Fuji, Japan – JATCO Ltd newly develops a performance-restoring additive for continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid.

This newly developed additive is designed to be added to the CVT fluid of existing CVTs and hybrids (e.g., CVT-type hybrid electric vehicles sold in the US and China). By doing so, the shock when engaging/disengaging the wet clutch*1 can be reduced and the durability of the wet clutch can be restored to a level equivalent to that of a full CVT fluid change. In addition, this restoration using the additive can be done repeatedly.
*1: A wet clutch is one where oil is inserted into the main body of the clutch, with the friction couplings occurring within the oil to protect the friction surfaces and provide cooling.

The CVT fluid used by our CVTs is guaranteed to last the life of the product, so fluid changes are unnecessary. As such, applicable customers*2 are those who had been requesting a change of their existing CVT fluid. By using this additive, not only can the performance of the CVT fluid be quickly restored at low cost to a level equivalent to that of a full CVT fluid change, but waste oil can be reduced by roughly 90% compared to a full CVT fluid change.
The technologies used in this additive to restore CVT fluid performance are effective methods towards the realization of a low-carbon, circular society and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
*2: Applicable customers are very high mileage users, such as commercial users and taxis

Newly developed additive                  Effects of the additive (improved wet-clutch friction coefficient (μ))

Since our establishment in 1970, JATCO has manufactured and sold automobile transmissions (CVTs and ATs) to automobile manufacturers and delivered roughly 130 million automatic transmissions globally. With the electrification of vehicles, our plan is to provide e-Axles and other electrified powertrains to the market.

This additive provides 3 benefits*3 to customers over a full CVT fluid change. Moreover, the restoration using this additive can be done repeatedly, allowing long-time users of our products to realize even greater benefits.

*3: Benefits to customers (assuming comparison to a single full CVT fluid change)

1. Environmental: 90% reduction in waste oil

- Before: 5–8 liters/unit for full CVT fluid change (depending on vehicle size)

- After: 0.5 liters/unit to use this additive (the only waste oil is the amount exchanged for the additive)

2. Performance: Recover CVT fluid performance to a level equivalent to that of a full CVT fluid change

- Effect 1: Reduced shock when engaging/disengaging the wet clutch

- Effect 2: Improved durability of the wet clutch

3. Reduced customer burden

- Cost: Aim to reduce by roughly 40–50%

- Time: Roughly 70–80% reduction

   ■ Before: 60–90 minutes/unit for full CVT fluid change

   ■ After: 10–15 minutes/unit to use this additive

About JATCO Ltd
Headquartered in Fuji, Shizuoka, Japan, JATCO is a leading automotive transmission and electric vehicle powertrain manufacturer, specialized in the design, development, and manufacture of automatic transmissions and CVTs. In addition to plants in Japan, JATCO has production facilities in Mexico, China, and Thailand.