AMSOIL Synthetic ATF Excels
in MERCON V Aluminum Beaker Oxidation Test
Automatic transmission
technology has quickly evolved in recent years, and automakers
are demanding higher quality, longer lasting transmission
fluids to protect these transmissions in extreme conditions.
In fact, Ford Motor Company recently retired its MERCON automatic
transmission fluid specification. Its current MERCON V specification
requires significantly improved anti-oxidation, antiwear and
anti-shudder properties over previous specifications.
The MERCON V Aluminum
Beaker Oxidation Test (ABOT) is a 300-hour oxidation test
in which a gear pump circulates and shears the test lubricant
in an aluminum beaker. Fluid temperature is maintained at
311 degrees F (155 degrees C), and samples are drawn and analyzed
at intervals throughout the test. In addition, metal catalysts
are submerged in the lubricant to evaluate its tendancy to
attack metal materials commonly found inside transmissions.
To show the superior
performance of AMSOIL
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) in extreme
operating conditions and over extended drain intervals, an
independent laboratory subjected both AMSOIL Synthetic ATF
and Texaco Havoline petroleum ATF, a MERCON V product, to
extended ABOT testing, which includes tests for viscosity
increase and total acid number (TAN). A Brookfield Viscosity
Test, as stipulated by MERCON V, was also performed to determine
the cold temperature performance of the lubricants.
Viscosity
Increase Test
In order to pass
the requirements of MERCON V, automatic transmsission fluids
must not exceed a 25 percent viscosity increase following
300 hours of testing. AMSOIL Synthetic ATF easily passed the
300-hour ABOT test, exhibiting no viscosity increase.
The test was allowed to continue for 1,106 hours, over three
times the standard test length. Even after 1,106 hours, AMSOIL
Synthetic ATF exhibited a minimal 6.45 percent viscosity increase,
still easily passing MERCON V requirements for 300 hours.
Texaco Havoline
ATF did not fare as well. Although it passed the 300-hour
test requirements with a 10.66 percent viscosity increase,
its viscosity increased significantly as the test was allowed
to continue. It exceeded the 25 percent viscosity increase
mark after 500 hours, then soared to a 3,539.04 percent viscosity
increase after 1,012 hours.
Total Acid
Number (TAN) Test
MERCON V requirements
do not allow a total acid number exceeding 3.5 mg following
300 hours of testing. Measured at 0.4 mg following 300 hours
of testing, AMSOIL Synthetic ATF easily passed this portion
of the test. Even after 1,106 hours of extended testing, AMSOIL
Synthetic ATF easily passed MERCON V requirements for 300
hours. In fact, its TAN of 2.7 mg after 1,106 hours was lower
than the 3.2 mg TAN of Texaco Havoline ATF after 300 hours.
Although Texaco Havoline ATF passed 300-hour test requirements,
it again showed its inability to provide protection over extended
intervals, climbing to a TAN of 7.50 mg after 1,012 hours
of testing.
Brookfield
Viscosity Test
The Brookfield
Viscosity Test involves preheating the test lubricant and
allowing it to stabilize at room temperature before transferring
it to a glass cell with a special spindle. The glass cell
is placed into a cold cabinet for 16 hours at a predetermined
temperature of between 5 and -40 degrees C (41 degrees F to
-40 degrees F). A viscometer rotates the spindle within the
lubricant at the speed giving a maximum torque reading of
the viscometer, and the reading is used to calculate the viscosity
of the lubricant. The lower the cold temperature viscosity
(measured in cP), the better the cold temperature protection.
The MERCON V specification requires a maximum Brookfield viscosity
of 13,000 cP.
The Brookfield
viscosity of the automatic transmission fluids was measured
before the test began and again at the conclusion of the test.
The Brookfield viscosity of the AMSOIL Synthetic ATF measured
8.770 cP. at the beginning of the test, easily meeting MERCON
V requirements of 13,000 cP. Following 1,106 hours of extended
testing, the Brookfield viscosity of the AMSOIL Synthetic
ATF was 9.570 cP, still easily passing MERCON V requirements.
Texaco Havoline,
on the other hand, exhibited a Brookfield viscosity of 14,400
cP at the beginning of the test, failing to fulfill the requirements
of MERCON V. Following 1,012 hours of testing, its Brookfield
viscosity exceeded 1,000,000 cP.
Conclusions
Oxidation and shearing
forces seriously affected transmission and lubricant performance
and life. The ability of AMSOIL Synthetic ATF to resist oxidation
and shearing forces and maintain its protective qualities
throughout the extended ABOT test clearly demonstrates the
superior transmission protection and performance it provides
over extended drain intervals.
AMSOIL
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) exceeds the
performance requirements for domestic and foreign automatic
transmission fluid applications, providing automatic transmissions,
power steering units and hydraulic equipment with excellent
lubricating protection and better performance over a wider
temperature range than conventional automatic transmission
fluids
Resists thermal
and oxidative degradation
Ensures cool
transmission operation
Provides outstanding
low temperature protection
Improves fuel
economy
Provides smooth
shifting
Maximizes transmission
performance and service life
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saving customers money at the pump and reducing the nation'
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"AMSOIL
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AMSOIL
synthetic motor oils are formulated to surpass engine test
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NOACK Volatility Test
The NOACK
Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss
of lubricants in high temperature service. The more
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contributing to poor circulation, reduced fuel economy
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is applicable to any manufacturing and service organization
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