Basically every modern car has some form of an automatic transmission when it goes on sale, but the transmissions and their fluids vary drastically per car.
The automatic transmission in a modern vehicle is a symphony of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and computer-controlled components. It has pumps, clutch packs, planetary gearsets, a torque converter, and a computer that holds everything together — responding to the wishes of your right foot.
With periodic care and maintenance, most automatic gearboxes can last over 200,000 miles without issues, especially if you avoid doing things that could lead to early transmission failure.
However, the lifeblood of any automatic transmission — whether talking about a conventional step-grade automatic, dual-clutch gearbox, or continuously variable transmission is the ATF, or automatic transmission fluid. Like the oil inside the engine, the automatic transmission fluid does more than lubricate moving parts.
