Page 18 - Fluid Rx Diagnostics POP Magazine

Today’s transmissions are subjected to
higher torque and -- most importantly
Today’s transmissions are subjected to -- they often experience an increase in
higher torque and -- most importantly operating temperatures. The Automatic
-- they often experience an increase in Transmission Rebuilders Association
operating temperatures. The Automatic (ATRA) estimates that 90% of all trans-
Transmission Rebuilders Association mission failures are due to overheating
(ATRA) estimates that 90% of all trans- of the transmission uid. Perhaps the
mission failures are due to overheating number one culprit is failed automatic
of the transmission uid. Perhaps the transmission uids due to OEMs mar-
number one culprit is failed automatic keting and promoting “Lifetime Fluids”.
transmission uids due to OEMs mar- Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is
keting and promoting “Lifetime Fluids”. the most complex of all lubricants and is
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is often transmission speci c. It must re-
the most complex of all lubricants and is duce friction to prevent wear, yet at the
often transmission speci c. It must re- same time, it must allow a certain lev-
duce friction to prevent wear, yet at the el of adhesion so clutch materials can
same time, it must allow a certain lev- properly engage. (Plus a host of other
el of adhesion so clutch materials can requirements.)
properly engage. (Plus a host of other requirements.)
“PERHAPS THE “PERHAPS THE
NUMBER ONE CULPRIT
NUMBER ONE CULPRIT IS FAILED AUTOMATIC
IS FAILED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS
TRANSMISSION FLUIDS DUE TO OEMS
DUE TO OEMS MARKETING AND
MARKETING AND PROMOTING
PROMOTING “LIFETIME FLUIDS”.”
OEMs insist that their ATF (as well as
At this temperature the uid’s service
“LIFETIME FLUIDS”.”
we know about tribology and uid main- service life in half. The following chart ATF when subjected to operating tem-
ATFs contain a wide variety of chemical
tenance? clearly demonstrates the vulnerability of “Friction” and “Heat” are the dynamic peratures above 170°.
compounds including anti-wear addi-
duo that drives the oxidation rate of ATF when subjected to operating tem-
ATFs contain a wide variety of chemical tives, rust and corrosion inhibitors, de-
brakeandpowersteering uid)isformu-
life under “normal driving conditions”
OEMs insist that their ATF (as well as lated so that the owner never needs to
At this temperature the uid’s service should reach or exceed 100,000 miles.
brakeandpowersteering uid)isformu- life under “normal driving conditions” change the uid. They refer to them as But what about severe driving condi-
lated so that the owner never needs to should reach or exceed 100,000 miles. “Lifetime Fluids”. But does anyone re- tions; after all, most vehicles fall into
change the uid. They refer to them as But what about severe driving condi- ally believe a car will last forever – espe- this operational category. For every 20°
“Lifetime Fluids”. But does anyone re- tions; after all, most vehicles fall into cially if you don’t change the uids? Or, increase in the uid’s operating tem-
ally believe a car will last forever – espe- this operational category. For every 20°
have these car makers discovered a new perature, the
resulting rate
of oxida-
cially if you don’t change the uids? Or, increase in the uid’s operating tem- uid alchemy; one that de es everything tion doubles, thereby cutting the uid’s
havethesecarmakersdiscoveredanew perature, the resulting rate of oxida- we know about tribology and uid main- service life in half. The following chart
uid alchemy; one that de es everything tion doubles, thereby cutting the uid’s tenance? clearly demonstrates the vulnerability of
“Friction” and “Heat” are the dynamic peratures above 170°.
compounds including anti-wear addi-vehicle uids. The normal operation- The approximate life expectancy of ATF
tergents, dispersants and surfactants, duo that drives the oxidation rate of
tives, rust and corrosion inhibitors, de-al temperature for transmission u- at various temperatures can be seen
kinematic viscosity and viscosity index vehicle uids. The normal operation- The approximate life expectancy of ATF tergents, dispersants and surfactants,ids is approximately 170° Fahrenheit. here:
improvers and modi ers, seal swell ad-
al temperature for transmission u- ids is approximately 170° Fahrenheit.
at various temperatures can be seen here:
kinematic viscosity and viscosity index ditives and agents, anti-foaming addi-
improvers and modi ers, seal swell ad- tives and anti-oxidation compounds to
ditives and agents, anti-foaming addi- inhibit oxidation and boil-off, cold- ow
tives and anti-oxidation compounds to improvers, high temperature thickeners,
inhibit oxidation and boil-off, cold- ow gasket conditioners, pour point depres-
improvers, high temperature thickeners, sant and petroleum dye. In other words,
gasket conditioners, pour point depres- there’s a whole lot more going on be-
sant and petroleum dye. In other words, tween the gears.
there’s a whole lot more going on be-
tween the gears.
Despite all the intense demands and
requirements of ATF to provide proper
Despite all the intense demands and performance and protection, many
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requirements of ATF to provide proper performance and protection, many
p. 36
p. 36