Gearbox additive in Singapore: what it does and when to use it

A gearbox additive is a product you add to the gearbox fluid to protect the moving parts inside. It does not replace the fluid, and it does not repair damage. Here is what XADO says its gearbox treatments do, and when it makes sense to ask about one.

What a gearbox additive is

Your gearbox has gears, bearings and (in an automatic) clutch packs and a valve body. All of them run in gearbox fluid. An additive is mixed into that fluid. It is a different product from an engine oil additive, because the gearbox has different parts and a different fluid.

Engine treatments are a separate topic. For the engine side, read Engine oil additives in Singapore: do they work?

What XADO says its gearbox treatments do

XADO uses the same idea it uses in engines. According to XADO, revitalizant particles settle on worn metal surfaces. Heat and friction then help form a ceramic-metal layer. XADO describes the method in How XADO works.

For gearboxes, the XADO product guide lists these:

• EX120 Revitalizant, Automatic Transmission. Listed for automatic, Tiptronic, Steptronic, CVT and wet-clutch DSG gearboxes. XADO states it forms a ceramic-metal coating on gears, bearings and distributors, and protects at low fluid levels.
• AMC Maximum Automatic Transmission. The full-strength formula for automatic gearboxes.
• EX120 Revitalizant, Manual Gearboxes. Listed for manual gearboxes and transfer cases.

These are XADO's own statements. Results depend on the condition of your gearbox and its fluid.

Automatic or manual: does it matter?

Yes. The two gearboxes work differently, so XADO lists different products for them. An automatic uses fluid to pass power and change gear. A manual uses gear oil mainly to lubricate gears and bearings. Many cars in Singapore are automatic, and that includes CVT and dual-clutch types. Do not guess. Tell the workshop exactly which gearbox your car has, and ask which XADO product they would use. Never pour a manual gearbox product into an automatic.

What no additive can do

XADO does not fix broken parts. Be clear about this before you spend money.

• It will not repair a slipping clutch pack or a failed valve body.
• It will not replace worn-out fluid. Old, burnt fluid needs changing.
• It will not cure a leak. A leak needs a new seal or gasket.
• It will not stand in for a gearbox repair.

If your car has any of these signs, get a proper inspection first:

• The gearbox slips or revs without moving.
• Gear changes are harsh or delayed.
• You feel a shudder when pulling away.
• There is a burnt smell or dark fluid.
• Fluid is dripping under the car.

When it makes sense to ask about one

Ask about a gearbox treatment when the gearbox works normally and you want to look after it. It suits a car that is getting older, or one that spends most of its time in stop-go traffic, where gearboxes work hard. The same driving pattern is covered in How Singapore's stop-go traffic wears out your engine.

The best time is a gearbox service. The workshop can check the fluid level and condition, then add the treatment. XADO's own product notes say the right amount depends on the product and gearbox, so let the workshop handle it.

How to get it done in Singapore

1. Check your manual for the gearbox fluid type and service interval.
2. Ask an authorised XADO workshop to check the fluid and the gearbox first.
3. Say you want XADO at the service, and name your gearbox type: automatic, CVT, DSG or manual.
4. Compare the range in the XADO product guide. You can also see the products online: automatic transmission or manual gearbox.

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