What Is The Difference Between Transmission Fluid And Engine Oil?
What Is Transmission Fluid?
Transmission fluid is a lubricant that is used to lubricate the gears, bearings, and other moving parts within a vehicle’s transmission. This fluid helps to reduce friction and wear between the gears, allowing the transmission to function smoothly and efficiently. Transmission fluid also helps to cool the transmission by transferring heat away from the gears.
Majorly 2 kinds are; automatic and manual. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is used in vehicles with automatic transmissions, while manual transmission fluid (MTF) is used in vehicles with manual transmissions. The main difference between the two is that ATF is designed to work with the specific components and requirements of an automatic transmission, while MTF is designed to work with the specific components and requirements of a manual transmission.
What Is Engine Oil?
Engine oil is a lubricant that is used to lubricate the moving parts within a vehicle’s engine. This oil helps to reduce friction and wear between the parts, allowing the engine to function smoothly and efficiently. Engine oil also helps to cool the engine by transferring heat away from the parts.
There are many different types of engine oil, each designed to work with specific types of engines and driving conditions. For example, conventional oil is a mineral-based oil that is suitable for most types of engines and driving conditions, while synthetic oil is a synthetic-based oil that is designed to provide one step ahead of performance and security in extreme conditions.
Differences between Transmission Fluid and Engine Oil
Purpose
The main purpose of transmission fluid is to lubricate and cool the transmission, while the main purpose of engine oil is to lubricate and cool the engine.
Composition
Transmission fluid and engine oil are made of different types of base oils and additives. Transmission fluid is typically made of mineral oil and a variety of additives, while engine oil is made of either mineral oil or synthetic oil and a variety of additives.
Compatibility
Transmission fluid and engine oil are not interchangeable and should never be mixed. Automatic transmission fluid is designed to work specifically with automatic transmissions, while manual transmission fluid is designed to work specifically with manual transmissions. Similarly, different types of engine oil are designed to work with different types of engines and driving conditions.
Maintenance
Transmission fluid and engine oil both require regular maintenance, but the maintenance requirements are different. Transmission fluid typically needs to be changed more frequently than engine oil, usually every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Engine oil typically needs to be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.
In conclusion, transmission fluid and engine oil are two different lubricants that play important roles in keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Transmission fluid is specifically designed to lubricate and cool the transmission, while engine oil is specifically designed to lubricate and cool the engine. It is important to use the correct type of fluid for your specific vehicle and to maintain them regularly to ensure the proper functioning of your vehicle.