A car’s most important part is indeed its transmission. This is why the lubricant protecting the transmission needs to be spot on. A good transmission fluid cools and protects the very heart of your vehicle—an integral component of a car. It does not matter if you own an automatic or manual, using the right kind of transmission fluid will play a major role in determining how long it lasts.
In this blog, we will explain the important automatic transmission fluid specifications so you can make an informed choice.
What Is Transmission Fluid, And Why Should You Care?
Transmission fluid is the liquid that lubricates moving parts in the transmission system. It prevents components from grinding away against each other and from overheating. If you do not use transmission fluid, your car’s gears may overheat, wear out, or even fail. Using proper transmission fluid can also extend the life of the system, making your car run more efficiently.
There are various types of transmission fluids for different kinds of cars. Unfortunately, using the wrong type will lead to poor performance or damage; thus, it is essential to recognize what to look for.
Types of Transmission Fluids
There are mainly two kinds of transmission fluid:
- Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
- Manual transmission fluid (MTF).
Here is a closer look at both of them:
1. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
They are pretty common in most cars. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) works well with these types of systems. The ATF is meant to do more than just lubricate; the liquid transfer power reduces friction and prevents overheating. Some types of ATF have been designed to prevent rusting and oxidation from damaging the transmission.
2. Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF)
Manual transmissions need a type of fluid that is much more resilient. Manual transmission fluid, or MTF, is far more viscous than ATF.
MTF lubricates the gears directly, making them run more smoothly. The formula can be quite simple because power transfer does not have to occur as it does in an ATF fluid. Additives may be added to the MTF to promote the reduction of wear on gears in high-performance cars.
Qualities of a Good ATF
A good-quality ATF must have the following qualities:
1. Viscosity
The viscosity of a fluid is how thick it is. Low-viscosity fluid flows better and does not thicken as well in colder weather, making it easy for the transmission to shift. On warm days, you want a fluid that doesn’t become too thin. Good transmission fluids are the ones that are suitable at both hot and cold temperatures. ATF is usually lower in viscosity than MTF because it has to flow faster in an automatic transmission.
2. Lubrication
Lubrication is one of the primary functions transmission fluid serves. A good-quality fluid needs to reduce friction and prevent gears from grinding. This is essential in the case of cars with manual transmissions, where there is more direct contact and a high chance of wear due to friction. The high-quality transmission fluid creates a film between parts that allows them to slide along rather than wear down.
3. Cooling Properties
The parts move and the gears shift, which means they can heat, which can be damaging. To carry away heat from transmission parts, high-quality transmission fluids keep them cool. This reduces overheating and extends the life of the transmission.
4. Additives
Most transmission fluids contain additives. These are chemicals that cause the fluid to operate more effectively. Examples of common additives include anti-wear agents, rust inhibitors, and friction modifiers.
Anti-wear agents help minimize damage to gears. Rust inhibitors prevent rust and corrosion, which could be a problem in areas with high humidity. Friction modifiers reduce friction when needed.
Types of Transmission Fluid by Car Manufacturers
Car manufacturers have their specific types of transmission fluid. This is because of the difference in their needs due to the differences in the engines of cars. Here are the most common types:
1. Dexron/Mercon (General Motors and Ford)
Dexron and Mercon are among the widely used major ATFs in General Motors and Ford. Dexron is applied in GM vehicles, while Mercon is applied in Ford vehicles. These fluids will help reduce friction and handle power transfer in an automatic transmission. They contain additives to provide oxidation resistance and prevent rust.
2. Honda ATF
Most Honda cars need a certain kind of ATF. Honda ATF is designed for the unique system used in Honda transmissions. A different ATF type could cause shifting problems, or even worse, damage in a Honda car.
3. Chrysler ATF+4
Chrysler applications are usually faced with the use of ATF+4. It is a sort of transmission fluid from the automatic transmission family that goes well with the transmission of Chrysler. ATF+4 is the ideal temperature for control and has relatively high wear resistance. It is quite capable of increasing the life of the transmission.
Synthetic vs. Conventional Transmission Fluid
Synthetic transmission fluid is made in a lab, so it has better quality consistency. It acts well at extreme temperatures and lasts longer than conventional fluid. Synthetic fluid can work under high heat without degrading and is great for use in vehicles in hot climate areas or for towing large loads.
Conventional is made from natural oil. It’s less costly than synthetic fluid, but it generally isn’t as durable. It does fine for typical driving conditions but degrades rather quickly in extreme conditions. If you live in an area with a mild climate and do not drive in extreme conditions, conventional is probably a good choice for you.
How to Choose the Right Transmission Fluid
It is a nuisance to choose an ideal transmission fluid, sometimes even downright confusing, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to make the best decision:
Step 1: Check Your Owner’s Manual
Every car comes with an owner’s manual. This will tell you what kind of transmission fluid is best. Look for a section on transmission maintenance, which indicates recommended brands and types of fluids.
Step 2: Consider Your Driving Conditions
Do you drive in extreme heat or cold? Do you tow heavy loads? These factors can help sway your choice. In cases where a user often drives in harsh conditions, synthetic fluid proves to be better, for it can handle higher heat and colder temperatures well.
Step 3: Select a Quality Brand
There are many different brands, but you should buy the fluid from respected ones. Some of the most common brands of good-quality fluids include Valvoline, Castrol, Atlantic, and Mobil 1. Most of the high-quality brands have fluids for both automatic and manual transmissions, so it’s easy to find a suitable one for your car.
When to Change Transmission Fluid
Even the best transmission fluid isn’t invincible. It degrades and becomes ineffective with age. So if you are wondering when to change it, well, here is your answer!
Automatic Transmissions
Most experts recommend changing ATF every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Newer cars can sometimes be driven longer without having it changed, but it’s always a good idea to check the fluid.
Manual Transmissions
Manual transmission fluid should be replaced after every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Manual transmissions work way harder than automatics, so they need to replace the fluid more frequently.
You can also check the color and the odor of the fluid so that you can tell if it needs a change. Clean transmission fluid is usually red or green with a fresh odor. When it gets older, the fluid could become brown or black and would give a burnt smell. When you observe these signs, it is high time to change.
Benefits of Transmission Fluid
The advantages of good transmission fluid are as mentioned below:
- The best transmission fluid reduces friction, hence making gear shifting much easier.
- Quality fluid protects your gears and reduces wear. So, it makes the transmission of your car last longer.
- Thanks to good fluid, your car runs efficiently and uses much less fuel.
- You avoid costly repairs or replacing the transmission when it is protected by quality fluid.
Atlantic Grease and Lubricants: A Trendsetter for High-Quality ATF
Atlantic Grease & Lubricants is a reliable source of the best ATF and MTF in the UAE market. They have been providing quality lubricants for the transmissions of cars for years now. The quality of their products and the customer-oriented approach have made them a top name in the industry.
The company puts special emphasis on research and development. This is why their lubricants are much better and way more reliable than others. The customization service, along with reliable customer support, is an additional benefit. They can help you choose the ideal high-quality transmission fluid. Check out the catalog of their products to ensure that your car keeps working well.