Unlocking the Power: A Complete Guide to Transmission Oils

Transmission oil, also known as transmission fluid or gear oil, is essential for lubricating a vehicle’s transmission’s moving parts, ensuring smooth operation and protection during movement, especially from overheating. Thus, ensuring optimal lubrication to exploit the transmission’s full potential. There are two primary types of transmission oils:

1. Manual Transmission Oil: This type of oil has been in use since the advent of vehicles and is formulated with high-quality additives that provide anti-wear and load-carrying capabilities for enhanced protection. Manual transmission fluid is normally thicker than its automatic counterpart, making it unsuitable for use in most automatic transmissions. Interestingly, some modern manual or semi-automatic transmissions require the use of automatic transmission fluid.
2. Automatic Transmission Oil: Automatic transmission fluids (ATF) are specifically designed to meet the needs of specific transmission systems, which have unique requirements that are not found in other mechanisms. For example, a transmission system will need a fluid that provides pressure to the valves and protection for components such as the torque converter. Some of the more common different types of automatic transmissions on the market include:

• Torque Converter Automatic (Geartronic, G-Tonic, Steptronic, Tiptronic, ZF 8-Speed): The more traditional type of automatic gearbox and uses the ATF to transfer the drive from the engine to the gearbox.
• Dual-Clutch Automatic (Direct-shift gearbox (DSG), Dual-clutch transmission (DCT), Powershift, S tronic, Porsche’s PDK): Came onto the market in the early 2000’s usually with paddles on the steering column or option to tap the gear lever to change gears manually also. The ATF keeps the gears lubricated to allow for the extremely quick gearchanges it produces, and in some cases, the plates operate in a bath of oil where a wet clutch is in use.
• CVT Automatic (e-CVT, Xtronic): Like the gear system on a bicycle this gearbox has cone shaped pulleys linked by a belt or chain that needs top lubrication to allow for smooth transfers as the belt or chain moves up or down the cones.
• Automated Manual (Automated shift (ASG), EAT, EGC, ETG, robotised manual: operate like a manual gearbox, but the computer disengages the clutch and moves the gears instead of the driver.
• Single-Speed Gearbox: Although very old technology, this is the type now being selected for use in many electric vehicles as it’s the most efficient method of transferring the power to the wheels.

As evident within each primary type of gearbox, there exists a plethora of distinct names by which these gearboxes are recognised. This diversity stems from each manufacturer’s customisation of the fundamental gearbox design to align with the specific demands of their vehicles. With each unique modification, manufacturers collaborate with their lubricant partners to formulate an optimal blend of lubricants and additives tailored to their needs. This may entail variations in viscosity or frictional properties. Consequently, a vast array of ATFs now necessary to fulfil the requirements of each manufacturer. While using an incorrect ATF may not always manifest immediate issues, it can significantly compromise the gearbox’s lifespan.

Fluidmatic Range of Transmission Oils

One of the leading ranges of Automatic Transmission Fluids recommended by many of the leading OEMs and carrying approvals from most of the rest of the OEMs is TotalEnergies’ Fluidmatic range. The Fluidmatic range offers a wide variety of ATFs to suit most transmissions and their needs. TotalEnergies’ Fluidmatic Range consists of the following products which are now available from Finol Oils, the Irish distribution partner for TotalEnergies:

1. Fluidmatic DCT MV: Dual clutch transmission fluid based on an advanced synthetic technology which covers 95% of the wet clutch DCT market. Contains the latest shear viscosity modifier technology, allowing very high performance.
2. Fluidmatic CVT MV: Multipurpose continuously variable transmission fluid with outstanding power transmission ratio and fuel economy capability. Developed to be used in all belt and chain CVTs.
3. Fluidmatic XLD FE: New generation ATF based on an advanced synthetic technology allowing extra-long drain and very high performance needed for the demanding requirements of modern heavy-duty automatic gearboxes.
4. Fluidmatic DVI MV: Fluidmatic DVI MV is an innovative ATF based on an advanced synthetic technology allowing very high performances. This fluid is DEXRON® VI approved and is recommended in the latest generation of high-efficiency 6-speed automatic transmissions.
5. Fluidmatic LV MV: Innovative ATF based on advanced synthetic technology allowing very high performance. Recommended for use in the latest generation of high efficiency 6 speed automatic transmissions with longer fluid life capabilities and heavier load capacities.
6. Fluidmatic D3: Innovative ATF particularly adapted to heavy duty and passenger car application, recommended where OEMs require GM Dexron III ATF..

The entire Fluidmatic Range is now available to order for nationwide delivery. To learn more, please contact us by phone or email.