As vehicle owners, we often remember to change the engine oil but need to remember about the gear oil. Gear oil helps your vehicle shift gears smoothly, reduces friction, and protects important parts inside the transmission. But just like other oils, gear oil gets old and needs to be changed every so often.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about when to change your gear oil, how to know when it’s time, what can happen if you ignore it, how long gear oil lasts, and how often you should change it.
What is Gear Oil Used For?
Gear oil is a special type used to keep parts like your vehicle’s transmission, gearboxes, and other essential parts running smoothly. It helps protect these parts from damage from heat and wear, ensuring your vehicle works well for a long time.
If the gear oil isn’t enough, essential parts in your vehicle can get scratched, rusted, or even break down. This can cause your vehicle not to work right and lead to expensive repairs. Gear oil is different from regular motor oil. Gear oil is for gears, while motor oil is for your engine.
How Do I Know Which Gear Oil to Use?
Look in your owner’s manual to find the right gear oil for your vehicle. Different vehicles need different types of gear oil, so it’s important to use the one your car’s maker recommends. Using the wrong oil can cause your car to not work properly or even break important parts.
Gear oils are rated with numbers like GL-4 and GL-5. Most vehicles need GL-4 oil, but big trucks and sports cars may need GL-5 oil.
What Happens If You Don’t Change Gear Oil?
If you don’t change your gear oil when you’re supposed to, it can cause significant problems with your vehicle’s gears and transmission. You might need to replace parts or fix your transmission, which can cost money.
Over time, gear oil gets old and dirty. The gears in your vehicle rub against each other, and tiny pieces of metal can get stuck in the oil. If you don’t change the oil, it can stop working correctly, damaging your vehicle’s gears and making them wear out faster.
Neglecting gear oil maintenance can cause significant problems for your vehicle’s gearbox:
- Increased Friction and Wear: As gear oil ages, it doesn’t lubricate the gears well, causing more friction. This can wear out the gears and other parts, leading to permanent damage.
- Reduced Fuel Efficiency: Dirty or old gear oil makes the parts inside your car work harder, using more energy. This wastes fuel and makes your vehicle cost more to drive.
- Transmission Overheating: Gear oil helps cool the transmission. When the oil is old, it can’t cool things down properly, causing the transmission to overheat. This can cause parts to wear out faster and even break.
- Costly Repairs: If you don’t change your gear oil, your transmission might get damaged. Fixing or replacing the transmission can be very expensive and take time.
How Often Should Gear Oil Be Changed?
Check your owner’s manual for the exact recommendation. Still, if you drive your car, typically, you should change your gear oil every 48,000 to 80,000 km (30,000 to 50,000 miles) for an automatic transmission and 96,000 to 160,000 km (60,000 to 100,000 miles) for a manual transmission. If you drive in harsh conditions, like towing or mud, you might need to change the oil more often, about every 24,000 km (15,000 miles).
What Are Signs That Gear Oil Should Be Changed?
Listen to your vehicle when you shift gears. It could mean your oil needs changing if it feels like slipping or making strange thumping sounds. If you smell something burning or hear loud whining or grinding noises, it’s time to check your gear oil. Also, look for any oil leaks or if the oil looks dark or gritty. Finally, something needs fixing if your “check engine” light comes on.
Here are some signs that it’s time to change your gear oil:
Stiff Gears
If shifting gears is difficult or you feel resistance, it might be because the gear oil is dirty or old. This can make it harder for the gears to move smoothly.
Noisy Transmission
If you hear strange sounds like grinding or whining when you shift gears, it could mean the gear oil isn’t working correctly. Without enough oil, the gears rub together, causing noise.
Gear Slippage
Old or dirty gear oil doesn’t maintain the right amount of friction between the gears, which can cause them to slip out of place or have trouble staying in gear.
Burning Smell
The gear oil might be too hot if you smell something burning near your car’s transmission. If the oil is old or not doing its job, it can damage the transmission.
Leaks and Oil Contamination
Check for oil leaks around the transmission. Leaking oil means less lubrication, and dirt can get inside the system, causing more damage to the gears.
How to Check the Gearbox Oil Level
If your car has a dipstick, here’s what to do:
- Pull the dipstick out of its holder.
- Clean the dipstick with a cloth.
- Put the dipstick back in all the way.
- Pull it out again and look at the oil level. The dipstick will have “Min” and “Max” marks.
- The oil level should be between these two marks.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a dipstick and uses a fill plug instead, take off the plug and check if the oil is at the bottom of the hole.
How Long Does Gear Oil Last?
The life of gear oil depends on the type of oil, how you drive, and what the car manufacturer recommends. Here’s a simple guide:
- Conventional Gear Oil: Regular gear oil usually lasts about 30,000 to 50,000 miles (48,000 to 80,000 kilometers) or every two to three years. Check your car’s owner’s manual for the exact recommendation.
- Synthetic Gear Oil: Synthetic gear oils last longer, up to 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) or more. They work better and stay stable in extreme conditions, making them great for sports cars or challenging driving situations.
Remember, these are just general ideas. Always check your vehicle’s manual or ask the gear oil maker for the best advice.
Bottom Line
Changing your gear oil regularly is essential to keeping your car’s gearbox working well. By looking for signs that it’s time to change the oil, you can avoid expensive repairs and ensure that your gears shift smoothly.
Knowing how long gear oil lasts and changing it when needed will help your gearbox last longer and your car runs better.
Always check your vehicle’s manual or ask a professional to ensure you follow the proper steps.
Taking care of your gear oil helps keep your car’s gearbox in good shape for a long time. Contact us today for expert advice and top-notch lubricants that meet your car’s needs!
FAQs
Q1: How do you know gear oil is low?
Ans: If your gear oil is low, you might have trouble shifting gears, hear weird noises, smell something burning, or see the “check engine” light. These are signs you need to check your gear oil.
Q2: What happens if gear oil and filter are not changed?
Ans: If you don’t change your gear oil and filter, it can be challenging to shift gears, cause overheating, and damage the transmission over time.
