You’ve probably seen NLGI ratings for grease, but what is NLGI? NLGI is the National Lubricating Grease Institute, and what they do is they certify greases for certain applications. You’ve probably seen NLGI greases number one through six. Typically, for automotive applications, it’s only number one and number two that are used for different applications. But these ratings can vary depending on the vehicle and also individual manufacturers may have different styles of grease. If your, for instance, packing wheel bearing or servicing a ball joint or even a U-joint on a vehicle, they will have a rating on the side that typically says NLGI GC-LB. I know this is going to sound a lot of letters, but this indicates that an NLGI GC-LB grease is good for both wheel bearings, and also for chassis components, and even some drivetrain components.

Just make sure that you’re checking the service information for what grease needs to be used for the certain component. For example, General Motors, Chrysler all have different greases for certain applications. It could change for a transmission application, for instance, inserting a yolk into the back of the transmission. Just make sure that you’re looking up the application, the grease, and looking on the back of the container to make sure it meets that requirement. This way you can be sure what you’re lubricating. It’s going to last an awful long time. I’m Andrew Markel. Thank you very much.

This video is sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.