While we all know the benefits of a good engine oil, the advantages of a gear oil are often overlooked because people don’t know the different requirements of lubricating an engine compared to a gearbox. Gear oil is specifically formulated to protect gearboxes and clutches. High quality gear oils must lubricate, cool and protect gears as well as keep contaminates from harming the surfaces inside your gearbox. The gear oil protects against scoring, scuffing and pitting, reduces noise and helps improve shifting, all of which means your gearbox will run smoother, quieter, and cleaner for longer.
While Bel-Ray 4t oils are all extremely good at protecting your gearbox and engine, there is a real advantage in using gear oils where possible. Motor oils have additives designed to protect the top end of a 4-stroke motor They are designed to help metal surfaces slide past each other, and are formulated using additives designed to clean and remove pollutants that are created during the burning of fuel. Some of the additives found in JASO MA and lower classified oils limit the performance of wet clutches. For that reason, for best clutch performance and life you should be using a JASO MA2 product or a gear oil where possible.