Transmission Temperature Question

cosmo · 09-09-2015, 10:19 AM

Hi all, I'm towing a 2016 Jay Flight 27RLS with a 2010 Chevy 2500hd with 6.0L and 6 speed tranny. I noticed that when towing the trailer, the tranny temp is ~100 degrees F greater than the ambient temp. Does this sound about right? Is there a temp where I should start to be concerned? Thanks for any guidance.

djtho1 · 09-09-2015, 10:24 AM

Some questions for you so we can give a better answer. What temp does the transmission stay at when not towing? What is the actual temperature when towing and does it change when going up and down hills? My transmission temp typically runs between 165-180 when towing.

mike837go · 09-09-2015, 10:33 AM

On my 2003 F350, the gauge has white, yellow and red bands. Pretty clear on what's OK and what's unacceptable operating conditions.

Camper_bob · 09-09-2015, 11:00 AM

I never looked at it that way, but 100 over ambient doesn't sound out of line.

Mine stays at 175 most of the time, I've had it up to 185 once or twice (ambient in most cases so far has been 90 or more, even up to 100 or better a time or two). In my old 2012 GMC 1500, I had it up to 240 on a hot trafficky day, and I was getting worried, but that's still within spec for that truck (allegedly).

3'senough · 09-09-2015, 11:35 AM

I would say anywhere between 160-210 is normal and that is subject to vehicle, tranny and cooling capabilities as well as road conditions. In stop and go traffic my tranny will climb 10-15 degrees depending on outside temps. I have yet to hit 200 under any condition, but friends 2500 and 3500 series Chevys get into the low 200's under certain conditions regularly.

I have a tranny cooler and it also flows through the radiator which can add heat at times like when in traffic and my coolant is running over 210.

**Crabman** · 09-09-2015, 12:14 PM

Have approached but not passed 200 on mine. But have not towed up a steep grade yet in Summer heat, that would likely push those temps up even more. But the newer synthetic Dexron VI can take more heat then the old conventional Dex III.....

**norty1** · 09-09-2015, 12:40 PM

My last truck had a actual temp gauge, not an indicator. If it got to 205 I would pull over and let it cool down at idle speed. It would approach it on a steep grade while towing my last rig.

jimp · 09-09-2015, 07:35 PM

Might want to look into a ScanGuage II, connects to the OBDII port on vehicles, and you can select what parameters you want to monitor, even program some into the unit, tranny fluid temps is one of 'em. You won't be "guessing" what the ATF temp is, and you can find out what is normal for your vehicle's make via the web, but every vehicle seems to be different by several degrees.

Camping Couple · 09-09-2015, 07:51 PM

We just got got back from a trip to South Dakota. My transmission temp never exceeded 170. On the cooler days towing it never reached 160.

314BHDS · 09-09-2015, 07:52 PM

As most said 100 Deg over ambient is fine.If it got over 220 id start to worry.I just towed in 104 Deg weather with ac blastin and 9k trailer in tow and trans hit 190 195 in traffic and stayed around 185 while cruising.Im running Transynd Full synthetic which helps also with dissipating the heat

hoppers4 · 09-09-2015, 09:31 PM

Interesting temperature chart.
http://www.txchange.com/heatchrt.jpg

Seann45 · 09-10-2015, 08:33 AM

If you are ever worried about your transmission fluid just pull the dipstick out and sniff the fluid. If it smells burnt it needs to be changed..

mike837go · 09-10-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

If you are ever worried about your transmission fluid just pull the dipstick out and sniff the fluid. If it smells burnt it needs to be changed..

At that point its too late. The fluid is cooked (or partially), and the resins in the clutches have been exposed to higher than rated temps.

The whole point of a gauge is that the driver is aware of detrimental operating conditions and takes remedial action before they become damaging operating conditions.

tugboat95 · 09-10-2015, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmo

Hi all, I'm towing a 2016 Jay Flight 27RLS with a 2010 Chevy 2500hd with 6.0L and 6 speed tranny. I noticed that when towing the trailer, the tranny temp is ~100 degrees F greater than the ambient temp. Does this sound about right? Is there a temp where I should start to be concerned? Thanks for any guidance.

First thing I would look at would be the gauge. Take an infrared thermometer and measure the actual transmission line and compare it with what the gauge says both towing and light. Check the gauge calibration. Get a baseline of what's "normal" for your truck. 100 degrees sounds like a lot. But it's really not. My Escape tows at about 200 degrees but my suburban does about 170. Both in the middle of 90 degree summer temps. All that being said I wouldn't expect your towing temps to be more than 20 degrees warmer than your light temps. If so them a cooler or fan combo needs to be looked into

Jon-Luc · 09-12-2015, 12:39 PM

I agree with jimp. I have a scan- gauge 2 and use it on my 09 Toyota Tacoma. It will
give you trany temp and other indicators for your engine. Good idea to get a infrared
temp gauge and compare it to the scan- gauge 2. I don't leave home with-out my scan-gauge 2.

Jon- Luc

You may also like: