Trying to set my Edge for trip coming up and was curious what to set the Alerts for the Engine temp, Tranny temp, for certain, but what else should I be on the look out for as far as HIGH or Unusual temps? i will be pulling about 6000#, as i do frequently. But now I can monitor the temps and such. So whats the highest I should see before getting concerned with the tranny and coolant?

 

What is it? Trying to remember what Jack said.
258 on cht the whole thing goes into limp home mode. So you probably want to set that one at 230?

 

Unsafe temps...

ECT = 220F
CHT = 240F
TFT= 215F

 

Pulling that load, if you run with the TC unlocked for very long, you WILL see the TFT go up into the 200 degree range. It seems to stabilize in the 205-210 range though when this happens. I've never seen my CHT get much above 216 though, and I don't care much about the ECT since it's inferred from the CHT.

I think suzuki's numbers are pretty close to what I use, except I'm pretty sure I set the CHT alert at 235. I think if it reaches that point, it's not being limited anymore and you should reduce the load. 88 was correct on the failsafe CHT figure.

Have a good trip!

- Jack

 

So what ae you saying about the TC being unlocked? Should it not be unlocked? If so how can I lock it? I know you can set the points for it with the Edge but since im not very knowledgable about those #'s I didnt mess with it at all. Are you saying its not good to see it in the 200 range? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to get all this set right and not ruin anything on the truck.

 

Sorry bout that! If you are pulling that weight up an incline, it puts your engine and transmission under load. The first thing that happens is the Torque Converter (TC) unlocks, raising your engine speed and delivering more power to the wheels. This causes the transmission temperature to start creeping up, since the fluid in the TC is having to work (transfer energy). (When it was locked, the fluid was doing very little except circulating. Next, of course, the transmission will downshift if the load is high enough. Under certain conditions, you can find yourself with the transmission constantly downshifting, then upshifting as the speed increases and load is reduced. Constant shifting is bad too.

If you find your truck doing this, select a gear that at least holds your desired speed without the shifting. In the Colorado Rockies, I'm usually climbing the mountain passes with the transmission locked in second. You may have to go down to 1st if you climb steep hills with your trailer.

You're not going to be able to do much about the TC though. It will probably remain unlocked until you stop climbing. Setting the lock/unlock points will have little effect in this case.

At temperatures above 195, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the service life of transmission fluid similar to ours is cut in half. At 240 degrees, it breaks down rapidly and is unfit for further use. Towing qualifies as "extreme service", so don't wait for 100K to have the fluid changed.

When you tow, don't be surprised at all to see 200+ degrees in the TFT. I've seen mine at 210, with the transmission locked in 2nd and the engine RPMs between 3000-4000 (I probably should have backed off on the speed, but I wanted to keep up with ordinary traffic. I was passing all the trucks and RVs.)

Oh, I DO hope yu have a transmission fluid cooler. If your truck has the factory tow option, you do.

- Jack

 

Yes I do have the tow option/cooler. i dont try to win any races while pulling such a load but do try to get a decent pace at it. Since Ive now put bigger tires on and have not pulled since the tire change, I was just curious as to what to look out for. thanks for your advice I reset the alerts today on the Edge. just want to monitor closer. I dont anticipate hitting any hills like the rockies but will encounter some along the way.