What is automatic transmission fluid (ATF), What Does it Do?

ATF is what cools and lubricates the components within your automatic transmission system. This automatic transmission system is what frees you from having to change your gears manually, converting power from your engine to your steering system and allowing you to steer the vehicle with ease. The fluid lengthens the life of the internal components and ensures that your vehicle is able to function efficiently.

Why is this important

ATF protects the components within your transmission system and prevents them from overheating. Without it, your vehicle would not be able to manage the high amounts of heat energy produced, and the transmission would essentially fail.

Using the incorrect transmission fluid would also cause your transmission system to degenerate if left inside the vehicle for too long. Needless to say, it’s important to ensure that you have the right type of fluid topped up. What are signs of using incompatible fluid.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to have a single type of ATF which is suitable for use in all automatic transmission systems.

This is because each transmission manufacturer will design their system using a variety of different frictional materials. Only a transmission fluid with the right type of additives will be able to satisfy the frictional requirements of that particular transmission system.There are a number of noticeable signs that you are using the incorrect type of automatic transmission fluid, some of which may include longer transmission shifts, problems changing gears, or strange sounds coming from your engine.

If you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned symptoms, then it’s important for you to take your vehicle to a mechanic right away. On the other hand, the computer systems on board many modern vehicles tend to compensate for poor gear shifting, meaning that you could remain fully unaware of a problem with your ATF, as you would not experience the aforementioned symptoms. For this reason, it is imperative that you take your vehicle in for servicing, so that your mechanic can keep an eye on the aspects of your vehicle and ensure all the right fluids are in place.

Eliminating incompatible transmission fluid

Using an incompatible ATF can have devastating effects. So, if you want to reduce as much of the damage as possible that results from leaving an incorrect type of fluid, seek to arrange a transmission fluid flush for your car by your local mechanic, who will use a flushing machine to draw out all the fluid, and then replace it with a more compatible type.
You may have also heard of a transmission change, but don’t make the mistake of getting the two confused. A transmission change will only drain the pan of automatic transmission fluid and replace the filter.

Such a process may not get rid of all the fluid entirely, and as such, remnants could still exist. This service is more so used for the removal of built up contaminants in the fluid over replacing the fluid altogether. Your mechanic will be able to determine the right automatic transmission fluid to use for your vehicle, or it can found in vehicle’s owner’s manual.