What is Gear Oil?
2 Answers
Gear oil is an important lubricant primarily composed of petroleum-based lubricating base oil or synthetic lubricating oil, blended with extreme pressure anti-wear agents and oiliness agents. Below is a detailed introduction to gear oil: 1. Performance: (1) Appropriate viscosity and good viscosity-temperature characteristics. Viscosity is the most fundamental property of gear oil. Higher viscosity results in a thicker lubricating oil film and relatively greater load-bearing capacity. (2) Sufficient extreme pressure anti-wear performance. (3) Good demulsibility. (4) Excellent oxidation stability and thermal stability. (5) Good anti-foaming properties. (6) Effective rust and corrosion prevention. 2. Function: Lubricates the transmission system to reduce wear on gears and other moving components, ensuring normal operation of the transmission system and extending service life.
Gear oil, commonly referred to as transmission fluid or differential oil, is primarily used in gear-related components of a vehicle, such as manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and rear axle differentials. Its main function is to lubricate and protect the gears, preventing excessive wear or overheating due to intense friction. This type of oil needs to be highly viscous to form a protective film under the high pressure of rapidly rotating gears. When I change the oil myself, I've noticed that if it's too thick, shifting gears becomes difficult, while if it's too thin, it can lead to gear wear. Different vehicles require different types of gear oil. For my manual transmission car, I usually choose the 75W-90 grade—75W indicates good low-temperature fluidity for smooth starts in winter, and 90 ensures strong protection at high temperatures. If the gear oil deteriorates due to prolonged use, the car may produce a humming noise or even experience rough gear shifts. I always follow the manufacturer's recommendation to change it every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers.
