What is the difference between gravity oil change and circulation oil change?
2 Answers
Gravity oil change and circulation oil change mainly differ in the methods of oil replacement. Below are the relevant details: 1. Oil change method: Gravity oil change involves directly loosening the drain screw at the bottom of the transmission, allowing the oil inside the transmission to drain out by gravity. Circulation oil change requires first draining the old oil by loosening the drain screw from the bottom, then connecting a circulation machine, starting the vehicle, adding new oil into the transmission, and using the pressure of the new oil to push out the old oil. 2. Advantages: The advantage of gravity oil change is that the maintenance operation is relatively simple, and the amount of oil used is comparatively less. Circulation machine oil change is a new technology that uses the circulation machine to push out the residual old oil inside the transmission, removing up to 80% of the old transmission oil, which is more beneficial for the lifespan of the new oil.
As someone who often helps friends with car repairs, I believe the biggest difference between gravity oil changes and flush oil changes lies in the operation method. Gravity oil changes involve parking the car, opening the drain plug at the oil pan, and letting the old oil flow out naturally by gravity. The process is simple, quick, and low-cost, usually taking just tens of minutes. Flush oil changes require a specialized machine to pump new oil into the system while pushing out the old oil, providing a more thorough cleaning of impurities, but it requires equipment and more time. In terms of effectiveness, gravity oil changes may leave a small amount of old oil, about 10%, which isn’t perfect; flush oil changes achieve nearly 100% renewal, making them particularly suitable for automatic transmissions or systems prone to clogging, reducing wear and extending lifespan. For regular engine oil, gravity changes are sufficient, but for precision components, the flush method is recommended. During routine maintenance, always consult your mechanic—don’t skimp on this and compromise driving safety.
