LW-01-133 BASE OIL REQUIREMENTS OF EVOLVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID SPECIFICATIONS

Description:

Over the last decade, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) performance specifications issued by major North American OEMs have required improved low temperature fluidity, oxidation performance, shear stability, friction durability, and wear performance. Meeting these more stringent requirements has been accomplished through a combination of improvements in additive technology and the use of high quality base oils. Base oils employed set the fundamental low temperature capabilities and resistance to oxidation of ATFs. Recently issued ATF specifications have required significant improvements in both of these properties. The practical implication of this evolution is that it is becoming more difficult, and in some cases impossible, to formulate the new generation of ATFs using API Group I basestocks. Future ATF formulations are likely to continue this trend and require API Group II, Group III, and/or synthetic base oils to meet even more stringent performance requirements.