Transmission oil additives are compounds mixed into transmission fluid to enhance its performance in various ways. It has been claimed that the gaskets and seals surrounding the gearbox can be repaired with the use of certain chemicals. Different transmissions need different additives, and certain additives are optimized for use in either step-type, dual-clutch, or continuously variable gearboxes.
Why Do You Need Transmission Oil Additives?
Transmission fluid is important for a number of reasons. The fluid’s hydraulic qualities ensure smooth, consistent shifts, protection of gears and bearings from wear, heat management, and frictional properties. Transmission fluid degrades with time, particularly when subjected to high temperatures from driving or loading.
Transmission fluid oxidizes or breaks down at high temperatures. When fluids degrade, sludge forms, blocking up tiny pathways and making movement difficult. A transmission that isn’t getting the right amount of friction due to old fluid isn’t going to last very long. You may feel a hard or irregular shift in your car at some point. Seals can harden and cause them to crack and leak.
When added to transmission fluid, these additives help the oil regain its original frictional and thermal characteristics. Some include chemicals that soften and swell damaged seals, thus “fixing” leaks. They have the benefit of being more affordable than a fluid refill or flush.
What Are the Best Transmission Oil Additives?
There are many automatic transmission oil additives available in the market, but not all of them work well. Some may provide a short-term improvement in performance but cause more harm than good in the long run. Therefore, choosing a reputable and reliable product that has been tested and proven to work is important.
Which Transmission Oil Additives Work Best?
Not all of the transmission oil additives on the market work best. Some can boost performance temporarily but ultimately do more damage than good. Therefore, choose a tried-and-true product with a solid track record of customer satisfaction.
Some assessments have suggested that the following are among the finest additives for transmission oil:
- A reliable additive that may be used in either manual or automatic transmissions is Prolong Super Lubricants PSL15000. With its anti-friction metal treatment technique, metal surfaces are treated to restore transmission responsiveness, resulting in easier gear changes.
- For slipping transmissions, choose the low-priced and environmentally friendly Lucas LUC10009 Transmission Fix. It has a polymeric filmthat covers sealing bands to prevent seepage. It inhibits slippage and foaming as well.
- Automatic gearboxes, especially CVTs, may benefit from the high-performance additive Hot Shot’s Secret HSSTSE32Z. In addition to lowering temperature, it also removes deposits from coated surfaces. Itincreases fluid longevity and enhances shift quality.
Automotive Industrial Regulations for Using Additives in Transmission Oil?
Most automatic transmission fluid contain some combination of additives that improve lubricating qualities, such as
- Anti-wear additives
- Rust and corrosion inhibitors
- Detergents
- Dispersants
- Surfactants (which protect and clean metal surfaces)
- Kinematic viscosity and viscosity index improvers
- Modifiers,
- Seal swell additives and agents (which extend the rotational speed range and temperature range of the additives’ application)
- Anti-foam additives
- Anti-oxidants
These are just some of the lubricating additives found in automatic gearbox fluids.
But not every transmission or fluid can handle every addition. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines before adding an additive to avoid damaging your transmission. Using or too much of the wrong additive might ruin your gearbox and violate the warranty.
Norms And Requirements of Transmission Oil Additives
Transmission oil additives are chemicals or substances that can be added to transmission fluids to enhance their performance and protect the transmission system. These additives play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation and longevity of a vehicle’s transmission. The following are some of the more widespread norms and requirements for gearbox fluids and additives:
- Chrysler automobiles have been using a synthetic fluid ATF+4. It has Improved resistance to heat and wear as well as oxidation.
- General Motors’ DEXRON line of automatic gearbox lubricants is one example. DEXRON-VI, the newest iteration, has enhanced viscosity, shear, and friction stability.
- MERCON is Ford’s own line of automatic gearbox lubricants. MERCON-V’s newest version enhanced anti-shudder performance, oxidation resistance, and wear protection.
- JASO: This Japanese standard specifies four grades of automatic transmission fluid: JASO 1A (for conventional step-type transmissions), JASO 1A-LV (for low-viscosity fluids), JASO 2A (for continuously variable transmissions),and JASO 2A-LV (for low-viscosity fluids for continuously variable transmissions).
- CHEMPOL 4146 automotive transmission fluid additive have been used for most of the engine oils and are favourite across the world. this is a complete additive package used for formulating top quality ATF oils.
The Frequency Of Changing Transmission Fuilds
Several variables, including transmission type, fluid type, driving circumstances, and manufacturer recommendations, determine how often transmission fluid should be changed. Transmission fluid in manual gearboxes needs to be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. The recommended maintenance interval for automatic gearboxes is between 60,000 and 100,000 kilometers. Some automobiles, however, may have permanent transmission fluidsthat never need to be changed.
Use a dipstick to inspect the fluid level and color to determine whether or not your gearbox needs cleaning. It may be time to replace the fluid if it is low, looks dirty, is the wrong color, or has a burned smell. Observing symptoms like difficult or unpredictable shifting, slippage, grinding, or excessive overheating may also detect transmission issues.
You should check your owner’s manual or ask a reliable professional how frequently you should replace your gearbox fluid. They will be able to tell you what kind of fluid, how much of it, and how often you should replace it based on your vehicle and how often you drive. By adhering to these recommendations, you can keep your gearbox running smoothly and reliably and save money on maintenance.
You can boost the efficiency and durability of your transmission fluid and system by using oil additives. Some additives, however, can truly be harmful,while others arehelpful. Therefore, choose a tried-and-true best manual transmission additive with a solid track record of customer satisfaction. Adding an additive to the transmission oil is a good idea, but only if it is according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you do this, your vehicle’s shifts will be more uniform, reliable, and problem-free.