Automotive Transmission - Power Steering Fluids

The automotive industry uses many fluids, oils, lubricants and greases, two of the most common being those used in automatic transmission and power steering systems.

Power steering systems provide steering assistance to the driver of any vehicle. Power steering systems are a type of servo-mechanism, these being very useful for many drivers as the amount of effort required to turn the steering wheel is minimal.

Most power steering systems in cars use hydraulic systems, but in some cases the steering force is provided by electric motors. Those systems using hydraulics need of course the correct type of hydraulic fluid, a range of synthetic power steering fluids being developed especially for this purpose.

Automatic Transmission Fluids - ATF

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is the fluid used in motorised vehicles which employ 'self shifting' or automatic transmission systems. Normally it is coloured red or green (thus distinguishing it from motor oil and other fluids to avoid misuse).

Such fluids are highly specialised oils developed for the special requirements of automatic transmission systems. Valve operations, 'brake band friction' and the ability to allow the torque converter to operate are just a few of these , not to mention the fact that it must act as a gear lubricater as well
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ATF is also used as a hydraulic fluid in many vehicles which use power assisted steering systems.

Manual Transmission Fluids - Hypoid Gear Oils

The term "hypoid" actually has more to do with the ways engine gearboxes are made than it does with oil. In the early days of automotive engineering, the gearboxes used gears that meshed with each other straight on, this being the simplest method.

It was not long before the designers figured out this gear approach was inefficient (plus it was noisy). Their answer was the "hypoid" design which used two gears shaped a lot like Christmas trees meshing with each other at 90 degrees.

The design was so successful that today every car and vehicle uses it as a standard transmission design. However, the higher pressures that the gears in this design endured meant that the lubrication oils needed had to include ingredients to provide the extra protection and was thus named 'Hypoid Gear Oil'.

Automotive Fluid Research and Development

Throughout exol's history, the product development / technical team has been producing the very best synthetic and semi synthetic oils lubricants and fluids for the automotive industry (as well as the commercial, industrial or agricultural markets) so we know whatever your needs we can help.

Manufacturing and supplying synthetic and semi synthetic oil products from our two sites in Birmingham and Rotherham. Research and development are based at our headquarters in the Midlands, close to the heart of the UK motorway network.

exol’s continuing commitment to producing high quality oils, lubricants and greases, for all different applications means you get maximum performance and quality guaranteed!

Automotive Applications & Manufactures Covered

• Audi
• BMW
• VW
• Vauxhall
• Ford
• Mercedes
• Skoda
• Brake Fluids
• Power Steering Fluids
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• and much more