How Many Kilometers Should Vehicle Gear Oil Be Replaced?
2 Answers
Vehicle gear oil should be replaced every 60,000 kilometers. Automotive gear oil typically refers to transmission oil and rear axle lubricating oil. These transmission mechanisms contain numerous gear components that operate under high surface pressure, requiring gear oil for lubrication, cooling, heat dissipation, and corrosion prevention. Similarly, as the vehicle operates, automotive gear oil also needs regular inspection and maintenance. Gear oil should possess excellent anti-wear and load-bearing properties, along with appropriate viscosity. It should also demonstrate good thermal oxidation stability, anti-foaming characteristics, water separation performance, and rust prevention. Gear oil is primarily composed of petroleum-based lubricating oil or synthetic lubricating oil, blended with extreme pressure anti-wear agents and oiliness agents to form an essential lubricating oil.
As a technician with nearly two decades of automotive repair experience, I can say that gear oil replacement really depends on the specific situation. Manual transmission vehicles typically recommend a change every 30,000 to 50,000 kilometers, while automatic transmissions may need it every 20,000 to 40,000 kilometers—but always refer to the owner's manual. Driving habits and environmental conditions play a big role: if you frequently deal with city traffic congestion or drive on mountainous roads under high load, the oil degrades faster, so it's best to change it every 30,000 kilometers. Neglecting this can lead to deteriorated oil quality, insufficient lubrication, gear wear, rust, noise, or even transmission failure. You can also check the fluid condition yourself: pull out the dipstick—clear, bright red fluid is normal, but if it's black or has contaminants, act immediately. Regular maintenance with a small investment can prevent major repair risks, saving both hassle and money.
