What are the consequences of not changing the gear oil in an electric tricycle?
2 Answers
The consequence of not changing the gear oil in an electric tricycle is the aging of the gear oil quality, which directly affects the lifespan of the gears. Electric tricycles are equipped with batteries. Below is a detailed introduction about the battery: Overview: A battery is a type of storage battery, also known as an accumulator. The working principle of a battery is to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Typically, a battery refers to a lead-acid battery, which is mainly composed of lead and its oxides as electrodes, with a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. Others: The plates of a conventional battery are made of lead and lead oxides, and the electrolyte is an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. The main advantages are stable voltage and low cost. The disadvantages are low specific energy (i.e., the amount of electrical energy stored per kilogram of battery), short service life, and frequent daily maintenance.
My old electric tricycle taught me a harsh lesson about neglecting gear oil changes. One summer while hauling cargo up a slope, it suddenly started making grinding noises. Upon inspection, I found the gear oil had turned into black sludge, completely losing its lubricating properties. In a rush to deliver the goods, I pushed on – only to have the rear axle grind out metal shavings, with all gear meshing surfaces severely scored. At the repair shop, the mechanic found even the bearings had worn grooves. Replacing just the gear set cost over 300 yuan. The technician explained that prolonged oil neglect leads to sludge clogging cooling ports, with high temperatures accelerating wear – potentially destroying the entire gearbox. Now I religiously change the oil every 8,000 km. It's the same principle as lubricating a bicycle chain.
