Automatic Transmission Fluid - ATF

Before we turn towards understanding what automatic transmission fluid is, let us know what automatic transmission is. Well, it is an automatic gearbox that changes gear ratios as the vehicle moves. Automatic gears relieve the driver from the crucial task of changing gears with changing speeds. Automobiles equipped with automatic transmission are popular in many parts of the world due to the ease they provide in driving. In fact, most of the cars in the United States feature automatic transmission.

What can ATF possibly be? Think… I am sure you have guessed it right and are eager to confirm. Yes, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) serves as a lubricant for the automobile gears. Besides being a lubricant, ATF also aids the valve operation and helps reduce brake band friction. It also that acts as a hydraulic medium in the power steering systems in cars. What is ATF composed of? It is a highly refined mineral oil. The relatively recent synthetic automatic transmission fluid boasts of offering better performance and service life.

What are the different types of automatic transmission fluids? Type F is one of the oldest forms of ATFs that was introduced in 1967 by Ford and also used by Toyota. Type CJ is a special fluid meant for Ford C6 transmissions and is similar in composition to Dextron II, a fluid by General Motors. Mercon is specific to Ford and was introduced in 1997. This fluid is in current use. Mercon V is the latest type introduced by Ford. Dextron is the ATF that was originally used for General Motors’ automobiles. Dextron II, Dextron IIE, Dextron III are some of the improved variants of Dextron. The MECRON and DEXTRON series are two of the main specifications of ATF. Every automobile manufacturer recommends one of the ATF specifications in the vehicle owner’s manual. ATF products are sold under the license from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) that has established the specifications.

It is important to check your car’s automatic transmission fluid level every month. It is necessary to improve the performance of those automobile components, which show a lack of smooth shifting. The owner’s manual will furnish you with the details on replacing the automatic transmission fluid of your automobile. For older vehicles, the recommended interval between consecutive additions of ATF is about 24,000-30,000 miles of running. How to check the ATF level of your vehicle? Here’s how.

In order to check the level of the automatic transmission fluid in your car, you need to park it in the gear position ‘park’ or neutral’. Generally you need to let the engine warm up. So leave the car engine in the running state for some time, unless the owner’s manual suggests otherwise.

Next, find the dipstick, which is located behind the car engine and remove it. Then, push the stick back and remove it again. This time, observe the tip of the dipstick. See if there are two markings, one for the cold readings and the other for the warm ones. Check the level of the ATF. If it does not match with the ‘full’ mark on the dipstick, you surely require adding ATF. Wondering where to add it? Well, it needs t be added into the hole, from which the dipstick came out. You can use a funnel to do it. Do not forget to put back the dipstick to where it was after the fluid test is done.

ATF is a somewhat neglected but very important constituent of an automobile engine. The automatic transmission system has worked wonders by automating the process of changing automobile gears. The automatic transmission fluid is like one of its ‘essential nutrients’!