Saving Gears

Transmission failure is a bummer! It’s something that’s annoying- not to mention that it’s a very expensive fix. If you’re like most people, you don’t worry about these things until they come. Some aren’t just that informed.  They think regular engine oil change is enough to prolong their car’s life.  What most of us don’t know is that the transmission warrants the same attention as the engine. 

The transmission or gearbox is an integral part of the car as it  parcels out the power of the engine to the wheels. As with most mechanical things that produce friction, the gearbox is filled with oil to make it work. The oil or transmission fluid is the lifeblood of the unit as it bathes and lubricates the gears during operation. Yet transmission maintenance is commonly left out. 

Most cars on the road today have automatic transmissions and run on Automatic Transmission Fluid, or  ATF. The ATF is a hard working oil as it acts as a hydraulic fluid making the transmission switch gears. It also acts as lubricant and coolant. That is why even on a relatively simple drive, from your house to the office, the transmission and the fluid do quite a bit of work. In a perfect world where temperature becomes constant, the transmission can probably run up to 200,000 kilometers without maintenance. Unfortunately, fluid temperatures rarely stay in the optimal range. Numerous driving conditions such as  traffic, driving long distances or up and down mountains, can heat transmission fluid beyond tolerable limits. At these higher temperatures, ATF begins to break down, and your transmission begins to shift gears roughly(shift-shock), slowly and eventually fail.

Periodic Transmission oil change is needed to maintain proper operation. Oil changes vary depending on the type of transmission. For Manual Gearboxes, the standard is 60,000 kilometers. Automatic transmissions build up more heat and wears fluids faster. Oil changes should be done at 30,000 kilometers. It is best to check your owner’s manual or visit a qualified service center.

Types of Transmission Oil

There are generally two types of transmission oil. Manual Transmission Oil for the conventional gearbox and Automatic Transmission Oil for automatic gearboxes.

Standard  Gear Oil

Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: Regular motor oil, heavyweight(thick) gear oil, or heavy duty synthetic transmission fluid in some rare cases. It is best to check the car’s owner’s manual for the specific transmission fluid to use.

Rear wheel and Four wheel drive cars use a different kind of oil called gear oil  for the specific gears that drive the wheels. These cars are equipped with front and/or rear gears called differentials.  Gear oil is very thick and can handle very high heat before it burns off and needs to be replaced. The high viscosity or thickness ensures transfer of the lubricant throughout the gear train. This heavy oil can create viscous drag(rotational resistance) leading to inefficiencies in vehicle operation.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

ATF is a thin type(low viscosity) hydraulic oil used specifically on Automatic transmission. It is also used in Power Steering Systems because of its hydraulic properties. In an automatic transmission, this fluid  serves as a lubricant and a coolant. Aside from these, this fluid also acts as a viscous fluid that helps shift gears and transmit power smoothly to the wheels. When in degraded state, this fluid does get hot easily and boils to the point that it expands, loses its lubricating qualities and leaks out. This is the leading cause of transmission gear shifting inefficiency and/or failure.

Remember, neglecting your transmission and the fluid it requires could lead to a car that isn’t switching gears like it used to.