Transmission oil LUKOIL TM-4 80W90 API GL-4

Among fluids intended for loaded vehicle components, Lukoil 75W90 gear oil remains the best-seller. It is suitable for most cars operated on Russian roads. Lubricants vary in numerical indicator TM. The fourth corresponds to API GL4, the fifth – API GL5. Oils are designed for different gearboxes, but not all motorists know this. A comparative analysis of the two lubricants will help you make your choice.

General characteristics of Lukoil 75W90

Lukoil gear oil appeared on the market 10 years ago. It is produced at Russian and foreign enterprises that are part of a large corporation. The technical characteristics of the lubricant comply with international classification systems.

Lukoil SAE 75W-90 lubricant is universal (all-season), designed for operation in the climatic conditions of the middle zone. The SAE marking (classification of the Society of Automotive Engineers) characterizes the viscosity of the oil. 75W corresponds to the freezing temperature of the emulsion -40°C. The indicator after the letter symbol “W” 90 corresponds to the kinematic viscosity of the liquid at 100°C greater than 24 mm2/s, this is the rate of formation of an oil film on the metal. The lubricant can be used up to +35°C.

Lubricants vary in technical capabilities. They are determined by the API classification (American Petroleum Institute classification). A division into GL classes has been developed for transmission fluids. GL-1 is mineral oil without additives, of the lowest quality. Considering that there are only 6 GL classes, Lukoil 75W90 oil, presented on the domestic market, falls into the category of high-quality lubricants. For its production, an NS base is used. Hydrocracking organics (HC) are close to synthetics in physical properties and closer to mineral ones in price. Semi-synthetic base - a mixture of NS and mineral oil (no more than 20% is added).

Where can 75w90 oil be used?

Manufacturer Lukoil advises pouring this series oil into almost any car that has a manual transmission. The product is also made in such a way that it has almost no contraindications for use in motors with gears.

Chemical and physical properties of Lukoil 75w90 motor oil:

• The density of the product is 880 kg per 1 cubic meter at a temperature of 15-16 degrees.
• The viscosity index coefficient is 178.
• K-K - viscosity level = 16.0 mm2/s - measured at a temperature of about 100 degrees.
• Limit temperature for thickening = -42 according to GOST 20287.
• K-D - viscosity = 144980 mPa-s at a temperature of 40 degrees.
• The flash temperature gradient is 212 degrees.

Classifiers for gear oil 75w90 series: suitable for any season of use, is universal.

Characteristics of the TM-4 brand

API classification group designation
Lukoil 75W90 gear oil has several main indicators that you need to pay attention to when purchasing. Be sure to look at the API (Society of Automotive Engineers) classification group. In fact, it determines the quality of the oil emulsion and the component composition of additives. It must contain:

1. stabilizing additives that prevent it from oxidizing when heated;
2. increasing viscosity when heated, the oil should not become liquid like water;
3. anti-corrosion, protecting steel from corrosion;
4. anti-seize – these are sulfur-phosphorus compounds that strengthen the metal surface at the chemical level (the hardness of sulfates and phosphates is higher than that of steel);
5. anti-foam, they are added to emulsions of any viscosity class.

Lukoil TM-4 fluid is less technologically advanced in comparison with TM-5; it contains a concentration of anti-scuff additives within 4%. The lubricating fluid is not designed for heavy loads.

Description

Lukoil Transmission TM-4 75W-90 is a high-quality all-season semi-synthetic oil for manual transmissions. Used for filling in transmissions of cars and trucks.

The oil is produced using highly refined mineral and modern synthetic base oils. In addition, the composition uses a highly effective additive package that improves performance properties.

Thanks to optimal viscosity-temperature characteristics and increased thermal stability, it works in a wide temperature range, maintaining all its properties. Perfectly protects parts from wear, prolongs their service life even under increased loads and when exposed to elevated temperatures.

Ensures smooth, stable operation of the gearbox, reliable gear shifting without jerking or vibration, including at subzero ambient temperatures.

Lukoil TM-4 semi-synthetic 75W-90 protects internal parts of manual transmissions from corrosion and deposit formation. Does not foam, due to which it provides protection against cavitation erosion. It has a long service life and retains its positive properties throughout the entire replacement interval.

Characteristics of the TM-5 brand

It is no coincidence that Lukoil TM API GL gear oil is distinguished by its digital marking. The technical characteristics of GL-4 and GL-5 liquids differ in many respects:

1. the density of TM-5 fluid is lower than that of TM-4, it is more fluid, it is better driven through the gearbox and transmission unit;
2. The scuffing index for TM-5 is significantly higher, which means that the concentration of sulfur-phosphorus additives is higher (there are no standards for the index for lubricating fluids of different classes, but in terms of performance properties, wear of parts is better reduced by compositions with a high index);
3. the pour point is 2C° lower, which means the cold rolling life is higher than that of TM-4.

Semi-synthetic SAE 75W-90 TM-5 withstands high dynamic loads, the liquid behaves stably in loaded components. The performance properties of TM-5 lubricant are better.

Scope of application of Lukoil 75W-90 TM-4 (TM-5) and GL-4 (GL-5) gear oils

It is worth noting in advance that domestic classifiers according to GOST (TM) and API (GL) have similar requirements for lubricants when the numerical indices coincide. Therefore, we will not analyze separately what these designations mean and where oils with classes TM-4 (TM-5) and GL-4 (GL-5) are used.

Lukoil 75W-90 TM-4 (GL-4)

The main application area for these lubricants is heavily loaded transmission units operating under medium to severe conditions. The oil is suitable for use in power take-off gearboxes, transfer cases, drive axles and final drives.

Permitted for use in units that have hypoid gears in their design, operating under loads up to 3000 MPa. Lukoil 75W-90 TM-4 lubricant combines well with synchronized gearboxes and has a large number of positive reviews among owners of domestic equipment.

Lukoil 75W-90 TM-5 (GL-5)

More technologically advanced lubricant for transmission units operating under increased loads. Capable of reliably protecting hypoid gears operating under contact loads of more than 3000 MPa.

Classification by API

The oil does not undergo structural and chemical changes at temperatures up to 150 °C. Applicable in synchronized gearboxes that have the appropriate recommendations from the car manufacturer. It has only positive reviews from owners of heavily loaded domestically produced equipment.

Both of these lubricants, when considering any other transmission components other than manual transmissions, are often interchangeable.

API and GOST compliance table

Lukoil 75W-90 TM-5 (GL-5) oil has a longer service life, better protects against contact loads and scuffing, and also slightly increases the efficiency of the unit in which it is used. And what is uncharacteristic for domestically produced lubricants, there are practically no negative reviews.

Where is Lukoil 75wW90 used?

The lubricant is intended for domestic trucks and passenger cars, and foreign cars with mechanical drive. Brass and bronze parts of automatic transmissions are wear-resistant. Sulfur and phosphorus form a loose film on the surface of the parts, it is instantly erased, copper particles give the emulsion a reddish tint.

The difference in the technical properties of TM-4 (GL4) and TM-5 (GL5) is explained by different concentrations of anti-seize additives (4% and 6.4%, respectively).

Lukoil 75W90 TM-4 oil is intended for:

• for synchronized manual transmissions (although they contain parts made of non-ferrous metals, but with a small content of anti-seize additives they remain resistant to abrasion);
• carburetor gearboxes;
• transmission units operating under light and medium load;
• machine gearboxes;
• drive axles;
• transfer case assembly.

Which manual transmission oils are more popular - TNK or Lukoil?

In November 2020, on PartReview, TNK manual transmission oils were generally more popular than Lukoil.

In terms of the ratio of votes, TNK manual transmission oils surpassed Lukoil:

• For TNK, the ratio of positive votes (119) to negative votes (23) was 96 votes.
• For Lukoil, the ratio of positive votes (88) to negative (24) was 64 votes.

In terms of the number of reviews of manual transmission oils, TNK surpassed Lukoil:

• There are 46 reviews written about TNK manual transmission oils: 37 positive, 4 neutral, 5 negative.
• There are 36 reviews written for Lukoil manual transmission oils: 27 positive, 3 neutral, 6 negative.

Reviews about the advantages and disadvantages

Motorists speak differently about Lukoil TM-4 75W90. Comparing reviews on forums and social networks, it is easy to identify the main advantages of the lubricant:

1. Many are satisfied with the price-quality ratio. The use of a cracking base, comparable in properties to synthetics, is noted by owners of VAZ classics and used foreign cars. The boxes stop knocking, vibration at idle is noticeably reduced. And the cost of the liquid is several times lower than imported lubricants of the same type.
2. It is convenient that the oil is labeled according to the generally accepted international classification. In addition to SAE 75W90, the API GL group is indicated. Some compared the technical characteristics of foreign analogues with the numbers on the Lukoil label; there are almost no discrepancies. This indicates the good quality of the product.
3. It is Lukoil, and not any other lubricant, that is poured into VAZ cars on the assembly line. The liquid is aimed at Russian consumers who have cars in the mid-price category. Owners of used foreign cars with mechanical drives do not find much difference in technical properties between Lukoil and other brands of gear lubricant.
4. Branded oil ensures normal cranking at sub-zero temperatures. With imported mineral fluid and inexpensive semi-synthetics, the car behaves worse. You can feel from the oil that Lukoil uses promising additives and a high-quality base.
5. The non-foaming oil is compatible with many lubricants. Lukoil makes transmission fluids using the same additives as most European companies.

Lukoil does not always meet the expectations of motorists. The main disadvantages of Lukoil 75W90 oil according to user ratings:

1. The fluid has to be changed earlier than the recommended kilometer interval. The mileage has to be reduced by at least 10 thousand. The lubricant service life is short.
2. Synchronized gearboxes sometimes “chew” the lubricant in the cold. The lever has to be pulled and pressed when switching gears. It is dangerous to freeze the car; the emulsion has no reserve viscosity.

Lukoil oil for gearbox

Let's start with the fact that although the gearbox is subjected to less load than a car engine, this unit still needs high-quality lubrication. Considering that the transmission transmits torque from the car's engine, the load on the gearbox can be quite serious.

The same can be said about other components of the transmission (transfer case, differential, etc.). These mechanisms have gears, which can wear out greatly under load. Also, at the point of contact of parts and rubbing pairs, the temperature increases noticeably. If the loads are peak, the heating can be very high.

Transmission oils are designed to protect transmission parts from wear, reduce friction losses, and remove excess heat to prevent overheating. The formation of an oil film on surfaces eliminates direct contact of mating surfaces.

• When it comes to gear oils, Lukoil is a popular and well-known solution at an affordable price. The Lukoil company offers a line of motor and transmission oils. As practice shows, Lukoil TM-4 75W90 GL-4 and TM-5 75W90 GL-5 gearbox oils are quite in demand.

The manufacturer Lukoil is considered one of the leaders in the production of fuels and lubricants in Russia and the CIS countries. The products are aimed at different types of road transport. It is noteworthy that after entering the market, Lukoil immediately established itself as a manufacturer of products that could well compete with more well-known and expensive imported analogues.

Transmission oils TM-4 75W90 GL-4 and TM-5 75W90 GL-5 are actively used by car manufacturers that are produced in Russia. This fully applies to both domestic models and foreign-made cars with manual transmissions that are assembled in the Russian Federation. In other words, Lukoil oil can be poured into the gearbox regardless of the country of the car manufacturer (by analogy with the well-known brands Mobil, Castrol, Total, Liqui Moly, etc.).

As practice shows, if Lukoil oil is used, the gearbox not only receives reliable protection, but the unit itself can work better with such lubricant after the procedure for changing the oil in the gearbox. This statement is true both for boxes of domestic cars and various foreign cars from Japan, Europe and other countries.