Can I use transmission fluid for motor oil?

Can I use transmission fluid for motor oil?

ATF isn’t exposed to the same levels of combustion byproducts or contaminants as motor oil, so they are designed with much less detergency. In most cases, adding ATF to motor oil reduces cleaning power. Second, ATF can disrupt the engine oil formulation and reduce its effectiveness.

What kind of oil is used in transmission fluid?

Dexron III/Mercon – This is one of the most common fluids on the market. Most GM and Ford units call for this type of ATF, as well as many imports. If your owners manual recommends any form of Dexron, or any Mercon – other than Mercon V – this is the fluid you want.

What happens if you put transmission oil in the engine oil?

The transmission fluid will not be providing exactly what the engine needs in order to be properly lubricated and you could be causing your engine damage by continuing to run it with the tranny fluid in there. As you’ve suggested, there is a real chance of blowing out seals due to having too much fluid in the engine.

Can you use transmission fluid instead of motor oil?

Originally Posted by jeckronald. It is recommend to not use transmission fluid in place of motor oil in a vehicle. Transmission fluid has a lower viscosity than motor oil, and manufacturers recommend an oil change if transmission fluid is added to the oil.

What type of fluid should I use for my transmission?

While both automatic and manual transmission vehicles utilize transmission fluid, the most commonly used fluid is Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). ATF is typically manufactured with a refined mixture of base oil and a combination of additives.

What happens if you put transmission fluid in engine?

The transmission fluid will not be providing exactly what the engine needs in order to be properly lubricated and you could be causing your engine damage by continuing to run it with the tranny fluid in there. As you’ve suggested, there is a real chance of blowing out seals due to having too much fluid in the engine.

Is gear oil the same as transmission fluid?

Transmission Fluid acts as a coolant in a similar way to gear oil in that it transfers heat away from the mechanisms caused by friction and high pressure, however its boiling point is lower than gear oil and as a result requires additives in order to improve its life expectancy.