The nonlinear mathematical model of behavior of controllable viscosity fluid (CVF) under applied external field is presented. A large family of these fluids is commonly used to control responding forces of dampers in vibration control applications. The responding force of a damper with CVF has two components. The first one - uncontrollable - is proportional to the viscosity of a base fluid and velocity of its motion, the second one, which is controllable, depends on the strength of the applied external field. Both are involved in the process of dissipation of unwanted energy from the vibrating systems. An equivalent damping factor based on the principle of energy dissipated during one cycle of damper work under a constant strength external field was calculated. When mass or stiffness is variable the equivalent damping factor can be set accordingly by adjusting the strength of external field to have vibrating damped system purposely/continuously working in the critical or other chosen state. This paper also presents cases of applying periodically changing strengths of an external field synchronized with cycles of periodical motion of the vibrating system to continuously control the damping force within each cycle.