Proper car upkeep goes a long way beyond refueling and routine services. There are a range of lubricating fluids your car uses that need to be kept clean and replenished. Neglect any of these, and its performance will suffer and damage can be sustained. By ensuring you maintain each of these seven essential car lubricants, however, you can expect your car to run efficiently and last for years. If you’re unsure of what lubricant is best used for in cars, read on for a comprehensive guide.

What is the Main Use of Lubricant?

Any system with moving parts generates friction, and lubricant’s main use is to reduce friction between any surfaces that may come into contact with each other. The benefits of good lubrication are manifold: wear and tear is reduced, corrosion is protected against, excess heat is dissipated, seals between parts are enhanced, power is transmitted, and lubricants can even assist with cleaning.

What is the Function of Lubrication in a Car?

Lubricants in cars perform six main functions integral to the vehicle running properly. By creating a barrier between moving components, they reduce friction and ensure smooth motion within the system.  Cooling is another key function of lubricants, as - besides reducing heat generated through fiction - they can absorb heat from one part of the vehicle and transport it elsewhere to dissipate safely.

By coating metal surfaces, lubricants protect them from oxidation thereby preventing rust and corrosion. They also inhibit the build-up of debris or sludgy deposits, helping keep the engine clean. Their protective mechanism also extends to shielding engine oil from potentially hazardous combustion gases. Lastly, lubricants transmit power, such as within the car’s power steering system, reducing the amount of effort required of the driver when turning the wheels.

Your Car’s Seven Essential Lubricants

1. Engine Oil

The most well-known car lubricant is probably engine oil, also known as motor oil, which coats the moving parts of the internal combustion engine. This critical lubricating fluid prevents metal-on-metal contact, reducing friction and associated excess heat generation or component degradation. Engine oil also hinders the build-up of deposits of debris within the engine, helping keep everything clean and moving smoothly. Without sufficient fresh, clean engine oil, the engine’s components will grind against each other and sludge can accumulate. This incurs excessive wear and leads to the engine overheating. The consequences of this range from reduced power and fuel efficiency to damage to engine parts and costly repairs, all the way up to total engine failure.

Different formulations exist for different vehicle types. For instance, diesel engine oil is specifically designed to handle the higher pressures and temperatures typical of diesel engines. 

Engine oil needs regularly replacing, but how frequently will depend on the car you drive, whether you use synthetic, semi-synthetic, or conventional oil, and the terrain you drive in. Checking your oil regularly and replacing it according to the schedule recommended by your car’s manufacturer is advised to keep your engine functioning in peak condition. If you’re at all unsure, check out our guide to five signs your car needs an oil change.

2. Brake Fluid

Being able to stop and/or slow your car quickly requires a huge amount of power, and is critical to its safe operation. This hydraulic fluid transmits and amplifies the force used to press the brake pedal, generating the pressure needed to apply the brakes and stop the car’s wheels from turning. There is a huge amount of friction generated by a car’s braking system, so besides power transmission, the brake fluid is also responsible for dissipating excess heat, reducing wear, and ensuring the smooth motion of moving parts. Maintaining proper brake fluid levels in good condition is vital for responsive braking performance.

3. Transmission Fluid

Similar to engine oil, transmission fluid is responsible for lubricating and protecting the car’s transmission system or gearbox. Its system of gears is the mechanism by which power from the engine is transferred to the wheels, and the gear ratio controls how fast they move. Whether your car is automatic or manual, smooth gear engagement is required to prevent grinding or slipping. Transmission fluid facilitates this as well as playing a critical role in cooling the system.

This important lubricant also keeps potentially damaging debris from accumulating, and in automatics it acts as a hydraulic fluid, too, enabling effortless gear changes. Proper transmission fluid levels can achieve all this, protecting your gearbox and facilitating smooth gear shifts, so maintaining it is essential.

4. Differential Fluid

The differential housing holds gears responsible for splitting the engine’s turning power between the wheels, enabling them to turn at different rates so the car can steer and corner. Thicker and more heat-resistant than transmission fluid, it performs a similar role; protecting the gears and bearings, reducing debris build-up, and dissipating excess heat. 

Differential fluid can break down and become contaminated over time, making regular replacement essential. This is especially true for rear-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles, which by design transmit increased amounts of torque to their rear wheels or all wheels compared to front-wheel-drive cars. As a result, these vehicles’ differentials work harder and generate more heat, so their differential fluid is likely to degrade faster.

5. Power Steering Fluid

An hydraulic fluid that links the steering wheel and front wheels (or rear wheels in a rear-wheel-drive), power steering fluid enables easy and smooth turning of your car. It lubricates the steering system’s moving parts, including pistons, valves, and hoses, preventing corrosion and wear, and dissipating heat. 

Without adequate power steering fluid, steering becomes a far more strenuous task, especially at lower speeds. If your steering system starts to make noise, or you experience difficulty moving the steering wheel, it may indicate your power steering fluid is low. Maintaining proper fluid levels is vital to protect your steering system from damage and ensure smooth, responsive steering.  

6. Coolant

Coolant is a mix of water and antifreeze that regulates temperatures within your engine. As it circulates, it absorbs excess heat which it then dissipates into the air. It also prevents essential fluids from freezing or becoming overly viscous in cold temperatures, and protects against rust and corrosion in the car’s radiator and cooling system. 

Without adequate levels of coolant, a car’s engine will overheat, causing reduced performance and, over time, resulting in damage to components and eventually engine failure. Check and top up coolant levels regularly, and replace it twice a year to maintain optimal engine function.

7. Solid Greases for Chassis Joints and Wheel Bearings

Every fitting and joint on a car’s chassis needs lubricating to prevent metal-on-metal grinding and excess heat or friction as the vehicle moves. Additionally, wheel bearings need lubricants to facilitate the smooth rotation of the car’s wheel. Since these parts of a car are subject to extreme levels of friction during normal operation, solid greases are used, which provide longer-lasting protection than oil. Regularly greasing chassis components like tie rods and ball joints ensures smooth handling and safeguards the longevity of your vehicle. 

Many different parts of a car depend on proper lubrication to function well. Without adequate and appropriate lubricating fluids or greases, performance is quickly compromised and vital components will suffer rapid deterioration, leading to breakdowns and costly repairs. Checking fluid levels, scheduling regular services, and keeping up with routine maintenance are the best ways to keep your vehicle in peak condition for many years to come. If it’s been a while since your last oil change, our Gulf Express service can perform an expert oil change service quickly and efficiently- get in touch today. 

F.A.Q.s

Which lubricant is best for my engine?

Modern, synthetic engine oils typically offer the best protection and lubrication for your engine, as well as staying clean for longer than conventional mineral oils. Make sure to use engine oil with the correct viscosity rating for your vehicle and the conditions in which you’ll be driving it. Check your car’s manufacturer's recommendations if you are at all uncertain.

What can I use to lubricate my car?

Different parts of a car require different lubricants with distinct properties in order to function properly. It is essential to use the correct lubricating fluid for the task, such as engine oil in the engine, or transmission fluid in the gearbox. Using the wrong lubricant is likely to result in considerable damage and costly repairs. For further information on anything to do with lubrication for your vehicle, contact the specialists at Gulf Oil for advice.