What functions does lubricating oil perform in automatic transmissions

Content

How does hydraulic pressure work?
How automatic transmissions work

Automatic transmission oil change services range from 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but more frequent changes won't hurt.

The automatic transmission of a car, like engines, are elements consisting of metal parts and need lubricating oil so that during their operation there is no friction between the gears.

Metal gears interact with each other and create friction. Lubricating oil prevents wear and high temperatures, which eventually weaken the elements until they bend, break or damage them.

However, automatic transmission lubricating oil has other functions, such as: create motion, traction and hydraulic pressure.

How does hydraulic pressure work?

Hydraulic pressure will be responsible for determining what gear ratio should be in the transmission.

The function of the oil is to create hydraulic pressure, circulate through the labyrinth called the valve body, and overcome the resistance of various couplings, ball bearings and springs. As the pressure increases, the car will be able to move more and more and give way to the next speed.

So this makes the difference between manual transmission and automatic transmission. In manual mode, the driver controls the gears using the clutch and changes speed. But the machine itself determines which gear is needed, without the knowledge of the driver.

How automatic transmissions work

All engines in general produce rotation power, which is aimed at the wheels so that they move forward. However, the power of the engine is not enough to make the car move in some cases (this is a matter of physics), because they can only reach a certain range of crankshaft revolutions, optimal torque is needed to move the car. .

In order for a car to go slow enough not to stop, and to go fast enough without destroying itself, a transmission is needed to handle the difference between power and torque.

We must understand that there is a difference between torque y engine power. Engine power is the speed of rotation of the crankshaft and is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). Torque, on the other hand, is the torque force that the motor generates on its shaft in order to certain rotation speed.

Do not forget to keep the automatic transmission in good condition and carry out its maintenance in order to avoid breakdowns.

Automatic transmission oil change services range from 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but more frequent changes won't hurt.