Why does ATF smell so strong?

[SteveD2]

I'm just curious...what does ATF have in it that smells so strong? It's basically a 20 weight oil with other additives isn't it?

 

[eljefino]

Is this off the dipstick or out of the bottle?

I don't remember mine smelling all that much.

If it smells bad off your dipstick, that could mean trouble...

 

[SteveD2]

No...out of the bottle. It allways smells like something...that would be illegal to take deep breaths of.

Motor oil sure doesn't smell that way...

 

[Ferb]

I agree-- the smell is a lot 'stronger' than motor oil. Maybe it's the dye? I can't imagine there being much else that would do it.

Oh, and ATF tastes repulsive too (bad syphoning accident).

ferb!

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ferb:
Oh, and ATF tastes repulsive too (bad syphoning accident).

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I've had that pleasure as well.

 

[Ray H]

Could also be the friction modifiers, or their carrier oil.

 

[Mike_dup1]

It makes it easy to identify bt the smell.

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike:
It makes it easy to identify bt the smell.

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Do they add something specifically for the smell? I used to kind of like the smell...now I hate it after spending several hours covered in it when I totaled my truck...