Za Rulem experts told which transmission fluids should not be used when topping up or replacing.
What fluids are used in automatic transmissions?
Fluid designed for automatic transmissions is designated MERCON or ATF Dexron. This is followed by numbers from II to VI, with VI designed for use in the latest units. Mixing of liquids is allowed here, but subject to a certain rule: a modern liquid with the largest number can be added to an older one with a lower number. The reverse sequence is not allowed.
The choice of these fluids is also simplified by the fact that they do not have a viscosity designation, like motor oils. However, there are several automakers that require only “their” fluids to be used in transmissions. For example, Honda recommends ATF-Z1 and Toyota recommends ATF WS.
Vehicles equipped with Jatco CVTs use NS2 or NS3 fluids. And here the numbers mean the same thing: the newer the model, the larger the number.
What fluids are used in variators?
Automakers prohibit mixing fluids for automatic transmissions and CVTs. Each CVT manufacturer uses its own fluid.
If a leak has formed from the variator cooling system, then for a long trip in reserve it is better to have a container with liquid for topping up. It is best, of course, to eliminate the cause of the leak before the trip. You should also check the fluid level in the unit correctly. To do this, the car must be installed on a horizontal section of the road and take into account the temperature of the variator recommended by the manufacturer.
What fluids are used in robotic gearboxes?
Most robotic dual clutch boxes have two separate cavities. In the half containing the gears, ordinary gear oil is poured. The control cavity is filled with a special hydraulic fluid. In this case, only original fluids may be used.
As for robotic boxes with one clutch, the requirements for the working fluid are the same as for mechanical boxes.
What fluids are used in manual transmissions?
For manual gearboxes, GL-4 oil with a low viscosity grade of 75W-80 or 75W-90 is more often used. It is allowed to add oil from different manufacturers, the main thing is to take into account the viscosity index and the GL-4 index. The use of GL-5 for manual transmissions is undesirable because the additives it contains can damage synchronizers.
Distributors and gearboxes
For transfer boxes of all-wheel drive VAZ vehicles, a certain type of oil is used. Hover H5 requires ATF fluid. And in this case, experiments with mixing are unacceptable.
For hypoid gears, only GL-5 oil may be used.
In crossovers, a small amount of oil is required for the front gearbox. For example, for Renault Duster, 250 ml is enough.
Gearboxes with hypoid gearing are equipped not only with heavy SUVs such as Land Cruiser or UAZ. A similar unit can also be used in Crete with all-wheel drive. Crossovers have two hypoid pairs. One is installed in the rear gearbox, the second in front, at the gearbox. Here, an oil with a higher viscosity than in manual gearboxes and heavily loaded units should be used: 75W-140. In gearboxes, hypoid oil is added with strictly appropriate viscosity.
Power steering
In the power steering system, automatic transmission oil is more often used. If leakage occurs, then you can add any ATF fluid. This will protect the power steering pump from dry wear.
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