How to select a Gear Oil

Although gear oils are the equipment of preference in most industrial facilities, there may be times when you wonder how to select a gear oil. There are a wide variety of applications for these fluids. Using the wrong gear oil in your machinery can cause serious problems and ultimately decrease the life of your machinery. To ensure that you're using the proper gear oil, learn how to select a gear oil by using this guide as your reference.

There are many different things to consider when selecting a gear oil for your car or truck. These include the size, weight and type of vehicle, the environment you will be driving in and your budget. Bear in mind that gasoline and diesel engines both require different types of oils. Although some oil manufacturers may recommend one type for both engines, these recommendations can vary greatly depending on the application. In reality, most people purchase oil based on word-of-mouth recommendations.

Gear oils prevent rusting and corrosion by forming an insoluble film on the surface of metal parts which protects them from external damage caused by moisture, dirt, dust etc.. This prevents wear and tear on parts especially when they are continuously exposed to moisture or water conditions during operation.

Gear oils are used to lubricate the gears and bearings of vehicles, machines and appliances. They are usually synthetic base oils mixed with additives, which increase their viscosity and help prevent wear in hot, high load conditions.

Gear oils are available as light and heavy viscosities with various additive packages that allow them to be used in different types of gear. Light viscosity Gear Oils are best suited for manual transmissions as they offer less protection than heavier viscosity gear oils, but they also have less friction and vibration. Heavy viscosity gear oils are typically used in automatic transmissions because they provide more protection against wear while offering lower friction levels.

How To Choose The Right Gear Oil

Choosing the right gear oil is a critical step in ensuring that your transmission, differential and other axles operate properly. The oil you choose may be the difference between smooth operation and damage to your vehicle.

To help you make an informed decision, here are some things to consider when choosing a gear oil:

1. The temperature range it can handle. Gear oils are designed for use within certain temperature ranges. If the temperature at which you drive falls outside of this range, you may need to select an alternative type of gear oil.

2. The viscosity it requires for proper lubrication. Gear oils are available with varying viscosities, which determines how well they can flow through gears and bearings without leaking out of them. If you don't know what viscosity is best for your application, consult your vehicle manufacturer's manual or ask a mechanic at a nearby auto shop.

3. The level of protection it offers against corrosion and wear caused by contaminants such as water or metal particles. Some gear oils contain additives that protect against corrosion while others do not. Be sure to select an additive-free gear oil if your vehicle does not require additional protection against corrosion because using one with additives can cause premature wear on your transmission system's parts.

4. Different types of cars have different types of gear oils available for them. This is because different types of transmissions require different types of fluids. For example, if you have an older car with an automatic transmission, you'll want to use a hypoid gear oil (like Mobil 1) because it has a higher viscosity which provides better protection against heat and wears. If you have a newer car with an automatic transmission, however, you can use a synthetic blend gear oil (like Valvoline MaxLife).