Automatic transmission fluid (ATF), also terms as transmission fluid or tranny fluid (colloquial). It is the fluid uses in vehicles with self-shifting or automatic transmissions. It is typically colored red or green to distinguish it from motor oil and other fluids in the vehicle.
The fluid optimizes for the special requirements of a transmission, such as valve operation, brake band friction and the torque converter, as well as gear lubrication.
ATF is also used as a hydraulic fluid in some power-assisted steering systems, as a lubricant in some 4WD transfer cases, and in some modern manual transmissions.
Danalubes with over years of experience in developing transmission fluids, and being the choice of many leading car and transmissions manufacturers for factory-fill products, offers a range of automatic transmission fluids for your car’s requirements. Providing you the peace of mind that you are selecting the right oil for your vehicle.
Transmission fluid helps to keep metal parts inside your gearbox from grinding down. This fluid will also help to keep the different parts of your transmission cool. Shifting mechanical gears is a hard task for your car. Transmission fluid allows your car to shift with ease while protecting the metal parts that rub against each other from wearing down.
Most people know about engine oil since it requires changing often – but most people don’t know about the importance of transmission fluid and when to change it.
Types of Transmission Fluid
- Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Manual Transmission Fluid
- Synthetic Transmission Fluid
- Traditional Transmission Fluid
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
The automatic transmission fluid uses in all cars that have automatic transmissions, as well as some more modern manual transmission cars. Automatic transmission fluid optimizes for the requirements of an automatic transmission and helps with functions such as gear lubrication, brake band friction, and valve operation.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
Also known as manual transmission oil is the fluid used in some manual transmission cars. The manual transmission fluid is never used in any automatic transmission cars and just because your car is a manual transmission does not mean that it uses manual transmission fluid. Manual transmission fluid can be a variety of different oils from normal motor oil to heavyweight hypoid gear oil. Always be sure to check the specifications for your car.
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Synthetic Transmission Fluid
The synthetic transmission fluid developes through a variety of chemical reactions, such as pressure and temperature to create the perfect transmission fluid for your car’s transmission. Synthetic transmission oil is less likely to oxidize, break down or thin out in higher temperatures.
But which do I choose, synthetic or traditional?
There is no clear-cut consensus on whether synthetic or traditional transmission fluid is better. Different car manufacturers will have different specifications.
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Traditional Transmission Fluid
Regular transmission fluid is transmission fluid that prepares through taking crude oil and reshaping the hydrocarbons to the specifications of different cars.
Look and Smell
While different companies will color their transmission fluid differently automatic transmission fluid is typically a thinner liquid that is colored red.
Automatic transmission fluid is this color so that it is easily distinguishable from motor oil and other fluids in your vehicle. Another reason is so that it is easy to spot a leak – typically you aren’t going to miss spotting a pool of green liquid in your driveway. It is also colored to help you avoid using the wrong type of transmission fluid through accident.
Manual transmission fluid will be much thicker and darker as it is typically motor oil or hypoid gear oil. Also, manual transmission fluid will also have a much stronger smell than it’s automatic counterpart.
100% Synthetic Multi Automatic Transmission Fluid
- Fluid for automatic transmission with slip lockup clutch
- Power Steering Torque converters and hydraulic systems
TYPE OF USE
100% Synthetic High Performance lubricant specially engineered for most modern automatic transmission (manual mode, sequential mode, electronically controlled …) with or without slip lockup clutch. Particularly recommended for use in automatic gearboxes of American car makers GM, FORD, CHRYSLER…, Asian car makers HYUNDAI, KIA, MITSUBISHI, NISSAN, SSANGYONG, SUBARU, TOYOTA…, or European car makers BMW, CITROËN, FIAT, MB, PEUGEOT, RENAULT, … Also recommended for use in older automatic gearboxes, torque converters, power steering, boats reverse gears, hydrostatic transmissions, mechanical and hydraulic systems where DEXRON (except DEXRON VI) or MERCON fluids require.
PROPERTIES
Color Visual Red Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM1298 0.845 Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 36.2 mm2/s Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 7.6 mm2/s Viscosity Index ASTM D2270 185 Flash Point ASTM D92 218°C / 414°F
Type F ATF
And type F ATF is an automatic transmission fluid which is made from high quality base oils with viscosity index improvers, antioxidants, anti-wear agents, defoamants and special additives to provide the controlled frictional characteristics of a Type F fluid in automatic transmission applications.
Type F ATF recommendes through DANALUBES for use in applications requiring Type F fluid as follows:
- Automatic transmissions in certain older Toyota, Mazda, Volvo, and other imported vehicles require an ESW-M2C33-F fluid. In addition, this type of ATF specifies for some Ford power steering systems.
- For the makeup and refill in power steering systems of the following Ford vehicles:
1980 and older Lincoln, Continental, and Mark;
1978 and older models of all other Ford cars, vans, and light trucks - For anti-wear requirements of Sperry Vickers industrial hydraulic systems where low wear in the ASTM D 2882 vane pump test is the principal criterion.
Type F ATF does not recommendes for automatic transmissions in Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, American Motors, or any other cars requiring a Dexron-II, Dexron-IIE, Dexron-III or Mercon-approved fluid, or for those Ford products requiring an M2C 138CJ (Type CJ) fluid or an M2C 166H (Type H) fluid.
ATF+4
ATF+4 are specially formulated to ensure optimal performance in Chrysler automatic transmissions. Its unique additive package provides the proper frictional properties, excellent low-temperature fluidity and dependable wear protection required in applications where a Chrysler MS-9602 type fluid recommends.
Applications
ATF +4 is for use in these applications:
- Automatic transmissions specially formulated for Chrysler vehicles, including Dodge, Plymouth, Eagle and certain Jeeps, that require a fluid meeting ATF+4 specifications.
- Mitsubishi and Hyundai applications where an MS-9602 type fluid specifies.
- Services that specify a ATF+, ATF+2 and ATF+3 type fluid, including certain manual transmissions, transfer cases and power steering units (1999 and later).
ATF+4 does not recommends for vehicles that require Ford Mercon® or General Motors Dexron® type fluids.
Automatic transmissions should check for proper fluid levels at regular intervals, and the fluid should be changed at manufacturer-recommended intervals. However, this may vary due to your vehicle’s operating conditions. Some manufacturers recommend more frequent changes of transmission fluid under severe driving conditions, such as heavy traffic, hot weather and trailer pulling.
Fluids like CVT, ATF TYE F, and ATF DEXRON VI available with DANALUBES.
How Often Should You Change Your Transmission Fluid?
While it not necessary to change your transmission fluid frequently, both automatic transmission fluid and manual transmission fluid will begin to break down or become contaminated over time.
It is important to regularly check the levels of your transmission fluid. If you begin to run low on transmission fluid, or your transmission fluid has begun to break down and become contaminated you will see a decrease in performance when shifting, and risk damaging internal gears.
