What is Valve Body Oil?
2 Answers
Valve body oil is a specialized oil used in the control valve body of an automatic transmission. Its performance characteristics include good fluidity, lubrication properties, and anti-foaming capabilities. In dry dual-clutch transmissions, valve body oil refers to the transmission fluid, which requires regular replacement. This is because the gear components in the transmission need lubrication during operation, and prolonged failure to replace the transmission fluid can lead to abnormal transmission performance. Here’s more detailed information: 1. Generally, the replacement interval for transmission fluid is every two years or 40,000 kilometers under normal driving conditions. However, if the vehicle is frequently driven aggressively, it is advisable to replace the transmission fluid earlier. 2. New transmission fluid appears red, but after some use, it turns black. Therefore, it is crucial to replace the transmission fluid at the recommended intervals to prevent contamination with impurities, which can increase wear on the internal gears. 3. When replacing transmission fluid, it is essential to choose the correct viscosity for the transmission. If the viscosity is too high, it can cause overheating of friction surfaces during operation, leading to unnecessary power loss. Conversely, if the viscosity is too low, the transmission may develop oil leaks. 4. Depending on the type of transmission, transmission fluids are categorized into manual transmission fluid and automatic transmission fluid.
Valve body fluid is essentially the specialized 'blood' that serves the 'brain' of an automatic transmission - the valve body. Last time my transmission was jerking like a tractor, the mechanic diagnosed it immediately as needing a valve body fluid change. This fluid must withstand high temperatures while maintaining precise viscosity, as it's responsible for pushing pistons through oil passages finer than human hair to shift gears. Using regular gear oil would destroy this delicate component outright - gear shift hesitation would be the least of your problems, with complete transmission failure being the worst-case scenario. Only fluids labeled ATF+4 or DW-1 by manufacturers qualify as its proper nourishment. I learned this the hard way - never cut corners with cheap substitutes.
