Does transmission fluid have to be specific?

Car transmissions are delicate mechanisms. Some transmission fluids are very incompatible with different transmission types as they use different additives in the fluids. Your car transmission needs the correct fluid, as specified by your car manufacturer, to run correctly and to the fullest length of life.

What fluid do you put in a transmission?

Automatic transmissions use a special type of oil, called Automatic Transmission Fluid, or ATF. This fluid has a number of duties in the transmission, including lubrication, cooling and clutch application.

What are the three basic types of automatic transmission fluid?

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) However, there are many different types of ATFs available from Mercon V and Mercon LV to Dexron VI and Matic S, K or D. It can be extremely confusing and the right fluid will depend completely on your vehicle’s specific make and model.

What causes sludge in transmission?

Just like the oil in a cars engine, automatic transmission fluid {ATF) suffers from heat, friction, oxidation and electrochemical degradation. Once this process starts, a transmission’s vital parts begin to clog with sludge and varnish deposits.

What happens if I use the wrong transmission fluid?

Using the wrong fluid can cause poor lubrication, overheating, and possibly transmission failure. A mechanic might not be able to reverse the damage, even by flushing the transmission. Mistakenly adding motor oil or brake fluid can also destroy your transmission.

Can I use any brand transmission fluid?

Fluid Type Start by checking your vehicle’s owner’s manual. This will show you exactly which type of transmission fluid you need, so you’re prepared to pick the best one in that class. Keep in mind that most cars use either Dexron or Mercon, but some imports will require brand-specific transmission fluid.

Does transmission fluid brand matter?

Brand doesn’t matter but fluid specifications really do, especially with automatic trans fluids. Put the wrong stuff in and your clutch packs burn out fast. Same applied to limited slip differentials. It has to do with the ‘friction modifiers’, additives designed to make the clutches slip (or not) properly.

Are all transmission fluids the same?

Automatic transmission fluids have specific viscosities, friction coefficients, and additives. ATFs are engineered to work with the design of specific automatic transmissions. They are not all the same.

What are symptoms of dirty transmission?

6 Signs Your Transmission Fluid is Bad and Needs Changing

• Dirty transmission fluid.
• Transmission whining noise.
• Gears slipping.
• Can’t go into reverse gear.
• Slipping out of gear.
• Engine running hot.
• Grinding noise.

Can changing transmission fluid fix problems?

Though changing transmission fluid can’t fix mechanical problems, it does make for smoother shifts and can extend the life of your transmission. And even when manufacturers recommend fluid change intervals of 150,000 miles under normal conditions, it may be a good idea to change it more frequently.

What will happen if you use the wrong transmission fluid?

Is DEXRON 3 compatible with dexron VI?

Dex 6 is fine to mix with Dex 3. Just do filter and replaced drained fluid. Dont forget to clean off magnet and put back.

Can changing transmission fluid help shifting?

How do I know if my transmission fluid needs to be changed?

Things such as trouble going into gear, hard shifts or thumps between gears, slipping or jumping gears, delay in acceleration, and strange noises such as whining or grinding are all signs it’s time to change the transmission fluid.

Should you change your transmission fluid if it’s never been changed?

There are many fluids that run throughout your vehicle, but one of the most important to keep track of is the transmission fluid. Whether or not you should change it is not a matter of debate: Yes, you should.

Is full synthetic transmission fluid better?

With their improved resistance to the heat and cold, as well as sheer and oxidation, many manufacturers have already discontinued organic-based compounds in favor of synthetics. Synthetic automatic transmission fluids also tend to last longer, making them the overall recommended choice.

Is it OK to mix transmission fluids?

Is it OK to mix synthetic ATF with a conventional and/or synthetic blend ATF? Yes. Synthetic ATF and conventional fluids are 100 percent compatible with each other.

Is DEXRON 3 still made?

All Dexron-III (H) licenses expired permanently at the end of 2011, and GM now supports only Dexron-VI fluids for use in their older automatic transmissions. Aftermarket fluids asserted by their manufacturers to meet Dexron-III(H) and earlier standards continue to be sold under names such as Dex/Merc.