How To Use A Grease Gun (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Load and Use a Grease Gun PDF download Download Article Learn to work a grease gun for auto projects Reviewed by Jason Shackelford

Last Updated: July 3, 2025

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  • Using Grease Cartridges
    • |
  • Loading by Suction from a Tub of Grease
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 130,467 times.

A grease gun can be a handy tool for the home mechanic because car parts often need to be greased to reduce friction and increase the life of the part. A grease gun can inject grease into areas that are difficult to reach. Using a grease gun can be easy once you have taken it apart and loaded it. By doing this, you immediately see how the gun works and you are ready to use it with no further directions.

Using a Grease Gun

Auto technician Jason Shackelford advises putting on rubber gloves before using a grease gun. Remove the head of the gun and load a new cartridge of grease into the barrel. Depress the rod handle to dispense grease. Make sure the cap is tight, and wipe the nozzle so grease doesn't clog the opening.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using Grease Cartridges

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  1. Step 1 Remove the head of the gun from its barrel. 1 Remove the head of the gun from its barrel.
  2. Step 2 Pull the rod handle back. 2 Pull the rod handle back.[1] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Lock the rod handle. 3 Lock the rod handle.
  4. Step 4 Open the new grease cartridge. 4 Open the new grease cartridge.
  5. Step 5 Insert the new grease cartridge into the barrel of the gun. 5 Insert the new grease cartridge into the barrel of the gun.
  6. Step 6 Note the pull-tag on the end of the new cartridge. 6 Note the pull-tag on the end of the new cartridge.
  7. Step 7 Ensure that cartridge is pushed in enough so that the rim is in contact with the rim of the grease gun. 7 Ensure that cartridge is pushed in enough so that the rim is in contact with the rim of the grease gun.
  8. Step 8 Reinstall the barrel to the end cap but keep it loose. 8 Reinstall the barrel to the end cap but keep it loose.
  9. Step 9 Release the rod handle by turning it out from the retaining groove in the end cap. 9 Release the rod handle by turning it out from the retaining groove in the end cap.
  10. Step 10 Depress the rod handle; this will force grease into the head of the grease gun and force air out. 10 Depress the rod handle; this will force grease into the head of the grease gun and force air out.
  11. Step 11 Pump some grease through the nozzle and wipe it clean before attaching the nozzle to the gun. 11 Pump some grease through the nozzle and wipe it clean before attaching the nozzle to the gun.
  12. Step 12 Tighten the cap and push down on the air bleeder to force out the rest of the air. 12 Tighten the cap and push down on the air bleeder to force out the rest of the air.
  13. Step 13 Place the grease gun coupler at the end of the extension hose directly on the area to be greased. 13 Place the grease gun coupler at the end of the extension hose directly on the area to be greased.
  14. Step 14 Pump the lever handle enough times for grease to begin flowing. 14 Pump the lever handle enough times for grease to begin flowing.
    15. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Loading by Suction from a Tub of Grease

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  1. Step 1 Remove the head from the barrel as above. 1 Remove the head from the barrel as above.[2]
  2. Step 2 Put a large amount of grease in the head and pack firmly. 2 Put a large amount of grease in the head and pack firmly.
  3. Step 3 Position the barrel of the gun over a tub of grease. 3 Position the barrel of the gun over a tub of grease.
  4. Step 4 Insert the barrel down about 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the grease. 4 Insert the barrel down about 2 inches (5.1 cm) into the grease.
  5. Step 5 Push down on the barrel while pulling up on the plunger or rod handle. 5 Push down on the barrel while pulling up on the plunger or rod handle.
  6. Step 6 Lock the rod handle when it is fully extended. 6 Lock the rod handle when it is fully extended.
  7. Step 7 Move the gun barrel from side to side to cut off the extra grease after the barrel is full. 7 Move the gun barrel from side to side to cut off the extra grease after the barrel is full.
  8. Step 8 Clean off all parts with stiff paper, paper towel or rag. 8 Clean off all parts with stiff paper, paper towel or rag.
  9. Step 9 Attach the gun barrel to the rest of the unit. 9 Attach the gun barrel to the rest of the unit.
  10. Step 10 Unlock the rod handle. 10 Unlock the rod handle.
  11. Step 11 Pump the grease gun handle to start the flow of grease. 11 Pump the grease gun handle to start the flow of grease.
  12. Step 12 Place the grease gun coupler at the end of the extension hose directly on the area to be greased. 12 Place the grease gun coupler at the end of the extension hose directly on the area to be greased.
    13. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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Video

Tips

  • If there is no air relief valve on your grease gun, do not tighten the head completely and push the rod handle several times to prime the gun. You can then tighten the head and proceed. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
  • The first time you use your grease gun, create a seal around the rubber plunger assembly by applying a layer of grease around it before inserting it into the gun barrel. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • All nozzles, nipples and needles should be cleaned before use to prevent clogs. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
  • It is important that the grease being loaded into the grease gun is free of any contaminants, such as lint, dust or metal shavings. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
  • Grease guns come equipped with several parts such as nipples and needles to get grease into small openings. Caution should be taken when using these attachments, especially the needles, because they can slip and puncture your skin. If grease gets into your skin, it can cause some severe medical problems, such as infections and even gangrene. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
  • Before storing your grease gun, release the air pressure. Store horizontally away from heat and moisture.[3] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need

  • Manual grease gun
  • Grease cartridge or tub
  • Gloves
  • Paper towels
  • Stiff paper, cardboard or rags
  • Protective clothing

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/29356/grease-gun-anatomy
  2. ↑ https://www.machinerylubrication.com/View/28629/fill-grease-gun
  3. ↑ https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/29653/operate-grease-gun

About This Article

Jason Shackelford Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 130,467 times. 38 votes - 92% Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 3, 2025 Views: 130,467 Categories: Tools Article SummaryX

To use a grease gun, start by pulling back the rod handle and placing a grease cartridge into the gun. Make sure the rim of the cartridge is in contact with the rim of the gun before returning the rod handle to its original position. Then, depress the rod handle to force grease into the head of the gun, which will push the air out. Next, attach the nozzle and connect the gun to the extension hose. Once you're ready, pump the lever handle until the grease begins flowing. For tips on how to load a grease gun from a tub of grease, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Nzuamkende Maseki

    Nzuamkende Maseki

    Oct 30, 2020

    "Just bought a new manual grease pump and did not know how to use it. But after reading wikiHow, I can now use it..." more
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jason Shackelford Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 3, 2025 Views: 130,467 92% of readers found this article helpful. 38 votes - 92% Click a star to add your vote Nzuamkende Maseki

Nzuamkende Maseki

Oct 30, 2020

"Just bought a new manual grease pump and did not know how to use it. But after reading wikiHow, I can now use it..." more Share yours!

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