Tag Archive for: gear oil

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Will A Gear Oil Change Cure Limited-Slip Differential Noise? 

AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-140 Synthetic Gear OilA reader asks: I’ve got a 2013 Ford F-150 with 86,000 miles. The rear differential has developed a chattering noise when taking slow corners. I have never changed the gear oil. This is a limited slip differential. Would changing the gear oil cure this noise?

Our answer: While we can’t say for sure, it is possible that a gear oil change and fresh limited slip additive could cure this chatter noise. We have heard of situations where this has worked. The simplest possible option is to try changing gear oil and limited-slip additive first.

Of course, this is assuming that there is not a mechanical issue at play. Worn clutches and springs can also lead to limited-slip differential performance problems. In that case, new oil would not cure the issue.

What seems to happen in some cases is that the original gear oil and limited-slip friction modifier additive break down over time. This can allow the clutch packs to chatter during low-speed corners.

Our Best Gear Oil And Limited Slip Additive

We strongly recommend AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-140 Synthetic Gear Oil and AMSOIL Slip Lock Differential Additive. AMSOIL Severe Gear is about the most robust gear oil money can buy. It offers superb wear control, long life and friction reduction. It performs very well in arctic cold or extreme southern heat.

AMSOIL Slip Lock is a high-quality replacement for OEM limited-slip additives. It provides reliable, quiet performance at a very reasonable price.

Once the oil is changed, take the truck to an open parking lot. Slowly drive the truck in a figure-8 pattern to burnish the Slip Lock additive into the limited-slip clutch packs. You will soon see if this oil change has cured your issue.

Helpful Installation Tips

Installing gear oil in a differential can be an awkward and messy process. We have a couple of solutions that can make life much easier. The first is AMSOIL’s ingenious “Easy-Pack” container option. The “drink-box-inspired” Easy-Pack allows you to squeeze the oil directly into the differential, regardless of how cramped the location.

The other helpful solution is the AMSOIL Hand-Pump For Bottles. This kit allows you to pump oil out of quart, gallon or 2.5-gallon bottles. This inexpensive kit will come in very handy in your garage.

We certainly hope that your differential issue is not something more serious. A differential oil change is an inexpensive solution that could very well do the trick. At this point in your vehicle’s life, it’s definitely time to change the factory differential oil anyway.

We can sell AMSOIL Synthetic Gear Oils at wholesale prices in Canada and the US. Contact us using the form on this page for a wholesale price list. 

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AMSOIL Now Offers Easy Pack For Marine and ATV/UTV Oil

AMSOIL Easy Pack For Marine Gear Oil and ATV/UTV Transmission/Diff OilAMSOIL now offers their ingenious “Easy Pack” format for two more products. Easy Pack options are now available for AMSOIL Marine Synthetic 75W-90 Gear Oil and AMSOIL ATV/UTV Synthetic Transmission and Differential Fluid. Each will be available in single US quart (946 ml) Easy Packs or cases of 12 units.

This clever packaging allows for easy, no-mess service of marine lower units and ATV/UTV transmissions and diffs that are in tight areas.

About AMSOIL Easy Pack

The highly flexible packaging and no-spill nozzle permits much easier servicing of components in tight areas. Areas that were previously impossible to fill with a quart bottle (without a pump) are now easy to fill. The groundbreaking Easy Pack concept was introduced by AMSOIL for their Severe Gear Series in the summer of 2018.

We expect that Easy Pack will make its way to more AMSOIL products in the future.

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What Is The Shelf Life Of An Opened Bottle Of Motor Oil?

A reader asks: How long is motor oil usable after the bottle has been opened?

Our answer: Once the seal has been cracked on a bottle of motor oil, the remaining oil should be used up within one year. This guideline also applies to transmission oil and gear oil. Opened bottles of both synthetic and conventional motor oils would have a similar lifespan.

Three Reasons Why Motor Oil Should Be Used Within A Year Of Opening

  1. Condensation- After the seal on the bottle has been broken, the interior is more prone to condensation. Once the oil level in the bottle is lowered, there is more open space for condensation to develop.
  2. Oxidation- As the motor oil becomes exposed to oxygen over time, the chemical makeup of the motor oil changes. Simply put, once the oxidation process has started in motor oil, the capabilities of the oil are severely limited and unpredictable. Therefore, that partial bottle of motor oil that has been sitting on shelf for several years should be used in an oil can or sent to recycling.
  3. Additive Fallout- Over time, the ingredients that make up the motor oil formula can start to degrade. This compromises the capabilities and service life of the motor oil. This process would likely take much longer than a year. This can happen in sealed bottles that have been stored for too long as well.

Motor Oil Storage Tips

  • Store motor oil in dry conditions. Don’t leave motor oil bottles out in the yard or in the back of the truck.
  • Do not store the oil in temperatures below it’s cold-pour-point. If the motor oil freezes and “gels”, this will shorten the lifespan of the motor oil.
  • The ideal storage temperature range for motor oil is between 0°C (32°F) and 29°C (85°F).

Shelf Life Of Unopened Motor Oil Bottles

The shelf life of sealed, unopened motor oil, transmission fluid or gear oil is roughly 5 years. Please note the storage tips above to maximize the shelf life of new motor oil.

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Can 75W-90 Replace 75W-85 API GL-5 Gear Oil?

A reader asks: I’ve got a 2012 Cadillac Escalade that calls for a 75W-85 API GL-5 gear oil in the rear differential. AMSOIL’ s application guide suggests Severe Gear 75W-90. Is this correct? Can I safely replace 75W-85 with 75W-90?

Our answer: Yes, 75W-85 gear oil can most definitely be replaced by 75W-90. In fact, we know that some GM dealers will use 75W-90 gear lube in applications where Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac suggests 75W-85.

Why Does GM Suggest 75W-85 GL-5 Gear Oil In Some Cars And Trucks?

We can only speculate on why GM specifies 75W-85 for some vehicles. Here are our theories.

  1.  To boost mileage. Auto manufacturers have to meet government-mandated fuel economy standards across their product lines. If a car maker doesn’t meet these fuel economy targets, they can be subject to big fines. These fines can be in the tens of millions of dollars. That’s why automakers are going to lighter oils in the engines and transmissions and differentials.
    You may not notice the fraction of a mile-per-gallon improvement because of the thinner oil in your diff. But the automaker bean counters do and they are banking on every trick in the book to boost collective fuel economy.
  2.  A 75W-85 GL-5 gear oil is relatively rare. Therefore, consumers will feel that the safe choice to go back to the dealer for service. There will be a natural fear to deviate from the exact viscosity in the owner’s manual. Again, we know for a fact that some GM dealers simply use 75W-90 anyway.

AMSOIL SEVERE GEAR® 75W-90 Synthetic Extreme Pressure Lubricant

Why Use AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-90 Instead Of AC Delco 75W-85?

  1.  Very close viscosity. Most diffs were designed with 75W-90 in mind. Going to 75W-85 was a fuel-economy-boosting endeavor. AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-90 is designed to replace, 75W-90, 75W-85, 80W-90, SAE 80 or SAE 90 gear oils. It can replace any of these with no worries or risk.
  2. No fuel economy penalty. As AMSOIL Severe Gear 75W-90 is an ultra-low-friction synthetic formula. There will not be a measurable loss of fuel economy by going with this slightly thicker oil.
  3. World-class wear control. Severe Gear 75W-90 is formulated to provide elite wear protection. It is designed to withstand high horsepower, heavy loads and extreme heat or cold.
  4. Reasonable cost. At our wholesale prices, AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic 75W-90 is about half the cost of AC Delco 75W-85 API GL-5 Gear Oil.

What About Limited-Slip Additives?

If your GM car or truck has a limited slip rear axle, definitely pick up a bottle of AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive or the AC Delco Limited Slip Axle Lubricant Additive. AMSOIL Severe Gear contains limited-slip additive, but we find it’s still a good idea to add about 2/3 bottle of limited-slip additive for good measure. If using AC Delco 75W-85 GL-5 Gear Oil, add the full bottle of limited-slip additive.

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