DEVELOPING TRANSAXLE FLUID

EXTENSIVE TESTING by GM Research Laboratories has screened five promising transaxle fluids out of 32 mineral-oil-base fluids, 10 synthetic-base fluids, and numerous additive-base stock combination fluids. This paper discusses the findings of the testing and the continuing program on the five fluids.

Transaxle fluids have a number of properties affecting performance, including:

• High-temperature viscosity.
• Low-temperature fluidity.
• Shear resistance.
• Friction properties.
• Oxidation resistance.
• Antifoam quality.
• Effect on seals.
• Fluid-clutch plate compatibility.
• Antiwear quality.
• Extreme-pressure quality.
• Antirust and anticorrosion qualities.*