Does Transmission fluid Affect Fuel Consumption?

Does transmission fluid affect fuel consumption? When shopping for a new vehicle, maintenance costs are some factors you will consider. Fuel consumption is the fundamental question every new buyer asks. Having a fuel-efficient truck reduces ownership expenses.

Things have changed in the automotive industry, and most manufacturers are scrambling to produce vehicles that do not consume too much fuel. They achieve this by downsizing the sizes of engines, fitting turbo-chargers, and using direct fuel injection and hybrid technology. The transmission system is a part where the manufacturers have developed a keen interest in fuel efficiency.

Since the transmission system is an area of interest, does it affect the rate at which your vehicle consumes fuel? This guide tries to answer the above question by looking at any possibility that the number of gears affects fuel consumption and the effects of transmission fluid on fuel consumption.

What Are the Effects of the number of Gears on Fuel Economy?

Most manufacturers try to do away with the four, five, and six-speed gearboxes that dominate the market in the modern automotive industry. Nowadays, you can find transmissions with seven to ten different gear ratios. 

Adding more gear ratios increases fuel economy and gives smooth acceleration. When there are more gear ranges in a transmission system, the gear ratio will be small, and the throttle will be very responsive, contributing to fuel economy. 

Due to fuel efficiency considerations, most vehicles have at least six-speed gears.

Does Transmission fluid Affect Fuel Consumption?

The transmission fluid in the gearbox performs the same role as your blood. It reduces the friction between the moving metallic parts of the transmission system. Friction in the transmission system contributes to measurable fuel consumption in your truck. 

Old transmission fluid will not be able to lubricate effectively, exposing the transmission system to friction. Due to friction, the metallic parts of the transmission system will strain the engine to burn more fuel for them to function effectively.

Synthetic transmission fluid is the best option for your transmission system. Such fluid has tiny molecules compared to ordinary transmission fluids. The presence of smaller molecules enables it to reduce friction in the transmission system.

When the transmission fluid is contaminated, it will be unable to lubricate the moving parts of the transmission system effectively. Such parts will start to strain, making your truck consume more fuel.

Conclusion

So, does transmission fluid affect fuel consumption? The transmission system is a part of a vehicle that the engine depends on to transmit power to the wheels. The engine and the transmission system share a lot of similarities, both of them have moving parts. Apart from the moving parts, both depend on certain fluids to function. The engine relies on engine oil, while the transmission system relies on the transmission fluid.

The transmission fluid facilitates the smooth functioning of the moving parts within the transmission system. When the transmission fluid is contaminated or exhausted, it cannot function efficiently. As a result, the engine will strain to generate more energy for the transmission system to work effectively.