Citroen C4 2010 Semi-Auto Transmission Fluid?

[beckxp]

Hi all, hope anyone can advise.

Car: 2010 Citroen C4 Vtr+ Hdi 107 S-A (according to a website I put my reg into)

So recently my car needed both front springs replacing, so I got 2 new springs and 2 new suspension arms as well. We got a friend who does a lot of work on cars to get it done for me, however on the passenger one, he mentioned the driveshaft "dropped" a bit and it lost some fluid, and suggested I may just want to top it up.

Since we were soon after going to Scotland on holiday, I tested it locally and it seemed ok, so left it as is and we've done about 1000 miles for that trip. During the trip though after driving for some time and especially in slow-moving traffic, we did definitely notice it not changing as smoothly.

So I was looking into just getting some transmission oil to 'top it up' but I actually have no idea which I need and all different websites are giving all different products. I also have no idea if it is even a simple job to do and if it can be done, where about would I find it?

Please explain to me as if I am 5 years old, as I haven't got much clue about cars!

Many thanks in advance.

[uzigon]

If you have the EGS 'piloted manual' with the paddle shifters. There are two oils for the gearbox, the one for the actual gears is a SAE 75w-80 gear oil. The other is a hydraulic fluid for the gear shifting actuators. It sounds like if you lost some oil through where the axle connects you will need to top up the gearbox oil (75w-80). However I mention the actuator oil because if that gets low it will affect the shifting.

You can add the 75w-80 into the cap for the gearbox, which is buried under next to the battery housing. I don't think these gearboxes like an excess of oil so you may want to err on side of caution.

The actuator is located under the transmission, I was able to fill it using a funnel. I think you are supposed to fill when the system is depressurised. But I couldn't be entirely sure, I had a leaky hose for yonks and no trouble shifting.

Here are the oils I have for my EGS:

[Paul-R]

A couple of points about the gearbox (not shifter) oil.

First I believe that it's recommended to use GL4, rather than GL5, 75W80 oil. There's something about the later additives that doesn't agree with the gearbox bushes I've heard. Second, you can't check gearbox oil level directly. You have to drain the gearbox oil, measure what comes out and then put the correct quantity back in. Most people just put brand new oil in rather than topping up.

[uzigon]

I did so much research into this and I ended up with the GL5, go figure. Do you know any more detail as to what it was or why the GL4 is supposed to be better? I ended up measuring out exactly 1.9 L when I refilled mine, the thing isn't running yet though so I can't say if it's worked.

[Paul-R]

All I can do is point you to various posts on the forum over the years. Quite a few years in fact.

viewtopic.php?p=800626&hilit=GL5+75W80#p800626
viewtopic.php?p=746367&hilit=GL5+75W80#p746367
viewtopic.php?p=735208&hilit=GL5+75W80#p735208
viewtopic.php?p=636045&hilit=GL5+75W80#p636045
viewtopic.php?p=543345&hilit=GL5+75W80#p543345

And there are more.

[uzigon]

It seems to be related to copper or brass components in certain boxes, I wouldn't be sure about what is exactly inside the EGS box. I have found it difficult to get much information on the specifics, but probably better to err on side of caution.

[PaulC5]

When doing your research did you ask a Citroen dealer what oil should be used, if so what did they say ?

[uzigon]

The local dealer hasn't been particularly helpful. I was told 75w-80 but nothing pertaining to GL4/GL5. I can source a 75w GL4 product, but I was told specifically the 75w-80 which is why I went with that - and the supplier confirmed it was compatible so I really gave it no more thought after I ordered it. The actuator fluid took awhile to get an answer on too, I'm not convinced it's the right stuff but it took an hour for someone to come back with the Shift Control Fluid, it seems to work fine.

[beckxp]

Thanks all for the advice. Yes, it's the one with the paddle shifters (although I don't use them hardly).
What I've noticed it doing is being a bit slow on the pull off, have to give it a bit more accelerator and it's not always a smooth change up, it's like got a jump. The other gears driving normally seem fine, it's mainly pulling off or slow moving traffic it's a bit jerky.