Synthetic Gear Oil
Providing our vehicles with the proper fluids and lubricants is vital in keeping the vehicle running smoothly and for many years to come. There are so many fluids required such as windshield wiper fluid, break fluids, motor oil, antifreeze and gear lubricants and they all are necessary and serve a different purpose.
Gear oil is important for keeping all the important parts of a transmission and differentials running smoothly. Without gear oil there could be a lot of problems with gears locking up and not performing their job correctly. Mineral gear oils are motor oils with a high viscosity level that give the gears a thicker substance for protection. It is very common for vehicles to use mineral oils in order to lubricate the car parts however more recently synthetic oils have been used. Although mineral oils can lubricate the vehicle there may be a time in which synthetic oils can do the job better.
Synthetic gear oils are good for use in many vehicles because they break down at a slower rate than mineral oils. Synthetic gear oils are especially good when used in vehicles that face extreme weather conditions. Whether it is extremely hot temperatures or extremely cold temperatures, synthetic gear oil can withstand the varying temperatures much better than mineral gear oils can. Synthetic gear oils also lessen the tendency to leave residue on the gears. They also evaporate less quickly and can lubricate a little better than regular mineral gear oils can. Not every vehicle may need the extra benefits that synthetic gear oils provide and may perform just fine with the mineral type gear oil.
Synthetic oils can be broken down into three types including, polyglycols (PAG), synthetic hydrocarbon oils (SHC) and ester oils (E). Each of these types of synthetic gear oils offers their own individual benefits and disadvantages. One type may be more beneficial than another depending on what type of vehicle is driven and what driving conditions your vehicle will be experiencing. Before deciding on which type of synthetic gear oil to use make sure you read about each type and what the pros and cons of each type are. The most common types of synthetic gear oils used are the polyglycols and the synthetic hydrocarbon types. It would be advisable to ask a mechanic or someone with a professional opinion which type of synthetic gear oil would be best for your vehicle. Taking into consideration the weather conditions, the pulling load and the type of gearbox involved a professional should be able to tell you which type your vehicle would benefit best from.
Synthetic gear oils are a little more expensive than mineral type gear oils however they last nearly five times longer and offer great lubricating protection. They perform under extreme conditions and save you from needing to add extra chemical additives to the mineral oil in order to do the same job as synthetic gear oil has already been designed to do.
When it comes to maintaining our vehicles we must consider all the parts that are required to keep our car running properly. Too often we get busy and forget about all the lubricants and fluids that are vehicles need. Without replacing the lubricants and oils, our cars will not last as many miles as they would when otherwise maintained on a regular basis. Whether you choose to use mineral gear oil or synthetic gear oil make sure you replace the oil as often as recommended for your vehicle. Making sure your gears are lubricated is just as important as changing your engine oil, so do not forget about this important task.
