Transmission temperature

[MJB]

I have a Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton with a 5.3 ltr engine 4.1 axle ratio & full tow package that includes oil coolers.
What range of transmission temperatures should I expect whilst running empty or towing 5000 to 6000 lbs lbs?
I ask this as I feel the transmission temperture will give me a good indication of my trucks ability to tow.
In warm weather I am reading in the 70 degree celsius range with no load.

[zuley]

My Ram with a 5.7 and a 6 speed teeters between 79 and 80 towing aprox 6000 pounds. I do not use the tow mode setting as it seems to function properly without doing so.

[MJB]

We are travelling in about two weeks; I will see how we do.
Thanks for your reply, it gives me a starting point to monitor the trucks performance.

[MISailor]

We are travelling in about two weeks; I will see how we do.


Please post your observations after your trip. I recently completed my first haul with our new Silverado on a pretty hot day (~88 F) and our tranny temp was pretty steady at 189 F (87 C) with spikes slightly higher up hills.

We have the same engine as you but we have the 3.42 rear end and were pulling about 5000 lbs

[TomHaycraft]

I have a Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton with a 5.3 ltr engine 4.1 axle ratio & full tow package that includes oil coolers.

You should do okay. My Silverado has the 5.3L engine, 3.42 rear end and tow package. Last set of weights put the trailer at 7,700 lbs. Transmission temps run in the upper 180's to 190's, stop and go traffic with low air flow over cooler and I'll see 202 to 203 (95' C).

Highest I've seen was 207 after coming off the Interstate and immediately into stop and go traffic. I saw that as a spike in temp from the tranny temp from running at 65 mph still being high with the sudden loss of cooling ability.

I know with these temps, life of the transmission fluid is reduced, therefore will change it (with full flush) at 25,000 mi, rather than the 40k or 50k under "normal" conditions.

[zuley]

As a further note to the above posts I would strongly suggest going to a synthetic tranny fluid and to use the manufacturers suggested fluid rather than a "one brand fits all" type fluid that would be sold in the Canadian Tires or Pep Boy type stores.

[concours]

Most manufacturers read the trans temp as the oil comes out of the convertor before it passes thru the cooler then returns to the oil pan so you are seeing the hottest part of the trans, you will notice that the gauge will rise and fall fairly quickly. The temp you are talking about are fine, using synthetic will have very little change on the temp readings. If you install a sensor in the oil pan the temp will read much lower, also check out some of the aftermarket oil pans that are finned aluminum and have a larger capacity

[DJ85]

Towed on a 90 degree day with a/c on 2008 ford f-250 6.4l with 3.73 gears towing a res327. The trans temp rose to 170 but never above that on several occassions but mostly ran arond the 160 to 165 range. Engine oil temp ran around 205 and the coolant ran around the 200 to 198 range.

[MJB]

I finally checked out my transmission temperatures.
On the outward leg I chose the long but not steep hill route, the ambient temperature was in the 22 to 24C range the transmission never went above 87C.
Returning I took a flatter route with more stops .
The ambient temperature was never more than 22C but toward the end of the 150 Kilometer drive the trasmission spiked at 99C.

[vicali]

Here's a chart I printed out to reference my scangauge;
220F = 104C
240F = 115C

http://image.automotive.com/f/tech/10449976+pheader/0811clt_02_z+tci_automotive_automatic_transmission _tips+transmission_chart.jpg

[RaptyJon]

I believe I've got up to 210-215F but it was middle of summer high 80s-90 degree weather, and it's not flat out here. :)

[Ken / Claudia]

The builder of my tranny told and showed me that same chart. I am at 180-190 towing boat or rv in summer. I have been as high as 210-215 on mt. passes in 100 degree air temps. I always thought that I would stop and idle if the temp got to 220. Open the hood and attempt to lower the temp before going further. I also have a large electric fan mounted to the cooler to turn on/off when I want. I found it will lower the tranny temp if traveling at low speeds. I have used the fan at freeway speeds but, not sure if it makes any difference at 55-65 mph