What Are Ultra-Low Viscosity Transmission Oils? 

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Ultra-low viscosity (ULV) transmission oils are the lowest-viscosity transmission fluids on the market, engineered to improve fuel economy. Lower-viscosity lubricants result in better fuel economy, and with the ongoing quest in vehicles for improved fuel efficiency, enhanced performance, and reduced emissions, new transmission designs require an ultra-low viscosity oil. Ford and General Motors now specify ultra-low viscosity transmission fluid in their high-speed 9- and 10-gear automatic transmissions, and oil marketers are developing synthetic ATF fluids that meet Ford and GM specifications. The integration of ULV transmission oils also supports the trend toward vehicle electrification, where energy efficiency and performance optimization are critical for enhancing electric vehicle range and battery life.

How Are Marketers Affected by Ultra-Low Viscosity ATF? 

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Lower-viscosity ATFs require new formulation considerations, primarily the frictional performance of the additive package. A lower-viscosity base oil reduces the resistance within the transmission, and while that is beneficial for fuel economy, it can result in metal-to-metal contact and premature wear without the proper anti-wear additives. Consequently, oil marketers and additive manufacturers face the challenge of balancing reduced viscosity with protective properties. Transmission additive manufacturers like Afton Chemical work closely with automotive manufacturers to develop chemistries that can continue to protect transmissions in ultra-low viscosity formulations.