Oil additives to reduce friction: “Behind the Wheel” expertise


Special additives added to the transmission oil during replacement help protect the manual transmission from noise, wear, and mechanical friction. One of these additives is LIQUI MOLY Getriebeoil Additiv, designed specifically to increase the reliability of the unit during increased operating loads and the quality of operation of the manual transmission.

The LIQUI MOLY brand has existed in the automotive market for a long time. It has managed to establish itself as a manufacturer of high-quality, reliable products, for which it has many positive reviews from its use.

How they checked

We carried out the work on a universal machine for testing friction and wear AI 5018 and a four-ball friction machine ChMT‑1. Their operating principle is similar: the samples are rubbed against each other in the presence of oil with the additive being tested.


The universal machine AI 5018 is designed for friction and wear testing. The machine drive is electromechanical, with smooth speed control. The friction torque meter on the rotating shaft of the lower sample is electromechanical, with non-contact current collection.

The universal machine AI 5018 is designed for friction and wear testing. The machine drive is electromechanical, with smooth speed control. The friction torque meter on the rotating shaft of the lower sample is electromechanical, with non-contact current collection.


Both touching disks rotate, but one lags behind by 10%. Wear of discs by mass shows the effectiveness of the tested drugs lubricating the friction pair.

Both touching disks rotate, but one lags behind by 10%. Wear of discs by mass shows the effectiveness of the tested drugs lubricating the friction pair.

The first machine helped evaluate the wear of samples - in fact, increasing the anti-wear properties of the oil. The four-ball machine made it possible to determine the welding load, that is, the maximum lubrication capabilities with each of the tested preparations.

Additives were added to semi-synthetic gear oil Lukoil TM-4 75W-90 GL-4. Note that during operation, all preparations should be poured both into the operating oil and every time the oil is changed.


The four-ball friction machine ChMT‑1 is used for testing liquid and plastic lubricants. Its friction unit is a pyramid of four steel balls in contact with each other.

The four-ball friction machine ChMT‑1 is used for testing liquid and plastic lubricants. Its friction unit is a pyramid of four steel balls in contact with each other.


During the tests, the balls were welded into a non-separable pyramid. By the way, friction welding has long been used in engine production - for example, this is how a valve stem and valve plate are connected.

During the tests, the balls were welded into a non-separable pyramid. By the way, friction welding has long been used in engine production - for example, this is how a valve stem and valve plate are connected.

Specifications

NameMeaningUnits
Colorgray-black
Quantity of solid lubricantabout 10%
Viscosity at 20°C380mPa*s
Temperature range of applicationdepends only on the oil used, for MoS2: over 400°C
Flash point>200°C
Pour point-15°C

What happened


ER-8, USA. Anti-friction metal conditioner

ER-8, USA. Anti-friction metal conditioner

Price
1200 ₽
Stated volume
237 ml
Recommended proportion
60 ml per 1 liter Promised to be a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction in units and mechanisms, an increase in the service life of units and mechanisms, an increase in the critical load and welding load, and the like. In fact, the wear rate fell overall by 3.5 times, friction losses decreased by 7%, and the critical load increased by 41%. However, the use of this additive may lead to a decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the oil at high loads, since the welding load is reduced. The drug is a consumable material because it works on the principle of a chemical reaction in the friction zone at high temperatures with the formation of chloride or fluoride films that separate the friction surfaces. Therefore, its resource is limited and depends on the intensity of operation of the unit or unit.


Liqui Moly, Germany. Anti-friction additive for transmission oil

Liqui Moly, Germany. Anti-friction additive for transmission oil

Price
450 ₽
Stated volume
20 ml
Recommended proportion
20 ml per 1–2 l An additive based on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) promised a significant reduction in wear and temperature in the friction zone, reduced heating, smooth operation, etc. Tests have confirmed a reduction in wear rate when “spreading” fine powders of molybdenum disulfide, but friction losses increased by 10%. The welding load increased by 12%. The layer does not have strong bonds with the base metal. Therefore, the resource of the drug is limited.


Resource T, Russia. Additive for VMPAUTO transmission oil

Resource T, Russia. Additive for VMPAUTO transmission oil

Price
500 ₽
Stated volume
50 g
Recommended proportion
50 g per 1–2 liters Promised to eliminate the noise of the mechanism, make its operation easier, and the like. A decrease in wear intensity was recorded when “spreading” fine powders of submicron particles of copper, lead, tin and other metals, as well as an increase in the welding load by 12%. However, friction losses increased by 10%. During operation, a layer is formed on the friction surface that does not have strong connections with the main friction surface. It is removed by the friction counterbody and immediately restored as long as there is a sufficient concentration of drug suspension in the oil. Over time, the concentration drops (elements settle on the walls of the unit) and the layer is not restored. The duration of work depends on the intensity of deposition of the additive on various surfaces and their area.


SMT 2514, USA. Synthetic metal conditioner, 2nd generation

SMT 2514, USA. Synthetic metal conditioner, 2nd generation

Price
1500 ₽
Stated volume
250 ml
Recommended proportion
50 ml per 1 l The manufacturer promises a reduction in friction and wear of parts, as well as a significant increase in service life. Tests recorded a decrease in wear rate in general by 4.6 times, a decrease in friction losses by 2%, an increase in welding load by 12%, and an increase in critical load by 26%. During operation, a layer is formed on the friction surface, which consists of fluoride and chloride films (metal conditioner).


Suprotec, Russia. Tribological composition "Reducer"

Suprotec, Russia. Tribological composition "Reducer"

Price
1300 ₽
Stated volume
80 ml
Recommended proportion
80 ml per 0.7–2.2 l Promised to restore the working surfaces of gears and bearings, extend service life, reduce noise and vibration. We recorded a decrease in wear rate in general by 4 times, a decrease in friction losses during the period of operation of the samples by 20%, and an increase in the critical load by 12%. The dynamics of the friction coefficient showed a strong decrease during the tests. The drug works on the principle of forming a new metal layer. The sample shows the smoothest surface, and the roughness indicators have minimal values. Therefore, oil in the pores can create a denser layer, which will lead to a shift in the operation of the friction unit towards hydrodynamic friction. And this should lead to a further reduction in friction losses and wear.

The use of all drugs led to a decrease in wear of friction samples, that is, an increase in the anti-wear properties of transmission oil

Liqui Moly gearbox additives: when to use

Let's start with the cases in which additives and additives can be used in the transmission. As you know, a common problem with gearboxes is gearbox oil leaks, since over time, wear of oil seals, gaskets and sealing elements inevitably occurs.

At the same time, the problem can only be solved by replacement, which is often difficult and expensive. In such a situation, you can use special means to stop the transmission fluid leak.

  • Also, during operation, contamination occurs in the gearbox. This is especially critical for hydromechanical automatic machines, variators and robots with a “Mechatronic” type unit. Gears can be “dragged” when shifting, and there are shocks, kicks and jerks from the automatic transmission.

The fact is that during automatic transmission operation, the oil in the torque converter gets very hot. As a result, its active oxidation gradually occurs. Also, the box itself wears out, and the oil becomes additionally contaminated with wear products from friction clutches and other elements.

In such a situation, the unit needs a high-quality automatic transmission flushing, after which the filter is changed and a complete oil change on the unit is carried out using the displacement method (full-flow automatic transmission oil change).

  • Another problem is contamination of manual transmissions and drive axles. As a rule, manual transmissions need to be flushed if the oil change interval has been seriously exceeded. Also the reason for flushing is overheating of the transmission, water getting into the unit, using low-quality oil, etc.

Flushing the gearbox can also be used if the gearbox begins to make noise, there are difficulties when changing gears, etc. As a rule, such problems occur on manual transmissions with high mileage as a result of wear of gears, synchronizers, and gear forks.

The use of the additive allows you to increase the service life, normalize the operation of the unit, eliminate unnecessary noise and increase the overall operating comfort of the vehicle.

Will they cook?

Tests on a four-ball friction machine TBI-1 were carried out in accordance with GOST 9490-75 - the so-called welding load was determined, at which the surfaces of the balls are literally welded at the point of contact. At the same time, we assessed the critical load, which indicates the service life of the oil. Test duration: to determine the welding load - 10 seconds, to determine the wear indicator - 60 minutes.

The average temperature of the oil in the chamber indicates the energy intensity of the processing process. There are no particular differences - except in the first and last stages of testing.

The higher the welding load, the lower the likelihood of scoring.

In theory, additives should increase the welding load and critical load. The higher the welding load, the greater the load the friction unit will withstand before scoring occurs.

These are the ultimate performance capabilities of a lubricant: more is better. The higher the critical load, the higher the load at which the friction unit will operate for a long time while maintaining a given resource.

The higher the critical load, the higher the load the friction unit can operate for a long time.

Contact patch diameter: the smaller the better.

The welding load or the load of maximum lubrication capabilities when using SMT 2514, Resurs T and Liqui Moly additives increased by 12%, when working with the ER‑8 additive it decreased by 6%, and with the Suprotec additive it did not change.

The critical load, which characterizes the limits of long-term performance of the oil, increased with the addition of all drugs. The most noticeable effect is when operating ER (by 41%) and SMT 2514 (by 26%).

Anti-wear characteristics determined on the TBI-1 friction machine improved only with ER-8 (by 18%).

Properties

Liqui Moly 1988
After filling the manual crankcase, the Liqui Moly anti-friction additive has the following effects on the vehicle:

  • reduces friction in manual transmission;
  • prevents premature wear of the transmission;
  • shows high resistance to extreme loads;
  • reduces extraneous noise in the mechanical box;
  • responsible for smooth gear shifting;
  • optimizes the functioning of the manual transmission;
  • increases the durability of transmission units.

We tested five drugs - the “winners” of friction in the transmission.

Oil additives to reduce friction: “Behind the Wheel” expertise

Reviews

Kim, 23 years old Liqui Moly 1988 has become a lifesaver. The transmission crunched horribly, especially in second gear. There was no time to get to the service center; I bought an additive at a gas station. Now there is no need to go to the service center: literally the next day the crunching noise disappeared.

Oleg, 36 years old When changing the oil in the box, I added this product to my old Kia. There were no special problems, but I played it safe. They say you can really extend the life of the mechanics.

Description of additive for manual transmission SUPROTEC

Suprotek Corporation defines its products as an “intelligent additive.” The active material includes complex modern components in certain combinations. The proprietary antifriction additive combines perfectly with lubricants of various compositions and promotes the formation of a polymer film on the metal surfaces of gearbox components and parts. The resulting film increases the area of ​​the contact spot and reduces the friction forces between the mating surfaces of the working elements of the manual transmission.

Application

The LIQUI MOLY Getriebeoil-Additiv additive composition is designed to service manual transmissions with and without synchronizers, differential units, and other transmission components.

Suitable for use in passenger cars, trucks, and passenger cars, regardless of the design features of the power plant and the type of fuel consumed.

Users note a sufficient effect when pouring into agricultural, construction and highly specialized equipment.

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