No, and treating it as one is the most common error in selecting these products. Dropping point is the temperature at which the grease loses its structure and the base oil separates out, determined in a laboratory test. Continuous service temperature is typically well below it, often by 50 °C or more, because the real limit is oxidation of the base oil rather than loss of consistency. Use the manufacturer's stated service range.

Lithium complex covers most general high-temperature work. Choose calcium sulphonate complex where heat and water occur together, since it resists washout and protects against rust exceptionally well. Polyurea suits electric motor bearings, where long life and low oil bleed matter. Clay or bentonite thickeners do not melt and suit very hot, intermittent duty. Perfluoropolyether products handle extreme temperature and chemical attack at a substantially higher cost.

More often than the same bearing would need at ambient. Base oil oxidation roughly doubles in rate for every 10 to 15 °C rise, so grease life falls sharply with temperature even while the product remains within its rated range. Manufacturers publish relubrication intervals against temperature and speed; use those rather than a fixed schedule, and shorten them further where the bearing also sees water, dust or heavy load.

Not safely without checking compatibility. Greases with incompatible thickeners can soften dramatically or harden when mixed, and either outcome destroys lubrication more quickly than using the wrong grease alone would have. Polyurea in particular is incompatible with several common thickeners. Where the existing product is unknown or incompatible, purge the bearing thoroughly and change over deliberately rather than topping up and hoping.

NLGI grade describes consistency, from very soft grades that pump easily to stiff grades that stay in place. It says nothing about temperature capability. Grade 2 is the general-purpose default; softer grades suit long feed lines, central systems and cold ambient conditions; stiffer grades suit slow, heavily loaded or vertical applications where the grease must resist being pushed out. Choose grade for the application method and thickener for the temperature.

Yes, and often more. The base oil does the lubricating; the thickener holds it in place and releases it. Synthetic base oils resist oxidation far better than mineral oils at temperature and extend life substantially, which is usually where the extra cost of a premium high-temperature grease is going. Base oil viscosity must also suit the bearing's speed and load, exactly as it would in an oil-lubricated application.

Darkening and hardening in the bearing housing, a burnt smell, visible oil separation or a dry, crusty residue where grease should be present, and rising bearing temperature or noise. Purged grease that emerges dry and carbonised rather than soft indicates the base oil has oxidised away and only the thickener remains. Any of these mean the interval is too long, the product is under-specified, or the operating temperature is higher than assumed.