Guide to Selecting the Right Automatic Transmission Fluid for Your Vehicle

Automatic transmissions in modern vehicles today have more complex structures compared to manual transmissions. When it comes time for scheduled maintenance and automatic transmission fluid changes, technicians need to have adequate knowledge and expertise to perform the work, avoiding damage to the automatic transmissions.

With many outstanding advantages, automatic transmissions are chosen by many consumers. Let us learn more about this product through the following article from Huynh Chau lubricants.

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You need to select transmission fluid suitable for your vehicle (Source: AMSOIL)

1. Things to know about automatic transmission fluid

Automatic transmission fluid, also known as transmission fluid, is manufactured using modern technology with a combination of premium base oil and other additives. This product helps machinery and engines resist oxidation, rust, and corrosion while improving lubrication and reducing friction.

This type of lubricant ensures that vehicle engines operate smoothly and cools transmission components, keeping them stable at allowable temperature levels. Automatic transmission fluid also participates in the hydraulic clutch operation process.

1.1 Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) technical specifications

ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) technical specifications are a set of performance standards from OEMs, not actual fluid names. This means you don't go to a store looking for MERCON or DEXRON fluid, but rather fluid that meets the specifications of MERCON or DEXRON.

To help consumers choose more easily, many manufacturers print ATF specifications in large letters on the label. This indicates that the automatic transmission fluid has passed a series of performance tests created by the manufacturer that established the ATF specification. However, many people mistakenly believe that ATF specifications on the label are OEM brand names.

Automatic transmission gears (Source: AMSOIL)

1.2 Confusing specifications

It is normal for most OEMs to create their own performance specifications, rather than recommend using fluid that meets another OEM's specifications. There is also a financial motivation, as OEMs want you to buy transmission fluid bearing their brand rather than another company's.

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