Automatic Transmission Coolers

[ALJO]

Transmission Coolers
Is the factory installed transmission coolers in TV’s with tow package adequate enough for heavy duty towing?
Have a 2014 Dodge Ram 4x4 5.7 Hemi Aut.6 and 3.92 rear with tow package but prefer a extra 12000 lbs transmission cooler.
Most failures of an automatic transmission are created by excessive heat. Living around the mountains and lots of time facing heavy head winds on the prairies I would think to be on the safe side extra cooling would be helpful.
I am sure the standard transmission cooler from the truck manufacturer is not over rated.
What’s your opinions on that and who installed a auxiliary Transmission Cooler?

[herewego]

Look up the specks on the factory trans cooler, the tow package should be fine,staying with in the rated towing capacity.

[wwsmith111]

The temp of tranny in my Tundra with factory tow package never changes no matter how hard I push it. Do you have a temp guage for the Tranny? If so, keep an eye on it. As long as it isn't getting hot you should be fine.

[DocBrown]

GM says that the stock cooling capacity is adequate for towing within the range of the rated capacities.

I've towed with an aux cooler, and without. I've only had one trans go on a tow vehicle and I bought that one with 97k on it, so I have no idea how well it was maintained. Otherwise I've towed though mountains with 2 different trucks, neither had a trans cooler. I think cooling issues while towing were a bigger problem in older vehicles. As said, monitor the temps and see if it's really an issue. The only thing I'd be concerned about is prolonged temps above 120. By prolonged I mean 20-30 minutes or more.

That said, axillary coolers are cheap and an easy DIY project. If you feel better putting one in, you don't need us telling you to do so. Just do it, as they say!

[herewego]

You have a new Dodge , look at your gauges, my 2014 3500 Diesel has Trans temp,

[ALJO]

The Dodge Ram 4x4 5.7 L Hemi 395 HP is rated for 10,400 lbs. towing and I am way under that with 5900 lbs. It was still old school thinking. When having a towing package I am sure Chrysler will cover them selves that cooling the tranny oil is adequate. Since '97 I haven't bought a new truck anymore I keep them to new. But for sure I can feel the power in the new technology. Thanks guys that's what I wanted to hear.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

. As said, monitor the temps and see if it's really an issue. The only thing I'd be concerned about is prolonged temps above 120. By prolonged I mean 20-30 minutes or more.

Hey Doc, did you mean 220? 120 is not hot at all. Mine runs at 150 on a hot day without towing. About 120-130 in Winter. About 180-190 when towing in hot weather. GM says the Dexron VI can be taken well over 200 with no problem.

[tugboat95]

A factory installed tranny cooler will be rated to handle whatever the specs to your model vehicle are. Dont exceed those and you should be fine. As for myself my Escape has the factory cooler but I am pushing my little SUV to the limit. So I installed an auxillary unit from etrailer.com. about 60 bucks and an afternoon installing it. Cheap insurance to be on the safe side. Lowered my pulling temp about 12-15 degrees. If you are only using half your capacity you should be fine with the factory installed gear.

[tugboat95]

My preinstall temps were 188 not towing and 202 towing. Trans oil is usually good up to 220. Some are higher.

[DocBrown]

Originally Posted by Crabman

Hey Doc, did you mean 220? 120 is not hot at all. Mine runs at 150 on a hot day without towing. About 120-130 in Winter. About 180-190 when towing in hot weather. GM says the Dexron VI can be taken well over 200 with no problem.

Yes of course 220! Dex VI is far superior to Dex III in that regard.

[bucko]

For those who do not have a dash type guage to indicate the transmission temps, you can purchase a device such a "ScanGuage II" off of Ebay. This connects to the OBDII connector of your vehicle, and on most makes, it can provide you with transmission temps. It also provides other usefull information, but it all depends on the vehicle manufacturer as to what can be read from the OBDII port.

[tugboat95]

To go further with bucko. There is an app only for Android called Torque Pro. Pro version cost about 5 bucks. You will need a wireless adapter to plug into the OBDII port. You can get that off of amazon for 6-15 bucks. Works great! No need to install gauges. The pro version tells you everything that is being reported to the computer including transmission temps. Hp and torque being produced etc. Free version is limited in what it reports. Get past past the idiot lights and needle gauges and now exactly what your temps and pressures are. Even tracks how much fuel is being burned for a given trip through mutiple tanks. For the iPhone users looks up dash command. I dont have any experience with it but it is reviewed well on car and truck forums.

[tugboat95]

Also tracks turbo performance and works on both gas and diesel.