For an aspiring auto mechanic, who wants to be a wiz around the auto shop and answer any customer questions, then you should be well versed in everything related to a vehicle. One of the auto questions that you’ll probably get from your customers is related to transmission fluid types. Transmission fluid is specifically used for lubricating the moving parts inside an automatic transmission, while also lubricating the metal parts and bearings inside a car’s manual gearbox.
At CATI, you’ll get hands-on training in the service operations of different types of vehicles. Your training will provide you with the foundation to offer well-informed advice on all aspects of the car, including its transmission fluid. Read on to learn about the three common types of transmission fluid!
You’ll Find Automatic Transmission Fluid Is Common After Your Car Mechanic Training
As the name suggests, automatic transmission fluid is specially designed to work on automatic transmission cars. It has been around for quite some time. It was first developed and mass-produced by General Motors in 1949 and was known as Type “A” Fluid.
Automatic transmission fluid offers various benefits to an automatic car’s transmission system. It helps in lubricating the gear, the torque converter and the brake band. After your car mechanic training, you’ll also understand the added benefits of automotive transmission fluid to the car’s valve body, the clutch friction for the drive and transmission cooling.
There are various types of automatic transmission fluids that you’ll probably use on your customers’ vehicles, from Type F, Mecron and Dexron III to Highly Friction Modified (HFM) style fluids. What’s more, some modern manual transmission vehicles now accommodate the use of automatic transmission fluid.
Manual Transmission Fluid is Still Around
Manual transmission fluid was around for many years before the automatic transmission fluid was invented. You’ll notice after your auto mechanic training that manual transmission fluid is still being used on older manual vehicles.
Manual transmission fluid has several key components that allow the car to drive smoothly without any difficulty. Using a manual transmission fluid allows for a smooth shift in the car’s gear, depending on the viscosity level of the fluid required for the vehicle. A manual transmission fluid comes with load carrying and anti-wear components that help preserve the manual transmission’s brass synchronizer, while offering gear protection from wear and tear. There are several types of manual transmission fluids on the market, like the SAE 80W, 75W-90, SAE 90 and 80W-90.
Continuously Variable Transmission Fluid is the New Kid on the Block
Unlike automatic transmission and manual transmission vehicles, which use basic gear ratios, continuously variable transmission (CVT) vehicles offer an infinite range by removing the gears from the car altogether. This is being widely introduced in modern vehicles today. A CVT system uses pulleys instead of gears, with one pulley connected to the car’s engine and the other connected to the transmission. This allows for an easy adjustment while driving, as well as better fuel efficiency.
That’s why this type of transmission system requires a special type of CVT fluid that contains synthetic-based oils. CVT fluid is designed to work in this kind of transmission system by offering wear and tear protection, smooth transition and reduced friction by keeping the moisture out and preventing corrosion.
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