Two types of gearboxes are installed on cars of the Lada Vesta family: automated and mechanical. Both boxes are AvtoVAZ's own development. However, this was not always the case. At the beginning of car sales, another manual transmission was installed.
Until the fall of 2016, the new Lada Vesta models had a manual gearbox manufactured by Renault, and after that cars with Russian mechanics began to appear. In 2019, it will no longer be possible to buy a Lada Vesta with a French manual from an authorized dealer, such copies are available only in the secondary market. Obviously, the replacement of the gearbox was made to reduce the cost of the mechanism, the assembled units in Russia are not subject to customs duties, and they managed to save money during production. Unfortunately for the future owners, the reduction in the cost of production did not affect them in any way and the Lada Vesta was sold at the same price.
Sometimes, when a manual gearbox is operating, owners note a howl and other extraneous sounds, most often this problem was detected on a Russian manual transmission, but this issue also did not bypass the foreign box and the howl is also present.
The automated box was installed only of one type and manufacturer - AvtoVAZ. This unit does not smell like an automatic machine, a robot is responsible for shifting gears, which sometimes showed its character from a bad side, but after a while and several firmware releases, it was brought to mind, now buying a fret vest with a robotic gearbox no longer seems like a cat in a bag.
For people who are wary of everything Russian, there is also good news, the third version of the gearbox is expected to appear soon -. It is produced by the French company Jatco, the variator has already been installed on the Xray Cross, and therefore, its release for the Lada West no longer seems like a myth.
How to determine which gearbox is on a Lada Vesta car
In order to determine which box is on the Lada Vesta, just look at its VIN number, the second digit after the letters XTAGFL (see photo above) indicates the type of box: - 1 - AvtoVAZ manual transmission
- 2 - Robotic box
- 3 - Renault manual
If you ask yourself which gearbox is on the Lada Vesta, the answer will depend on the configuration of the car itself. The new AvtoVAZ is equipped with two types of gearboxes: mechanics and AMT (robot). Both of these modifications have been thoroughly studied by specialists and owners, and now we can confidently talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each. Opinions are divided, and it is difficult to give the palm to either a manual manual transmission or a Lada Vesta robotic gearbox.
On a note!
Any vehicle with an internal combustion engine has a transmission. When the "mechanics" work, the driver makes an individual decision about which gear ratio to set at a certain point in time. The manual transmission works in tandem with the clutch, which allows you to disconnect the engine and gearbox and switch gears without reducing engine speed.
A number of transmissions of the product of the Russian concern should ideally be supplemented with an “automatic”, as in the model ranges of foreign and reputable manufacturers. At the present time, buyers of new items from AvtoVAZ have a choice: a robot or a Lada Vesta mechanic, there is no third.
The designers planned to introduce a manual transmission of their own production, but they failed to create a full-fledged mechanics in a limited period of time. Based on this, the decision was approved to introduce the French transmission to the Lada Vesta. AMT (robot) inside the novelty - Russian production.
Since the manual transmission on the Lada Vesta is being developed by the specialists of the Renault-Nissan alliance, it is of high quality and:
- Does not create unpleasant noises during the shift of any of the gears.
- Her work is fluid.
- The shift lever was moved to the front of the box, as a result of which the current operation of the Lada Vesta transmission is accompanied by low oil consumption
- Mechanics from "Renault Nissan" does not fail and rarely fails.
French developments, the latest equipment and advanced automotive technologies have allowed foreign designers to create first-class products. Many other foreign model cars operate this gearbox mechanic, which has the abbreviation JH. Based on this, the price of such a development increased the cost of the sedan, but the Russian concern had no other choice. Foreign manual transmission Lada Vesta is mounted on all existing configurations.
Russian designers seriously intend to produce a Russian version with a box handle. Manual transmission Lada Vesta is being modernized and is already being installed on new sedans. It takes the basis from modification 2180. Noise reduction is achieved by reworking the main element and the second gear. However, manufacturers are in no hurry to reduce the price of a car with its own box.
Brief features of the robot (AMT)
The robotic transmission for Lada Vesta is domestically produced and widely used, but is created on the basis of foreign components and the extensive experience of French and Japanese colleagues. The advantage of AMT is:
- actuators from Germany are mounted inside the robotic gearbox, the clutch is from the French company Valeo;
- the robot box is provided with a system for compensating for wear of parts and failure of the clutch;
- AMT has less weight than an automatic transmission (automatic transmission), therefore, it reduces the cost of gasoline and oil;
- the Lada Vesta robot system eliminates unauthorized switching;
- it is possible to use the lever to switch speeds;
- built-in step reset option;
- you can start moving without preheating;
- the robot can operate with a discharged battery and skid for a long time when entering a snowy or sandy area;
- repair and operation costs little money;
- towing of cars is carried out without visible failures in work.
AMT gradually replaced the automatic from the entire Lada lineup, as it operates smoothly and relatively quietly. The developers say that such a transmission can last about ten years. The mechanic's gearbox cannot boast such durability due to the fact that it has many components, and the AMT is easy to create.
Interesting!
Immediately after the release of the robotic transmission, there were rumors about big problems in its operation. Complaints have been received that it is necessary to put the lever in "neutral" after each braking. They said that the box erroneously sets the gear. These misunderstandings were rejected by the headquarters of the Russian manufacturer and did not find sufficient evidence in wide consumption.
Which gearbox is better?
Most drivers could not come to terms with the specifics of the robot. Experts note that the lack of a full-fledged automatic transmission does not allow Vesta's sales to grow to the level of Solaris or Rio. Buyers do not trust domestic-style AMT and very much hope that an automatic transmission will soon work, in which there is no manual mode at all.
On a note!
The president of the Russian concert officially announced that such a transmission would appear and work at least in 4 years. This period is due to the fact that the creators do not want to introduce a four-speed automatic transmission on Lada Vesta. Their plans include an automatic in a six-speed range. It is not yet known who and how will be involved in the development.
Lada Vesta gearboxes have their own specifics, a number of features and disadvantages. To make a choice, you need to build on your own experience and preferences. Manual transmission is inherent in professionals, and for those who are not so versed in the car, the Lada Vesta robotic gearbox will come in handy. A smart and full-fledged machine can be recommended to everyone, but Vesta does not yet have it. A variator without steps from foreign colleagues may in the future compete with any of the announced transmissions, which will be in the Lada trim levels.
From the very beginning of the production of Lada Vesta sedans, two types of gearboxes were installed on them - the French "mechanics" JH and the domestic "robot" AMT 2182.
JH has established itself as a reliable, unpretentious and quiet box. Actually, the noise of the box is the main reason for the rejection of domestic "mechanics" in the Lada Vesta line (according to the former head of AvtoVAZ, Bo Andersson). In addition to the domestic Vesta, this box is equipped with many foreign car brands. The assembly of the French manual transmission is carried out in Russia (Tolyatti). In 2016, JH was no longer installed on Lada Vesta, but more on that later.
The AMT 2182 gearbox is an excellent solution related to the refinement of the switching mechanism of the old manual gearbox. The function of the right hand and left foot of the driver is now performed by electronics. It is the electronic drive that best copes with its task in the conditions of our winters.
Replacing JH with a domestic manual transmission
But, everything described above is not all the answers to the question of which gearbox is on Lada Vesta. The year 2016 for AvtoVAZ was marked by the fact that changes were made to the configuration of vehicles with transmissions. The actively promoted import substitution program, as well as the desire to reduce the cost of production of Lada Vesta, led the manufacturer to decide to abandon the French manual gearbox in favor of the domestic gearbox with the VAZ-21807 index. This gearbox is a reinforced version of the 2180 gearbox and even has better dynamic characteristics compared to JH:
- Acceleration to 100 km/h decreased by 1 second (from 11.2 to 10.2).
- The maximum speed has increased by 13 km/h (from 175 to 188).
Of course, any advantages are not born in a vacuum. Therefore, the improvement in dynamic performance had to pay with fuel consumption, which increased from 6.9 to 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers.
Gearbox JH3
The "reno" gearbox JH3, which was installed on the Lada Vesta until September 2016, is considered a maintenance-free gearbox with factory oil designed for the entire life of the operation. On the one hand, this can only be rejoiced at, on the other hand, nothing is eternal. Therefore, contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations, we strongly recommend changing the oil every 70-100 thousand km.
Manufacturer's recommendation for the brand of oil used: Elf Tranself TRJ 75W80 or Elf Tranself NFJ 75W80. If you do not have the opportunity to fill in this particular oil, or for some reason you are not sure about this brand, then you can always use engine oils of other brands with similar characteristics. The most important thing is that the viscosity meets the technical specifications, as well as meeting the requirements of the API GL-4 quality standard.
The presence of the symbols GFL13 in the VIN code of the car indicates a JH gearbox.
Gearbox AMT 2182
AMT (automated mechanical transmission) is a development of a Russian manufacturer worthy of attention. The box is controlled by an electromechanical drive, which is perfect for domestic climatic conditions. Unlike hydraulic analogues, the box does not “freeze” in winter and does not require warming up before the trip. The electronics do an excellent job with all the commands of the control unit, removing tasks from the driver such as pressing the clutch pedal and shifting gears. The only drawback of the AMT can be considered a slow gear shift, which is clearly not suitable for fans of "pushing the floor."
To date, the manufacturer installs 2 types of boxes on Lada Vesta: mechanical and Lada Vesta box - AMT robot. The press service of AvtoVAZ constantly notes that the company plans to manufacture its own fully automatic transmissions, but they don’t go further than assurances, there are no specific dates in the promises, so it’s unknown when Russian motorists will wait for this innovation.
Manual transmissions
Until September 2016 Lada Vesta was equipped with manual gearboxes manufactured by Renault, which were replaced with Russian-made gearboxes in order to optimize and reduce the cost. The new gearboxes, marked with the VAZ-21807 index, have become a reinforced version of the traditional VAZ-2180 base gearbox, equipped with a cable-operated shift mechanism. Modification 21807 is designed for higher torque than 2180 and is much quieter than the original box.
With the change of the box, the gear ratio of the main pair was slightly increased from 3.87 to 3.94. Vesta also became more dynamic according to the passport: the acceleration time to 100 km / h decreased from 11.2 s to 10.2 s and the maximum speed increased from 175 km / h to 188 km / h. Although, as a minus, it can be noted that fuel consumption has risen slightly: from 6.9 to 7.5 l / 100 km in the combined cycle.
To date, the production of cars with Renault gearboxes has mostly been discontinued, although, of course, they can be found in sufficient quantities among used models. It is possible to identify the model of the box by the VIN number of the car: if the GFL13 code is present in it, then the Renault manual gearbox, the code - GFL11 - is the VAZ "mechanics".
Versions with the first robot go under the code GFL12. However, for example, Lada Vesta SV cross is equipped with 2 mechanical transmissions to choose from: the first of which is domestically produced, and the second is French. In the second case, the French 5-speed manual JR5 from Renault is installed on the car (the main pair is 4.212).
Read also
automatic boxes
The first automated box - VAZ AMT's own development - appeared in the fall of 2014. It is based on a 5-speed manual gearbox and complemented by an electronic control unit and ZF actuators.
February 2018 new AMT 2.0 robots appeared, which replaced the first AMT development. The AMT 2.0 robotic box is installed only on 1.8 engines, however, it is possible to reflash cars of previous releases, including those with a 1.6 engine. To do this, you need to contact the dealership. To activate Creep mode on earlier cars, it is necessary to reflash the engine ECM and AMT. No structural changes to the car are required.
The main advantage of the upgraded robots is the appearance of 2 modes - creeping and winter, as well as reducing the time for sequential gear shifting from 1st to 2nd, then to 3rd. Switching intervals have been reduced by as much as 30% due to the optimization of the servo activation algorithm, regardless of engine speed. The creep mode increases the convenience of movement in dense traffic (traffic jams).
As for the creep mode, it is borrowed from the standard machine. When the gear selector is in positions A, M, R, the car drives forward or backward without fuel supply until the brake is pressed, the handbrake is raised, and the door opens. The driving speed can reach 15 km/h depending on the gear selection. In first gear it is 7–8 km/h, in second gear up to 14–15 km/h, while moving backwards – 5–6 km/h.
There is no separate button for the winter mode. It will help you start on a sliding surface from second gear. To do this, after starting the engine, it is enough to press the brake and select the M2 gear with the gearbox selector.
Variable speed drive
And, of course, fans of the Togliatti automobile industry are looking forward to the appearance of the promised CVT in 2019. According to preliminary information, the CVT with imitation of 7 steps will first be offered in combination with Nissan's 1.6l HR16 engine, as we are talking about the Jatco JF015E transmission, which is designed for torque up to 160Nm. It is possible that in the future the continuously variable CVT transmission will be gradually adapted to its own 1.8l engine.
The advantages of the CVT over AMT are obvious. This is, first of all, the convenience of speed control. Cars with CVT pick up speed especially smoothly, without jerks and dips. They have a smoother ride and dynamic acceleration than AT cars. The variator is both seriously quieter and more economical than classic torque converter autotransmissions.
Conclusion
It should be noted that transmission optimization is an ongoing process at AvtoVAZ. However, all this information is unofficial and there is no confirmation of it. Although the undoubted fact remains the growth in sales of Lada Vesta in 2018. In the first four months, the sales volume of the entire Lada increased by more than a quarter - up to 110,000 cars. Demand for Lada Vesta increased by almost 25.5% compared to last year.
When choosing a gearbox version for Lada Vesta, each driver usually starts from his own experience. Professionals will not exchange a manual transmission for anything, in which the switching speed depends solely on the speed of the hands, and in a big city, AMT 2.0 with a creeping mode will become useful. Vesta does not yet have a smart and full-fledged automatic machine, but you can immediately expect that the price will become its important drawback.
Video
The most important system that is directly related to driving performance is the vehicle's transmission. Acceleration speed, fuel consumption, driving dynamics, and even noise when driving depend on it.
What gearboxes are put on Lada Vesta
In our Vesta, two versions of the checkpoint are equally possible:Robotic transmission; Manual Transmission. There is no classic automatic transmission on Lada Vesta! An interesting move. But maybe a variator will be added soon. In the first case, we are talking about a modified version of the “machine”, in which the computer itself is in charge: depresses the clutch, switches gears. This option turned out no worse, and, according to many, even better than imported counterparts. AvtoVAZ planned, at one time, to organize demonstration performances with the participation of foreign developments, hoping for a solid lead over competitors. There are, of course, some not-so-pleasant moments. So on the machine, Vesta will accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour in 14.1 seconds, which is far from record levels.
Maintenance of automatic transmission LADA Vesta
According to the service manuals, the oil in the box changes at a mileage of 120 t.km. But the officials furtively talk about the need for a replacement at 75,000 km. Robot Disadvantages The robotic transmission has been discontinued overseas due to a number of problems. They are also present on Lada Vesta AMT. Gear shifts abruptly, jerks in motion are possible; The semi-automatic “thinks” for a long time, during dynamic driving it does not turn on the right pair of gears in time; On the rise with a delay downshifts. The disadvantages are less noticeable if you drive smoothly, do not brake hard or accelerate. Robot Benefits Why did AvtoVAZ decide to produce Vesta with this type of box. The fact is that: The robotic box of Lada Vesta is cheaper to construct than a classic machine; Vesta with a robot consumes fuel more economically, unlike other gearboxes; A feature of AMT in comparison with automatic transmission is almost three times lower transmission oil consumption; The electronic mechanism provides protection against the inclusion of an incorrect gear while driving (this happens on the mechanics); The robot rarely breaks down, no need to diagnose and maintain frequently; The clutch engages and disengages smoothly when starting off and shifting gears, the lever does not vibrate while driving; Manual transmission is less noisy unlike manual transmission; Inside the box there is an option to compensate for clutch wear - more prolongs the life of transmission elements; The box is used in automatic or manual mode, as it is more convenient. The price of a robotic box for Lada Vesta At dealer prices, an ATM costs about 20,000 rubles, a simple four-speed automatic transmission is about 40,000. Recall that Kalina and Grant had one from the manufacturer Jatco. Now they have been replaced by a Russian robot.Vesta manual transmission
At the time of release, Lada had an imported box from Renault. The reason was the noise of the VAZ version. Less than a year later, Vesta got its own transmission of domestic production. First of all, the manufacturer was driven by the desire to reduce the cost of the car, so the rejection of the imported gearbox turned out to be a good help. If the predecessor had problems with noise, how the updated version behaves, it is worth finding out in more detail.Modification 21807
This option is a modified version from the VAZ-21080, in which the torque has increased, and excessive noise has been eliminated to a certain extent. The new filling of the main pair, the second speed gear contributed to a quieter operation. Unlike the robot, this transmission option is no longer stupid, coping well with acceleration. The cost of the unit was reduced immediately by 20%, which is about 3,000 rubles. Some characteristics have improved, but something has remained at a decent level. Let's talk about everything in order.Characteristics
With the change in the main pair, the gear ratio also changed, it increased from 3.87 to 3.94. The car has become more playful and dynamic. It will take 10.2 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour, which is faster than Logan's Renault box by a full second of time. Top speed has also increased. It increased from 175 to 188 kilometers per hour on a domestic box. Unfortunately, such agility will consume a little more fuel than before. Consumption On a foreigner, the consumption was 6.9 liters in the combined cycle, but now the consumption has increased to 7.5 liters. Reliability of the body assembly This element was a success, because the part has become noticeably stronger. No need to add oil as often as before. The oil seal resource lasts longer, which means that the tightness is at a higher level than its predecessor, so it makes much less noise.How to determine which box is on Lada Vesta
To date, it is unlikely to be able to find copies with French checkpoints, because AvtoVAZ has already stopped their mass production. The only available options are with domestic mechanics. Externally, the box has not changed, the lever in the cabin has remained the same. You can determine the manufacturer of the box only by the VIN number of the machine itself. If it has a combination of "GFL13", then this is a brand new part, "GFL11" indicates our 21807 variant, and "GFL12" indicates an installed robotic VAZ transmission.The price of machines with mechanics
The new transmission costs AvtoVAZ in production 20% cheaper than the previous version (about 3,000 rubles). The price of a Lada Vesta sedan with a manual transmission starts from 512,910 rubles, Vesta SV wagon from 589,410 rubles. Lada CNG on gas in the basic configuration costs 649,900.Lada Vesta: robot or mechanic? What's better? Video
