooling the gearbox components, thereby preventing them from overheating. Freshly poured grease will eliminate friction, galling, galling, pitting and other damage. In addition, high-quality oil reduces energy loss and increases efficiency, performs a heat-dissipating function, and also reduces noise and vibration during the operation of the gears.

Oil properties

• API - quality class, which is designated in the form of groups GL-4 and GL-5
• GL-4 - This oil is designed for optimal operating conditions. Withstands medium loads
• GL-5 - Designed for harsh conditions. This oil allows high speed and torque, as well as intense driving style. Recommended for machines with powerful motors. Oil with a GL-5 class will be ideal for the performance versions of the Skoda Octavia A5.

The best oils for manual transmission Skoda Octavia A5

1. Motul Gear 300 75W90 - has good protective properties, reliably protects against scuffing, welding, and also forms a strong oil film without losing the power of the internal combustion engine. This oil does not have the best viscosity characteristics. And yet, it can be considered one of the best, based on most of the other reference parameters.
2. Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90 GL4- the best option in terms of price and quality ratio. Withstands low temperatures, and in comparison with "Mobile" is better suited for winter climates. It has good extreme pressure properties as well as a higher wear rate than Motul.
3. Mobil Mobilube - takes a worthy third place. This oil boasts good test results in terms of protection against premature wear, and in terms of resistance to high loads. At subzero temperatures, Mobil Mobilube does not have the best viscosity level, so this oil can be recommended only for temperate and warm climates.
4. Total Transmission SYN FE 75-90- a good liquid from a well-known manufacturer. This product is rightfully considered a universal oil, as it has a combined class GL-4 / GL-5. Such oil is usually poured under low temperature conditions.
5. Liqui Moly Hypoid-Getriebeoil TDL 75W-90 GL4 / 5- one of the most expensive oils, recommended for use at extremely low temperatures. Test results have proven the excellent performance of the oil at minus 40 degrees Celsius, making Liqui an absolute ideal. However, its too high price can scare off anyone, even the wealthiest owner of the Skoda Octavia A5.

Output

After reviewing the parameters and the best oils, we can conclude that when choosing an oil, the first step is to take into account the parameters of the oil, and compare them with those indicated in the operating instructions for the Skoda Octavia A5. Having decided on the parameters, you can choose the brand you like. But you need to select from trusted firms with a generally recognized reputation.

Although the Skoda Octavia from the Czech automaker, which is part of the auto giant VAG, has slightly increased in price recently, having ceased to be a brand of budget cars, the demand for the brand has not started to fall from this.

On the contrary, the popularity of Skoda continues to grow steadily. This is largely due to the combination of good quality cars, good looks and reliability. These are cars that can serve for more than a dozen years with proper care and timely maintenance.

Now the models A5 and A7 are incredibly in demand in the secondary market, which do not differ much in terms of service. This allows you to consider changing the oil in the manual transmission on the Skoda Octavia A7 and A5 at the same time. Although the machines differ somewhat in terms of equipment, design and other little things, the principle of replacing the consumable has remained unchanged.

Replacement frequency

Skoda Octavia cars equipped with manual gearboxes are five-speed and six-speed.

The Czech company has done a good job of adapting its cars to Russian operating conditions. This made it possible to significantly extend the service life of cars on poor quality roads and in a harsh winter.

But the official regulations somewhat overestimate the capabilities of their cars. How else to explain the fact that the manufacturer claims there is no need to change the transmission oil in the manual transmission. Skoda gives a similar recommendation regarding automatic transmissions.

In fact, the procedures for changing the oil in the manual transmission are needed if you want your Skoda Octavia to serve for a long time, reliably and reliably. The longer you delay the replacement, the higher the likelihood of all sorts of problems and breakdowns. Periodic oil changes will not take much time, effort and financial resources. But with a complete failure of the gearbox, you will have to invest significantly in car repairs.

Craftsmen, experts and just experienced car owners have come to the conclusion that the frequency of changing the transmission oil in the manual transmission should be at least 80 - 90 thousand kilometers. If the operating conditions are harsh, in winter the temperature drops below -20 degrees Celsius, and the quality of the roads is poor, then reduce the interval between replacements to 50-60 thousand kilometers.

Several characteristic signs may indicate the need to change the working fluid in the manual transmission oil sump:

• the first time it is not possible to change gear;
• in the process of switching, noises, knocks and crunches appear;
• the transfer is not turned on completely;
• the oil consumption in the manual transmission increases;
• speed and power drops;
• the car starts to pick up speed more slowly;
• you have to put more physical effort to work with the manual transmission handle.

All this potentially indicates that the old oil has lost its physicochemical properties, it does not fully fulfill its functions. If you continue to drive a car with a faulty transmission, this will result in wear and tear of the manual transmission elements and their subsequent failure.

Since the box is considered the second most important unit in the car after the engine, its repair or replacement will require impressive financial costs. It is much easier and cheaper to sometimes change the oil and maintain the operability of the mechanical gearbox.

Oil selection

This is where many car owners make the most common mistake. It is incorrect to assume that all oils are the same, therefore you can use the first available manual transmission fluids.

Yes, in the case of the Skoda Octavia, their manual transmissions are not the most finicky in terms of the choice of lubricant. But only if the composition meets the requirements of the automaker.

Here, the most important are viscosity and API. For Skoda Octavia A5 and A7, oil should be poured into a box with an indicator GL4 / GL5 (GL4 +) and a viscosity of 75W90. These are the optimum performance that a mechanic requires.

Now it remains to decide which oil to fill in the manual transmission. The original composition is the best choice. But it is often not bought because of its high cost. Many are convinced that this is just a commercial move. In fact, the original compositions are no different from their counterparts from other manufacturers.

This statement cannot be called fair. At the stage of design and creation of gearboxes, all the characteristics and properties of the oil are carefully selected, which can optimally match the manual transmission. Many major car manufacturers do this. The result is an oil endowed with specific capabilities and physicochemical parameters. Other manufacturers of oils are trying to get closer to them so that customers have the opportunity to choose other formulations besides the original ones.

In the case of the Octavia A5 and A7 models, the original oils from VAG have the following indices:

• G 052512A2;
• G 052171A2.

These two formulations are ideal for manual transmissions. Only in no case fill the manual transmission with original oils intended for automatic transmissions. The composition there is completely different.

If we talk about alternative solutions, then the Skoda Octavia will feel good with oils from leading companies:

• Shell;
• Motul;
• Castrol;
• Liqui Moly, etc.

Focus on viscosity and API parameters. you buy, the less problems you will have during the operation of the car. It is not necessary to choose original compositions, but if you have such an opportunity, be sure to use it.

Required volume

Owners of the Skoda Octavia A5 and A7 with manual gearboxes were somewhat more fortunate than those with an automatic transmission, if we talk about the replacement procedure.

This is due to the amount of lubricant required to fill the oil sump. Automatic transmissions have an oil volume of 6 liters, which is quite a lot and costly from a financial point of view. But car owners have no choice, they must buy and change. Repair or replacement of automatic transmissions will cost significantly more.

But if your Skoda Octavia A5 and A7 is equipped with a manual transmission, then here you will need several times less lubricant. The filling volume of the manual transmission is 2.0 liters. But when replacing, it is not possible to drain all 2 liters on its own. Part of the lubricant remains inside the system, therefore, in real conditions, up to 1.8 liters are usually placed.

There are no exact numbers here, and no one guarantees how much oil will enter the crankcase when you change it yourself. You need to be guided by the level and start from the individual situation.

Step-by-step instruction

If you decide to independently change the oil in the manual transmission on the Octavia A5 or A7, then you will need to prepare a minimum set of tools, free up a few hours of time and settle in the garage.

In total, the oil change takes up to 2 hours. It all depends on your skill level. Some cope much faster, others take a little more time, since in parallel they carry out additional manipulations to service or repair the car.

The process of changing the oil in a mechanical gearbox, which the Skoda Octavia is equipped with, implies a phased implementation of all procedures. Try not to deviate from the instructions and strictly follow the safety rules.

To work you will need:

• fresh gear oil (2 liters is sufficient);
• filling syringe;
• rags;
• overalls;
• hex keys;
• spanners;
• empty container for used oil;
• pit, overpass or lift.

Further, already be guided by the situation. If you plan to do other work in parallel, then the list of tools and materials will expand somewhat. To change the oil in a mechanical type transmission, the specified list will be sufficient.

Now let's take a step-by-step look at the process of changing the oil in the manual transmission of Skoda Octavia A5 and A7 cars.

1. Warm up the car. It is necessary to bring the temperature of the oil in the box to the operating parameters. To do this, it is enough to drive 10 - 15 kilometers or start the engine at idle speed. It is better to drive, as this will allow you to move the manual transmission selector to different positions.
2. Drive into the garage on a pit, overpass or lift the car with a lift. You can start draining the fluid from the gearbox oil sump only 20 to 30 minutes after stopping the engine. During this time, the oil will drain back into the crankcase, which will allow it to drain in full through the corresponding hole.
3. For added convenience, you can remove the front wheels. They interfere somewhat in the process of changing the working fluid, but with a certain skill, you can do without this procedure.
4. Although the plant does not provide for an oil change in the manual transmission, it still provided for the presence of a drain hole on the gearbox. Therefore, unscrew the bottom plug with a hexagon, after placing an empty container for 3 - 4 liters under it. This will prevent excess oil from flowing over the edges. Using a 2 liter container, you run the risk of spilling liquid.
5. Wait for the oil to drain completely through the drain hole. If you have warmed up the car beforehand, then this procedure will take about 20 minutes. Do not hurry. The more fluid you manage to drain, the more efficiently you will clean the crankcase of. Together with it, various deposits, debris, metal shavings, etc. will come out.
6. If you see a large amount of dirt and metal shavings in the drained oil, it makes sense to flush the system. But for this you will need to contact a car service, where a service is offered using special equipment. You can also use flushing compounds in a garage. They are poured like oil, run through the system and drained. But practice shows that this is not particularly relevant on Octavia's manual gearboxes.
7. When the oil has drained, screw the plug back on. Make sure that the drain cover is intact and free from damage or defects. Otherwise, it is better to replace it.
8. Just above the drain hole is the control filler plug. It serves at the same time to fill in fresh oil and check its level in the gearbox housing.
9. To fill in new fluid in the manual transmission, you will need to use a special filling syringe. Some craftsmen also manage with improvised means, although so far nothing is more convenient than a syringe, for filling the gearbox with oil it was not invented for a garage replacement.
10. See how much grease you have drained off approximately. A similar amount will need to be refilled using fresh gear oil. Refill gradually and take your time. Add grease through a syringe until it flows back.

1. Make sure the machine is level and level. With significant deviations, oil can flow out before the crankcase is completely filled with grease.
2. Screw the plug back on. Start the engine, warm up the box and switch the manual transmission to different positions. After that, it is recommended to re-unscrew the control-filler plug and check the level. If the oil does not reach the neck, add some more grease. It is difficult to pour in more than necessary. Only if you jack up the machine so that the oil sump tilts. When working on a flat surface, the filler hole will tell you when you have added enough fluid.

This completes the procedure for replacing the transmission oil in the manual transmission of the Czech car Skoda Octavia.

There is nothing difficult here. The work does not involve the use of special tools or professional equipment. Try only to buy high-quality oil, and preferably the original one recommended by the factory. This is the best choice for Skoda.

Don't rely on official regulations. The many years of experience of the owners of various Skoda models, including the Octavia, has clearly shown that the oil in a manual transmission is gradually losing its quality and physical and chemical properties, and therefore periodically requires a mandatory replacement of the consumable.

You can do this with your own hands, without involving specialists from car services and without overpaying for work. Your only expense will be buying a new one.

Skoda Octavia (Tour). Headlight adjustment

Check and adjust the headlights with a curb vehicle (with a fully filled fuel tank, a set of tools and a spare wheel).

You will need a Phillips screwdriver.

1. Pre-check and, if necessary, adjust the air pressure in the tires.

2. Park the vehicle perpendicular to a smooth wall (eg a garage) at a distance of 10 m. Place an additional 75 kg weight on the driver's seat. Mark the screen on the wall as shown in fig. 4.10. The longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle must pass along the line 0 on the screen. Rock the car from the side so that the suspension springs will self-align.

3. Measure the height of the center of the headlights to the floor on the vehicle. This will be the distance h on the screen.

4. Set the regulator of the electrocorrector of headlights on the dashboard to position "0", corresponding to the load of the car with one driver or with a driver and a passenger in the front seat.

5. Turn on the low beam.

7. If the location of the light spots does not correspond to the picture, move the brightest areas of the light beams to the points of intersection of the lines on the screen with adjusting screws 1 and 2 vertically or horizontally, respectively.

Note

The photo shows the left headlight. The adjusting screws on the right headlight are symmetrical.

8. Open the hood and, using a screwdriver, rotate the gear wheels of the adjusting screws, adjust the position of the light spot on the screen for each headlight vertically ...

9. ... and horizontally, if the location of the light spots on the screen does not match the picture.

Note

The rotation of the adjusting screws is shown on the removed headlamp for clarity.

The vertical adjustment screw, in addition to a screwdriver, can also be turned with a 10 key.

10. The headlights are considered adjusted when the upper boundaries of the left parts of the light spots coincide with line 4 (see Fig. 4.10), and the vertical lines 1 and 2 pass through the points E1 and E2 intersection of horizontal and inclined sections of light spots.

If fog lights are installed on the car, then the direction of the beam of their light is adjusted only in height. The adjusting screw with a slot for a Phillips screwdriver is located in the depth of the hole in the front surface of the fog lamp cover, made next to the lens.

Position the car at a distance of 3 m from the screen and turn the adjusting screws until the upper boundaries of the light spots are 6 cm below line 4.

One of the many issues that arise during the operation of Skoda cars is the oil change in the manual transmission, in particular on the Octavia Tour, A5 and A7. If everything is clear with the frequency of oil changes in the engine of the same Octavia Tour - once every 15,000 km (as the officials recommend) or once every 10,000 as recommended by everyone else (so to speak, to sleep peacefully), then opinions are very strong with the gearbox diverge. The manufacturer writes that in the manual transmission, oil is poured once for the entire service life! But these terms are not the same for everyone, and the driving style and operation of the car are even more so. Therefore, we and many other people versed in these matters recommend at least checking the oil level in the gearbox of your Octavia (Tour, A5 or A7) and even replacing it at least once every 100,000 kilometers.

If you have thought everything over and weighed and decided to change the oil on your Octavia, then it will not be difficult to do it yourself. The only stumbling block may be the absence of a lift, observation pit or overpass, so that you can safely move under the bottom of your Skoda.

What kind of oil to fill in the gearbox on the Octavia?

This is one of the most important questions, since no one thinks about it and you can fill in whatever. We recommend pouring the original gearbox oil provided by the manufacturer.

By number it could be VAG No. G 052 726 A2 or VAG G 060 726 A2 they both denote oil specifically for manual transmissions. As for the tolerances, this is VW 501 50, SAE 75W-90, API GL-4 +, according to them, you can choose for yourself those oils that you trust more or which have been verified by experience. This is a purely personal opinion of every motorist and you have the right to make your own choice.

We figured out the main points, now you can start replacing and controlling the level.

The procedure for changing the oil in a manual transmission on Skoda Octavia Tour cars

First you need to get under the car and it is desirable that you could move freely there. Either a lift, or a viewing hole in the garage, or a nearby overpass, onto which you can drive your Octavia, can help you with this.

To get to the gearbox, remove the engine protection, if any. (It makes no sense to describe this item in detail, since there is nothing complicated there).

Yes, one very important point! It is best to drain the oil within 15-20 minutes after the trip, so that it is warmed up and merges well!

The checkpoint has plugs for draining (from the bottom to the bottom) and for filling / checking the level. They are clearly highlighted in the photo. For convenience and easier access to the filler plug, the front right wheel can be removed. But at the same time, the car must be in a horizontal position, so after removing it, lower the jack a little and level the Octavia. We unscrew the bottom plug using a 17 hexagon (it can be purchased at any auto shop, without it it will not work in any way) and wait for the oil to drain.

After that, we twist it back and thereby unscrew the plug for filling and controlling the oil level in the manual transmission with a hexagon. If you have a special "spout" on the canister, then by thrusting it into the hole, you can pour fresh oil into the box directly from the canister. If there is none, then take a regular syringe and do this procedure with it.

The oil level in the box is considered sufficient when it starts to flow out of the filler plug. In the same way, you can simply check it by unscrewing it and making sure that oil has flowed from there, or by sticking your finger in there, you should reach the top line. When this is not observed when checking, it is urgent to add oil to the specified level.

Advice! Fill a little more level than along the bottom edge of the hole. To do this, jack up the vehicle from the side of the filler plug.

Having filled the box with fresh oil, and after making sure that the level is reached correctly, you can safely screw the plug back into place and assemble all the other parts in reverse order. Thus, by spending about 30 minutes of your time, you provide a longer and safer "life" of your checkpoint.

Oil change in a six-speed manual transmission on the Octavia A5

In the second generation of Octavia, namely the A5, the procedure for changing the oil in a manual transmission is slightly different from the procedure on the Tour. Firstly, there may be a 6-speed gearbox (on the basis of which we will show the instructions), and secondly, the level in it should be slightly higher than the filler plug. It will not work to jack up the car, so the filling of fresh oil will take place through the reverse sensor, which is located under the battery platform.

The photo shows two possible holes for draining oil from the box. You can only use whichever cork is smaller. We unscrew it with the same hexagon by 17 and drain the used oil. This process can be delayed, you need to wait.

1 - Filling plug
2 - Drain plug
3 - For complete drainage

Be sure to measure the amount of drained in order to refill at least the same amount. Having unscrewed the reverse sensor with a 22 key, it is better and more convenient to do this from below, you need to insert a pre-prepared hose with a fitting there, since there is no way to crawl up with a syringe or a canister.

At the time of filling, we recommend that you unscrew the filling plug and watch until fresh oil flows out of it. Thus, you can clearly find out the level that is flooded and, by twisting it, top up the rest. Remember to compare the volumes of oil drained and filled.

After filling, collect everything else in reverse order and set it in its place. Do not forget about the electrical chips that you may have removed for easy access to different elements.

Video of checking the level and changing the oil in the manual transmission for the Skoda Octavia Tour