Gear lube for 60 HP

[Cortes100]

I have a 2018 60hp. I'm looking at what type of gear oil. Manual has real good how to instructions, but that is the one spec # that is missing. According to Merc online shopping, it says to use Premium for anything 75hp and under. Use HP for any outboard over 75hp.
Mine has the HP in the case.
Does it really matter?? Is it going to hurt using HP?
Merc product notes also says don't mix the two.

 

[havoc_squad]

Buy the high performance version of Mercury/Quicksilver gear lube, don't cheap out on this. Buying the bargain "premium" labeled gear lube is like paying for nosebleed seats on a sports game versus getting front row seats for just a dollar or two more a seat.

In an emergency if its the only gear lube around at this moment for a low HP outboard, that's fine. Use until you can buy/have delivered the good stuff then change it out with the better lube with new drain/vent plug washers.

 

[Cortes100]

I was going to order a jug of gear lube and see that Premium is the recommended type. The first 3 seasons, the engine was serviced by the dealer, and just noticed the work order reads HP.
If the HP is a better version of the premium, great. I just find it weird they don't put in the "recommended" lube. Or it might be easier for them to just stock one type which would cover all Merc units.
The couple extra $$ is fine, it was just a little confusing, book says one thing, work order is the opposite. Dealer is not nearby, so figured I'd ask on here what people use or if it's an issue.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, you are making a mountain... Use a full synthetic marine gear oil. Any brand will work fine, if rated for mechanical gearshift motors. Regular dino marine gear oil will work fine as well.
Change it every year, using new gaskets on the vent and fill screws. That is much more important then the brand of the gear oil.

If it gets milky, you have a water leak.

 

[Cortes100]

Gee, you are making a mountain........

Yep I realize that. .......... I'll keep using the HP