ATF is pressurized by the transmission oil pump that is driven by the engine. The pressurized fluid flows through the transmission to engage and disengage the clutches and bands. A valve body, usually located in the bottom of the transmission, controls the fluid flow to the clutches and bands.
What is ATF transmission fluid?
Automatic transmission fluid ( ATF) is a kind of transmission fluid used in vehicles with self-shifting or automatic transmissions. It is typically coloured red or green to distinguish it from motor oil and other fluids in the vehicle.
What is the difference between ATF and Dexron transmission fluid?
Automatic transmission fluids have many performance-enhancing chemicals added to the fluid to meet the demands of each transmission. Some ATF specifications are open to competing brands, such as the common DEXRON specification, where different manufacturers use different chemicals to meet the same performance specification.
What is the difference between ATF and power steering fluid?
ATF fluid helps clean, lubricate, and provide cooling to the transmission system while also engaging the signals from the gearbox to the clutches and brake components. While on the contrary, power steering fluids focus on lubricating the steering system steals.
What happens if you put ATF in a Honda transmission?
This is especially true in Honda/Acura and Toyota trannies because their ATFs are designed to work in the transmissions they were designed for. Adding any brand or general ATF into their transmission can lead to immediate failure of the tranny because of lubricity change and hydraulic properties.
What is ATF fluid made of?
Modern ATF consists of a base oil plus an additive package containing a wide variety of chemical compounds intended to provide the required properties of a particular ATF specification.
Do you fill ATF with engine running?
Answer provided by. Yes, many experts say the best policy is to add transmission fluid when a car is idling because you don't want to run the risk of overfilling. However, put your car in park and apply the parking brake!
What happens when you run out of ATF fluid?
Low-quality transmission fluid – or driving without transmission fluid altogether – can cause a number of problems such as transmission failure, gear slipping, a hard time shifting, and a few more issues.
How long does it take for transmission fluid to settle?
If you've just finished driving your car for 30 minutes or longer, it's a good idea to let your engine idle a few minutes before you check the trans fluid. This will allow the temperature of the fluid to normalize. Note that some cars may also have a "cold" reading on the transmission dipstick.
How long does it take for transmission fluid to circulate?
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: How long does it take for transmission fluid to be pulled from the pan and circulate through the transmission after you start you car and shift into drive? Probably about 5 seconds. Roughly 5-10 seconds to fill all the tubes, channels, cracks, and crevasses.
How long will a transmission last without fluid?
How long can a car run without transmission fluid is up to about 10 miles on low to no transmission fluid, but doing so would be extremely risky. Transmission fluid is essential for helping your car shift gears smoothly. Without it, gears are exposed to added friction and may not be able to move at all.
How often should you change transmission fluid?
every 30,000 to 60,000 milesIf you drive manual, most manufacturers will recommend changing your transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. If you have automatic, you can typically boost that range up to 60,000 to 100,000 miles. There's no harm in changing your fluid early.
How do you know if transmission fluid is low?
Symptoms of Low Transmission FluidDrips or puddles underneath the car.Difficulty shifting through gears and/or slipping.Shuddering or shaking.Lurching or sudden jerks.Transmission won't engage.Humming or clunking noises.A burning smell.
Can You Use ATF For Power Steering Fluid
In some cases, yes, you can. However, mainly when it comes to power steering fluids, they are specifically designed to accommodate the power steeri...
Can I Put ATF Transmission Fluid In My Power Steering
Yes, absolutely! You can opt for an ATF fluid for your power steering pump as a substitute. Both ATF and power steering fluid is hydraulic to perfo...
What Is ATF Fluid
ATF fluid is an automatic transmission fluid that carefully lubricates your entire transmission system. However, ATF 4 is a synthetic fluid made fo...
What Color Is An ATF Fluid
If fluid comes in a red, green, and sometimes purple or amber color. The colors are used to differentiate between other motor oils.
What Is The Best ATF 4 Transmission Fluid
There are many fluids available in the market. However, we suggest opting for Mopar ATF 4 transmission fluid for the best results and performance i...
How To Check Fluid Level
To check your vehicle’s fluid level, carefully re-enact these steps. First, park your vehicle in neutral. Then, look for the transmission dipstick;...
What Is ATF Power Steering Fluid
ATF power steering fluid consists of a pinkish fluid that helps lubricate the power steering system of a car, so the control over your steering whe...
What type of ATF Fluid do I need?
Depending upon your vehicle manufacturer, model type, and model year, a specific automatic transmission fluid will be required to ensure proper transmission performance and protection. Always follow the recommendation of the vehicle manufacturer to ensure the proper fluid is used and fluid change interval is maintained. This recommendation can commonly be found in your vehicle owner’s manual.
What is automatic transmission fluid?
Automatic transmission fluid is a critical component of any automatic transmission. Also referred to as ATF, this fluid ensures proper operation, performance and protection of the automatic transmission.
Is ATF fluid the same as motor oil?
ATF Fluids are not defined by a weight as is motor oil. Rather it is defined by specification, certification or application.
What is the difference between power steering fluid and automatic transmission fluid?
Differences between Power Steering Fluid and Automatic Transmission Fluid. The main difference between the two is that ATF contains friction modifiers and detergents. It’s the detergents in the ATF that helps keep all the contaminants away from the transmission.
Why is power steering fluid needed?
As assumed, power steering fluid is necessary for cleaning, lubricating and conditioning the power steering system seals. They also transmit the required hydraulic force while steering. With so many features in them, it’s no wonder that there are so many types of steering fluids in the market in varied formulas.
Is it okay to mix power steering fluid with transmission fluid?
It is not advised to do so because it may lead to the compromising of your transmission seals because transmission fluids have a different formula. There is however some models that may work when mixed, especially if the fluids are about the same viscosity.
Why do automatic transmissions work in high temperature?
It’s due to their additives which may end up blocking the power steering system’s actuator and a fluid pump.
Can I use Dexron III ATF power steering fluid?
However, GM does not advise using fluids like Amsoil Dexron VI in non- GM make vehicles that used Dexron III ATF power steering fluid.
Is ATF based on testing?
The ATFs quality and applications are generally based on their own testing and not by tests conducted by the vehicle manufacturer. This has lead to many car makers adopting Dexron and Mercon formulations as their specified automatic transmission fluid like Motocraft Mercon ATF power steering fluid.
Can you use transmission fluid in a Honda?
You should however never use automatic transmission fluids in a Honda power steering system. This is because Honda is rather particular about the fluids used in their vehicles. While it’s okay to use an ATF in an older Ford or domestic vehicle, it’s a huge no-no in Hondas and Acuras, especially in J-series engines.
Why does transmission fluid deteriorate?
Over time, the fluid deteriorates, especially if the transmission gets extremely hot from towing or hauling. Heat causes transmission fluid to oxidize, or break down. Fluids that break down allow sludge to form, which plugs narrow passages and interferes with shifting.
What do transmission additives do?
First, let’s talk about what transmission additives are and what they do.
Can additives harm transmission fluid?
Additives can harm your transmission. The fact is, lubricant manufacturers work hard to formulate transmission fluids that deliver reliable shifts while guarding against wear and leaks. Aftermarket additives can disrupt the fluid’s finely tuned chemical balance and degrade performance.
Can aftermarket transmission fluid be used?
The fact is, lubricant manufacturers work hard to formulate transmission fluids that deliver reliable shifts while guarding against wear and leaks. Aftermarket additives can disrupt the fluid’s finely tuned chemical balance and degrade performance. Plus, most vehicle and transmission manufacturers warn against using them.
Is aftermarket fluid worse than untreated fluid?
Wear protection follows the same trend. “In one case, a fluid treated with an aftermarket additive actually offered worse wear protection than the untreated fluid ,” said Erickson.
What does "neutralize acids that build up in the transmission fluid#N#" mean?
• Neutralize acids that build up in the transmission fluid#N#• Provide additional resistance to the effects of heat#N#• Prevent or reverse fluid oxidation#N#• Prevent or reverse fluid sheer#N#• Modify friction characteristics to improve transmission performance#N#• Provide additional lubrication to moving parts#N#• Soften and remove varnish from internal components
Why do automatic transmission seals fall apart?
Over time, the seals inside an automatic transmission can become hard and brittle; losing their sealing qualities. These additives soften the seals so they begin to work again. The problem is they continue to soften and swell the seals to where they simply fall apart.
Do additives soften transmission seals?
In most cases, unfortunately, the answer is no. In general, the additives that you’ll find on the shelves of a consumer-oriented parts store won’t really deliver on their extravagant promises. So what do these additives do? In general, they soften and swell the seals in your transmission. Over time, the seals inside an automatic transmission can become hard and brittle; losing their sealing qualities. These additives soften the seals so they begin to work again. The problem is they continue to soften and swell the seals to where they simply fall apart.
Overview
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a kind of transmission fluid used in vehicles with self-shifting or automatic transmissions. It is typically coloured red or green to distinguish it from motor oil and other fluids in the vehicle.
The fluid is optimized for the special requirements of a transmission, such as valve operation, brake band friction, and the torque converter, as well as gear …
Modern use
Modern ATF consists of a base oil plus an additive package containing a wide variety of chemical compounds intended to provide the required properties of a particular ATF specification. Most ATFs contain some combination of additives that improve lubricating qualities, such as anti-wear additives, rust and corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dispersants and surfactants (which protect and clean metal surfaces); kinematic viscosity and viscosity index improvers and modifiers, seal swel…
Current fluids
• DEXRON ULV - 2017 and above GM 10L90 10-speed automatic transmissions
• MERCON ULV - 2017 and above Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic transmissions
• DEXRON HP - 2013 and above GM 8L90 8-speed RWD automatic transmissions
History
The history of automatic transmission fluids parallels the history of automatic transmission technology. The world's first mass-produced automatic transmission, the Hydra-Matic 4-speed, was developed by General Motors (GM) for the 1940 model year. The Hydra-Matic transmission required a special lubricant GM called Transmission Fluid No. 1. for the Hydra-Matic Drive. This tr…
"Lifetime" Fluids
In 1967, Ford produced the Type-F fluid specification. The Type-F specification was intended to produce a “lifetime” fluid which would never need to be changed. This was the first of many Ford “lifetime” fluids. The 1974 Ford Car Shop Manual reads "The automatic transmission is filled at the factory with "lifetime" fluid. If it is necessary to add or replace fluid, use only fluids which m…
Aftermarket Automatic Transmission Fluids
For over 70 years, the oil aftermarket has produced both licensed, and non-licensed, formulations of automatic transmission fluids (ATF). Today, aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to be compatible for use in various brands of automatic transmissions continue to be sold under names such as Multi-Purpose and Multi-Vehicle fluids. Non-licensed fluid is typically l…
See also
• GM DEXRON automatic transmission fluids
• Ford MERCON automatic transmission fluids
• Chrysler's Mopar automatic transmission fluids
• Toyota automatic transmission fluids
External links
• A Look at Changes in Automatic Transmission Fluid
• The History of Automatic Transmission Fluid - ATF History Part 1
• Changing Gears: The Development of the Automotive Transmission
• World's First Mass Produced Automatic Transmission - Part 1- Introduction and History