High Temperature Greases

What is high temperature grease actually used for?

High temperature grease keeps metal contact surfaces lubricated where standard greases would soften, bleed, or oxidize before their time. It is not an engine oil, not a fuel additive, and not a cleaner. The following situations are where it belongs:

• Wheel bearings and wheel hubs near hot brakes. Bearings in this position run warm during normal braking and under load. A high temperature grease keeps the lubrication film stable where a general-purpose grease might soften and migrate out of the bearing.
• Brake caliper slide pins and backing plate contact points. High temperature grease is the correct product for these non-friction surfaces. It is not the same as a dedicated brake grease in the strict sense, but it is suitable here because it does not melt or run off when the brakes heat up. It must never touch the friction surfaces of the pads or discs; that is covered in detail below.
• Suspension bushings and ball joints with grease nipples. Where the vehicle manufacturer has included a grease point and specifies a grease-lubricated joint, high temperature grease is a suitable choice. Only grease components that are designed to be greased; follow your vehicle manual.
• Alternator bearings and other engine-bay bearings. These bearings run in a hot engine bay over long periods. A high temperature grease maintains lubrication where a standard grease would degrade faster from the ambient heat alone.
• Industrial bearings near heat sources. The same product applies to bearings positioned close to ovens, exhaust runs, or other sustained heat sources in industrial equipment.

One important exception: do not use high temperature grease on CV joints. CV joints require dedicated CV joint grease, often molybdenum-based, which is formulated for the specific contact geometry and movement of a constant-velocity joint. High temperature grease is not a substitute. See the section on what not to grease for the full list.

High temperature grease is equally suitable for the mechanical components of electric and hybrid vehicles. Drivetrain type and fuel type have no bearing on compatibility; what matters is the metal contact surface and the operating temperature, not what powers the car.

When do you choose high temperature grease over EP2 or standard bearing grease?

The right grease depends on where the component sits and how hot it runs. The table below gives a quick comparison of the three types you are most likely to be considering:

EP2 grease is designed for extreme-pressure conditions at moderate temperatures. High temperature grease is formulated to stay stable and in place when operating temperatures consistently exceed what standard greases can handle. For normal chassis points and bearings away from any heat source, EP2 is usually the right choice. For components near brakes, exhaust heat, or in a continuous high-load cycle, high temperature grease is correct.

Ceramic brake paste and anti-seize compounds are a separate category. They are applied in a very thin layer to prevent metal parts from seizing together, for example on bolt threads or the back face of a brake pad where the manufacturer specifies it. You do not pack bearings with ceramic paste or anti-seize. They are not bearing lubricants.

Which of the two high temperature greases fits your situation?

There are two variants in this category:

• For automotive bearings, brake-adjacent components, and industrial bearings near heat: Lindemann HT-G High Temperature Grease 400gr. This is the standard high temperature grease for the applications described on this page.
• For machinery where incidental contact with food is possible, such as food processing or packaging equipment: Lindemann HTF-G Food Grade 400gr. This is the food-grade version of the same high temperature grease.

For any automotive application, choose the HT-G. The food-grade version offers no advantage for cars and is not needed there. The distinction matters if you are maintaining food processing equipment; for everything else, it does not.

How much do you use, and how do you apply it?

Grease is not poured in like oil; you apply a controlled amount to the contact surfaces. The sequence below covers the general approach for most applications.

1. Identify the component and check your vehicle manual. Only grease parts that are designed to be greased. If the manual does not mention a grease point, do not assume one exists.
2. Remove the old grease and clean the surface. Do not mix high temperature grease with an existing grease of a different thickener type without first cleaning out the old material. Incompatible thickeners can cause the grease to soften, lose structure, or bleed oil, which reduces protection rather than adding it. If you are unsure what type of grease is already in there, clean it out first. Technical compatibility charts for different thickener types are reference material for trained professionals; on this page, the practical rule is: when in doubt, clean it out.
3. Dry the surfaces. Make sure no solvent or brake cleaner residue remains inside a bearing before you fill it.
4. Apply the right amount.

• For rolling bearings: follow the bearing manufacturer's specification for fill quantity. Overfilling generates heat inside the bearing and can cause premature failure, which is the opposite of what you are trying to prevent.
• For slide pins, bushings, and joints: apply a thin, even film along the contact area using a brush or spatula. Avoid large blobs that will be squeezed out on reassembly or attract dirt. If the part has grease nipples, you use a grease gun with a cartridge; the basic sequence of clean, apply, and wipe excess remains the same.

1. Reassemble and remove excess. Wipe away any visible excess grease, especially near rubber boots, ABS sensor wiring, and brake hoses. Check the product datasheet for compatibility before applying near rubber seals or plastic components, and avoid deliberate contact with those surfaces.
2. Check operation. Where possible, move the part by hand after reassembly. After a short drive, listen for any remaining noise. If noise persists, the underlying part may be damaged rather than simply under-lubricated.

A full wheel bearing repacking procedure is a workshop job; the steps above are a general guide, not a substitute for proper workshop instructions.

Common mistakes with high temperature grease:

• Overfilling bearings: this leads to heat build-up, not extra protection.
• Mixing different grease types without cleaning the old grease out first: risk of softening and oil bleed.
• Applying grease to brake pads or discs: a direct safety risk covered in the next section.
• Using grease where the manufacturer specifies dry lubrication or a different product type: this can cause functional problems and may affect your warranty. Using the right grease in the right place, as the manufacturer specifies, does not normally affect warranty; deviating from the specified product does.

What should you never grease with high temperature grease?

Applying grease in the wrong place can cause safety problems or mask damage that needs attention. Keep these two lists in mind before you start.

Never apply high temperature grease here:

• Brake pads and brake discs. Grease on friction surfaces causes brake fade and is a direct safety risk. This applies to all grease types, not just high temperature grease.
• Clutch friction surfaces and drive belts. These must remain completely grease-free. A clutch release bearing may be lubricated during a professional service, but that is a garage job with a specific product; the clutch friction plate and pressure plate must never be contaminated.
• CV joint internals and boots. CV joints require dedicated CV joint grease. Their rubber boots must not be contaminated with any other product.
• Rubber seals, boots, and plastic clips. Always check the product datasheet before applying grease near rubber or plastic. Wipe off any excess that reaches these surfaces immediately.
• ABS sensors, brake hoses, and wiring. Grease on these components can attract dirt, affect sensor readings, or compromise hose clamping. Keep them clean.

High temperature grease does not fix:

• Existing bearing damage. A bearing that is already pitted, corroded, or running with excessive play needs replacement, not more grease. Regreasing a damaged bearing may quiet it briefly, but the underlying problem remains.
• Grinding noise from a wheel bearing. Grinding almost always indicates a worn bearing. In that situation, replacement is the answer, not lubrication.
• Misalignment or bent components. Grease cannot correct geometry.
• Severe rust and seized parts. Penetrating oil, cleaning, or replacement is needed first; grease alone will not undo corrosion.
• Structural brake or steering problems. These are always for a garage.

Is this a DIY job, or should you go to a garage?

Not every greasing job is a DIY job. Around brakes, steering, and wheel bearings in particular, the work involves disassembly, correct torque settings, and a safety check that goes well beyond applying grease to an accessible surface.

You can do this yourself if:

• You are greasing a small, accessible linkage or joint that your vehicle manual identifies as a grease point.
• You are applying a thin film to a non-critical component where you can clearly see the contact surface and follow a straightforward instruction.
• You know which grease the manufacturer specifies, and you are confident in the application.
• The squeak or stiffness you are addressing is on a simple mechanical linkage, not on a brake, steering, or wheel bearing component.

Go to a garage if:

• The job involves wheel bearing repacking or replacement. This requires disassembly, correct fill quantity, proper torque, and a safety check.
• You are working around brake components, steering parts, or safety-critical suspension joints.
• You hear grinding from a wheel or feel play in a bearing. Grinding almost always means the bearing needs replacement, not regreasing. Diagnosing wheel bearing noises in detail is a separate topic and is best handled by a garage.
• Noise or stiffness returns quickly after you have carefully regreased a part. If regreasing does not resolve the noise within a short time after reassembly, the underlying part should be inspected for damage.
• You are unsure whether a component should be greased at all, or which grease type the manufacturer requires.

If you are in doubt, ask your garage or contact us. Guessing around safety-critical parts is never the right approach.

How long does high temperature grease last?

The answer depends on the application and the conditions it operates in.

• Passenger cars: In many cases, high temperature grease is applied once during assembly or a service and is not topped up periodically by the driver. Sealed wheel bearings, for example, are not a routine re-greasing item. Regreasing intervals for wheel bearings and brake-adjacent components are set by the vehicle manufacturer and appear in your service schedule, not something to estimate independently. Under normal driving conditions, a correctly applied grease lasts for many years, but the limiting factor is usually bearing wear, contamination, or the manufacturer's service interval, not the grease lifetime in isolation.
• Industrial or high-duty applications: Intervals depend on temperature, load, speed, and operating hours, and can range from months to years according to the equipment guidelines. Exact intervals for specific machines belong in a dedicated maintenance guide and are typically the responsibility of trained maintenance staff.

Signs that grease has failed or dried out include increased noise, rougher movement, and visibly dark, dry, or gritty residue when a component is opened. If those signs appear, the component needs service. Whether that means regreasing or replacement depends on the condition of the part itself.

For automotive use, the HT-G is the right choice for most hot-running mechanical components. If you are still unsure whether your situation calls for high temperature grease or a different product, contact us and we can point you in the right direction.