Gear Oil
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Gear Oil
'90 Geo Tracker 5-speed 4 wheel drive
I'm thinking of changing my gear oil. In the manual it says that I need 75W - 90 if the temperature gets colder than 0 F degrees. All the auto shops around sell 80W - 90 (really cheap) in large whatever gallon bottles, but has the 75W - 90 in quart bottles (really expensive). I'm in NC and it rarely gets below 0 here, but it would be moronic to not go by the book on this one. I don't want to damage my transmission or differential if it gets -10 F this winter. Is it unsafe to use the 80W - 90?
Thanks
I'm thinking of changing my gear oil. In the manual it says that I need 75W - 90 if the temperature gets colder than 0 F degrees. All the auto shops around sell 80W - 90 (really cheap) in large whatever gallon bottles, but has the 75W - 90 in quart bottles (really expensive). I'm in NC and it rarely gets below 0 here, but it would be moronic to not go by the book on this one. I don't want to damage my transmission or differential if it gets -10 F this winter. Is it unsafe to use the 80W - 90?
Thanks
#2
I dont see where the 80W90 will do any harm. Think about it this way. Most cars now days can use either 10W30 or 5W30 without any problems, and its really not that big of a difference. Your tranny only holds 3.2 pints (1.6 quarts) so the other stuff isnt going to be THAT expensive anyway. Alldata suggests GL-5 75W90 or GL-5 80W90 for the differentials so I dont really see where one is going to give a problem over the other.
Hope this helps ya,
Billy
Hope this helps ya,
Billy
#4
Member
Thread Starter
It seems dumb to even ask now that you guys have answered it. I don't know how much a new trans would cost, but it's probably not as much as a couple of quarts of gear oil. The thing I was looking at was the total number of quarts. And I am doing the transmission, transfer case, & differential. But again, being cheap on this one could cost me some heart ache. Besides it's got 130K and still ticking, I didn't even know those things had oil in them . And I guarantee it's never been changed once. The book says every 15K, so I think it'll be worth the 75W - 90.
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the feedback
#5
Question
Does gear oil absorb moisture in the container over time? I have some gear oil for my old blazer and its been sitting in the shop for awhile. I didn't know whether to pass it on to the new owner, or just trash it.
I know that you should never buy huge jugs of brake fluid since it does absorb moisture every time you open the container so I'm curious about other things for cars/trucks.
Kay
I know that you should never buy huge jugs of brake fluid since it does absorb moisture every time you open the container so I'm curious about other things for cars/trucks.
Kay
#6
Oil will not absorb water and doesnt really have a shelf life. Brake fluid only has a shelf life once it is opened. IF you keep the cap on tight then its life is indefinite.
Billy
Billy
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Barre,Vermont
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I BELIEVE THE 75W90 TO BE SYNTHETIC. THIS MIGHT BE WHY THE COST DISPARITY. IF THE BOOK SAYS USE 75W90, THATS WHAT I WOULD USE...
PS IT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED CHANGING,....
PS IT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED CHANGING,....
#8
Quark:
Never dumb to ask a question....
I would stick with the recommended oil. They simply do it for a reason . Probably to accomodate all climates the truck could be used in, more than likely.
I can't see the other gear oil being much more. Try a good parts store with a good line of lubricants. I know my regular store is a master lube distributor for the major brands and I can find just about anything I need there, quite reasonably.
Kay: That gear oil will probably outlast us all . For anyone who has ever spilled it or gotten it on their clothes or in their hair knows what I mean. P.U.!
Brake fluid tends to be hydroscopic and WILL absorb moisture over time. I wouldn't risk keeping it forever .
Never dumb to ask a question....
I would stick with the recommended oil. They simply do it for a reason . Probably to accomodate all climates the truck could be used in, more than likely.
I can't see the other gear oil being much more. Try a good parts store with a good line of lubricants. I know my regular store is a master lube distributor for the major brands and I can find just about anything I need there, quite reasonably.
Kay: That gear oil will probably outlast us all . For anyone who has ever spilled it or gotten it on their clothes or in their hair knows what I mean. P.U.!
Brake fluid tends to be hydroscopic and WILL absorb moisture over time. I wouldn't risk keeping it forever .