Vehicles of all kinds, no matter if passenger or heavy-duty, run thanks to a combination of many different fluids. All of these fluids need to be not only present but also of the highest quality in order for the vehicles to be in proper working condition. One of these fluids is definitely the transmission fluid. Not many people are familiar with transmission oils, and especially all the additives and their roles in the vehicle system. So, let us learn more about transmission oil additives and all of their benefits.
The Role of Transmission Oil?
In general, transmission oil has a role to lubricate the parts inside the gearbox and keep them safe from wear and tear caused by grinding. Both manual and automatic transmissions require transmission lubrication, but in the case of the latter, this fluid also provides the hydraulic pressure and friction necessary for the system to work properly. Another role of transmission oil is to cool off the transmission system and prevent overheating of parts.
What Are Transmission Oil Additives?
All lubricants have two components: base oil and additives. These additives are organic and inorganic substances that improve the properties of the lubricant or add new properties to it. They offer additional performance to the base stock and elevate performance, quality and reliability.
Transmission fluids always break down over time, causing them not to lubricate properly. Luckily, high-quality transmission fluids have additives that boost the life of both the transmission fluid and the transmission system. They also improve the natural tendency of oils to change viscosity depending on the temperature. For instance, high-quality hydrostatic transmission oil with additives maintains viscosity over a large temperature range.
Benefits of Transmission Oil Additives
High-quality transmission oils provide users with various benefits that can improve and prolong proper transmission fluid performance. All those who might be interested to start investing in the best transmission fluids should be familiar with all the advantages of this move:
1. Boosting Transmission Lifespan
Probably the most important benefit consumers are looking for is the improvement of transmission lifespan, especially for heavy-duty vehicles. Additives in oil can lower the temperature in the transmission, thus minimizing the damage to the system. Additionally, additives can reduce wear, so the transmission can run for a longer time without needing repair. This is crucial for heavy-duty machinery like trucks, buses and earth-moving vehicles which can greatly benefit from HD transmission oil with additives that ensure prolonged protection even in high-stress environments.
2. Decreasing Sludge Build-up
Over time, transmission fluids start to get thicker and thicker. Due to various contaminants (dirt, dust, shavings, etc.) that mix with oil, transmission fluids will start to solidify and become less liquid and more “sludgy”. The main issue with sludge build-up is the fact that tick oil does not move as easily through the transmission system, which greatly affects its efficiency.
Additionally, thick transmission fluids leave behind residues that can cause damage to the system. When faced with extreme conditions like high temperatures or high load bearings, hydraulic transmission oil with proper additives can prevent impurities from thickening the transmission fluid as fast, ensuring smooth flow for a long time. In the long run, this improves the condition of parts and ensures they stay functional.
3. Preventing leaks
Fluid leaks can cause heavy damage to transmission to all vehicles, especially tractors and other heavy vehicles. Even a small leak can result in a less effective transmission, heavy overheating, rough slips and shifts, especially when the levels of the fluids get under the recommended level. And since transmission oils are corrosive, it is possible to notice damage to other parts of the system they came in contact with as well.
Obviously, transmission additives cannot plug holes in your transmission to stop the leaks once they appear, but they can potentially prevent them. In general, transmission additives protect seals and minimize the risks of small leaks, thus preventing unnecessary damage, contamination and loss of fluids.
4. Saving money
In big machines that need to work long hours under low speed and high torque, such as tractors, maintaining minimal part wear is crucial. With Super tractor transmission oil and additives, these overworked transmissions can remain healthier and without wear for longer. This reduced need for maintenance and repair will save any company money in the long run, while also providing users with improved driving results and better performance.
Summary
When maintaining your vehicles, it is crucial to pay close attention to transmission oil and choose only the highest quality products on the market. Valvoline transmission oils are enriched with top-performance additives specifically designed to prolong the lifespan of your machines and vehicles and ensure a comfortable and safe drive for both passenger drivers and heavy-duty vehicle operators.
For more information and products, check out our full Gear and Transmission page or consult with our expert advisors.