6 tricks (or false myths?) you can use on kart engine sequential transmissions

The fluid for lubricating the transmission unit of Shifter kart engines, commonly called gear oil, is tasked with guaranteeing the proper functioning of this component and, moreover, helps to extend the life of all the elements present in the engine crankcase. These lubricants generally consist of an oil base (which can be of mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic origin) together with additives, based on the specific characteristics that each manufacturer gives them. The market for these lubricating liquids is mainly divided into two families:

- oils for manual transmissions, identifiable thanks to the acronym MTF (Manual Transmission Fluid, ed.), are characterised by high viscosity, which allows them to adhere to the gears without slipping and remain at the bottom of the transmission. In fact, manual transmissions do not have pumps for distributing lubricants;

- oils for automatic transmissions, identifiable thanks to the acronym ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid, ed.), much more fluid than MTFs. In addition to lubricating, these also perform other functions: they cool and clean the transmission, protect the seals and improve the transmission’s rotation speed, while ensuring a higher operating temperature range.

Both ATF and MTF oils are available with different viscosities that are used depending on the operating temperatures involved. In all honestly, when it comes to these two families of lubricants, when used in racing-type karts, I’ve never noticed clear-cut differences in terms of benefits to performance or component life. Personally, I prefer using ATF oils, regardless of the temperatures at which the transmission is forced to operate. In fact, these latter oils guarantee low levels of friction and excellent performance consistency. Also taking into account the fact that, nowadays, only dry clutches, which are the most critical components in terms of performance and oil life, are used in karting.