How Often Should Gear Oil Be Changed in a Car?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, the gear oil in a car should be changed every 60,000 kilometers. Here is some relevant information: 1. Changing gear oil can effectively improve the efficiency of gear transmission of engine power. The selection of oil viscosity is the most basic factor when changing oil. If the viscosity is too high, it can cause overheating of the friction surfaces and unnecessary power loss. 2. The commonly used steels for manufacturing car gears include quenched and tempered steel, hardened steel, carburized and quenched steel, and nitrided steel. The strength of cast steel is slightly lower than that of forged steel and is often used for larger-sized gears; gray cast iron has poorer mechanical properties and can be used in lightly loaded open gear transmissions; ductile iron can partially replace steel in gear manufacturing; plastic gears are mostly used in lightly loaded applications where low noise is required, and the paired gears are generally made of steel with good thermal conductivity.
I've been driving manual transmission cars for over a decade, and gear oil replacement depends on the specific vehicle model and driving habits. Generally, the car manual recommends changing it every 40,000 to 80,000 kilometers, or every two to three years. If you frequently drive in congested urban areas or often tow heavy loads or go off-road, the oil degrades faster, so you'll need to change it more frequently, such as every 30,000 kilometers. If you don't change it on time, impurities will accumulate in the oil, leading to poor gear lubrication, which can cause squeaking noises or even difficulty shifting gears—a high-risk situation. From my experience, it's best to have it changed at a professional shop, costing just a few hundred yuan. After the change, driving becomes much smoother. Remember, regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your transmission and avoid costly repairs—it's much more cost-effective than spending money on fixes after problems arise. When buying a car, new drivers should consult knowledgeable friends to avoid common pitfalls.
