Oil gl 4 5 difference. API quality classifier for gear oils

Oil gl 4 5 difference. API quality classifier for gear oils

24.07.2019

Transmission lubricants api gl 5 with working temperature range-75 to 90 degrees for hypoid gears, meeting MIL-¬L-¬2105 C/D performance specifications, mostly used in main gear bevel gear gearboxes in machines and cardan drives, stepped gearboxes motorcycles.

What is this liquid?

Many cars transmission is connected to the main gear. To front wheel drive car could function normally, it is necessary to fill in special lubricants. Transmission mechanisms work with cylindrical gears. The probability of scuffing in such units is considered relatively small. For automatic transmission requires the use of special low-viscosity fluids. Some vehicles require only transmission lubricants to be filled.

Varieties gear oils

The api gl 5 oils with an operating temperature range of -75 to 90 degrees contain up to 6.5% of high-quality extreme pressure additives, which include elements such as sulfur and phosphorus. Therefore, such lubricants are mostly used in vehicles with the most heavily loaded gears, for example, on hypoid axles. Moreover, this type of fluid can be poured as a universal lubricant for other types of transmissions. At the same time, impurities, which include phosphorus and sulfur, can cause corrosion of components cast from alloys containing copper, so too much of them is undesirable.

Thus, in most cases, GL-4 fluids are used in synchronized transmissions, and GL-4 fluids are used in the main gear, which accounts for maximum load- api gl 5 with an operating temperature range of -75 to 90 degrees in accordance with the SAE classification.

Front wheel drive vehicles

If we consider vehicles with front-wheel drive, it can be found that synchronizers and final drive combined in a single unit can be subject to corrosion and, accordingly, bulge during operation. Therefore, it is recommended to fill such machines with api gl 5 lubricants.

The most correct solution for each car owner is to fill the lubricant with operational characteristics that meet the requirements set out in the instructions. At the same time, most drivers choose the option that causes corrosion of synchronizers. The extreme pressure capabilities of GL-5 lubricants with an operating temperature range of -75 to 90 degrees in accordance with the SAE classification are so high that they are almost always preferred if the vehicle is to be operated in difficult conditions. It should be noted that some liquids synthetic basis, the viscosity of which corresponds to 75w90 according to SAE classification, have a specification that meets the characteristics of API GL-4 / GL-5, so they can be operated in the most different situations. For such liquids, the optimal working temperature ninety degrees.

Can it be compared with GL-4?

If you follow the instructions of manufacturers and other qualified specialists, these two types of lubricants cannot be compared at all. Each type of these oils has its own purpose. For example, if you pour GL-5 fluid into a VAZ 2109 transmission, the synchronizers will not last long. Manufacturers recommend pouring GL-4 into the transmission. If you do not follow these tips, over time you will have to face the need to solve the problem of replacing transmission components. It should be understood that both varieties are considered oils. top quality but they should only be used for their intended purpose. Otherwise, the car will have to be sent to overhaul. If the owner of the car is not sure about the choice of lubricant for the transmission, he should consult a qualified specialist.

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Unified classification system for gear oils according to operational properties, quality and purpose no. The system is universally recognized throughout the world. API classifications (American Petroleum Institute), oils for mechanical transmissions. According to this system, oils are marked with a class sign API GL. Available five classes from API GL-1 before API GL-5 and several projects. In Europe it applies classification ZF TE-ML (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichafen), which covers all oils, including fluids for hydromechanical transmissions.

By API system GL oils are divided into quality classes. The main features of the classification are the design and operating conditions of the transmission, additional features- content of antiwear and extreme pressure additives.

The classification is described in the API document "Designation of operational lubricating oils for manual gearboxes and for axles. API Publication 1560, February 1976" ( API Publication 1560, Lubricant Service Designation for Automotive Manual Transmissions and Axles, February 1976).

API quality classes:

API GL-1

Oils for gears operating in light conditions.
Consist of base oils without additives. Small amounts of antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, light depressant and antifoam additives are sometimes added.
Designed for spiral bevel, worm gears and mechanical boxes gears (without synchronizers) of trucks and agricultural machines.

API GL-2


Contains anti-wear additives.
Designed for worm gears of vehicles.
Typically used to lubricate the transmission of tractors and agricultural machines.

API GL-3

Oils for gears operating under moderate conditions.
Contains up to 2.7% anti-wear additives.
Designed for lubrication of conical and other gears of trucks.
Not designed for hypoid gears.

API GL-4

Oils for gears operating in conditions of varying severity - from light to heavy.
Contains 4.0% effective extreme pressure additives.
Designed for bevel and hypoid gears with small axle displacement, for gearboxes of trucks, for drive axle units.
API GL-4 oils are designed for non-synchronized transmissions in North American trucks, tractors and buses ( commercial vehicles), for main and other gears of all vehicles. Currently, these oils are also the main oils for synchronized gears, especially in Europe. In this case, the label or data sheet of the oil must contain inscriptions about this purpose and confirmation of compliance with the requirements of the machine manufacturers.

API GL-5

Oils for the busiest gears operating in harsh conditions.
Contains up to 6.5% effective extreme pressure and other multifunctional additives.
The main purpose is for hypoid gears with a significant axle offset.
Used as universal oils for all other units mechanical transmission(except gearbox).
For a synchronized manual transmission, only oils that have a special confirmation of compliance with the requirements of machine manufacturers are used.
Can be used for limited slip differential if they meet the requirements of MIL-L-2105D (in the USA) or ZF TE-ML-05 (in Europe) specifications. Then the class designation has additional characters, for example, API GL-5+ or API GL-5 SL.

For manual transmissions(except hypoid), oils are mainly used API GL-3 And API GL-4;
for hypoid main gear :
API GL-4 - for medium loaded gears And
API GL-5 - for heavily loaded gears, including hypoid ones with a significant displacement of the axes. Oil companies produce universal oils designed both for gearboxes with synchronizers and for heavily loaded hypoid gears.

In 1995 API introduced new category MT-1, tightening the requirements for thermal stability and high-temperature deposits.

API MT-1

Oils for highly loaded units.
Designed for non-synchronized manual transmissions of powerful commercial vehicles (tractors and buses).
Equivalent to API GL-5 oils but with improved thermal stability.

In 1998, API, working in conjunction with SAE and ASTM, introduced two new grades for gear oils: PG-1 And PG-2 (PG-1 - for manual transmissions of heavy trucks and buses; PG-2 - for driving axles of trucks and buses). In both categories of oils Special attention was given to high temperature properties. Category PG-2 sometimes referred to in the technical literature as a group GL-7.

API PG-2 (draft)

Oils for transmissions of driving axles of powerful commercial vehicles (tractors and buses) and mobile equipment.
Equivalent to API GL-5 oils but with improved thermal stability and improved elastomer compatibility.

In addition to the API classification, the US Army specification MIL-L-2105 A, B, C and D and the specifications of individual manufacturers of vehicles and units are often used: Chrysler; Ford; General Motors; Mac; MAN; Mercedes-Benz; Volvo; ZF; Rockwell etc.

US MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS

MIL-L-2105 A - specifications for lubricants for car gearboxes; roughly correspond to API GL-4.

MIL-L-2105 B- the currently most used specifications for gear oils for hypoid gears; can be compared with API GL-5.

MIL-L-2105 C- technical conditions valid since 1976 for multigrade gear oils of viscosity grades 75W, 80W/90 and 85W/140. They exceed specification MIL-L-2105 B and correspond API GL-5.

In addition to the specifications of the US Army, there are specifications of individual companies - manufacturers of cars and units: Chrysler; Ford; General Motors; Mac; MAN; Mercedes-Benz; Volvo; ZF; Rockwell etc. These specifications are indicated on the cans and canisters in which the oil is packaged.

Very often, car owners are faced with the question of whether there is any difference between the two transmission fluids GL-4 and GL-5. Each of these oils has a specific purpose. So GL-4 is mainly used for gearboxes with hypoid or bevel gears. This grease is suitable for low load differential drive axles. They usually operate at low speeds. GL-5 is used in gearboxes that operate in especially extreme conditions, and very high temperatures.

The main difference between these gear oils is the presence of an extreme pressure additive. In GL-4 such additives with great content sulfur contains only 4%. In GL-5 there are much more of them - 6.5%. They are more often used in boxes with heavily loaded gears. GL-5 is considered a universal product, it can be used in any manual transmission.

Additive properties

Due to the high concentration, the oil acquires improved extreme pressure properties. It securely protects the box high pressure and heavy load.

Additives with sulfur and phosphorus reliably protect transmission elements. A strong film covering the surface of rubbing parts protects them from premature wear. But in contact with non-ferrous metal parts, the strength of such a film is much higher than the surface of a copper part or another made of a softer material.

More on the topic: Transmission oil ATF

As a result, it begins to wear out quickly. protective layer, as well as the surface of the part. If GL-5 oil is poured into a box where GL-4 is required, copper will begin to appear in very considerable volumes. As a result, copper synchronizers will begin to fail. Their rapid wear cause additives with a high content of phosphorus and sulfur. They are the cause of corrosion on copper components.

A large number of such additives adversely affect the operation of the metal components of the car. Professionals recommend pouring GL-4 lubricant into synchronized boxes. For the final drive, GL-5 oil is considered ideal.

Few people know what gl 5 oil is. For the lubrication of any units that require increased wear resistance, there is gear oil, the main tasks of which are excellent protection against wear, damage and corrosion. When lubricating mechanisms containing gears, important role plays the ability of the lubricant to resist bullying of the gear teeth and the connection of microroughness due to temperature differences.

Automotive oil gl 5 perfectly protects parts from wear.

What is gear oil

There are many mechanisms and units in which gears of different diameters serve as working tools, constituting gears of bevel, worm, cylindrical and chain characters. These include mechanisms with steering, gearboxes, transfer and differential devices. All of them are called transmissions, and their stable work depends on good lubrication.

Gear oils have a high viscosity.

Since all these units have similar operating conditions (there are practically no strong temperature drops and modes in their operation), transmission oils have high viscosity. The temperature at which it solidifies is quite low. Since there are a lot of rubber sealing products in these mechanisms, the lubricant should have the ability to reduce the gaps during the operation of transmissions and prevent deformation of these gaskets. It is important to know that even when this mechanism is not used for a long time or does not work in full force, the properties of the oil are preserved, the gears remain lubricated and well protected.

Gear oil prevents water or any other liquid from entering the unit, thereby preventing the formation of harmful impurities and build-up on gears and other parts of transmissions. It creates a protective film not only on the surface of the teeth, but also on all parts, thereby protecting against corrosion and other mechanical and chemical damage. It must be remembered that hypoid gears cannot be lubricated with this oil. For them there are special hypoid oils containing various chemical components that cause the desired chemical reactions.

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How to choose oil

Gear oils are not used in all mechanisms that have gears. They can only be used in conventional vehicles with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive mechanisms. Under no circumstances should such a lubricant be used in vehicles with automatic transmission gears, as in this case this oil will not work due to its high viscosity.

For them there is special grease, which can be purchased at car dealerships.

The brand of oil depends on the manner and style of driving.

Everyone is free to choose which oil is better to use. There are synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral oils. Since the temperature regime is unimportant for transmission units, this property does not play a special role when choosing a lubricant. The only criterion by which you need to choose oil in this case is an economic benefit. From this point of view, it is advantageous to purchase mineral grease, it is cheaper than synthetics by about 30%. Several criteria are of great importance when choosing lubricants.

  1. The force of loads experienced by parts of the transmission during operation. In this case, the grease must be sufficiently viscous to allow complete circulation, the anti-corrosion properties must be at highest level. The anti-seize properties must prevail over any other properties, otherwise seizing the gears will inevitably lead to their failure. And this will disable the entire unit.
  2. Loads that contain precisely rotational movements that depend on the relative slip speed. In this case, the lubricant must have excellent protective functions that allow you to keep all gears and spurs in good condition. Wherein rubber seals must be lubricated on all sides so that no gaps form during operation.

In order for the above properties of gear oils to work in the proper mode, various additives are added to them, which are carefully developed and selected depending on the mode in which the mechanism is going to operate. Particularly interesting in this regard are extreme pressure additives, which are chemical compounds. These compounds can be both beneficial and harmful. After all, chemicals, especially under the influence of various temperature conditions, capable of corroding metal surfaces. This can lead to wear on gears and chains. Created protective film does not prevent corrosion, but can stop this process.

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Oils gl 4 and gl 5

The industry offers gear oils of two groups. These are gl 4 and gl 5. This is how European and American manufacturers. According to the American quality system (API), there are groups of lubricants that differ in their properties and characteristics. Both types of oil are used only in vehicles with manual box gears.

Oil suitable for passenger car Russian production.

  1. transmission API oil gl 4 is recommended for use in operating conditions light and moderate. It can be used in all Russian-made passenger cars (except Niva), as well as in various trucks, minivans and buses where front-wheel drive gears are installed. They can also be used for drive axle units. And also for those gears where a small displacement of the axles occurs during operation. Such oils are in the lines of all leading manufacturers. automotive oils, including Russian ones. This lubricant is synthetic or semi-synthetic, that is, produced in laboratories from refined petroleum products, with the addition of 4% of unique additives that make up the whole package. Each of the additives improves some one property of the oil.
  2. Gear oil API gl 5 is recommended for use in severe and extreme operating conditions. It is used for all-wheel drive boxes (with hypoid gears), since it contains special additives specifically for working with them. Recommended Russian manufacturers for Niva cars, since this car contains mechanisms with a significant and large displacement of the gear axes. Since this oil contains up to 10% additives to improve each lubrication property, it is the best transmission fluid available today. This type of lubricant contains a unique additive package that is developed in the USA or Europe.


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