What does transmission fluid do and what is the best kind?

Your ATF or Automatic Transmission fluid is the most important aspect of maintaining your transmission and giving it the fullest life. It keeps the correct pressure within the transmission system and is also a cooling device to keep the gears and transmission from overheating. this important lubricating agent also prevents wear and grinding of metal from the gears.

Transmission fluid is a special formula of synthetic liquids and oils with advanced chemical properties such as detergents, anti-rust and corrosion inhibitors, and other additives like dispersants and surfactants, seal swell agents, kinematic viscosity index improvers and modifiers. New transmission fluid is a pink in color but gets very dark over time when it breaks down and becomes less effective. As this happens, it gathers contaminants and metal shavings. When this happens, your transmission fluid fails to do its job and the entire system begins a breakdown process that leads to part failures.

We have also seen water creep into the fluid from the radiator which ruins the capabilities of the fluid. It is important to have your transmission flushed periodically and new transmission fluid added with new filters. This is a critical part of your transmission maintenance schedule and can save you a lot of money in the long run. Your car or truck manufacturer's ATF specifications, usually found in your owner's manual will be followed by The Lake Worth Transmission Repair Shop so that you get the exact transmission fluid your automobile needs.