Get Ready For Towing Season, Use the Best Truck Transmission Fluids

AMSOIL synthetic drivetrain and truck transmission fluids provide maximum protection for summer’s extreme operating conditions.

Whether hauling heavy tools and equipment to a job site or towing a boat for a relaxing weekend on the lake, many vehicles are subjected to extreme operating conditions and hot temperatures in the summer, placing increased stress on drivetrain components.

People commonly overstress their vehicles in the summer by overloading them and pulling trailers, campers or even fifth wheel and boat combinations. As vehicle stress increases, transmission and differential temperatures rise and cause conventional lubricants to thin, resulting in inadequate lubrication that can lead to component failure.

Differentials today are subjected to severe-duty service and encounter more stress and heat than was typical only a few years ago. Modern turbodiesel trucks and vehicles with V-10 engines boast more horsepower and torque, challenging gear oils to provide adequate wear protection, while also providing maximum fuel efficiency.

The extreme pressures and temperatures generated by modern vehicles increase stress on gear lubricants and can lead to a serious condition known as thermal runaway. As temperatures in the differential climb upward, gear lubricants lose viscosity and load-carrying capacity. When extreme loads break the lubricant film, metal-to-metal contact occurs, increasing friction and heat. This increased friction and heat, in turn, results in further viscosity loss, which further increases friction and heat. As heat continues to spiral upward, viscosity continues to spiral downward. Thermal runaway is a vicious cycle that leads to irreparable equipment damage from extreme wear, and ultimately catastrophic gear and bearing failure.

The AMSOIL “Tow Package”

AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Automatic Truck Transmission Fluids (ATF, ATL) and SEVERE GEAR® Synthetic Gear Lube (SVG, AGL, SVT, SVO) provide maximum protection in demanding environments such as towing, hauling and commercial use, providing increased lubricant film protection and reduced wear at elevated temperatures. They are formulated for extended drain intervals of up to 50,000 miles in severe service and 100,000 miles in normal service, or longer where specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Field Proven

To demonstrate its effectiveness in severe service, Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF was installed in Las Vegas taxi cabs. The vehicles routinely encountered demanding stop-and-go driving loaded with passengers and cargo, while the desert environment presented extremely hot ambient temperatures, placing enormous strain on the fluid.

Following 180,000 miles (289,682 km), a transmission was selected for analysis. The Aluminum Beaker Oxidation Test (ABOT) is an industry-standard test used to determine a truck transmission fluid’s oxidation resistance, which is a good indicator of its service life. Testing by an independent, third-party lab revealed that after 180,000 miles in severe service, Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF resisted oxidation longer than required for new fluid to meet the Chrysler ATF+4 specification (see graph). Internal components, including the valve body and clutch plates (pictured), were virtually free of damaging sludge, deposits and wear, confirming the lubricant’s high level of protection for severe-service applications.

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