What is the composition of transmission fluid?
2 Answers
Transmission fluid consists of two parts: base oil and additives. The base oil is the main component of lubricating oil, determining its fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and improve the deficiencies in the base oil's performance, endowing it with certain new characteristics, making them an essential part of lubricating oil. Hazards of not changing transmission fluid: 1. Damage to the transmission's gear shift control mechanism; 2. Abnormal wear of gears and clutch plates inside the transmission; 3. Affects the normal operation of the transmission, leading to damage to the transmission's valve body. Transmission fluid and engine oil are not the same. Although both serve a lubricating function, their specific roles differ and should not be confused. Differences: Engine oil is the lubricating oil for the engine system, possessing certain properties such as oxidation resistance, wear resistance, and corrosion prevention, whereas transmission fluid is primarily used to keep the gear shift system clean and can extend the service life of internal transmission components. Because the structure and operating environment of the transmission and engine are different, transmission fluid cannot be used as engine oil, nor can engine oil be used as transmission fluid.
I know that transmission fluid is primarily composed of base oil and various additives. The base oil is usually mineral oil or synthetic oil, with synthetic oil being more resistant to high and low temperatures and offering more stable performance. Additives include anti-wear agents to reduce component wear, antioxidants to prevent the oil from aging and deteriorating, rust inhibitors to protect metals, friction modifiers to ensure smooth clutch operation, and viscosity index improvers to maintain appropriate viscosity across different temperatures. I've seen some cars experience transmission slippage or overheating due to poor oil quality or additive failure, sometimes even requiring major repairs. Therefore, when selecting oil, it's crucial to refer to the specification manual to match the type of automatic or manual transmission, and regular replacement is also key.