Differential oil
Differential oil — What to know
The differential is the device that compensate for the different wheel rotations when the vehicle is in a turn. In a non-locking differential, one wheel is the driven wheel and the other is the following wheel. The differential contains a ring and pinion gears, side (also called spider gear) gears and the axle shafts. All parts of a differential are constantly cooled and lubricated by differential oil. Differential oil must be changed on a regular basis.
What type of differential oil?
Car makers specific a type and weight of differential oil that’s best suited for the differential in your vehicle. Here’s a listing of the different types. I’m using Red Line’s Synthetic Oil charts as a reference because they make a wide selection of differential oils
Just like motor oil, the first number specifies it’s cold weather viscosity and the second number represents is operating temperature viscosity
75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil from Red Line
75W85 GL-5 Gear Oil is often used in BMW, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Ram and Toyota differentials. It should not be used in manual transmissions.
Red Line’s 75W85 GL-5 differential oil meets these specifications:
API GL-5, MT-1, MIL-L2105E, SAE J2360, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, BMW/Mini 83 12 0 445 838, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 295 532, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 511, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 512, BMW/Mini Castrol, BOT 448, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G1, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G2, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G3, Cadillac, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep 05136035AA, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep 68083381AA, Fiat, Ford WSS-M2C942-A, Ford XY-75W85-QL, Genesis, GM 88862826, GM 92184900, GM SAF Carbon Mod, GMC, Honda/Acura 08200-9014A, Honda/Acura Hypoid Gear Oil HGO-1, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda K020-01-SG1, MB 235.15, MB 235.7, MB 235.74, MB A 001989 59 03
MB A 0012 989 33 03, MG, Nissan/Infinity KDL38-75801P, Toyota/Lexus 08885-02506, Toyota/Lexus 08885-02606, Toyota/Lexus 08885-81060, Toyota/Lexus Gear Oil LT/LX, Volvo G 052 513, VW/Audi G 052 513
75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil from Red Line
75W90 GL-5 differential oil is often used in BMW, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Ram and Toyota. It should not be used in manual transmissions.
Red Line’s 75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil meets these specifications:
API GL-5, MT-1, MIL-L2105E, SAE J2360, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, BMW/Mini 83 12 0 445 838, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 295 532, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 511, BMW/Mini 83 22 2 413 512, BMW/Mini Castrol, BOT 448, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G1, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G2, BMW/Mini Hypoid Axel Oil G3, Cadillac, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep 05136035AA, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep 68083381AA, Fiat, Ford WSS-M2C942-A, Ford XY-75W85-QL, Genesis, GM 88862826, GM 92184900, GM SAF Carbon Mod, GMC, Honda/Acura 08200-9014A, Honda/Acura Hypoid Gear Oil HGO-1, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mazda K020-01-SG1, MB 235.15, MB 235.7, MB 235.74, MB A 001989 59 03, MB A 0012 989 33 03, MG, Nissan/Infinity KDL38-75801P, Toyota/Lexus 08885-02506, Toyota/Lexus 08885-02606, Toyota/Lexus 08885-81060, Toyota/Lexus Gear Oil LT/LX, Volvo G 052 513, VW/Audi G 052 513
75W110 GL-5 Gear Oil from Red Line
New product designed as an intermediate viscosity providing additional film strength over a 75W90, yet less drag than a 75W140.
Red Line’s 75W110 GL-5 differential oil meets these specifications:
API GL-5 / GL-6 & MT-1, MIL-PRF-2105E, SAE J2360, 4X4 / Off Road, Circle Track, Drag Racing, High-Mileage Applications, Road Racing
80W140 GL-5 Gear Oil from Red Line
Recommended for API GL-5, GL-6, MT-1, MIL-L-2105E and SAE J2360
Contains additional friction modifiers for suitability with clutch-type limited slip differentials – for most LSDs, no additional friction modifiers are required
This product is not designed for use in manual transmission or transaxles with synchronizers, as its slipperiness may lead to shifting problems
Meets these specifications: API GL-5 & MT-1, MIL-L-2105E, SAE J2360
75W140NS GL-5 Gear Oil from Red Line
Contains extreme pressure additives like our 75W140 GL-5 oil, but lacks friction modifiers to balance slipperiness. Popular for historic and vintage transmissions, like Mid-1930s to early-1950s synchro-equipped gearboxes in cars and trucks
Meets these specifications: API GL-5 & MT-1, MIL-PRF-2105E, SAE J2360, Historic & Vintage Synchro Transmissions, Rockwell 0-76-C, Used in SAE 140 Applications
©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat