What is the difference between gear oil and engine oil

To answer these issues, gear oil has to be capable of making these transitions between gears as smooth and seamless as possible, preventing parts becoming damaged as they shift between positions. Gear oil is far thicker than standard motor oil. With a high viscosity, the oil can make sure the connected gears are always lubricated and keep them cushioned against the shock and sudden impact when they interact.

As manual gearboxes generate an increased amount of friction, they also create a great deal of heat, so gear oil is engineered to withstand exceptionally high temperatures and safely transfer the heat away from the gearbox. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Search for: Search. Automatic transmissions Automatic transmissions work in a system that involves multiple gears switching automatically in answer to the different demands of an engine.

You probably know that performance and efficiency are directly related to proper and timely maintenance and that oils and lubricants are a big piece. The difference between gear oil and engine oil is critical to understand to properly maintain a fleet. While it is possible to cheap out in many areas of fleet maintenance and is never recommended , one area you definitely never want to cut costs in is on gear oil. For those who may not be familiar; gear oil is a lubricating oil specifically designed to lubricate transmission, differentials and transfer cases.

High quality gear oil lubricates, cools and protects geared systems by moving away damaged wear debris from gear contact points. Quality gear oil can actually suppress the level of noise made by gearboxes.

Most of these mineral-oil hydraulic fluids are generated from dewaxed paraffin-based crude oil. Additives are then added to get the desired properties. Synthetic hydraulic fluids, which are fire resistant, are the latest in the array, finding places in more and more crucial hydraulic applications. Regardless of what is stated above, the functions of hydraulic oils in any given application system can be summarized as: i Transmitting power efficiently and cost-effectively ii Lubricating the system iii Resistance to foams iv Capability to release air v Thermal, oxidation, and hydrolytic stability vi Resistance to corrosion, removing impurities, and anti-wear performance vii Filterability viii Heat dissipation ix Viscosity x Fire and flash resistance, and xi Low coefficient of expansion and low specific gravity.

The key to predicting the behavior of a hydraulic fluid lies in the analysis of its viscosity while moving through a hydraulic system. Low viscosity oils fail to seal properly, leading to pressure loss, seepage, and component wear.

Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. MLA 8 Chandrasekaran, Punalur. Name required. Email required. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment. As such, gear oil must be able to make these gear transitions as smooth as possible to prevent damage to the components as they shift and to achieve this gear oil has to have the following properties:.

The main thing you'll notice about gear oil is its viscosity. The high viscosity ensures that the entire gear train is lubricated thoroughly and, most importantly, that the gears are well cushioned from shock damage when they come together. The working of a manual gearbox creates a lot of friction and therefore a lot of heat. Gear oil is able to withstand high temperatures, transferring heat away from the gear train whilst not boiling off too rapidly and not depleting too fast to be of use for long.

Gear oils often come with extreme pressure additives in order for them to withstand the high pressures generated during the running of the vehicle, particularly where hypoid gears are involved. They help to keep the oil stable and functioning consistently. Automatic transmissions operate on in a planetary system where gears switch automatically depending on the demands of the engine.

The gears in an automatic tend to be smaller and there are many more moving parts than a manual gearbox. As such, the lubrication required is on a different level to that of a manual gearbox.