Difference Between Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid

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-	Will Mobil 1 Cause Coking Deposits in Older Porsches to Loosen?
-	Does 5W-20 Motor Oil Offer Fuel Economy Advantage over 5W-30?
-	Explain the Advantages of Using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
-	Are More Frequent Oil Changes Required in Humid Locations?
-	Any Harm Switching On and Off of a High Mileage Motor Oil?
-	How Often Should Engines be Started
-	Protection Offered in Dusty Environments by Synthetics
-	Should Synthetic Oil Darkening in Color be Changed?
-	Is the Mobil 1 Sold in Jugs at Wal-Mart the Same as Product Sold Elsewhere
-	Will Mobil Oils Continue Providing SL Rated Protection
-	Is Mobil 1 0W-40 Being Discontinued?
-	Is Synthetic Oil Responsible for Low Oil Pressure
-	What to Use for Camshaft Break-in
-	Will Using a 0W-20 Oil Help Reduce Valve Noise During the Winter
-	Mobil 1 Product for New Cars Requiring a 5W-50W Oil
-	Reason for Check Valves in Engine Oil Filters
-	Value of Changing to Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40
-	Will Mobil 1 Extended Performance Hold Up in a Turbocharged Car?
-	Explain the Terms on the Oil Bottles Such as API SM/CF
-	Best Oil for a High-Performance, High-Heat Engine
-	Multi-Displacement Engines and Engine Oil Viscosity
-	Will Sulfur in Gear Oil Harm Manual Transmission Synchronizers?
-	What Is the Preferred Method of Draining Oil?
-	Correct Oil for Older Engines with Mechanical Pushrods
-	Proper Change Interval to Avoid Moisture Buildup in Infrequently Driven Cars
-	Did Switching from Synthetic to Conventional Oil Contribute to Engine Stalling and Hard Starts?
-	Explain Symbol on Oil Filter
-	Will Mobil 1 0W-40 be Available in Jugs?
-	Will Mixing Synthetic with Conventional Oil Cause a Gel to Form?
-	Is Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 Being Discontinued?
-	Please Clarify if Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Lube LS 75W-90 is a Limited Slip Product?
-	Should 1996 Pickup be Switched to Mobil 1 High Mileage?
-	Will a Highly Modified Car Benefit More from Mobil 1 Extended Performance 10W-30 or Mobil 1 15W-50
-	Can Today's Mobil 1 15W-50 be Used in Diesel Engines?
-	Do Mobil 1 Filters Contain a Lubricated Filter Gasket as Advertised
-	Where on the Bottle is the Manufactured Date?
-	Explain the Difference Between Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 ESP
-	Why Use Mobil 1 0W-40 Instead of Mobil 1 10W-30 in Newer BMWs
-	Why Doesn't Mobil 1 Formally Respond to Amsoil Claims
-	Can 0W-40 be Used Instead of Straight Weight 40W
-	Understanding Viscosity Ratings
-	Using Synthetic Oil with Non Roller Bearing Type Tappets
-	Will You Make Mobil 1 for 4-Stroke Outboards
-	Difference between 5W-40 Products
-	Will Synthetic Oil Degrade Plastic
-	Where Can I Buy Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40
-	Has Zinc Been Removed from Motor Oils
-	Will Mobil 1 High Mileage Help or Contribute to Leaking Seals
-	What Motor Oil to Use in Volkswagen TDI Engines?
-	Using Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40 in a Low-Mileage Motorcycle
-	Will Mobil 1 High Mileage Provide Benefits Compared to Conventional High Mileage Oil?
-	Can Leftover Oil be Combined and Used in the Next Oil Change?
-	Comparing Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 to Mobil 1 10W-30
-	Any Reason to Switch to Mobil 1 High Mileage in Car with No Issues
-	Any Plans to Introduce a Low Ash Oil in the US?
-	Is Thicker Oil a Benefit as Engines Age?
-	Is it Okay to Ignore the Oil Change Reminder when Using Oils with Extended Drains?
-	Should a Car Driven 11,000-Miles/Year Stay on Mobil 1 or be Switched to Extended Performance?
-	Need for a Shortened First Drain Interval After Switching to Mobil 1 Extended Performance?
-	Will Using Synthetics After 30,000 Miles Dry Out Seals and Gaskets?
-	Creamy Substance on Dipstick from Rotary Engine
-	Does Inadvertently Adding Transmission Fluid to Oil Cause Problems?
-	Does Extended Wear Oil Need to be Changed Every Year Despite Mileage?
-	Using 0W-40 Motor Oil Instead of 5W-20
-	Difference Between Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid
-	Does Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50 Meet JASO Standards?
-	Will Higher Mileage Vehicles Leak More When Switched to Synthetic Oil?
-	Oil Has Turned Dark and Milky
-	Does Mobil 1 Contain the Additive for Flat Tappet Cams?
-	Do Short Trips Require More Frequent Change-outs When Using Mobil 1 Extended Performance?
-	Containment of Dirt in Engine Oil During Extended Oil Drains
-	Any Problem Having Residual Conventional Oil in the Engine When Switching to Synthetic?
-	Response to Claims that Products Contain Mostly Mineral Oil
-	Future of 5-Quart Jugs of Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart
-	Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and Mercon Approvals
-	What's the Liquid Dripping from My Grease Gun?
-	Why is Mobil 1, and Not Mobil 1 Extended Performance, Recommended for Newer Corvettes?
-	Is Synthetic Oil Thinner than 'Regular' Oil?
-	Expected Burn Rate for Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil
-	Does Mobil 1 or AMSOIL Provide Best Protection for Longer Drain Intervals?
-	How Do Turbocharged Engines Benefit From Mobil 1
-	Performance Changes to Expect When Switching to Mobil 1 Extended Performance from Conventional Oil
-	Any Reason Not to Use Mobil 1 Extended Performance in Motorcycles with Wet Clutches
-	Does Mobil Have a Synthetic Equivalent for 15W-40?
-	Using an SM-Rated Oil When an SG-Rating is Recommended
-	What Viscosity is Best for a Corvette in Hot Weather Climates?
-	Changing to Synthetic Oil in a New Car
-	Mixing Synthetic and Conventional Motor Oils
-	Should Engines be Flushed When Converting to Synthetic Oil
-	Any Way to Tell if Mobil 1 Was Installed?
-	Lack of a 10W-60 Viscosity in the Mobil Synthetic Product Line
-	Using Mobil 1 in a Mazda Rotary Engine
-	Does Switch to Synthetics Cause 'Dry' Engines to Begin Leaking
-	Will Mobil 1 Reduce Exhaust Smoke in Older Mileage Vehicles
-	Are Chances of Contamination Increased with Longer Change Intervals
-	Mobil Product to Use for Diesel Engines Calling for 15W-40
-	Does Teflon from Oil Filters Impact Oil Performance
-	Use of Mobil 1 in Place of Harley Davidson 20W-50 Oil
-	Response to Amsoil Competitive Claims
-	Use of Mobil 1 0W-40 in an Audi
-	Availability of Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50
-	Shelf Life of Unopened Mobil 1 Quarts
-	Use of Synthetics in Vortec Engines
-	Using Mobil Synthetics in ATVs with Single Oil Supply for Transmission and Engine
-	Types of Synthetic Fluids in Mobil 1 Extended Performance
-	Do Oil Stabilizers Make Conventional Oil Equal to Synthetics
-	Presence of Zinc in Engine Oils
-	Use of Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in a 1999 BMW
-	Use of Mobil 1 Extended Performance in a Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS
-	Oil Change Interval for Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel 5W-40 in a Dodge W2500 Pickup
-	Motor Oil for a Triumph Bonneville
-	Use of Additives with Mobil Engine Oils
-	Oil for Volkswagen TDI Diesel Engines
-	Using a 5W-30 Oil When Warranty Calls for 5W-20
-	Motor Oil for Honda Lawnmower
-	Oil Filter Change Interval with Mobil 1 Extended Performance
-	Switching to Synthetic Oil in Higher Mileage Vehicles
-	Explaining Viscosity Designations
-	Recommended Oil Change Intervals for Mobil Motor Oils
-	Difference Between Car and Motorcycle Oils
-	Protection Provided by 5W-20 Motor Oil
-	Applicability of Synthetic Motor Oil in a 2003 Chevrolet Impala
-	Judging Viscosity Ranges of Multi-Grade Oils
-	Switching to Mobil 1 In High-Mileage Cars
-	Long Drain Intervals in a BMW
-	Mobil 1 vs Mobil Delvac 1 for a Gasoline Engine
-	Switching From Conventional Motor Oil to Mobil 1
-	Oil Change Intervals in a Low-Mileage Mercedes
-	Protecting an Infrequently Used Engine
-	Storing Opened Bottles of Oil

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Question:

Difference Between Motor Oil and Transmission Fluid

I work at an auto parts store and customers ask the difference between motor oil and transmission fluid. What would your explanation be? Quick and simple - to the point.

-- Tim McIlhenny, Bremerton, WA

Answer:

Motor oil is for your vehicle's engine. Transmission fluid is used by your steering system to keep its parts moving smoothly. A couple of differences are the following: 1) an engine is designed to deal with the products of combustion, whereas an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) does not see contaminants from fuel burning. An ATF is basically a closed system and the lubricant must last for a long period of time. An engine oil must be drained to remove contaminants after a relatively short time/or mileage compared to an ATF. Similar additive component types are used, but at different levels and different chemistries. In an ATF, clutch friction is a very important consideration.


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