Transmission Overheat Message Silverado

[SkyPiGG]

After I saw some message on this board about transmission temperature, I called my Chevy dealer and spoke to the transmission mechanic about transmission fluid that could withstand hotter temperatures, and when he thought I should have the fluid changed. He said that he didn't know of a synthetic fluid that would make a noticeable difference, and that the change interval would be dependent on how frequently I tow. I told him that I go on 6 trips a year logging about 1000 miles, and that the average temp was about 180. He said 50 was probably ok, but if I was concerned about it, I could do it at 30.



He also pointed out that there's an overheat message in the Silverado, but that he didn't know at what temperature the message is displayed at. The manual doesn't say either. Anyone know? I was concerned because when I am in bumper to bumper traffic, the transmission temperature creeps up significantly over 200 degrees. Does anyone know the best way to tow in stop n go traffic? Do you just keep up with everyone else, or is it better on the transmission to accelerate slowly and just creep along hoping not to have to stop again?







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[So Cal CPA]

I had my trans temp up to 218 towing in the Sierra Nevadas and I got no warning lights about my trans temp. Now my truck is a ram not chevy, but trans. temp fluid is the same right????? Just FYI.

Also, though, I've never seen my trans temp get anywhere near 200 in stop and go traffic. Interesting, I will have to pay more attention next time while towing through Los Angeles.

[Ken / Claudia]

When you get stuck in traffic there is not much you can do except plan for it to happen. I doubt the dealer will change/upgrade anything. I would say you have acouple things you can do. Check with a aftermarket tranny shop and advise him whats going on and how and what your towing. There are aftermarket larger tranny coolers. I currently have one and even a electric fan connected to it. There are larger tranny pans they hold more oil and have fins. Lastly get a bigger truck that has more pulling/cooling abilities.

[bsmith0404]

I believe the trans hot warning comes on at 250, but that is time to stop immediately. 180-200 is pretty much normal during towing especially in traffic where air flow is limited or going over hills. I wouldn't worry too much about 200 or even 210. If you start gettin above that for any length of time change the fluid as it will start to degrade. If you add a deeper pan with cooling fins add higher fluid capacity it helps. As for in traffic, you want to keep airflow going through the cooler an eliminate starts as much as possible, starting from a dead stop generates a lot of heat.

[TakeItEasy]

I always thought this chart was interesting. Not sure how accurate it is.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/12/ageguqap.jpg

[TomHaycraft]

After I saw some message on this board about transmission temperature, I called my Chevy dealer and spoke to the transmission mechanic about transmission fluid that could withstand hotter temperatures, and when he thought I should have the fluid changed. He said that he didn't know of a synthetic fluid that would make a noticeable difference, and that the change interval would be dependent on how frequently I tow. I told him that I go on 6 trips a year logging about 1000 miles, and that the average temp was about 180. He said 50 was probably ok, but if I was concerned about it, I could do it at 30.

I've asked the same question both at dealer and online, got same responses. Hard to pin down a response based on long-term use experience, or from a scientific / engineering perspective. That being said ... here is my short-term experience!

When starting to tow with my '09 Silverado, I did the tranny fluid & filter a bit early at 40k miles. I plan to do a full flush soon with 30k miles on this tranny fluid. When towing, mine runs in the mid-190's, spiking to 205 to 210 in stop & go traffic.

Interesting to note, in December the truck was in the shop (lifter failed, chewed up lobe on camshaft, thankfully just inside warranty!) and the Chevy dealer gave me a 2014 Silverado to drive while mine was in the shop. It was configured as a basic model work-truck and no tranny cooler. Tranny temps consistently ran high 190s to 200 degrees. I'm wondering if that is standard for a tranny without a cooler (not towing!).

Hope it helps with the conversation.

[mguay]

If you are worried about temps in you trans...a switch to Syn is a must. Your dealer's trans tech probably just hasn't tried it as GM doesn't make a Syn trans fluid. Dex 6 is not Synthetic. On my last 2 Allisons I have flushed the dino oil from them at the 2500 mile mark. With the dino while towing, the trans temp would go to the 180s. After the switch to a full Synthetic...the temps never g over 145. Your 6 spd is not an Allison, so it may be a bit different. I had an 09 gasser with the same 6 spd and the temps would run around 210 while towing in the hills. I was told the overheat msg would appear around 275...which in my opinion is too late.

[SkyPiGG]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to have my fluid changed at 30k and see if they have a synthetic alternative.



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[Bluewater]

If you are worried about temps in you trans...a switch to Syn is a must. Your dealer's trans tech probably just hasn't tried it as GM doesn't make a Syn trans fluid. Dex 6 is not Synthetic. On my last 2 Allisons I have flushed the dino oil from them at the 2500 mile mark. With the dino while towing, the trans temp would go to the 180s. After the switch to a full Synthetic...the temps never g over 145. Your 6 spd is not an Allison, so it may be a bit different. I had an 09 gasser with the same 6 spd and the temps would run around 210 while towing in the hills. I was told the overheat msg would appear around 275...which in my opinion is too late.

MGUAY, GM does make a synthetic oil for the Allisons it's call Transynd. I have it in my Allison and have noticed a decrease in the temps of about 10 degrees. Check it out...FYI.

[mguay]

MGUAY, GM does make a synthetic oil for the Allisons it's call Transynd. I have it in my Allison and have noticed a decrease in the temps of about 10 degrees. Check it out...FYI.


TranSynd is not made by GM. It is made by Allison and GM refuses to use it. I have heard of the 10deg decrease with it and decided to go the Amsoil route which is in the 20-40 deg cooler range.

Check this thread out http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/transmission-shop/95342-former-allison-transmission-fluids-engineer-mr-transynd.html

[GMcKenzie]

TranSynd is not made by GM. It is made by Allison and GM refuses to use it. I have heard of the 10deg decrease with it and decided to go the Amsoil route which is in the 20-40 deg cooler range.

Check this thread out http://www.duramaxforum.com/forum/transmission-shop/95342-former-allison-transmission-fluids-engineer-mr-transynd.html

Damn you! You know how long it's going to take me to read all of that.......

Coming up on 150,000 kms so about time I did the tranny fluid.

[Bluewater]

Actually the oil is mfg by Castrol for Allison but thanks for the link. Very informative. Check on that Amzoil because it does not meet the specs to be run in the Allisons even if the can says it is "recommended" by Amzoil.

[GMcKenzie]

Actually the oil is mfg by Castrol for Allison but thanks for the link. Very informative. Check on that Amzoil because it does not meet the specs to be run in the Allisons even if the can says it is "recommended" by Amzoil.

To be clear (and I just read that entire thread over the last couple of days), Amsoil never paid to have their fluid tested by Allison. It isn't that it didn't meet the specs, it is that it was never tested. It may or may not work just as well as the Transdyn, it just is not Allison certified.

I'm thinking I will do the transdyn once I find a source up here.

[mguay]

Both of you are right about Amsoil not being "certified" by Allison...however it is made to the TES-295 spec. Amsoil didn't spend the $$$$$$$ to get it certified. I have run it in the last two with no problems. From what I have read at the DF it is a 50/50 TranSynd or Torque Drive.

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[Fixjet]

X2 on Torque Drive. Been using it for 10 years on 2 trucks, 200k combined towing miles. Good stuff.

[SAD]

Actually the oil is mfg by Castrol for Allison but thanks for the link. Very informative. Check on that Amzoil because it does not meet the specs to be run in the Allisons even if the can says it is "recommended" by Amzoil.

"Castrol" does not make anything.

Castrol is a brand manufactured by BP.

[Bluewater]

"Castrol" does not make anything.

Castrol is a brand manufactured by BP.

Thanks, that was of great value.

[SAD]

Thanks, that was of great value.

Value is subjective. Accuracy however, is not.

[JRTJH]

After I saw some message on this board about transmission temperature, I called my Chevy dealer and spoke to the transmission mechanic about transmission fluid that could withstand hotter temperatures, and when he thought I should have the fluid changed. He said that he didn't know of a synthetic fluid that would make a noticeable difference, and that the change interval would be dependent on how frequently I tow. I told him that I go on 6 trips a year logging about 1000 miles, and that the average temp was about 180. He said 50 was probably ok, but if I was concerned about it, I could do it at 30.

He also pointed out that there's an overheat message in the Silverado, but that he didn't know at what temperature the message is displayed at. The manual doesn't say either. Anyone know? I was concerned because when I am in bumper to bumper traffic, the transmission temperature creeps up significantly over 200 degrees. Does anyone know the best way to tow in stop n go traffic? Do you just keep up with everyone else, or is it better on the transmission to accelerate slowly and just creep along hoping not to have to stop again?

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Back to the OP's original question, according to the OBD codes repair site, the code P0218 which is "transmission overheat condition", the transmission overheat light will illuminate at 290 degrees and the code will be stored in the OBD databank.

Here's the link to that discussion. The site has some very interesting "didn't know that" information for anyone who may be interested.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0218

[bsmith0404]

Back to the OP's original question, according to the OBD codes repair site, the code P0218 which is "transmission overheat condition", the transmission overheat light will illuminate at 290 degrees and the code will be stored in the OBD databank.

Here's the link to that discussion. The site has some very interesting "didn't know that" information for anyone who may be interested.

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0218

290!!!! wow, I guess when you see that light it should say contact your nearest tranny shop. I monitor my tranny temps constantly while towing so I know I would never see that light, I would have stopped about 50-60 degrees before that.

[JRTJH]

290!!!! wow, I guess when you see that light it should say contact your nearest tranny shop. I monitor my tranny temps constantly while towing so I know I would never see that light, I would have stopped about 50-60 degrees before that.

I completely agree !!! I swallowed pretty hard when I saw that number... I'm guessing that when the Transmission Overtemp light comes on, it really REALLY means OVERTEMP !!!

I'm thinking that they expect owner/operators to monitor the transmission and GM is using the light as a "last ditch" reminder to someone who is not paying attention to , "SHUT IT DOWN RIGHT NOW !!!!!" But then, that's my guess, nobody has told me what GM was thinking when they set it up like that. I was really surprised and I worry when my trans temp hits 200.... Hmmmmm

[SAD]

I completely agree !!! I swallowed pretty hard when I saw that number... I'm guessing that when the Transmission Overtemp light comes on, it really REALLY means OVERTEMP !!!

I'm thinking that they expect owner/operators to monitor the transmission and GM is using the light as a "last ditch" reminder to someone who is not paying attention to , "SHUT IT DOWN RIGHT NOW !!!!!"....

I believe Dodge "trans temp" light is set at 280 degrees. I haven't had an auto in a number of years, but I seem to recall that if the light came on, the manual indicates to pull over and allow the motor to idle in neutral - because the pump does not run in park.

... I was really surprised and I worry when my trans temp hits 200.... Hmmmmm

I can see why 200 might be surprising... But then again, if you think about it.. The transmission is sharing a space and cooler that is designed to keep the engine coolant at 195-210 degrees for optimal operating.

[JRTJH]

I can see why 200 might be surprising... But then again, if you think about it.. The transmission is sharing a space and cooler that is designed to keep the engine coolant at 195-210 degrees for optimal operating.

200 isn't really "suprising" and I agree the "other stuff" under the hood runs about that same temp.... It's just me and my "watchful concern"... When everyone else in the hospital was saying, "I don't get concerned till the temp's over 101, I was watching my patients when their temp rose above 99. To me, being aware when it "STARTS" to rise gives someone the opportunity to stay on top of things should they continue to rise.

It's probably not significant, but if my trans temp is "usually at 190" and today it's running 205, I start watching that gauge closer than the others. Just my nature to want to know if anything is even a tad bit different than "normal".... I think that comes from flying airplanes where a "good pilot" flies from one potential emergency field to the next rather than from the starting destination to the planned landing airport.

[BOWWOW]

I had some issues towing here in the rocky mountains, the trans got up to 245.
I went to a trans shop and had them install an external trans cooler with an electric fan operated by a switch in the cab" always on when towing". It's mounted right in front of the radiator it pulls a lot of extra air through the engine compartment also.
Pulling 2 atv's and water the temps never get over 195 now.
I also had them put in a Trango JR shift kit on my Allison which changed the shift points to better suit my towing needs here up and down the passes.
3 seasons no problems.

[Ken / Claudia]

My electric tranny fan really works for the back roads when speeds are 20-40 and up/down grades. At highway speeds when towing I have tried it off and on and it should be helping but, likely not needed unless pulling the long 6% grades.

[tirnanah]

Interesting... I just towed my Outback from Rochester, WA to Fairbanks, AK, via the Cassiar... I never saw Tranny temps over 200 even after a 9 mile 7% upgrade (granted, I was only running about 35 to 40 MPH up the hill :) ). I average 140 to 170 on tranny temps, 185 to 195 on coolant temp, but my oil temp keeps spiking out, sometimes without even trying... Going to have it checked at the next oil change. Had to pull over a couple times to let it come down... I never let it get over 230.

I have a 2009 Sierra 1500 HD with all the towing addons that come stock. I did have all of the fluids changed before I left to get the trailer. I monitor with an Edge CTS monitor, so I can see all the temps at the same time. Well worth the money!

[07 Frontier]

highest so far has been 160. 10 miles at 6%, 60mph bucking a 30 mph headwind. ambient was low 80's
light weight has it's advantages;)

[GunDoc]

I have been watching my trans temp and noticed it stays right around 190F once the truck is warmed up (not towing) and as this is a new truck I got a little concerned. I started searching the net for answers and found one on a GM Forum (http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153851-trans-temp/). There a GM engineer explained that the new transmissions are thermostatically controlled, just like the cooling system for the engine. The thermostat keeps the transmission at a specified temperature (180-190F) by opening or closing the thermostat. One poster reported that his transmission actually ran cooler when towing than when driving unloaded! The other thing to remember is the new transmissions do come with full synthetic fluid designed to withstand these higher temps.