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Re: 10w30 vs 80/90 wt Posted by CMyles [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: 10w30 vs 80/90 wt, Arabiflora ![]() |
Arabiflora,
Very different activity goes on in an engine than in a differential. The lube in an engine has to pass through some fairly small galleys and ports like in the hydraulic lifters and the pump is designed to create proper pressure with lubricants of a certain viscosity range. The oil in the differential is splashed around, not pumped and only has to enter the large gaps between gear teeth and bearing rollers so higher pressure, higher viscosity lubricants can be and generally are used in differentials. In normal use engines get way hotter than differentials and there's no combustion going on in a differential. Early on Saab recommended only API GL4 or GL5 gear oil for the differential on the T37 but later approved 10w30 motor oil as an alternative. The final drive in the T37 automatic is essentially identical to the final drive in the manual 5 speed transmission which shares it's 10w30 lubricant (per Saab spec.) with the rest of the 5 speed transaxle unit, so you could expect 10w30 to work OK in the final drive of the T37 automatic. Motor oil and gear oil have different additives and formulas because of the different duties for which they're intended but it seems that these little centerline drive Saab differentials aren't very picky and provide good service with either type of lubricant. Engines are much more finicky. Cheers
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