Should Chains Use Grease or Engine Oil?
3 Answers
For sealed high-speed movements, it is recommended to use engine oil, while for low-speed movements, grease is suggested. Automotive engine chains, including timing chains and oil pump chains, endure variable speeds and loads. Below is a partial introduction to automotive chains: 1. With continuous advancements in automotive manufacturing technology and industrial development, timing belts in some car engines have been replaced by engine chains. 2. Compared to traditional belt-driven systems, chain-driven systems offer more reliable transmission, better durability, and space-saving benefits. The entire system consists of components such as gears, chains, and tensioning devices.
I usually commute by motorcycle, and chain maintenance has been quite a hassle. I've tried both grease and engine oil, but now I mostly use dedicated chain lubricant. Grease is thick and provides good lubrication, but it attracts dust like crazy—after just one ride, the chain gets covered in grit, like it's wrapped in sandpaper, which actually speeds up wear. Engine oil, on the other hand, is too thin, especially in summer when riding at high speeds—it gets flung everywhere and doesn’t provide enough lubrication. Chain lubricant combines the best of both: strong adhesion without excessive dust buildup. If I want to keep things simple, I’d rather spray chain lubricant every two weeks than deal with frequent maintenance—after all, replacing a worn-out chain costs a few hundred bucks!
As a commuter who has been cycling for several years, I've tried both grease and engine oil for chain maintenance. Grease is cheap and comes in large quantities, but it's quite a hassle in practice: it hardens in cold weather, causing the chain to creak, and becomes sticky in hot weather, attracting dust from the road. Engine oil is too fluid—after applying it, it starts splashing onto the rear fender within just 10 kilometers of riding. In the end, I switched back to the chain lubricant spray I bought from the bike shop. Just spray it directly along the chain gaps, and the lubrication lasts for a month. For emergencies at home, using a bit of sewing machine oil is still better than grease—at least it won't turn the chain into a dust magnet.
