Always check your owner’s manual for the type of fluid recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. So unless you’re driving a car that’s pushing 40, this isn’t the type of ATF for you.Ĭhoosing the correct transmission fluid is critical to insuring the maximum performance and fuel economy from your car. Unlike most ATFs, Type F doesn’t include friction modifiers. Type F hasn’t been used in vehicles since the early 70s, and even then it was typically only used in Fords. Most CVT transmission fluids utilize synthetic base oils. Each specific CVT fluid is formulated for a specific transmission however, oil marketers have been able to demonstrate good performance with a single CVT oil across many different transmission designs. The fluid requirements for CVT transmissions are very different versus a typical stepped gear transmission. More and more vehicle manufacturers are using continuously variable transmissions in their new car offerings to improve fuel economy, with ~20% of all new cars being sold utilizing this technology. Most multi-vehicle transmission fluids utilize synthetic base oils.Ĭontinuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Fluid They are formulated with the latest additive technology and their performance is typically supported by extensive field testing. While they are not licensed by any specific auto manufacturer, they are designed to provide superior performance and protection. Oil marketers design these fluids for a wide range of automatic transmission types. Multi-vehicle transmission fluids are becoming more and more popular in the marketplace. Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Transmission Fluid All three include friction modifiers, which reduces the friction in lubricated parts. In addition, these same fluids can also be used in many imported vehicles (always check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations). These ATF fluids are designed for the newest transmission technologies being sold in the marketplace. These three ATF products are the most common on the market, designed and licensed exclusively by the three largest North American automobile manufacturers: GM, Ford, and Chrysler (now FCA).
Here’s a guide to the most common types of ATF and what makes them different.ĭexron VI (GM) / Mercon V (Ford) / ATF+4 (Chrysler) The transmission is one of the most complex systems in a vehicle, so it is critical to use an appropriate and high-quality ATF to help ensure performance well past the 100k mile mark. The most common types are Dexron/Mercon and Multi-Vehicle Synthetic. These days there are a number of different types of ATF available, each formulated for specific types of transmissions. Now it’s time to figure out what kind of ATF is right for your vehicle. So we’ve covered the basics of the automatic transmission and the fluid that keeps it going.
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