How is transmission oil different from engine oil?
Engine oil
It is used to lubricate mechanisms in a car engine, and each car model requires a different engine oil. It is classified by letters and numbers, which means clear characteristics. The composition contains:
- Base oil after petroleum refining.
- Additives.
Oil is divided into the following types:
- Mineral.
- Synthetic.
- Semi-synthetic.
For the correct operation of the machine and a long service life, it is necessary to choose oils that are recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Transmission oil
A feature is a reliable film of oil, which appears in the friction area of the nodes. Gear oil can withstand high loads, has a high viscosity. Its main functions:
- Reduce machine noise.
- To remove heat that appears in the process of friction.
- Eliminate rapid wear of nodes.
Transmission compounds must not be mixed, as there is a high risk of breakdowns. Before changing the oil, it is necessary to completely drain and clean the system of old grease. At the time of purchase, give preference to those brands that are recommended by manufacturers.
How to distinguish compositions?
The described materials can be distinguished by different methods, if you know some features:
- Visually - you need to dip two fingers into the oil, remove them and slowly spread them apart. If the composition is for the motor, then the film stretches up to 3 mm, at the transmission it will break almost immediately.
- By smell - transmission mixtures have certain aromas, some give off garlic, sulfur, motor fluids do not have this.
- Using water is a simple and common method. You need to pour water into the container and drop oil into it. If a rainbow film appears on the water - the composition for the gearbox, if the drop floats at the top, does not change - the composition for the engine.
If you pour the composition for the gearbox into the engine or vice versa, the mechanisms will quickly fail, it will be necessary to carry out costly repairs or a complete replacement of the unit. This is due to the different presence of additives and additives that are needed to perform specific tasks and temperatures.
Transmission oil cannot operate at high temperatures, so in such an environment, a deposit of burnt additives appears, they accumulate on engine parts. If the wrong mixture is filled in by mistake, it must be drained and flushed, in which case the machine will be saved, otherwise a major overhaul is carried out. By pouring engine oil into the gearbox, its operation deteriorates significantly, after a while the mechanism fails.
Changing oils for different units is possible only in emergency situations. For example, if the car has stopped, there is no help nearby, but there is some oil for the gearbox. In this case, the composition can be added to the engine and drive to the nearest service station. After that, washing and replacing the material are done.
