Best CVT Additive: The 2026 Buyer’s Guide to Transmission Fluid Treatments A **CVT additive** is a chemical treatment designed to restore the friction characteristics and lubricity of the fluid in a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Unlike conventional automatic transmission additives that boost shift firmness, a CVT additive works by conditioning the steel belt and pulley…
Best Pilot Bearing: The Complete Guide to Selection, Replacement, and Avoiding Premature Failure A pilot bearing — often called a pilot bushing — is the small, unassuming component pressed into the center of an engine’s crankshaft flange or flywheel. It does one critical job: it supports the input shaft of the transmission during clutch disengagement,…
Best Short Shifter: The 2026 Buyer’s Guide to Sharper, Faster Gear Changes A short shifter is a mechanical linkage modification. It reduces the throw distance of your gear lever. This delivers faster, more precise gear changes. A stock shifter prioritizes comfort and ease of use. A short shifter tightens the shift pattern instead. It cuts…
An oil filter is the unsung guardian of your engine’s longevity — a replaceable cartridge engineered to capture abrasive contaminants, combustion byproducts, and metallic wear particles before they circulate through your motor’s critical oilways. Every internal combustion engine, from a daily-driver commuter to a high-revving performance build, depends on this humble component to maintain oil…
A transmission cooler is a heat exchanger. It regulates the operating temperature of automatic transmission fluid (ATF). The fluid runs through a finned, radiator-style core. Engine coolant or ambient air absorbs excess heat before the fluid returns to the gearbox. This auxiliary cooling system sits between the torque converter and the internal oil pump. It…
A transmission mount is a mechanical component that secures the gearbox to the vehicle’s chassis or subframe, acting as the structural bridge between the drivetrain and the body. It is typically constructed from a metal bracket bonded to a rubber or polyurethane bushing, designed to absorb torsional forces and dampen vibrations generated by the engine…
Differential fluid is the specialized gear oil that lubricates the gears, bearings, and clutch packs inside your vehicle’s differential—the mechanical component that allows your wheels to rotate at different speeds when cornering. Unlike engine oil, which circulates through a pressurized system, differential fluid operates in a splash-lubrication environment, enduring extreme shear forces, high temperatures, and…
Transmission additives are chemical compounds designed to modify the properties of automatic transmission fluid (ATF) or manual gearbox oil. These products fall into two broad categories: friction modifiers that alter shift feel, and seal conditioners that rejuvenate aged rubber gaskets. Unlike a fluid change, which replaces the entire lubricant volume, an additive works as a…
The throwout bearing — also called a release bearing — is the small but critical hydraulic or mechanical component that disengages your clutch when you press the pedal. It sits at the input shaft of the transmission, riding on the clutch fork, and its job is simple: press against the diaphragm spring fingers to break…
Conventional motor oil is a petroleum-based lubricant. It has protected internal combustion engines for over a century. Unlike synthetic oils, which are chemically engineered in laboratories, conventional oil is refined directly from crude petroleum. It is fortified with additive packages to reduce friction, control deposits, and resist thermal breakdown. It remains the default choice for…