Do you know that many car engines got faulty due to a low lubrication system? Engine damage is something that no one would want to experience. In fact, it's disheartening and painful. Hence, if you can swiftly observe your car engine performance you will often avoid major engine damage.
The lubricant used in automobiles can either be a solid or fluid substance. However, Lubrication is important for the maintenance of friction and wear, adding a friction-reducing substance between the moving surfaces. Furthermore, we usually come across varieties of lubricant whenever we pay a visit to an automotive workshop or store because lubricant plays a very vital role in the smooth running of any automobile for a very long time.
Here are the different types of lubricants used in automobile
Engine oil
This is the most commonly used in automobiles among numerous forms of automotive lubricant. Hence, the main usefulness of engine oil is for total lubrication of the inner combustion engines to reduce the friction of moving parts and clean the engine from sludging.However, it usually consists of varieties of additives like dispersants, antiwear additives, and detergents to improve the lifespan of the engine parts and that is why it's commonly advisable to change the engine oil on a regulated basis.
Gear oil
It is usually high in viscosity and contains extreme pressure additives that contain phosphorous sulfur compounds, to cope with high-level pressure of movement. Gear oil is normally used for manual transmission, transfer cases, transmission boxes, and differentials in automobiles and other machinery. Nevertheless, it doesn't necessarily need to be changed from time to time, unlike engine oil because of its much longer life span.
Greases
The lubricant could be made up of oil, petroleum or synthetic products, thickener, and additional additives. Synthetic greases made of silicones have been proven to be successfully used in a high-level mechanical pressure situations.Greases are normally used in suspension and steering joints to avoid any occurrence of premature wear and tear. However, the nature of its thickness makes it possible for the lubrication of gears, linkages, and bearings.
Hydraulic Oil
They are made from base oil and an additive package to fight wear and corrosion. However, additives are used to aid their ability to resist high pressures. Hydraulic oil is usually non compressible fluids that could be used to enhance the transfer of power within a hydraulic system in machinery. An example of a hydraulic system in automobiles is the power steering system.
It's important to note that automobile lubricants are not only limited to the above aforementioned, but they are the most important and commonly recommended lubricants in the automobile industry. However, having good knowledge of different automobile lubricants and their unique usefulness is very essential and can help in maintaining a healthy and damage-free automobile.
This knowledge, will equip you in expanding the lifeline of your automobile and also help in reducing untimely repair of engine parts and components. However, if you are not sure of the lubricant to buy you can easily access your automobile owner's manual or consult an automobile expert to guide you.
