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What Is Transmission Fluid? Types, Uses, and Tips for Fleets
Transmission fluid acts as the lifeblood of many a fleet, enabling fleet vehicles to shift into gear while conducting business. The guide below includes everything you need to know about transmission fluid, from the different types available to key tips and common uses.
If you’re looking for a streamlined and convenient solution to your transmission fluid needs, consider Cadence’s reliable and versatile products and services that continue to deliver value at every turn.
What Is Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a type of automotive hydraulic fluid that ensures the efficiency and longevity of critical internal components. Typically red, transmission fluid can be different colors depending on the manufacturer. Popular brands that produce transmission fluid include Valvoline, Mobil 1, Castrol, and Royal Purple.
A base oil and several key additives comprise transmission fluid, including the following:
- Detergents
- Friction modifiers
- Seal conditioners
- Rust, oxidation, and corrosion inhibitors
- Anti-foaming agents
- Dispersants and surfactants
Manual and automatic vehicles require transmission fluid to operate. However, manual transmission fluid and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) are two different types of transmission fluid.
In both cases, this vital fluid helps achieve the following:
- Lubricates the transmission gears to help them spin
- Removes deposits that would otherwise hinder shifting
- Cools the transmission during operation
- Transmits hydraulic to enable gear changes (automatic transmissions only)
Transmission fluid requires periodic replacement, similar to any other type of automotive fluid. Heat, friction, and contaminants degrade transmission fluid over time and cause it to lose its essential properties.
Degraded transmission fluid can lead to slipping, erratic shifting, and damage to key internal transmission components, such as gear teeth.
Are Engine Oil and Transmission Fluid the Same?
Engine oil and transmission fluid are distinctly different types of automotive fluids. Motor oils help protect internal engine components by reducing friction and often appear amber in color.
While it’s vital to check and replace both engine oils and transmission fluids at recommended intervals, oil changes occur more often than even transmission flushes in most cases.
What Are the Different Types of Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluids are categorized based on transmission type and automotive manufacturer. You can also differentiate these fluids by their formulation.
For example, conventional transmission fluid is derived from refined crude oil and offers basic protection suitable for most vehicles, while synthetic transmission fluid provides superior thermal stability, lubrication, and oxidation resistance for better performance.
Transmission Types
In comparison to other types of transmission fluids, automatic transmission fluid is less viscous. ATF must be thinner than these types of fluid because automatic transmissions don’t get as hot as manual transmissions.
Below are additional comparisons of transmission fluids based on transmission type:
- Manual: Categorized as thick and heavy gear oil, manual transmission fluid actually dissipates heat, reduces friction between gears, and protects against wear and extreme pressure.
- CVT: Driven by a belt and several pulleys, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) require thicker transmission fluid because they generate more friction and heat than automatic transmissions.
- Dual-clutch transmission (DCT): A hybrid between automatic and manual transmissions, DCTs require transmission fluid with specifically formulated additive packages.
Automatic transmissions represent the majority of transmission types among fleet vehicles, especially passenger fleet vehicles. However, manual transmissions comprise a large bulk of fleets consisting of semi-trucks.
Automotive Manufacturers
Car makers separate their transmission fluid variants from the rest using specific brand names and formulations.
For example, Dexron, Mercon, and AFT+4 are three common types of transmission fluid used in modern vehicles:
- Dexron: Produced for General Motors, Dexron is a synthetic-based transmission fluid that’s commonly available and contains several key additives to protect transmission performance.
- Mercon: Suitable for Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars, Mercon contains significant friction modifiers to ensure smooth gear changes.
- AFT+4: Formulated for Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge models, ATF+4 is a long-life, high-performance transmission fluid.
Note that these transmission fluids are not cross-compatible. In fact, using the wrong transmission fluid can lead to poor shifting, increased wear, and potentially costly internal damage.
How To Choose the Right Transmission Fluid for Your Vehicle
When selecting transmission fluid for your car, refer to the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations based on the type of transmission installed in your vehicle. Next, consider typical operating conditions and quality. Superior transmission fluid operates across temperature ranges without sacrificing performance.
Viscosity ratings indicate how well the transmission fluid performs at various temperatures. Unlike engines, transmissions require friction to ensure contact between gears in making the appropriate shifts. Only the best transmission fluids exhibit substantial mechanical stability, which describes the fluid’s ability to perform under stress.
Transmission Fluid Tips for Fleets
Refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for proper transmission fluid maintenance and care. Generally speaking, schedule transmission flushes every three years and complete fluid replacement every 75,000 to 100,000 miles.
Below are signs it’s time to exchange your vehicle’s transmission fluid:
- Leaking or dark fluid
- Poor fuel economy
- A roaring sound when changing direction
- Trouble shifting gears smoothly
- A chattering sound upon startup
- Transmission overheating warning
If you experience a delay in shifting gears, a grinding or whining mid-shift, or difficulty shifting gears, the transmission fluid may be low. Remember to use the specific fluid recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer. Failure to do so can result in transmission failure and a costly repair bill.
Cadence: Your Source for High-Quality Transmission Fluids
Managing a fleet requires pivoting to adapt as needed, but your fleet vehicles shouldn’t have to undergo the same constant shift to succeed.
Call us at 336-629-2061 to discuss the superior transmission fluids we carry from brands you’ve come to recognize as industry leaders. Let us show you how we deliver value at every turn.
Sources:
NACFE | Automated Manual Transmissions
Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission | Experiential Learning Network | University at Buffalo
Dual Clutch Control | Clemson Vehicular Electronics Laboratory