What do ATFs actually do?

[@crimsondiesel9929]

Honestly thank you dude. This channel is a gem, the realization of the internets aspirational pinnacle, the free spread of information and knowledge. I've been watching all day and I cant stop. Keep going!

[@LubricationExplained]

Thanks so much! That’s the ultimate compliment. Are you in the business or just interested?

[@crimsondiesel9929]

@@LubricationExplained ​ Im currently a machinist at a high performance automatic transmission manufacturer. I originally came to your channel looking for information that would lead me to optimizing the grease choice for individual bicycle components in the aim of extending their functional service life to the furthest degree possible (Im the type of person that actually considers doing that sort of thing). All the "bicycle specific" brands grease have their technical specifications hidden from view, so i decided to try and figure out what exactly the difference between the dazzling array of different greases available actually is. And then I kept going lol

[@robertogomez8100]

Transmissions really are complex, thanks for the info.

[@LubricationExplained]

Hope it helped!

[@AlexandreOliveiraAlex]

This is a amazing lesson, wonderful... So good to see this vid... the stator on torque converter... Is important... Thank you LE...

[@LubricationExplained]

Glad you liked it!

[@jamesjones9207]

A lot of older hondas do not use planetary gear sets in their automatic transmissions.. but they definitely do use a very special honda atf dw1 fluid, and you don't want to use anything else or you run the risk of transmission failure!

[@Prestiged_peck]

If they do not use planetaries they pretty much aren't considered traditional automatics. Kinda like how people call CVTs automatic but they actually have very little in common with a regular automatic.

[@LubricationExplained]

Yeah the selection of an ATF is a minefield - should probably do another video on that topic. It doesn't help that the brand names don't indicate the car manufacturer, i.e. Dexron = GM, Mercon = Ford, ATF+4 = Chrysler. Plus on top of that there are backward/forward compatibility issues and car manufacturers that rely on third party transmission built by companies like ZF.

[@Vanguardkl]

@@LubricationExplained please do thank you!

[@jc.1191]

Dw1 has a lot of zinc in it. Would ruin dexron based transmissions, and the "multi vehicle" replacements don't even contain zinc. I'd only use that stuff for Honda.

[@armedfarm3429]

Good stuff! A great way to kill some time here in the middle of a cold winter! I'm learning a lot because it's interesting.

[@LubricationExplained]

Hope you’re doing ok!

[@estebancamachomartinez724]

Excellent video, as per usual.

[@qaisibrahim5674]

can you make a video about coolant additives called surfactants please ?

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Hey, I am curious, what particular chemical is what differentiates a friction modified automatic transmission fluid (Dexron, Mercon, Chrysler ATF) from like an old Ford Type F or even just antiwear hydraulic oil? Is it borate esters?

[@ejm406]

Thanks for the video, I was hoping to get some info on the difference between required ATF’s for different manufacturers- dexos, mercon , Chrysler….

[@LubricationExplained]

Yes! I'll have to do a roundup of the different OEM specs soon.

[@haydaraljassim1416]

Good day ,, what is the difference in performance and major formulation components between ATF and CVT ,,, many thanks

[@Vanguardkl]

Brilliant. I've been watching dozens of vids on fluids and lubricants to understand and this explains best. Actual science is not that popular vs crazy car guys talking about all sorts of snake oils. LM ehem.. I'm planning to make a ''literature review' of what's out there on engine oils and lubes and will definitely refer to your channel a lottttttt

[@LubricationExplained]

Glad it was helpful! What are you using the literature review for? Might be able to help.

[@Prestiged_peck]

FINALLY I NEEDED THIS

[@LubricationExplained]

Glad to be of help. Hope you find it useful!

[@Prestiged_peck]

@@LubricationExplained now I've got a REAL challenge for you : CVT fuid! The lubricant that increases friction!

[@dragonmantuning3792]

Love the content man, what are your thoughts on marvel mystery oil?

[@kenj.8897]

That would fall under depleting the quality of the ATF , snake oil

[@davidl6041]

The fill for life is contentious as the AT service lifespan is defined by its fluid lifespan, unless you change the fluid thus extending the life of the AT

[@LubricationExplained]

Yeah that was probably a mistake. My bad, I wasn't very good at these, hopefully the more recent ones are better!

[@davidl6041]

​@@LubricationExplained Oh it's not your mistake, car manufactures label the transmission fluid as lifetime, not you. What happens is the fluid thins out, but the clutch pack wear grit makes it effectively thicker, until the gritty fluid makes it fail entirely, but this almost always happens after the end of the manufactures warranty so they don't care. Manufactures don't mention that towing drastically raises temps which drastically reduces fluid life. Claiming the fluid never needs changing is good for the manufacturer as it makes the vehicle appear to have lower maintenance cost, at the expense of the longevity of the vehicle. Unfortunately if a vehicle costs a bit more to service the average consumer wont buy it, even if it will have a shorter service life as a result, costing more. Crazy.

[@mickkelly6389]

Absolutely

[@FairladyS130]

@@davidl6041 Yes, lubricated for life is lubricated until the life of the warranty .

[@kv4302]

Those aren't gears, those are splines! Tut tut! Very interesting video, thanks for making it!

[@LubricationExplained]

🤣 True true. Although the lubricant can’t tell the difference!

[@federicotorresbordils7624]

How are the ATF formulated ? As one of the most important differencies with engine oils is that they run through the electric circuits BimmerN53

[@pauldavies9663]

Can anybody help ? My old Corolla automatic is buzzing at high revs in low gear especially up hill, (fine otherwise) which would suggest poor lubrication . Disconnected the return line and ran it into a bucket. Got free flow of about 3 litres a minute at idle. Should it have been faster than that ?

[@jagenau6334]

Translated or transmitted ?

[@72superlead]

Do you really need a transmission cooler if towing? Modern cars have at least 5yr warranties and tow 3.5T braked. I can't imagine they'd want tow vehicles coming in for gearbox warranties all the time?

[@KarolosAthens]

FLUID Mechanics

[@mareksumguy1887]

High viscosity index?… or high viscosity??

[@trevorgauntlett-jx8ub]

High VI. Probably not high viscosity by many people's definition. To me "high viscosity" starts at ISO 220, so these are thin fluids. But if you regard ISO 100 as a heavy fluid, some of these verge on high viscosity. As I was reading the comments, I was wondering if @lubrication explained had touched on the "exclusivity" of ATF specifications in a more recent video. Most ATFs are at the low end of the viscosity range for conventional lubricants: usually 3-6 centistokes at 100C, but some specs go outside this range. This reflects the different architecture of each OEM/Tier 1 supplier's product. There are graphics around on the internet showing the show the mutual exclusivity of viscosity range requirements for ATFs meeting different specs. There's a comment above that also mentions that continuously variable transmissions (CVTs, the example given is Honda, but others are in the market) are often discussed under the same "ATF" umbrella. There are actually two main types of CVT - belt and chain, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuously_variable_transmission - which have significantly different requirements from each other (and the rarely-seen toroidal CVTs) and from ATFs.