0W-30, 80 | Differential & Transfer Case Fluid

Differential gearbox – perfection lies in balance

Differential gears are most commonly used as axle differentials in automobiles. They ensure for example the different speed of wheels and their balanced performance in different speed situations. Differential transmissions are used for rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel vehicles. It is lubricated by approx. 1-1.5 liters of differential gear oil. With regard to the change, a "Lifetime" property of the oil is often attested. Accordingly, the differential gear oil would be usable over the entire service life of the vehicle. However, you should not blindly trust this identifier. The automotive manufacturers usually refer to the handbooks themselves that a change after 80.000 or 120.000 kilometers is necessary, despite Lifetime property. The "Lifetime" thus quickly turns out to be a marketing tool. If the differential gear oil has already turned black when changing, the oil change proves to be long overdue.

Distributor oil for the driving force balance

The transfer case ensures the equal distribution of the drive force on several axes. This ensures that all four wheels are operated simultaneously. Automotive manufacturers such as VW and BMW have special spare parts numbers for the suitable distributor oil. As in the case of differential gear oil, a smaller liter quantity is required for the transfer case oil.

Buy 0W-30 oil: Large selection, many brands, top prices!

The online store for oils, coolants, greases and other lubricants at www.ato24.de offers you a wide selection of 0W30 engine oils. Systematically you will find here exactly the right 0W-30 oil for your vehicle!

The ATO24 Service Team is at your side to help you choose the right engine oil. Simply contact our consultants using the options provided and quickly get competent help.

The viscosity 0W-30 is one of the most popular engine oil viscosities. For many vehicles a 0W-30 engine oil is prescribed or recommended by the manufacturer. We explain to you what the 0W-30 viscosity actually means and how you can choose the right 0W-30 engine oil.

What does 0W-30 mean?

SAE 0W-30 is a multi-grade viscosity. The two viscosity indices 0W and 30 initially indicate the possibility of year-round use (for winter and summer use). The cold viscosity 0W indicates the flowability of the oil at low temperatures. A 0W engine oil can therefore be considered to be very free-flowing when cold. This is particularly beneficial to the engine during cold starts, as the oil is able to spread particularly quickly.

The warm viscosity 30 indicates the flowability of the oil at high temperatures (specification refers to temperature of 100°C).

What is the difference between 0W-20 and 0W-30?

This also explains the difference between the various viscosity grades. 0W-20 and 0W-30 engine oils have comparable flow properties when cold. A 0W-30 engine oil has a higher viscosity at operating temperature than the 0W-20 engine oil. It is therefore "thicker".

Motoröl 0W30: You should pay attention to this!

Your vehicle manual should always be the first place to go to find the right engine oil for your car. If you find the information that SAE 0W-30 is to be used, you are almost done. Because not all 0W30 engine oils are the same!

When buying a 0W-30 you have to pay attention to the prescribed specification and approval. They are representative of the correct ingredients and standards set by your vehicle manufacturer.

0W-30 Engine Oil Specifications

After the correct viscosity, you should check whether a specification is also prescribed for the correct engine oil for your car. You will also find a reference to this in the manual of your vehicle.

Specifications are issued, for example, by the institutions ACEA, API, ILSAC or JASO. Below you will find a selection of specifications that are often prescribed together with the viscosity 0W30:

• ACEA A5/B5 0W-30 Engine Oil
• ACEA C3 0W-30 Engine Oil
• API SN 0W-30 Engine Oil
• ILSAC GF-5 0W-30 Engine Oil

0W-30 Engine Oil Approval

In addition to the specifications, the manufacturer's approvals or manufacturer's recommendations play an important role in the selection of the engine oil.

Manufacturer's approvals are issued and updated by the vehicle manufacturers in order to adapt them to the requirements of the respective engine generations. On the following pages you will find oils that have received the specified approvals or are recommended by the manufacturer of the oil for the corresponding use:

• BMW Longlife-01 0W-30 Engine Oil
• BMW Longlife-04 0W-30 Engine Oil
• Chrysler MS-6395 0W-30 Engine Oil
• Mercedes-Benz MB 229.51 0W-30 Engine Oil