Is Gear Oil the Same as Transmission Fluid?

[AxelLynn]

Gear oil and transmission fluid are essentially the same. Generally, transmission fluid includes manual transmission fluid and automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmission fluid is collectively referred to as gear oil, while automatic transmission fluid has higher specifications and is also called drive fluid. Regular gear oil cannot be used in automatic transmissions; automatic transmission fluid is required instead. Both gear oil and transmission fluid must be selected according to the specific vehicle model to ensure proper transmission protection. Typically, manual transmission vehicles use gear oil primarily for gear lubrication, whereas automatic transmission vehicles use automatic transmission fluid mainly for lubrication and power transmission within the gearbox. Therefore, different types of transmissions require different fluids, each serving distinct purposes.