Is Automotive Gear Oil the Same as Transmission Fluid?
2 Answers
Automotive gear oil and transmission fluid are the same; transmission fluid is essentially gear oil. Manual transmission fluid, gear oil, automatic transmission fluid, and power steering fluid are all types of lubricants. Gear oil is primarily composed of petroleum-based lubricating base oil or synthetic lubricating oil, blended with extreme pressure anti-wear agents and oiliness agents to form an important lubricant. Transmission fluid is generally suitable for automatic transmissions. Each automatic transmission design has unique technical requirements, and even the same model of transmission configured in different vehicles may vary in torque, weight, speed, and structure. Therefore, manufacturers specify their own dedicated transmission fluid.
I've driven quite a few cars and have experience with both manual and automatic transmissions multiple times. Gear oil and transmission fluid aren't exactly the same thing. Manual transmissions require gear oil, which is thicker to protect the friction between gears; automatic transmissions use transmission fluid like ATF that's thinner, with additives to help smooth shifting. Using the wrong fluid might accelerate wear on transmission components, or even damage the clutch or hydraulic system. I think it's best to first check the owner's manual to confirm which type to use; manual transmission oil should be changed about every 50,000 km, while automatics need it more frequently. Remember, the color darkness of the fluid also indicates its condition - if it turns black, it's time for a change. Don't wait until problems arise to regret not changing it.