What is the Difference Between Gear Oil and Engine Oil in Cars?
2 Answers
The differences between gear oil and engine oil in cars are: 1. Different working environments: Gear oil is mainly used in manual transmissions, reducers, and differentials; engine oil is primarily used inside the car's engine. 2. Different focuses: Gear oil emphasizes protecting gears under high temperatures, while engine oil focuses on its low-temperature fluidity. Both gear oil and engine oil are machine lubricants, with their main functions being lubrication, rust prevention, and heat dissipation. Gear oil, also known as transmission lubricating oil, is primarily made from antioxidants, antifoaming agents, and rust inhibitors. It prevents wear and sintering on gear surfaces and comprehensively improves power transmission efficiency. Engine oil, also referred to as engine lubricant, serves to lubricate, clean, cool, seal, and reduce friction in the engine.
When it comes to the difference between automotive gear oil and engine oil, I've been driving a manual transmission car for many years and often change the oil myself. Engine oil is added to the engine oil pan to lubricate internal moving parts like the crankshaft and pistons, and it also helps dissipate heat and clean engine carbon deposits. Gear oil, on the other hand, is specifically used in the transmission and rear axle differential to lubricate the meshing points between gears. The viscosity of the two differs: engine oil is usually thinner and flows better, such as 5W-30 grade, handling engine high temperatures; gear oil is thicker, like honey, such as 80W-90, capable of withstanding high pressure and preventing gear damage. I change my engine oil frequently, every 5,000 kilometers, but gear oil might only be changed every 20,000 kilometers. Once, I mixed them up and added engine oil to the transmission, which resulted in difficult gear shifting and costly repairs. I remind everyone not to make the same mistake—paying attention to the labels on oil bottles is crucial for driving safety and vehicle longevity.