Automotive transmission fluid and how to choose the right one for each type: AT, CVT, DCT, MT

In reality, transmission fluid is not just for lubrication. Depending on the type of transmission, the fluid also directly participates in pressure transmission, friction control, cooling, and protecting internal components. That's why you can't simply choose any type of transmission fluid.

Currently, Gartz's transmission fluid range is clearly divided into groups such as 9G-HP, G6, 6HP, ATF G4, CVT RED, DCTF, CVT GOLD, 7G-Tronic, MT 75W85, and DSG Fluid. This classification shows that Gartz focuses on specialized transmission fluids, rather than using a single type of fluid for all vehicles.

Transmission fluid and its true role in vehicle operation.

At first glance, many people think that transmission fluid is only for lubrication. But in modern cars, the role of transmission fluid is much broader.

- In automatic transmissions (AT), oil helps transmit hydraulic pressure, lubricate, cool, and control clutch friction.

- In a CVT transmission, the oil directly determines the grip between the belt and the pulley.

- With DCT and DSG transmissions, the oil must both withstand high temperatures and maintain stable friction for the clutch to function accurately.

- With manual transmissions (MT), the oil needs to be compatible with the synchronizers and gears; thicker oil isn't necessarily better.

When the oil degrades or the wrong type is used, the car may not break down immediately. However, inside the transmission, slippage, wear, incorrect pressure, or deposit formation may begin. This is a type of silent failure, but the repair costs are usually very high.

Why can't you choose transmission fluid using the "any fluid will do" approach?

The most common mistake is thinking that all transmission fluid is the same. In reality, AT is different from CVT, CVT is different from DCT, DCT is different from DSG, and manual transmissions are even more different.

If you choose the wrong oil, common mistakes include:

- The car jerks when shifting gears.

- The car is delayed when shifting into D or R.

- The engine makes a whistling sound when accelerating.

- Vibration occurs when running slowly.

- slip numbers

- hot gearbox

- Wear of the clutch, pulley, or gear assembly.

The problem here is that the fault doesn't appear immediately after an oil change. The car may still run for a while, but the transmission has already started to deteriorate from the inside. By the time the owner realizes it, it's usually no longer just a matter of changing the oil.

Classification of transmission fluids according to transmission systems.

Automatic transmission fluid

AT stands for traditional automatic transmission. This is a very common type of transmission in mainstream cars and many European car models.

Gartz's AT oil range currently includes:

- GARTZ 9G-HP - 9-speed transmission fluid

- GARTZ G6 - Transmission fluid for 6-speed, 8-speed, and 10-speed vehicles.

- GARTZ 6HP - ZF 6HP Gear Oil

- GARTZ ATF G4 - 4-speed transmission fluid

- GARTZ 7G-Tronic - 7-speed transmission fluid

This group is compatible with many Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, BMW, Mercedes, and Audi models, depending on the gearbox configuration and technical specifications.

CVT transmission fluid

CVT stands for continuously variable transmission, which operates using pulleys and a metal belt. This type of transmission is very sensitive to oil.

Gartz currently offers:

- GARTZ CVT RED - CVT Transmission Fluid

- GARTZ CVT GOLD - Premium CVT transmission fluid

CVT fuel requires:

- extremely stable coefficient of friction

- good anti-foaming properties

- high load-bearing capacity

- good thermal stability

Using the wrong CVT fluid can easily cause the car to make a whining sound during acceleration, jerk slightly, slip the belt, and wear out the pulleys faster than normal.

DCT and DSG transmission fluids

DCT stands for dual-clutch transmission. DSG is a type of dual-clutch transmission commonly found in European cars.

Gartz currently offers:

- GARTZ DCTF - DSG Dual Clutch Transmission Fluid

- Gartz DSG Fluid - DSG Gear Oil

This group has very stringent oil requirements because the oil must withstand high temperatures, control friction, and protect the clutch assembly, mechatronics, and internal drivetrain.

Using the wrong type of oil can cause the car to vibrate at low speeds, jerk when shifting gears, or overheat the transmission more quickly.

Manual transmission (MT) oil

With manual transmissions, many people often pay little attention to transmission fluid. But in reality, manual transmissions still need the correct fluid to protect the synchronizers, gears, and to help the car shift gears more smoothly.

Gartz currently offers:

- Gartz MT 75W85 - Manual Transmission Fluid

If a manual transmission car uses the wrong oil or the oil has been left for too long without being changed, common symptoms include difficulty shifting gears, stiff gears, or noises when shifting.

How to choose the right transmission fluid for each type of vehicle.

To choose the right transmission fluid, don't start by the brand. The correct approach is to start by the type of transmission your vehicle uses.

- Older automatic transmission (AT) vehicles often follow the ATF G4 group.

- Automatic transmission (AT) vehicles with 6, 8, or 10 speeds travel in the G6 group.

- European cars use the ZF 6HP engine and come with a 6HP engine.

- Mercedes offers 7-speed and 9-speed transmissions based on either 7G-Tronic or 9G-HP technology.

- CVT cars come with either CVT RED or CVT GOLD technology.

- Dual-clutch transmissions follow either DCTF or DSG Fluid.

Manual transmission vehicles use MT 75W85.

Choosing the right oil from the start helps your car run more smoothly, shift gears more precisely, and significantly reduces the risk of major repairs later on.

Signs that your transmission fluid needs checking

Car owners shouldn't wait until their vehicle displays an error code to check the transmission fluid. In fact, degraded fluid often shows subtle signs beforehand.

- The car shifts gears with jerky movements.

- The car shifts into D or R slowly.

- The engine makes a whistling sound when accelerating.

- The gearbox vibrates when running slowly.

- The car is sluggish.

- It's difficult to shift gears with a manual transmission.

- The oil smells burnt or has changed color.

These are early warning signs. If addressed at this stage, the cost usually only involves an oil change or basic inspection. If left untreated, the likelihood of needing major repairs is very high.

Gartz's perspective

Based on operational experience in Vietnam, gearbox failures don't usually start with serious damage right away. They begin with very minor issues:

- using the wrong oil

- Change the oil too late.

- Use multi-purpose oil for various transmission systems.

- Ignore early signs such as slight twitching, whistling, or delay.

Traffic conditions in Vietnam also cause transmission fluid to degrade faster than theoretically expected:

- There's a lot of traffic congestion.

- high temperature

- running short distances continuously

- heavy-duty or service vehicles

That's why Gartz develops separate transmission fluid lines for each product series, instead of grouping them under a single code. This is the right approach if they want to delve deeply into transmissions and help users choose the right product for their specific vehicle condition.

Conclude

Transmission fluid is a crucial but often overlooked maintenance item. Choosing the right transmission fluid should be based on:

- the right type of gearbox

- meeting standards

- under operating conditions

- at the right time for maintenance

With Gartz's current product range, users can clearly categorize oils into AT, CVT, DCT, DSG, and MT types, instead of choosing oil based on intuition. Choosing the right oil from the start means you're not just changing your oil, but also protecting one of the most expensive components in your car.