When taking care of a car, one big decision is picking the right gear oil. It’s a little like choosing the appropriate shoes for a hike – you want the ones that will keep you satisfied and safe. Similarly, when considering your vehicle, you can pick between 75w90 and 80w90 gear oils.
All these may look like random figures and letters, but they directly influence the happiness of your gears. In this article, we will tell you what these oils are all about, what those numbers signify, and how your choice can affect the health of your vehicle. So, get ready as we explore gear oils and figure out the difference between 75w90 vs 80w90.
What is 75w90 Gear Oil?
75w90 gear oil is a special slippery stuff made for car gear systems such as manual transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases. The numbers in the designation are important because they give indications of certain viscosity properties that can influence an oil’s performance under various temperature conditions.
75W in 75w90 represents how thick the oil is under lower temperatures such as when you start your car on a cold day. “W” refers to winter and a smaller number indicates better flowability in colder regions. This ensures that the gear oil remains efficient and properly lubricates even in cold temperatures, stopping gears from wearing out too much. 75w90 has “90” which indicates the oil’s thick consistency at higher temperatures.
What is 80w90 Gear Oil?
80w90 gear oil is a special lubricant designed to perform in automotive gear systems such as manual transmission, differentials, and transfer cases. Numbers in the designation stand for significant numbers about how thick the oil is in various temperatures.
80W in the 80w90 represents how thick the oil is when the engine is cold and you’re starting it up. The “W” is for the winter, and a smaller number means better flowability in cold temperatures. These are ideal for use in winter conditions, and when the temperature is low they remain effective at lubricating your surfaces. This reduces the strain on gears during cold starts and thus protects them from excessive wear. 80w90 means the oil stays thick (at a 90 level) when things get hot.
Difference 75w90 vs 80w90?
Many people ask is there a big difference between 75w90 and 80w90. Here is the list of the differences between these two oils:
1. Viscosity
75w90 gear oils are different from 80w90 gear oils mainly because of the difference in their viscosity characteristics depending on the temperature level. 75w90 differs as the “75W” tells that it has a lower viscosity at cold temperatures and hence, it’s so useful during the winter season. The lower W (winter) number means better flowability in cold weather conditions during cold starts so lubrication and protection for the gear components are acceptable. 80w90 has the 80W designation and has slightly higher viscosity at lower temperatures in comparison to 75w90. It may not flow as well as 75w90 in the coldest conditions
2. Density
75w90 and 80w90 gear oils differ in their viscosity characteristics, especially at various temperature ranges. 75w90 gear oil is thinner when it’s cold, which makes it more good for cold starts and use in winter. On the other hand, the 80w90 gear oil is a bit thicker when it’s cold, but it provides a balance between cold start performance and viscosity at higher temperatures.
3. Additives
75w90 and 80w0 gear oils are not the same, especially when it comes to how thick they are at different temperatures. 75w90 is lighter in winter compared to 80w90. 75w90 is suitable for cold weather and has good cold start lubrication. On the other hand, the “90” in both oils stands for their oiliness at elevated temperatures; thus, 80w90 is a bit thicker than 75w90.
4. Operating Temperature
75w90 is thermally resilient, shear stable, and it’s a bit synthetic. The gear oil is multi-grade and suitable for use in a variety of vehicle driving applications. The optimum gear oil should work in a wide range of ambient temperatures. It can handles temperatures as high as 300F to 350F. 80w90 synthetic engine oil is more adaptable and can work in both extreme situations. This gear oil performs properly in temperatures ranging from -20°F to 400°F.
5. Uses
If you want to know what is 80w90 gear oil used for then here it is. Because 75w90 and 80w90 gear oils range in density and viscosity, they react differently under extreme conditions. This makes them useful in different ways. 80w90 is the most popular gear oil for both summer and winter. This is because it was designed to survive both harsh weather situations. 80w90 gear oil is suitable for use in manual gearboxes, agricultural equipment, and transfer cases in passenger cars, trucks, 4WDs, and smaller commercial vehicles.
6. Price
We can’t compare 75w90 vs. 80w90 gear oils without addressing the price. We all wish to purchase a product that reduces our overall and maintenance costs. 75w90 maintains steady viscosity and thickness across a wide temperature range. The oil thins at extremely low temperatures and thickens at exceptionally high temperatures. These factors contribute to the relatively high cost of 75w90 gear oil. It costs somewhat more than 80w90 gear oil.
Can I Substitute 80w90 for 75w90?
Absolutely, using 75w90 gear oil instead of 80w90 is an amazing choice. While 80w90 gear oil is recommended for your vehicle, 75w90 oil can be used without any issues or decreased performance.
Conclusion
Gear oil is really important for cars. 75w90 and 80w90 have many similar characteristics but they act a bit differently depending on the situation. Each is suitable for different weather conditions. However, 75w90 is more reliable, slightly more expensive, and provides enough protection and great performance. For bad weather, 80w90 is ideal, but many people choose 75w90 because of its properties and cheap maintenance cost.
