At a Glance

Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs) have become a cornerstone of modern automotive powertrains, valued for combining rapid gear changes with fuel economy across applications from high-performance sports cars to the growing hybrid vehicle segment. In the European passenger car and light commercial vehicle market, they grew increasingly popular through the late 2000s and 2010s as consumer choice shifted away from long-dominant manual transmission architectures.
DCTs exist in several architectures, wet-DCTs, dry-DCTs and e-DCTs, and each places unique demands on the transmission fluid. Traditional DCT fluids must excel in wear protection, friction optimization, hydraulic performance and thermal stability.
Electrification is the most significant recent development impacting DCT fluid technology. Electrified DCTs (e-DCTs) often incorporate electric motors and associated electronics, so their fluids must possess appropriate dielectric strength and electrical conductivity, alongside exceptional copper corrosion protection to safeguard sensitive copper windings from conductive deposits.
Efficiency is a crucial factor in OEM decisions on transmission architecture. Where an OEM chooses to continue with DCT architectures, electrification of these transmissions will expand, leading to an increase in the e-DCT marketspace.
Lubrizol® DCT25 is an advanced automatic transmission additive technology engineered for both conventional and electrified dual clutch transmissions, delivering enhanced wear protection, optimized friction performance, superior thermal and oxidation stability, advanced electrical compatibility and robust copper corrosion protection.

An essential part of any drivetrain is the transmission. Not all transmission designs are the same and the different designs have strengths and weaknesses. Each transmission architecture has specific fluid requirements to ensure the transmission is protected effectively and operates efficiently.

In the European passenger car and light commercial vehicle market, manual transmission architectures dominated for decades. Automatic transmissions remained relatively niche as consumers were generally unwilling to accept the sluggish gear changes and loss of power associated with older automatic transmissions. Through the late 2000s and 2010s consumer choice in Europe began to shift. Dual Clutch Transmissions became an increasingly popular choice for passenger car and light commercial vehicles. This fundamental shift was enabled by technological advancements. DCTs delivered fast and smooth gear shifts that were a stark divergence from legacy Automatic Transmissions.

Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs) have become a cornerstone of modern automotive powertrains, celebrated for their blend of efficiency and dynamic performance. From high-performance sports cars to the growing hybrid vehicle segment, DCTs offer a compelling balance of rapid gear changes and fuel economy. However, the continuous evolution of these transmissions, particularly with the advent of electrification, presents increasingly complex challenges for the lubricants that enable their operation.

The Intricacies of DCT Operation and Fluid Requirements

At its core, a DCT combines elements of both manual and automatic transmissions. Featuring two concentric shafts, each with its own clutch, a DCT can pre engage the next gear while the current one is still active. This mechanism facilitates seamless power on shifts, delivering a driving experience characterized by smoothness and responsiveness. There are different DCT architectures that exist, these could be classified as wet-DCTs, dry-DCTs, and e-DCTs. The intricate design of these transmissions can place unique demands on the transmission fluid.

The Evolving Demands of Dual Clutch Transmissions: A Fluid Perspective