Driveline
AMSOIL synthetic driveline lubricants are engineered to protect transmissions, differentials, transfer cases and other heavily loaded drivetrain components. The range includes automatic transmission fluids, gear and differential oils and specialised transmission fluids for automotive, commercial and equipment applications.
Choose a category below to explore AMSOIL driveline lubricants designed for reliable shifting, wear protection and performance across demanding operating conditions.
Choosing the Right Driveline Fluid
A vehicle's driveline transfers power from the engine to the wheels, placing lubricants under substantial mechanical, thermal and hydraulic stress. Depending on the vehicle or equipment, the driveline may include an automatic transmission, manual transmission, differential, transfer case, final drive or hydrostatic transmission, each with its own lubrication requirements.
AMSOIL offers synthetic driveline lubricants for automotive, motorcycle, powersports, marine and equipment applications. The range includes automatic transmission fluids, manual transmission and transaxle lubricants, gear and differential oils, specialised ATV and UTV fluids, motorcycle and marine gear lubricants and hydrostatic transmission fluids.
Viscosity Is Only Part of the Specification
Choosing the correct driveline lubricant requires more than matching a viscosity grade. Two fluids with similar viscosity can have very different friction characteristics, additive systems and performance specifications depending on the component they were designed to protect.
An automatic transmission may require carefully controlled friction characteristics for clutch operation, while a synchronised manual transmission has different requirements again. Hypoid differentials require strong extreme-pressure protection, and specialised powersports or hydrostatic transmissions may use fluids developed specifically around their particular operating systems.
Always identify both the required viscosity and lubricant specification before selecting a replacement fluid.
Automatic and Manual Transmissions
Automatic transmission fluid performs several functions at once, including lubrication, hydraulic operation, cooling and control of clutch engagement. Different transmission designs can require substantially different fluid characteristics, which is why manufacturer specifications such as DEXRON, MERCON and other application-specific requirements are important when selecting an ATF.
Manual transmissions and transaxles can also require specialised lubricants. Where a transmission specifies an API GL-4 gear lubricant, a GL-5 differential oil should not automatically be substituted simply because it carries the same SAE viscosity grade. Learn more in our guide to API GL-4 and GL-5 gear oils.
Differentials, Final Drives and Gearcases
Differentials and final drives can expose lubricants to extremely high pressures where loaded gear teeth contact and slide against one another. Correct viscosity and extreme-pressure performance are therefore essential, particularly in hypoid differentials, towing applications, four-wheel drives, competition vehicles and other severe-service applications.
Limited-slip differentials may also have specific friction requirements, while motorcycle, ATV, UTV and marine drivetrains can use specialised fluids that should not automatically be replaced with conventional automotive gear oil.
Specialised Driveline Applications
Not every driveline uses a conventional transmission and differential arrangement. ATVs and UTVs may specify different fluids for transmissions, front differentials and final drives, motorcycles can use shared or separate lubrication systems, marine gearcases operate in an environment where water contamination is a particular concern and hydrostatic transmissions use hydraulic fluid flow to transmit mechanical power.
Using a purpose-appropriate lubricant is therefore more important than attempting to use one universal fluid throughout every driveline component.
Why Synthetic Driveline Lubricants?
Driveline components can generate substantial heat under towing, heavy loads, performance driving, off-road use and prolonged operation. Synthetic lubricants provide strong resistance to oxidation and lubricant breakdown while maintaining dependable protection across a wide range of operating temperatures.
The appropriate AMSOIL product depends on the component and its required specification rather than simply choosing the highest-performance product available.
Find the Correct Driveline Lubricant
Use the AMSOIL Vehicle Product Finder to identify recommended transmission, differential, transfer case and other driveline fluids for your vehicle or equipment. Always check each component individually, particularly where the vehicle uses several different lubricant types.
