Motor Oil Info

Transmission fluid viscosity has a tremendous effect on the mechanical efficiency of an automatic transmission. During the transfer of power in the transmission, over 40% of the total energy losses are due to the transmission pumping automatic transmission fluid to the working components of the transmission. Test relating to torque losses associated with pumping automatic transmission fluid at different temperatures have shown that a temperature rise of 150F can increase the mechanical efficiency in an automatic transmission by as much as 37.5%. This data means that increases in mechanical efficiencies are directly caused by thinner oil (lower viscosity). When ambient temperatures drop; the fluid gets thicker, and transmission efficiencies decrease which greatly reduces effective useful power and efficiency of the transmission.

Automatic transmission fluid is an important component in an automatic transmission. Fiber plates contact metal plates, bearing contact bearing races, gears contact gears, and automatic transmission fluid comes in contact and lubricates all of them. Cold temperatures can cause conventional automatic transmission fluids to increase in viscosity, causing a decrease in automatic transmission efficiency. This efficiency decrease is often referred to as sluggish operation; which demands more energy from the engine to actuate all the parts that come into contact with the automatic transmission fluid. AMSOIL Synthetic oils are not affected by temperature reductions as much other oils and will have better low temperature pumpability and therefore better mechanical efficiency. Better efficiency can provide better fuel economy.