Advanced Transmission Technology Requires Advanced Protection

Car manufacturers are constantly evolving, engineering safer and more energy-efficient vehicles to meet compulsory standards. Vehicles with advanced-driver-assistance-system (ADAS) features such as lane-departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and collision avoidance are a few examples of how manufacturers are meeting safety standards. However, innovation goes beyond passenger safety. Manufacturers must also produce cleaner, more fuel-efficient gasoline-powered vehicles to meet emissions-reduction targets placed on their fleets.

In 2013, GM* and Ford,* two of the leading automotive manufacturers in the United States, teamed up to create a new 10-speed automatic transmission. Over the years, they’ve modified and differentiated the basic unit to work in specific applications, replacing six- and eight-speed transmissions in select SUVs, trucks and high-performance sports cars. Not only do modern 10-speed transmissions have more gears, which keeps vehicles in the power band longer, providing better performance, they also offer more overdrive gears, leading to better fuel economy.

Designed for the Modern 10-Speed Transmission

As transmissions evolve, manufacturers are tasked with managing higher horsepower, and torque, coupled with higher payload and towing capacities, while customers demand smoother shifting performance across a longer service interval. All these improvements come from a transmission that’s roughly the same size, and fluid capacity, as its six-speed predecessor. The result is higher operating temperatures and pressures that can shear inferior transmission fluids.

As transmission technology advances, it also becomes more sensitive to pressure changes and frictional properties. ATF must maintain proper viscosity and frictional properties across the operating temperature range to ensure proper shifting performance whether operating in extreme cold or heat.

AMSOIL Signature Series ULV 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is purpose-built for this role. Offering a transmission fluid specifically designed for the performance requirements of the DEXRON^® ULV and MERCON^® ULV specifications provides your customers with a confidence-inspiring option, providing the highest-quality protection on the market for their 10-speed applications. The ultra-low viscosity of this fluid also helps with fuel efficiency by reducing drag on clutch plates and other moving parts – improving the vehicle’s overall performance.

Ultra-Low-Viscosity Automatic Transmission Fluid: How it Works

When viscosity is too high, it can slow things down, resulting in poor heat transfer (overheating), high-energy consumption (fuel economy), sluggish shifting and even a potential for lack of lubrication (increased wear and tear on critical transmission components). When viscosity is too thin, you will most likely hear customers complaining about erratic shifting, noises and accelerated wear or failure.

AMSOIL Signature Series ULV 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is formulated to withstand extreme environments and resist shear. It contains friction-modifier additives that deliver outstanding clutch-holding capacity (static friction), torque-transfer ability (dynamic friction) and anti-shudder properties (slipping torque-converter clutches) for smooth, reliable shifts. It also contains high concentrations of antioxidants, making it naturally heat resistant, providing outstanding protection against sludge and varnish deposits that can clog narrow fluid passages and contribute to clutch glazing.

Fuel-Efficient ATF vs. Ultra-Low-Viscosity ATF

AMSOIL Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid has proven to be an excellent option for the 10-speed transmission. To align with current and future market needs, new AMSOIL Signature Series ULV 100% Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid is formulated specifically for transmissions requiring FORD MERCON^® ULV and GM DEXRON^® ULV specifications and is now the primary recommendation for these applications.