Understanding the role of transmission fluid in heavy trucks

Transmission fluid is one of the many things that gets you and your cargo where you need to go. Specifically, it's about managing the precise distribution of energy throughout the vehicle. It all happens in the transmission or the gearbox, a box where gears turn at certain speeds to produce the energy transfer needed to get the tires moving.

Transmission fluid helps those gears turn, maintaining efficiency and mitigating damage to the gears.

If you suspect problems with the transmission, or just need help choosing the right transmission fluid to use, you might want to talk to a heavy truck repair mechanic.

How Transmission Works

First, let's look at transmission. Transmission changes the rate of rotation in the gearbox, controlling how energy is distributed to the tires and other parts of the vehicle. Automatic transmission does this by itself, of course, and transmission fluid is there to keep the bearings lubricated. Plenty of fluid is necessary to reduce wear when changing gears.

As a rule of thumb, automatic transmissions have many more moving parts, so transmission fluid should be less viscous. High viscosity slows down the flow of any liquid, which is detrimental when there are so many mechanisms to lubricate. However, it's fine for a manual transmission, which has fewer moving parts.

How Differential Fluid and Transmission Fluid Differ

Automatic and manual transmissions generate different amounts of friction and heat. Thus, they require different levels of viscosity and lubrication to handle the stress. They shouldn't be interchanged with each other or it can cause damage.

Transmission fluid should have:

• Less viscosity
• Resistance to high temperatures and pressure
• Resistance to foaming

You can also get transmission fluids that resist oxidation and endure colder temperatures.

Automated Manual Transmission 

Some large trucks are called automatic but actually have the workings of manual transmission inside. A computer controls the shifting instead of the driver. This is called Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), and it'll require its own special fluid. AMT fluid is specially designed to lubricate and resist temperatures so that the AMT works as efficiently as possible.

How does the computer know when to shift gears? The system reads RPMs and adjusts them as necessary. Drivers don't have to operate the clutch, reducing distractions and fatigue, just like with an automatic. And just like with a manual, they're more energy efficient, losing much less energy than an automatic when directing power to the tires.

That must be why more and more trucks are utilizing AMT.

Why You Should Refill Transmission Fluid Often 

You can be in big trouble if you have low transmission fluid on the road. It can take a long time to get into gear, and your truck may not maintain that gear. Control of the vehicle is essential, so you don't want to be in a situation where the truck becomes unpredictable.

Keep driving with low transmission, and you'll start damaging your internal clutches. It'll even get to the point that the gears don't move at all. Damage the transmission enough and you'll have to replace it.

Have you made double and triply sure that your transmission is in good shape? What about the rest of your vehicle and the rest of your fleet? If you have any doubts whatsoever, consult with trailer repair in Las Vegas to bring every part to perfect working order.