Am I a sucker for buying Outboard Gear Lube in the Tube ?

Question

I have two outboards. This morning as I walked down the Isle with my 4 $3.00 each 10 oz tubes of Valvoline High Pressure Outboard 80/90 gear lube, I walked by the 80/90 gear lube in the Quart bottles for less than half the price per quart. Would my 5 horse Honda really know if the container holding my gear lube reads "outboard" ?

Answer 1

I think what you mean is the difference between "marine" gear oil and "vehicle" gear oil. I always thought this was a bit of a scam myself, but marine stuff will almost always cost more because they usually have more anti-corrosive additives than regular oil-and they are formulated to put up with the extremes of marine applications (AKA-boats have a lot more wear and tear than cars). So overall, NO, you are not a sucker for getting it in tubes. Just rest assured that you are getting what you pay for.

For the record, motorcycles are on a similar principle. They have their own specific needs and the fluids you use in them are similar to, but not entirely the same as in cars. Because motorcycles and boats run higher rpm's for constant amounts of time, car stuff will just not cut it.

Answer 2

The numbers answer the question. Its the viscosity that matters not the label.

Answer 3

You know, I repair cars, boats, trucks, tractors for a living, and have even done much of the maintenance on my own airplane. I have found over the years you really do get what you pay for!

Maintenance items specified by the original manufacturer are ALWAYS the best way to go! This of course doesn't mean you have to buy genuine Honda lube, but it wouldn't hurt, and a substitute as has been noted may not have all the properties your engine needs.

I have an evinrude that any old gear oil will ruin. It has a hydro-electric shift in the foot.

Remember the old "you can pay me now, or pay me later" commercial? The choice is yours.

Answer 4

The second guy is spot on. "bigsurf" or something like that.  i have been in boating all my life and he's right.  Although,   you can get the Marine grade in quarts with a pump.

Answer 5

Your engine won't know the difference. And, buy a hand pump for those quart bottles and the job of putting gear lube in lower unit is much easier.