Within truck maintenance, the importance of transmission fluids arguably rests at the top of the list. It's more than just a liquid filling a compartment; it's the essence of ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly, avoids overheating, and extends its transmission's life. Understanding transmission fluids' types, maintenance protocols, and best practices helps extend transmission and heavy-duty truck longevity.
Transmission Fluid Types
The transmission fluid can range from distilled crude oil or created in labs. Synthetic fluids have become a staple due to their adaptability to high-performance vehicles and evolving truck designs. They are tailor-made trucks that demand superior resistance to high temperatures and long-lasting lubrication. Regular transmission fluids like gear oils still do the jobs but aren’t as efficient as synthetic fluids.
Synthetic Transmission Fluid
Synthetic means a substance made—usually chemically—to imitate a natural product. For the case of diesel trucks, transmission fluids are typically made synthetically. Not only does it imitate what gear oil does, preventing friction and avoids overheating, it does it better. The lubricant last for long peroids of time and got designed for automatic transmissions. Having the fluid tailored for automatic transmission gear shifts makes the lubricant efficient, effective, and long lasting.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
The distinction between automatic and manual transmissions hinges primarily on the mechanics of gear shifts. In automatic transmissions, the system self-adjusts, taking cues from the driver's habits and prevailing road conditions. The gear selection process is simplified for drivers of heavy-duty or medium-duty trucks equipped with automatic systems. The transmission intuitively decides the optimal gear for the situation and adapts to driver habits.
Automatic transmissions utilize a specialized transmission fluid, tailored to optimize shift smoothness and performance. Regular changes of this fluid are essential to prevent wear and tear, ensuring the system operates seamlessly.
Manual Gear Oil
In contrast, manual transmissions put the responsibility of gear shifts on the driver. It's imperative for drivers to gauge the conditions and deliberately choose the right gear, making the shift manually. Manual transmissions rely on gear oil, a denser lubricant that caters to the direct mechanical engagement of gears. This oil ensures the gears mesh effectively preventing friction. Gear oil gets used for manual transmissions due to the rougher gear shifts. Transmission oil is streamlined for automatic transmissions to work effectively and efficiently while gear oil withstands high pressures under manual gear shifts. Periodic replenishment or replacement is crucial to maintain the efficiency of a manual system and safeguard it from potential damage.
Embracing Best Practices for Transmission Health
The first recommendation is a simple one: know your truck. That manual may be collecting dust in your glove compartment or possibly in the trash. Well, it’s a treasure trove of specifics about the type of transmission fluid best suited for your vehicle, as well as the ideal intervals for change. If you no longer possess the broture, you can search it up online and find specific information that your transmission may crave.
High Quality Fluid
Opt for high-caliber transmission fluids may seem like an extravagant choice, but in the long run, it’s an investment. They amplify the durability of your truck, ensuring that every journey is smooth and devoid of unforeseen transmission hiccups. Expert mechanics may even know the best fluid for specific transmissions but as long as you continue to use high-quality fluids, your truck will stay on rough roads for long periods of time.
Transmission Fluid Checkups
A pristine fluid showcases a typical reddish hue )it may come in other colours), symbolic of its prime health. But as it starts aging, it may adopt a brownish tint and even give off an unwanted burnt aroma. If debris or contaminants siphon into the fluid or oil, it becomes darker. Contamination accelerates the wear of gears and transmission.
These signs signal regular check-ins, ranging between every 30,000 to 60,000 miles depending on your truck’s make and workload. 30,000 miles is 7 trips across Mar’s diameter. Ensure that these signals don’t go unnoticed. And when it’s time for a change, it’s not just about replenishing but rejuvenating your truck’s vitality.
Book An Appointment Today
Don't compromise your vehicle's performance with aging transmission fluid. Trust the experts at Connect Truck Center in Chicogo, IL to give your transmission the attention it deserves. We use high-quality fluids your heavy-duty truck deserves. Reach out to us today for top-notch service that keeps you on the road, worry-free! Shift gears and get in touch with us today to schedule the service you need.
