Hypoid axles do not forgive oil mistakes. Wrong viscosity or missing the required approval – and after 30,000–50,000 km you’ll get scoring, noise, and expensive repairs.
The PEXOL GR7 line includes two oils for heavy-duty hypoid gears with API GL-5 approval: mineral 80W-90 and semi-synthetic 75W-90. Which one to choose? Let’s break it down with facts.
| Application conditions | Oil recommendation |
|---|---|
| Budget priority, moderate climate (down to –20°C in winter), high-mileage equipment | PEXOL GR7 80W-90 (mineral) |
| Frost below –20°C, modern truck (MB, Scania, MAN, ZF), fuel savings and extended drain intervals | PEXOL GR7 75W-90 (semi-synthetic) |
Brief specifications
PEXOL GR7 80W-90
- Base: mineral
- Viscosity index: 92
- Pour point: –21°C
- Approvals: API GL-5, MAN 342 M-1/2, MIL: MIL-L-2105 C/D, MB 235.0, ZF (TE-ML 05A, 07A, 16B, 17B, etc.)
- Advantages: affordable, reliable, handles heavy loads
PEXOL GR7 75W-90
- Base: semi-synthetic
- Viscosity index: 178 (much more stable when hot)
- Pour point: –32°C
- Approvals: API GL-5/MT-1, SAE J2360, MB 235.8, MAC GO-J, MAN 341Z2/342M3/341Е3, SCANIA STO 1.0, ZF TE-ML (02B, 05B, 07A, 08, 12B, 16F, 17B, 19C, 21B), IVECO AXLES, VOITH 3.325-340, etc.
- Advantages: easy cold starts in severe frost, protection against extreme shock loads, enhanced anti-wear, anti-corrosion, and anti-oxidation properties
Before changing the oil, it is important to:
- check the manufacturer’s requirements for axles and gearboxes;
- take the operating climate into account;
- monitor the oil level and condition;
- observe the drain intervals.
3 practical tips
- Don’t rely solely on price – a small saving on a canister will cost you an axle replacement if the manufacturer requires MB 235.8, but you used MB 235.0.
- Check the oil level and condition at least once a month.
- Top-up: use exactly the same oil. Mixing 80W-90 with 75W-90 is permissible in an emergency, but after that, change the entire oil as soon as possible!
Conclusion
Both products in the PEXOL GR7 series are designed to protect hypoid gears under high loads. The difference lies in temperature capabilities, stability of characteristics, and the set of approvals.
- 80W-90 – a practical mineral solution for standard conditions.
- 75W-90 – a more versatile semi-synthetic oil for modern and heavily loaded transmissions.
The optimal choice depends not only on price but also on the equipment’s operating conditions.
Safe travels!
