Most people know what motor oil is and that it needs to be changed regularly, but transmission fluid is often less understood or appreciated. So, what is transmission fluid?
Transmission fluid is a lubricant formulated to protect your vehicle’s gears and clutch packs while enabling smooth, crisp shifts. Without it, your vehicle’s gears would rapidly wear out or overheat, resulting in a short life for your transmission and a big repair expense for you. Transmission fluid is just as essential as motor oil.
First, let’s talk about the work that all lubricants do.
The main job of any lubricant is to create a fluid film between surfaces to prevent contact and reduce friction. In so doing, lubricants protect against wear and fight the damaging effects of extreme heat.
Transmission fluid must…
- Function as a hydraulic fluid
- Deliver the proper frictional requirements
- Protect gears and moving parts from wear
- Fight heat
Examples of a lubricant’s physical properties include viscosity, high- and low-temperature performance, shear stability and volatility. These physical properties are fundamental to all lubricants, but they can be optimized for each application with appropriate base oils and additives.
Properties of automatic transmission fluid
Transmission fluid not only lubricates and cools the moving parts of the transmission, a good fluid also excels at the following tasks.
- Function as a hydraulic fluid
Automatic transmissions use pressurized transmission fluid to change gears. This stressor can cause the oil to shear and lose viscosity. - Deliver the right frictional requirements
Engagement and disengagement of the clutch packs must happen flawlessly for optimum performance. - Protect gears from wear
Automatic transmissions contain a system of sun, planet and ring gears that require a durable lubricant film to prevent metal-to-metal contact. - Fight heat
Automatic transmissions generate more heat than manual transmissions. Heat accelerates oxidation, the chemical breakdown of the lubricant. Oxidation leads to sludge and varnish, which can clog narrow oil passages and contribute to clutch glazing. Without the right protection, your vehicle can begin to shift hard, jerk or hesitate.
Get an inside glimpse of an automatic transmission that failed from degraded fluid in this AMSOIL Tech Tip.
Wait, what is a transmission?
Simply put, the transmission transfers power from the engine to your vehicle’s wheels.
The transmission houses the gears, clutches, solenoids and other components that select the proper gear for the operating conditions. For example, when you start driving or pull a heavy load, your vehicle uses a lower gear that provides more torque. As you pick up speed on the highway, a higher gear is used to reduce engine rpm, which increases efficiency.
Types of transmissions
There are two primary types of transmissions, manual and automatic, and each places unique demands on the transmission fluid. A manual transmission requires the driver to engage the clutch and shift the gears at the appropriate time, whereas an automatic transmission shifts on its own as speed and power demands change. Other transmission designs include continuously variable transmissions (CVT) and dual clutch transmissions (DCT).
To keep your car running properly, it’s important to know the type of transmission you have and the specific fluid it requires. Consult your owner’s manual for that information or use the AMSOIL product guide to find the right transmission fluid.
Properties of manual transmission fluid
Manual transmission fluid has fewer jobs to perform than automatic transmission fluid. Some manual transmissions work with or even require ATF. However, there are attributes where quality manual transmission fluids must excel, such as protecting soft metal (brass) synchronizers from corrosion, as we talk about in this post.
Do I need to change my transmission fluid?
Yes. Over time, transmission fluid oxidizes and becomes contaminated with particles and sludge. While transmission fluid doesn’t need to be changed as frequently as motor oil, it’s important to check it regularly.
If your transmission fluid level is low or the fluid has started to break down, you may notice that your vehicle shifts poorly. Running low can damage transmission components and lead to catastrophic failure and/or expensive repairs.
How often should I change my transmission fluid?
The answer varies depending on the type of transmission your vehicle has and the mechanical stresses it’s put through. It is often recommended that you change transmission fluid every 30,000-150,000 miles (48,000-240,000 km). That’s a broad guideline for a reason. Check out this blog post for more insight.
How Often Should I Change Transmission Fluid?
“I’m good; I have a filled-for-life transmission!”
Not so fast. So-called “filled-for-life” transmissions have a misleading name.
No lubricant will last forever and provide the protection your vehicle and your pocketbook deserve. Over time, lubricants deteriorate, especially if used under heavy loads, frequent starts and stops or daily short trips. Read this blog post for a deeper dive into the topic.
Should I Change Fluid in a Filled-for-Life Transmission?
How often should I check my transmission fluid?
It’s a good idea to check your vehicle’s transmission fluid about once a month to monitor fluid level and condition. However, this task has become more difficult in modern vehicles that often lack transmission dipsticks or have them in hard-to-reach locations under the vehicle. If performance suffers, check your fluid immediately. See this blog for more details on how to check and select transmission fluid for your car or truck.
What Kind of Transmission Fluid Do I Need?
Choosing the right transmission fluid
Finding out what kind of transmission fluid you need can be a challenge. It’s best to start with your owner’s manual, or use the AMSOIL product guide to find the right transmission fluid.
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid and OE Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid are both recommended for most of the common ATF specs on the market. Signature Series is recommended for transmissions that work in extreme conditions, such as towing and hauling. OE is perfect for your daily commuter.
So, what is transmission fluid?
Transmission fluid is a vital part of vehicle performance. Although maintenance is easy to overlook, make it a part of your maintenance routine to avoid reduced performance and expensive repair bills.
For more assistance selecting a transmission fluid for your vehicle, use our product guide or reach out to us at tech@amsoil.com or 715-399-8324 (TECH).