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What’s the Difference Between Transmission Oil and Engine Oil?
My engine oil is a little low and I was going to add some more. I don’t have any around the garage, but I do have some transmission oil. I’m wondering if I can just use that. The ingredients look mostly the same. Is there any real difference between engine oil and transmission oil?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
There are important differences between transmission oil and engine oil in their ingredients, functions, appearances, lifespans, rates of consumption, and viscosity. Engine oil and transmission oil are not the same and cannot be used interchangeably. Doing so will result in catastrophic damage to your engine.
Engine oil keeps your entire engine lubricated to reduce friction. It has a greater viscosity, a shorter lifespan, a higher rate of consumption, and far fewer detergents than transmission oil. Engine oil is also an amber/gold color (or black if it has already been used), whereas transmission oil is usually a deep red.
Transmission oil is intended to keep the gears and clutches working properly. It is not exposed to the same heat and combustion that engine oil is, so it doesn’t get consumed at any significant rate.
If you’ve accidentally added either transmission oil to your engine or engine oil to your transmission, do not start your engine for any reason. Depending on the make/model of your car, how much you added, and if you’ve run the engine at all, you may be able to reverse the damage.
Flush the oil immediately. After doing so, add the correct type of oil and take your car directly to a mechanic.
Serious car damages are always just one mistake or collision away. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you have quality
car insurance
coverage. While it won’t usually pay for damages from misuse like adding the wrong oil, it can protect you from other serious problems. Make sure you’re getting the coverage you need for a price you can afford with
Jerry
—the world’s #1 rated insurance app!Drivers who use the free Jerry app save an average of $887 each year on insurance!
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