Trans Fluid Temp
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
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http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/index.html#
See the tranny gauge hookup article - for starters....
See the tranny gauge hookup article - for starters....
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,292
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From: Port Royal, SC
I would agree with that article that 170 is probably where you would want it. That being said, my trans fluid temps never get above 155 and that's even in the dead of summer here in SC. My cooler is extremely efficient.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
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I've got the same cooler as SWThomas and all I can say is "yes it is!!". Stock form, my tranny ran right around 85* above outside air temp. Now, with the new cooler, it runs about 50*. This is completely normal, get on the highway, 70mph/2,000rpm's, no towing/hauling temperatures. Obviously any deviation from this has an effect and will increase temps...traffic, towing, climbing hills, converter unlocked (generates the most heat), etc. All variables that are dependant on your driving style, and where you live.
With that said, and after several years of monitoring tranny temps, under any normal conditions (i.e. towing a trailer or serious abuse) you will never ever exceed any safe operating temperatures. The stock cooler (especially on the post '04 trucks) will handle just about anything you can throw at it. Heck, your stock cooler is only a tiny bit narrower than my super duty cooler!! Waaay much better than what came stock on the pre '04 trucks.
With that said, and after several years of monitoring tranny temps, under any normal conditions (i.e. towing a trailer or serious abuse) you will never ever exceed any safe operating temperatures. The stock cooler (especially on the post '04 trucks) will handle just about anything you can throw at it. Heck, your stock cooler is only a tiny bit narrower than my super duty cooler!! Waaay much better than what came stock on the pre '04 trucks.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
There isn't really a normal temp but a normal range dictated by driving conditions.
There are many variables that average the running conditions over a time peroid.
Time the converter is out of lock, load, outside temp, road speed etc.
My temp tends to run the most in the 148 to 160° range for steady running at cruise speed.
Slower in town shifting, hill pulling etc will begin the temp rise.
So the temp wanders all over as you drive and conditions change.
Trailer towing will generate heat over 200°.
It may also depend on where you are measuring.
I do it in the outlet line from the trans to the radiator.
Others do it in the pan.
I prefer to look at it at it's hottest point and will see the temp changes much faster..
There are many variables that average the running conditions over a time peroid.
Time the converter is out of lock, load, outside temp, road speed etc.
My temp tends to run the most in the 148 to 160° range for steady running at cruise speed.
Slower in town shifting, hill pulling etc will begin the temp rise.
So the temp wanders all over as you drive and conditions change.
Trailer towing will generate heat over 200°.
It may also depend on where you are measuring.
I do it in the outlet line from the trans to the radiator.
Others do it in the pan.
I prefer to look at it at it's hottest point and will see the temp changes much faster..
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,293
Likes: 6
Hey Bluegrass...get that SuperDuty cooler I've got and you'll never see 200+ again! I was going up in the mountains pulling my loaded toy hauler, 2nd gear, 3,200 rpm's. Got stuck behind a semi and the speed was right at that point where I just could not get the converter to stay locked. Climbing that hill behind him and I could not get my temp above 210*. Cruising around down town traffic, middle of the day during some motorcycle event, and could not get a temp above 180*...again, pulling the loaded trailer.
My temp pick-up is in the same place as yours also.
My temp pick-up is in the same place as yours also.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,200
Likes: 39
From: Easton, Pa.
Yea, right.
Better check you gauge for accuracy.
No cooler will dictate the fluid shear temperature out of the converter after the system stabilizes, especially under the conditions you discribed.
I pull as high as 12,000 gross combined, too.
To many differences and variables to make a judgement about what someone else should run, for temp.
Better check you gauge for accuracy.
No cooler will dictate the fluid shear temperature out of the converter after the system stabilizes, especially under the conditions you discribed.
I pull as high as 12,000 gross combined, too.
To many differences and variables to make a judgement about what someone else should run, for temp.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,293
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Yea, you're right...My temp gauge must have gone completely askew at the exact same time I installed the new cooler!! I'll look right into that. Don't know why I would think a 35* temp drop immediatley after installing a new cooler would be the result of the cooler and not a bad temp gauge. Thanks for the tip!