Best Greases (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

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Grease is the most common multipurpose lubricant used for automotive and industrial applications. For lubricating any bearing assembly in your vehicle, it is essential to choose the right grease. The two most common ingredients in any grease are the oil and the thickening agent. Special compounds are also added to meet the demands of specific applications or environments. We have chosen the top three greases from the current market to help you select the right product.

Benefits of Grease

Reduce friction. The primary use of grease is to reduce the friction of moving parts. If moving metal parts are left to slide over each other without lubrication, it will lead to faster wear and consequently mechanical failure of the components. For instance, an unlubricated bike chain will eat at the gears and eventually snap.
Protection. Grease forms a protective layer on metal parts and keeps out water, dust, and other contaminants that may damage the parts. It also seals in the old grease and any oils that were pre-applied for lubrication.
Reduce noise. Wheel bearings, bike chains, and gears can get noisy if not lubricated. Packing the parts with grease helps the moving parts to slide over each other more quietly.
Smooth operation. Grease maintains the mechanical stability of the applied surfaces and facilitates the smooth movement of the moving parts. Since you don’t have to worry about rust, friction, or corrosion, you can expect your equipment to work efficiently during slow operation or high-pressure conditions.

Types of Grease

Ion-Based

The ion bases used to make grease are mainly sodium, aluminum, calcium, barium, and lithium. The grease could contain about three percent of the base and the other portion is acquired from mineral oils, vegetable oils, synthetics, or other additives. The end result is typically a multi-purpose grease with a high tolerance for extreme temperatures and great water-resistance.

Marine

Marine grease is typically used on marine equipment owing to its water- and salt-repellent properties. It’s commonly used to facilitate gliding movements when metal is operating underwater, like an anchor chain for instance. It can also be used on motorcycle chains, steering cables, door hinges, and disc brakes.

Moly EP

Moly EP grease is made from molybdenum disulfide. The compound gives the final product a high melting point and corrosion resistance. The EP on the name stands for extreme pressure, denoting that the grease can tolerate extreme pressure conditions. It’s mostly used on metal surfaces subjected to heavy loads or high pressure such as wheel bearings or ball joints.

Disc and Drum

Disc and drum grease is water-resistant and formulated with a high melting point. It can withstand extreme temperatures generated from fast-moving wheels and instant pressure exerted by the brakes. It can be used on the wheel bearings of almost any vehicle.

Top Brands

Valvoline

For more than 150 years, Valvoline has had a reputation for manufacturing some of the best automotive oils and lubricants. It’s located in Lexington, Kentucky, and remains committed to improving the motor oil industry by constantly reinventing its products. One of its best synthetic greases is the Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease.

Lucas

Lucas Oils manufactures high-performance car care products including greases, oils, and automotive additives. The company was started by Forrest Lucas way back in 1989, and is headquartered in Corona, California. One of its best high-performance greases is the Lucas Oil 10301 Heavy Duty Grease.

Maxima

Maxima was founded in 1979, and is recognized as a leading producer of car care products for the racing industry. From its headquarters in Southern California, Maxima continues to bring forth the latest innovations in its products, which include engine oils, maintenance lubricants, and specialty lubes. One of its best lubricating greases is the Maxima 80916 Waterproof Grease.

Sta-Lube

Sta-Lube was founded way back in 1933 as a manufacturer of oil additives and lubricants for motor vehicles. It designs products suitable for both the DIY user and professional technicians at a budget-friendly price. One of its best wheel bearing greases is the Sta-Lube Water-Resistant Marine Grease.

Grease Pricing

Under $20: Grease products are typically priced according to its properties and the size of the bottle. For that reason, this price range includes small bottles and tubes of general-purpose greases ranging from 3.5 to 14 ounces. Most of the grease bottles don’t come with an aerosol tip and you’d have to purchase an application gun separately.
Over $20: This price range includes some high-performance greases and some of the products in the lower price range but in larger containers. For the high-end options, you can expect greases with high melting points, recommendable viscosity ratings, and superb water and dirt repulsion capabilities.

Key Features

Temperature Stability

Poor-quality grease hardens in low temperatures and bleeds at high temperatures. That can be messy and wasteful. You want a grease that remains stable even when the temperatures dip below minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and can withstand the highest temperatures in your region.

Pressure Performance

Too much pressure can cause grease to thin or shear. This can happen during shock loading or when you apply emergency brakes. Under such conditions, the greased parts come in contact and corrode each other. Your best bet would be to use EP greases that have graphite or molybdenum disulfide, which bonds to the metal surface to prevent contact during extreme pressure conditions.

Viscosity

Viscosity is a measure of the ability of a fluid to resist flow. For an automotive grease, you need something soft that can lubricate and facilitate easy movement of the mechanical parts. Figuring that viscosity is measured at a rate of zero to six, the grease should be at a two. This would feel like soft peanut butter when rubbed on your hands.

Water Resistance

When metal parts are in constant contact with each other, the last thing they need is water since it can cause the parts to rust and fall apart. This is why you need a water-resistant grease that forms a protective film on the applied surface to keep the water out.

Other Considerations

Additives: Grease with extra additives like copper or ceramic powder can improve its high-temperature performance, and protect from component damage throughout their service life. Glycerol additives can help with low-temperature tolerance.
Versatility: Choose a greasing product that can suit different applications. You can have one product that can be used on your automobiles, farm equipment, and domestic appliances.
Ease of Application: Prioritize greases that come with spray applicators or tubes that can be easily loaded into a grease gun for easy application. If it comes in a jar, ensure that it’s not too sticky or drippy for application.
Shelf Life: In case you are buying in bulk, choose a product with a long shelf life. Consider how often you will be using the grease and choose a product that fits that time frame. Otherwise, you will be left with leaking products on the shelf.

Best Grease Reviews & Recommendations 2020

Best Overall

Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease

Best Value

u003cstrongu003eLucas Oil 10301 Heavy Duty Greaseu003c/strongu003e

Honorable Mention

u003cstrongu003eMaxima 80916 Waterproof Greaseu003c/strongu003e

Honorable Mention

Plews u0026amp; Edelmann LubriMatic Wheel Bearing Grease

Honorable Mention

StaLube SL3121 Marine Grease

Honorable Mention

Allstar ALL78241 Timken Automotive Wheel Bearing Grease

Honorable Mention

MAG1 High-Temp Disc Brake Wheel Bearing Grease

Tips

A water-resistant grease will offer effective shielding against water drops and moisture. This property also helps to protect the metal parts more effectively against corrosion.
A grease that can withstand extreme temperatures will not break down easily. Temperatures in automobile bearings can get high, so choose a grease that can operate within a large temperature range.
The viscosity of grease makes it thin or extremely thick. For automotive use, a viscosity rating of two is an ideal choice, as it makes application easy.

FAQs

Q: What are multipurpose greases?

A: These greases combine some of the best properties of other special greases. This makes them suitable for a wide variety of applications. Lithium-based greases are popular as multipurpose grease.

Q: How long can I store unused grease?

A: When stored for long periods under poor conditions, grease can go bad. Often the oil and solids in the grease separate, making it unusable. Check the guidelines from the manufacturer for storing the grease.

Q: Can I mix two types of grease?

A: It is best not to mix two different types of grease. In many cases, thickeners and additives in two different greases can be incompatible with each other. This will make the mixture ineffective as a lubricant.