“Daily Share 4.22”: The difference between engine oil and lubricants

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Engine oil was formerly the general term for lubricants, referring to the oils used for lubrication in machines; nowadays it generally denotes the lubricants used in various engines. Engine oil is as important to an engine as blood is to the heart. The engine is the heart of a car; it contains many metal surfaces that rub against each other. These components move at high speeds in harsh conditions, with operating temperatures ranging from 400°C to 600°C. In such harsh working conditions, only high-quality lubricants can reduce wear on engine components and extend their service life. Lubricants are a general term; they include engine oil, grease, gear oil, lubricating greases, and so on. All of these serve to provide lubrication, reducing mechanical friction and wear, preventing components from overheating, and ensuring the proper operation of machinery. Based on the environmental requirements of mechanical operation, different types and models of lubricants are selected. For example: gasoline engines require gasoline engine oil ； For diesel engines, diesel engine oil must be used. For gasoline engines, different engine compression ratios require the use of different types of gasoline engine oil. There are three types of lubricants for vehicles: lubricating oil, gear oil, and grease. Lubricating oil is the most widely used lubricant in various engines, and its functions include lubrication, cooling, protection, and cleaning. 　　Gas engine lubricants are extracted from underground oil wells; this unrefined lubricant is not suitable for use in engines, so it must be further refined by adding various elements in order to effectively prevent instability under extreme cold and high temperatures. 　　Gear oil, also known as transmission lubricant, is primarily used to lubricate the various gears in the transmission, reducers, and differentials of automotive and tractor drivetrains. Its viscosity is higher than that of ordinary lubricants, and it is slightly black in color; hence it is also referred to as black oil. Due to the different tooth shapes of gears, different requirements are placed on gear oil, which is generally divided into conventional gear oil and hypoid gear oil. Both should be filled with the varieties specified in the instructions; no confusion is allowed. 　　Grease contains thickeners, and its properties are different from those of lubricating oil. Since the vast majority of greases are semi-solid, they can maintain their shape at room temperature and do not flow down vertical surfaces. Lubricating oil is generally yellow, which is why it is commonly referred to as butter. Grease is widely used to lubricate bearings, bushings, leaf springs, and other components in vehicles.