What is Axle Oil?
2 Answers
Axle oil is gear oil. Classification of axle oil: The oil used in the rear axle of a vehicle is called gear oil, which serves to lubricate and cool. Automotive gear oil can be basically divided into two categories: medium-load and heavy-load. Requirements for axle oil: The main requirements for gear oil are the ability to form a continuous and tough oil film on the contact surfaces between teeth, i.e., high oiliness, to maintain a resilient boundary oil layer between transmission components, ensuring minimal wear and preventing scoring. Additionally, gear oil should have good viscosity-temperature characteristics to minimize friction losses in the power transmission mechanism, improve transmission efficiency, and ensure easy vehicle starting (especially during winter starts).
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and the term 'axle oil' is commonly heard in the auto repair world. It's actually differential oil, specifically used to lubricate the gears in the front and rear drive axles of a car. I remember the last time I took my old Jeep off-roading, the rear wheels kept squealing when climbing hills. Changing the differential oil fixed the issue. Most axle oils are GL-5 grade gear oils, which are pressure-resistant and heat-resistant, preventing gear wear and overheating damage. If you don't change the oil in time, the noise will increase, and in severe cases, the entire drive axle may need replacement, costing thousands—definitely not worth it. For regular maintenance, I recommend checking it every 50,000 kilometers and having a professional shop replace the oil for peace of mind. Neglecting it long-term is a bad idea, as excessive gear wear can affect acceleration and driving safety.
