Making the right choice in the automatic transmission fluid can be complicated, and this is because none out of these oils are evident of being the best to be used in a vehicle’s gearbox.
Because of the incorrect specifications of the oil, selecting the wrong fluid may destroy your gearbox. As a result, understanding how to choose the proper transmission oil is critical to avoid transmission failure.
This section will learn further about Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid and get a peek at the other sorts and select the correct oil.
Table of Contents
Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid History And Compatibility
General Motors automobile brands were the first to use it in the mid-1950s. It was employed in all automatic gearboxes during this period. Semi-automatic transmissions, such as the ‘hydra Matic,’ use Type A transmission fluid. From 1949 to 1958, all General Motors-owned brands including Oldsmobile, Bugatti, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Dodge, Chrysler, Desoto, Warwick, and Studebaker utilized General Motors Type “A” transmission fluid.
It was the case until General Motors introduced a new product to take the place of type A. The fluid was referred to as Type “A” suffix “A” fluid. Torque converters, which have just been designed, generate greater temperatures, which this novel fluid can withstand.
Type A transmission fluid was equivalent to type F transmission fluid, and it was used by Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation. This fluid had a rougher texture than type A. It was in use until the mid-60s, when it was supplanted by Dexron and Mercon, among other things.
What Is Type A Transmission Fluid Used For?
The oil acts in the transmission system the same way blood does in the human body and vice versa. If the gearbox is supplied with the incorrect oil with different specifications, it will never perform as planned. In addition to not operating correctly, the wrong oil can put the entire transmission at risk.
An automatic transmission fluid, often known as transmission oil, is composed of essential oil and more than twenty various additives to function flawlessly. The primary function of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is to transmit power, as opposed to manual transmission fluid, which lubricates the internal components of the gearbox.
Type A Transmission Fluids
Type A transmission fluid was equivalent to type F transmission fluid, and it was used by Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor Corporation. This fluid had a rougher texture than type A. It was in use until the mid-60s, when it was supplanted by Dexron and Mercon, among other things.
The Dexron Family
Dexron (B) automatic transmission fluid is the first generation of automatic transmission fluids introduced. They were developed with the introduction of Type A transmission fluid in the mid-1960s. Dexron (B) transmission fluid was made of a more stable, less reactive, and hydrotreated base oil than type A transmission fluid to Dexron (A).
As a result, it has a more excellent heat resistance and anti-oxidation properties. GM dye red was the first company to detect fluid leaks. GM Type “A” Suffix “A” fluids, as well as the Type “A” fluids made by GM and installed in GM cars, are all compatible with this fluid.
Dexron II
The Dexron II was the follow-up to the Dexron I. (B). General Motors created this formulation in the 1970s to provide greater viscosity control and different oxidation inhibitors. It was also the first transmission fluid developed by General Motors for electronic transmission.
Dexron III
As a torque converter and to replace Dexron 2, Dexron III was employed in this application. This generation was often regarded as the most prosperous, and it has enhanced the control of oxidation and corrosion in the environment. Before 2000, Dexron 3 transmission fluid from General Motors represented 80 percent of the transmission fluid market.
Dexron-VI
The Dexron’s popularity lasted until 2006 when the company launched the Dexron-VI, whose design was utilized with 6-speed rear-wheel-drive gearboxes. Dexron-VI was developed to replace the previous Dexron II and III varieties, also known as Dexron II and III. It is a wholly synthetic transmission fluid with low viscosity, and the series has been in production since the 1950s.
Mercon Fluid Family
CJ, a Mercon-type, was the one who began it. In the beginning, it was designed for Ford C-6 automatic gearboxes, and it was created to compete with the GM Dexron 2, which had similar specifications.
Mercon type H
It was designed to meet Ford’s A specification, which varies from General Motors, Dexron, and Ford type of transmission fluids.
Mercon V
It was first launched in 1997 to meet the needs of new models that required a fluid with a low viscosity. This fluid provided a good spread in a short amount of time, allowing the interior components to be lubricated more quickly.
Mercon SP
Mercon SP improved friction by using a Mercon V model that it had updated. At the time, each automobile manufacturer provided its transmission fluid specifications and additives. New kinds emerged, such as the HP/J-Matic gearbox used by Nissan. It’s also found in Infiniti and Subaru vehicles.
There’s also LT7114l for BMW, Diamond SP-II & SP-Ill for Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, T, T-III, T-IV for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion ZL ATF for Honda (excluding CVT vehicles).
All automatic transmission fluids are utilized for automobiles with a traditional automatic 4/6 speed gearbox. Other transmission systems, such as Dual Clutch and CVT transmissions, need a particular type of oil and unique mechanical transmission fluid grades.
How To Check And Add Transmission Fluid?
If your car hesitates while shifting gears, check the transmission fluid level before allowing any technician to start talking about maintaining, adjusting, or selling you a new gearbox. Look for a dipstick handle poking out of your automatic gearbox to check the fluid level.
Automatic transmission fluid inspection steps:
Step 1:
Find a level parking spot. To check the fluid level, it must park the automobile, thus looking for a flat place to park on.
It’s a good practice to shift through each gear before changing into “Park” and letting the engine idle if the gearbox includes a manual gear selection.
Step 2:
Remove the hood and open it. To lift the hood, there is usually a switch within the vehicle that raises the hood a little bit, and a lever on the front of the hood, typically accessible via the grille, it must push that.
Step 3:
Determine the location of the transmission fluid pipe. You may find an automatic transmission fluid pipe under the hood. Because something is usually tucked away, please plan to spend some time looking for it.
Step 4:
Take the dipstick out. Before completely removing the dipstick, prepare a cloth or paper towel.
Use your free hand to grab the dipstick with the cloth and wipe the fluid off as you draw it out. Re-insert the dipstick all the way and draw it out to precisely verify the level.
Take a minute to check the genuine fluid before adding any. It’s usually a clear amber tint, although some are darker brown than others. Keep an eye out for any liquid that seems black or not very clear. If it’s too black, it might be burned, and if it’s milky, it’s tainted. Keep an eye out for air bubbles as well.
Step 5:
Deal with the problems. Now is the moment to remedy any concerns discovered during the fluid inspection.
If the fluid has been burned, it must drain the radiator fluid out since it will not sufficiently protect the transmission’s internal components. If the transmission fluid is burned, it may need to be repaired, and you should seek the help of a professional technician.
How To Choose The Right Type A Automatic Transmission Fluid?
Selecting an automatic transmission fluid has grown a little more complicated in the past ten years. It pays to learn a little more about their makeup so you can make the best decision possible. With so many different fluids, it’s simple to make a mistake.
Ask a transmission builder if you’re unsure which ATF is best for your application. Their suggestions will differ from brand to brand, but they will be based on vital user feedback. It’s preferable to inquire rather than assume.
There are a bewildering number of fluids to select from. Several businesses, notably Driven Racing, provide an ultra-high quality fluid such as AT3 or AT6 if you plan to make your late model GM automatic work hard.
These two ATFs start with a complete synthetic PDO base stock with exceptional shear stability and add an extraordinary array of anti-foaming and anti-corrosion additives on top of it. AT3 has the same viscosity as Dexron III, but AT6 has a lower density and meets Dexron VI criteria.
The 4L60E transmission comes in three different pan depths, requiring three distinct filters, altering the overall capacity. To set the filter at the bottom of the pan, you must choose the filter carefully. Keep in mind that more power does not equal cooler fluid; it just means that the transmission oil will take longer to reach its maximum temperature.
FAQ’s
What type of transmission fluid replaces type A?
In the late 1950s, the “Type A, Suffix A” standard superseded Type “A.” Type A, Suffix A, was eventually superseded by Dexron “B” fluid. Type A and Type A, Suffix A fluids are backward compatible with all generations of Dexron B, Dexron II, and Dexron III ATF products.
Can You Mix Type A And Type F Transmission Fluid?
There’s no issue blending Dexron with Type F; since Type F is “grippier,” shift harshness may be fine-tuned. Because of its more outstanding temperature management and increased viscosity.
Wrap Up
It is essential to determine the gearbox installed in your car when purchasing transmission oil. Depending on the gearbox, a specific oil type with precise viscosity, friction coefficient, and additive requirements is required.
