For those of you who want to maintain your vehicle properly, it is very important to know about two types of oil that often cause confusion: transmission oil and gear oil. Although they are both lubricants and look similar, they have different functions and work in different ways!

To avoid mistakes when changing oil, let’s take a look at the fundamental differences between the two.  

What Are Transmission Oil and Differential Oil?  

Transmission oil is a lubricant that protects and lubricates transmission components, such as gears and transmission shafts. Its function is to maintain performance and prevent wear caused by the continuous friction of moving components.

Meanwhile, differential oil lubricates parts in the rear-wheel drive system, such as the ring gear and drive pinion. Its role is crucial in ensuring that power from the engine is transmitted smoothly and efficiently to the wheels.

Differences in Function and Operation

The function of transmission oil is more focused on the gearbox system. When you shift gears, this oil ensures that all components operate smoothly without interference or rough friction.

On the other hand, differential oil works to maintain wheel rotation, especially when turning or distributing power to the rear wheels. So, if the differential is faulty, power from the engine won't be transmitted optimally to the wheels.

The transmission fluid focuses on maintaining the speed ratio between gears to keep the car's performance smooth and responsive. Meanwhile, the differential fluid focuses on keeping the wheels rotating smoothly and making the car comfortable to drive in various road conditions.

Oil Quantity and Replacement Schedule

Generally, transmission fluid requires about 1–1.2 liters, while differential fluid requires about 2 liters. However, this depends on the type of vehicle and how frequently it is used.

On average, both types of oil should be changed every 40,000 km, or sooner depending on road conditions and driving habits. Automatic vehicles may have different intervals, with transmission oil lasting up to 80,000 km.

Signs That Oil Needs to Be Replaced Immediately

Signs That Transmission Oil Needs to Be Replaced:

1. Heavy shifting – the lubricant may be worn out or depleted.
2. A rough humming sound from the transmission – friction between components is becoming more noticeable.
3. The oil has turned a dark black color – indicating it is dirty and has lost its lubricating function.

Signs That Differential Oil Needs to Be Replaced:

1. Strong vibrations are felt while driving, even on smooth roads.
2. A burning smell is detected under the vehicle, possibly from dirty or depleted oil.
3. The wheels are difficult to control due to disrupted power distribution caused by insufficient lubrication.

Conclusion: Maintain Your Vehicle, Don’t Just Replace the Oil

Avoid selecting or exchanging the wrong oil for the transmission and differential. Although they may appear similar, their functions and operations differ. Also, adhere to the replacement schedule to ensure the vehicle remains comfortable and safe for daily use.

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Beda Oli Transmisi dan Oli Gardan: Jangan Sampai Tertukar, Bisa Fatal!

Buat kamu yang ingin merawat kendaraan dengan benar, penting banget tahu soal dua jenis oli yang sering bikin bingung: oli transmisi dan oli gardan. Walaupun sama-sama cairan pelumas dan tampak serupa, keduanya punya fungsi dan cara kerja yang berbeda, lho!

Biar enggak keliru lagi saat ganti oli, yuk simak perbedaan mendasar di antara keduanya.

Apa Itu Oli Transmisi dan Oli Gardan?

Oli transmisi adalah pelumas yang berfungsi melindungi dan melumasi bagian-bagian transmisi, seperti gear dan poros transmisi. Fungsinya menjaga performa dan menghindari keausan akibat gesekan komponen yang bekerja terus-menerus.

Sementara itu, oli gardan bertugas melumasi bagian di sistem penggerak roda belakang seperti ring gear dan drive pinion. Perannya penting untuk menjaga agar tenaga dari mesin bisa tersalur ke roda secara mulus dan efisien.

Perbedaan Fungsi dan Cara Kerja

Fungsi oli transmisi lebih ke sistem pemindah gigi (gearbox). Saat kamu memindahkan gigi, oli ini memastikan semua komponen bekerja tanpa gangguan dan gesekan kasar.

Sebaliknya, oli gardan bekerja untuk menjaga putaran roda, terutama saat belok atau saat distribusi tenaga ke roda belakang. Jadi, kalau gardan bermasalah, tenaga dari mesin enggak akan sampai dengan optimal ke roda.

Cara kerja oli transmisi fokus pada menjaga rasio kecepatan antar gear, agar performa mobil tetap halus dan responsif. Sementara oli gardan lebih ke menjaga putaran roda tetap stabil dan membuat mobil nyaman dikendarai di berbagai kondisi jalan.

Takaran dan Jadwal Ganti Oli

Umumnya, oli transmisi butuh sekitar 1–1,2 liter, sedangkan oli gardan sekitar 2 liter. Tapi ini tergantung jenis mobil dan seberapa sering mobil digunakan.

Rata-rata, kedua jenis oli ini perlu diganti setiap 40.000 km, atau bisa lebih cepat tergantung kondisi jalan dan kebiasaan berkendara. Mobil matik kadang punya interval berbeda, oli transmisinya bisa bertahan sampai 80.000 km.

Tanda-Tanda Oli Harus Segera Diganti

Tanda Oli Transmisi Perlu Diganti:

1. Persneling berat saat dipindah – bisa jadi pelumas sudah aus atau habis.
2. Muncul suara dengung kasar dari transmisi – gesekan antarkomponen makin terasa.
3. Warna oli berubah jadi hitam pekat – tandanya oli sudah kotor dan kehilangan fungsi pelumasan.

Tanda Oli Gardan Perlu Diganti:

1. Getaran terasa kuat saat mobil berjalan, bahkan di jalan mulus.
2. Tercium bau terbakar dari kolong mobil, bisa dari oli yang kotor atau habis.
3. Roda susah dikendalikan, karena distribusi tenaga terganggu akibat kurang pelumasan.

Kesimpulan: Rawat Mobil, Jangan Asal Ganti Oli

Jangan sampai salah pilih atau tukar antara oli gardan dan transmisi. Meskipun kelihatan mirip, fungsi dan cara kerjanya berbeda. Perhatikan juga jadwal penggantiannya agar mobil tetap nyaman dan aman dipakai harian.