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Autopapyrus · IM Motors IM LS7 (1st generation)
https://autopapyrus.com/guides/im-motors/im-ls7/front-gear-reducer-oil-change/
Compiled automatically from service literature and owner experience. Specs are for the typical configuration — check them against your exact car before you start.

IM Motors IM LS7 (1st generation): Front Gear Reducer Oil Change

The AWD version of the IM LS7 has two electric motors, each with its own single-speed reduction gear. The front reducer is combined with the front motor and sits at the front of the underbody. The exact procedure and capacity for this model are not documented in public service materials, so the steps below follow the general principle for EV reduction gearboxes. The capacity is usually small, around 1 L (1.1 qt); determine the exact amount by the level of the lower edge of the fill hole.

Difficulty: Medium Time: 1-1.5 hours Steps: 10

Parts

3
№PartAlternatives
01 EV reduction gear oil, viscosity 75W-85 or close Motul, Liqui Moly, Shell
02 Reduction gearbox drain plug sealing washernew
03 Reduction gearbox fill plug sealing washernew

Tools

8
  • lift or inspection pit
  • socket wrench or hex key for the drain and fill plugs (check the size on the vehicle)
  • torque wrench
  • drain pan of 2 L (2.1 qt) or larger
  • syringe or pump for filling oil through the fill hole
  • shop rags
  • brake cleaner or degreaser
  • new plug sealing washers

Step by step

10 steps
  1. Turn the vehicle off, put it in power-off mode, and remove the key or move it out of range. Wait a few minutes. The reducer itself is not part of the high-voltage circuit, but orange high-voltage cables run nearby: do not disconnect or damage them.
  2. Raise the vehicle on a lift, using only the designated jacking points, and keep the body level. Remove the plastic front underbody shield if it blocks access.
  3. Warm up the oil with a short drive of 10-15 minutes. Warm oil drains more completely. Do not work under the vehicle right after driving without letting it cool: the components are hot.
  4. Locate the two plugs on the front reducer housing: the lower drain plug and the upper fill (level check) plug. Clean them and the housing around them of dirt.
  5. Loosen the fill plug first: if you open the drain and then cannot remove the fill plug, you will have no way to add new oil.
  6. Position the drain pan and remove the drain plug. Let the oil drain completely, at least 10-15 minutes. Inspect the drained oil: a fine suspension of metallic dust is acceptable, but large chips or shavings indicate wear, and the vehicle must not be driven until it has been diagnosed.
  7. Clean the drain plug (it may have a magnet), replace the sealing washer, and install the plug. The tightening torque for such plugs is usually 25-40 N·m (18-30 lb-ft); use the exact value from the manufacturer's specification and do not overtighten, since the housing may be aluminum.
  8. Fill with new oil through the fill hole using a syringe or pump until it starts to run out of the hole in a thin stream or reaches its lower edge. The amount of oil drained and the amount added should be roughly the same.
  9. Install the fill plug with a new washer, tightened to the same torque as the drain plug (range 25-40 N·m (18-30 lb-ft)). Wipe the housing clean and check for leaks.
  10. Reinstall the underbody shield and lower the vehicle. Take a test drive of 5-10 minutes, listen for unusual noises from the reducer, and inspect the plugs again for leaks.

Common mistakes and warnings

  • Use only oil approved for EV reduction gearboxes: some gear oils contain additives that are aggressive to copper windings if the reducer shares a cavity with the motor
  • If you are not sure the reducer cavity is separate from the motor, or you have no experience working on electric vehicles, have the service done at a repair shop
  • After the change, remember to reset the maintenance reminder if there is one in the vehicle menu