What is the Function of Gear Oil?

[DelAlejandro]

Automotive gear oil serves multiple purposes including power transmission, lubrication, friction reduction, and noise reduction. Below are the specific functions of automotive gear oil: Power Transmission: It is used in gear transmission components such as transmissions, steering gears, and reducers. Lubrication: It reduces wear on gears and other moving parts, extending the lifespan of the gears. Friction Reduction: It minimizes power loss, dissipates heat, aids in cooling, lubricates gears and bearings, and prevents corrosion and rust. Noise Reduction: It reduces vibration and impact between gears, and also helps in cleaning contaminants, especially those on gear surfaces, thereby reducing wear.

[BrynleeMarie]

The primary function of gear oil is to ensure the smooth operation of the gear system. Having driven manual transmission cars for over twenty years, I can feel the importance of oil with every gear shift—it lubricates the contact surfaces of the gears, reduces friction heat and wear, and prevents metal parts from rusting or seizing. During long-distance driving, especially in cold seasons, old oil thickening can lead to difficult gear shifting and even transmission damage. I remember last winter when my friend didn’t change the gear oil in time, resulting in a locked transmission on the highway, costing over 3,000 yuan in repairs. Therefore, regular inspection and replacement of gear oil are crucial—it extends gear life, cools components to avoid overheating, and removes debris to keep the system clean. Generally, I recommend changing it every 50,000 kilometers, with different vehicle types requiring different types of oil. For example, synthetic oil performs better under high temperatures, ensuring driving safety.

[Eloise]

From a technical perspective, gear oil serves more purposes than just lubrication. Having modified my car's transmission several times, I've gained deep insight—it forms a protective film under high pressure, reducing friction and noise between gears while aiding heat dissipation to prevent component deformation. Prolonged gear operation generates heat and metal debris, and high-quality oil effectively filters these contaminants to maintain transmission efficiency. Additionally, it acts as a pseudo-seal, preventing external impurities from entering and oil leakage. When replacing, pay attention to viscosity matching—for instance, using high-temperature oil in summer to avoid thinning and low-temperature oil in winter to maintain fluidity. Neglecting timely maintenance accelerates gear wear, leading to sluggish shifting or power loss, indirectly affecting fuel consumption and performance. I've personally experienced degraded oil quality, causing abnormal noises from the transmission, but fortunately, timely replacement prevented more significant failures.

[LeKarter]

Gear oil is crucial for daily driving, especially for commuters like me in urban areas. It lubricates the gears to prevent excessive wear, ensures smooth gear shifts, and reduces noise. In the long run, regular oil changes improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions—just think about the savings on fuel costs and environmental benefits. Neglecting it can lead to transmission failures, which are expensive to repair and wasteful of resources. I usually follow the manual's recommendation to check it every 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers.