When you learned to drive a car, was it a stick shift or an automatic transmission? It used to be common for people to learn to drive by stalling out the clutch and wrenching back and forth between gears until you learned to transition smoothly while driving, but now that’s not the case. In fact, according to CarMax, 96% of Americans drive automatic vehicles today. In 2018, manual vehicles accounted for only 2% of all cars sold in the US!

As a fleet manager or business owner, you’re probably getting more vehicles in your fleet with automatic engines now than you used to. It might just be because most newer vehicles are automatic, or maybe it’s because most of your staff only know how to drive automatic vehicles. Whatever the reason, if you have more automatic vehicles in your fleet, it’s time to switch to products designed for these types of engines, especially for transmission fluid.

Introducing the new Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF transmission fluid
If you’re looking for a quality transmission fluid compatible with several automatic engine models, the new Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle transmission fluid is a great find. Chevron designed this transmission fluid to combine the power of synthetic lubrication for a wider variety of vehicles. This product stands out compared to Chevron’s previous synthetic ATF fluid because it is licensed for both GM DEXRON®- VI and Ford MERCON® -LV specifications. Meeting the specifications for both these engine types allows this fluid to be used on a wide variety of vehicles here in North America. If you service multiple engine types or have different brands in your fleet, this one fluid will meet all your transmission needs.

Features of the Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF
So what exactly is it that makes this transmission fluid stand out? For one, it’s a premium low viscosity, full synthetic formulation. It’s made with high purity synthetic base oils, which helps prevent foaming and will protect the transmission from wear, corrosion, and sludge formation. But it’s more than just superior protection for your transmission. It also:

  • It exceeds the Japanese performance standards, JASO 1A-LV, which means that it’s suitable for use in Japanese and Korean model vehicles.
  • It’s also backward compatible with General Motor DEXRON -III, DEXRON -II, and Dexron engine specifications, which means that it’s recommended for use in many leading car brands, including Toyota, Hyundai, and other import and domestic vehicles.
  • It helps improve fuel economy by reducing transmission drag and increasing efficiency.
  • It reduces maintenance costs by offering high-temperature protection and anti-oxidation properties.
  • It reduces the need for additional additives or lubricant products.
  • It helps maintain friction control, so the transmission shifts gears easier, even under extreme driving conditions.
  • It retains fluid viscosity at high temperatures and under demanding operating conditions, so you can trust that it will last and continue working.

What are the downsides of the Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF?
If there is one downside to this product, it’s that it’s designed for newer engines, so it’s only backward compatible for transmissions to a 2006 model year. In addition, the fluid is designed to work best with vehicles still under warranty to keep their transmissions in great shape. But for older vehicles, Chevron still has the answer, their Havoline® Global Multi-Vehicle ATF fluid. This synthetic transmission fluid offers many of the same benefits as the newer blend but works better with older engines with different engine technology and standards. Like the newer product line, this ATF fluid is recommended for use in import vehicle brands and can be used in various vehicle models.

Automatic engines are the future (at least in the US)
One of the most significant advantages of the Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF transmission fluid is its compatibility with many vehicles. If you own a quick lube business, imagine how much easier it would make changing out transmission fluid for your customers? Instead of hunting all over the shop for a compatible fluid, you’d have one quality, synthetic fluid available for all your customer’s needs. That’d be pretty handy!

Here in the United States, automatic transmission are the leading engine type since 2012, according to data from the EPA. New engine improvements, including adding more gears to automatic transmissions, have made them more efficient. These engines respond much faster than they used to, so you can still get the same responsiveness you’re used to when driving a manual vehicle. These shifts have made it much more challenging to buy a new vehicle with a manual transmission in the United States compared to Europe, where manual transmissions are still standard for most vehicles. Ivan Drury, a senior analyst for Edmunds.com, predicts that most dealers will eventually completely phase out manual transmissions in the US. He says, “For automakers, it will be simpler when the manual dies. It’s kind of a hassle to them to offer both, same with dealer. Given market forces, it’s going to go away.”

The shift from manual to automatic transmissions and the engine changes that came with it pushed Chevron to create a powerful synthetic transmission fluid that works for many vehicles. The research team at Chevron is always looking for new and innovative ways to bring the best fuel and lubricant products to the market based on the latest technology. This transmission fluid is just another example of their ingenuity!

Order all your lubricant and shop fluids from Greg’s Petro!
Choosing the proper lubricant and automotive fluids supplies isn’t easy, but the right supplies can improve your engine performance and keep your vehicles in great shape for years to come. As a fuel and lubricant supplier, we offer a wide range of lubricants and automotive supplies for all your vehicle needs. We have nearly everything you’d need to keep your shop stocked for your fleet or your customer’s needs. So if you want to make ordering your automotive and lubricant supplies easier, contact your Greg’s Petroleum Service representative today. They can help you get started with your regular order and offer lubricant and fuel recommendations based on your needs.