Engine oil, transmission oil, hydraulic oil, or grease—which lubricant is right for your application?


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What distinguishes the different types of lubricants?
- Engine Oil
Engine oils lubricate and protect internal combustion engines. The choice of oil depends primarily on the engine type, viscosity grade, manufacturer's recommendations, and the required specifications or approvals.- Transmission fluid
Gear oils are used to lubricate automotive and industrial gearboxes. Important criteria include the type of gearbox, load, rotational speed, operating temperature, and specified viscosity.- Hydraulic oil
Hydraulic oils transmit forces within hydraulic systems while also providing lubrication and protection. Key factors include the type of system, operating pressure, temperature range, and manufacturer specifications.- Grease
Greases are frequently used on bearings, joints, or other lubrication points where the lubricant needs to remain in place for as long as possible. The choice of grease depends, among other factors, on the load, rotational speed, temperature, and environmental conditions.
In short: The product name alone is not the deciding factor. The right lubricant must be suitable for the component, the application, and the manufacturer's specifications.
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Engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil and lubricating grease compared
The following overview highlights the key differences in application, function, selection criteria, typical form and interchangeability.
Swipe or scroll sideways to view the full table →
| Comparison criterion | Engine oil | Gear oil | Hydraulic oil | Lubricating grease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main application | Internal combustion engines | Automotive and industrial gearboxes | Hydraulic systems | Bearings, joints and lubrication points |
| Main function | Engine lubrication and protection | Lubrication and protection of gears and bearings | Power transmission, lubrication and protection | Adherent, long-lasting lubrication |
| Key selection criteria | Viscosity, specification, manufacturer approval | Gearbox type, load, rotational speed, viscosity | System type, pressure, temperature, viscosity | Consistency, load, rotational speed and temperature |
| Typical form | Liquid | Liquid | Liquid | Semi-solid |
| Interchangeability | Only after checking the requirements | Do not replace with engine oil or hydraulic oil | Use only in accordance with system requirements | Do not replace with oil or another grease without prior assessment |
Decision-Making Guide
Which lubricant is best for which situation?
Engine oil is suitable for …
• Passenger car, commercial vehicle, and stationary engines
• Applications with specific manufacturer requirements
• Engines with specified viscosities and approvals.
Transmission oil is suitable for …
• Automotive and industrial transmissions
• Gears and bearings within a transmission
• Applications with high mechanical loads.
Hydraulic oil is suitable for …
• Hydraulic machines and systems
• Power and motion transmission systems
• Applications with defined pressure and temperature ranges.
Grease is suitable for …
• Bearings, joints, and open lubrication points
• Applications where the lubricant is intended to remain in place
• Lubrication points with special load or environmental conditions.
Important: The specifications of the machine, vehicle, or component manufacturer always take precedence. Lubricant types must not be substituted solely on the basis of similar viscosity.
Consulting Services Provided by BADICO Trading GmbH
Find the Right ADDINOL Lubricant with BADICO
BADICO assists companies in selecting and procuring suitable ADDINOL lubricants. For an initial assessment, factors such as the machine or vehicle, component, manufacturer, existing lubricant, required specifications, viscosity, temperature range, and operating conditions are taken into account.
Based on this information, a suitable product from the ADDINOL product line can be identified. ADDINOL provides official product data sheets, safety data sheets, and an oil and product finder for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADDINOL Lubricants
Do you have any questions? You’ll find the answers here
Yes. We can help you select the right product from the ADDINOL lineup based on your specific application. In doing so, we take into account factors such as the machine or vehicle, the component, manufacturer specifications, viscosity, technical specifications, and operating conditions.
Yes. We evaluate which ADDINOL product is generally suitable based on your requirements. Before making the switch, we take particular care to consider manufacturer approvals, technical specifications, and compatibility with the lubricant you have been using.
Yes. Our product line includes, among other things, industrial gear oils, hydraulic oils, greases, and other industrial lubricants. The specific products and container sizes available depend on the particular lubricant and the quantity required.
Do not mix products without first testing them. Base oils, additive systems, or thickeners may be incompatible with one another. Therefore, when submitting an inquiry, please always let us know which lubricant has been used previously.
Product data sheets, safety data sheets, and other manufacturer information are available through ADDINOL. We can help you access and correctly organize the documentation associated with your selected product.

Contact person
Andreas Badenjki
Managing Director- +4989-21756295
Phone
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- info@badico-trading.com
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Adresse
BADICO Trading GmbH
Augsburger Str. 43
D-82110 Germering
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Do you have any questions about our products? Then simply get in touch with us! We will be happy to advise you!
















