Need advice, Transmission temperatures.

German Shepherd Guy · 10-07-2020, 05:58 AM

I have a new TV and it has a transmission temperature guage.
What is a range of temps I should expect to see when towing?

Does it vary with every vehicle?
Never had one before.

Thanks

Laredo Tugger · 10-07-2020, 06:09 AM

If you post what the "new TV" is (put as much info as possible), you will probably get responses from those with identical configurations (size engine, rear end gearing and transmission model ect...) that will give you a better idea of the normal operating temps for your TV when towing.
A call to a dealer of the truck and some research in the owners manual and internet info on the truck from the manufacture may help as well.
Good luck
RMc

German Shepherd Guy · 10-07-2020, 06:22 AM

OK, it's a 2012 Chevrolet 2500 Suburban. 6.0 engine

Factory tow package with oil & transmission coolers
Not sure of the rear differential, it is a tall 3....something.
Towing a 32ft 26RBPR.

Coming home with it through four Colorado passes (but not towing anything) it read anywhere from 147 to 153 degrees.

Laredo Tugger · 10-07-2020, 06:39 AM

Those temps do not sound as if they are "off the charts", especially for a tow through Colorado passes.
With that said, (as you can see) my signature is a different TV and I am by far no expert on transmission temps for every TV on the road. The extent of my knowledge is, be aware of the transmission "slipping", check that the fluid is not "burnt" (you can smell it on the dipstick) and check for metal shavings on the plug when you change the fluid/filter.
Hopefully some of 2500 Chevy guys will chime in with some temps and info.
RMc

Northofu1 · 10-07-2020, 06:46 AM

When warmed up, my truck sits at very close to 90°C = 194°F

Texas Steve · 10-07-2020, 07:02 AM

I agree with Dan. My 2019 Silverado 2500 HD is about 195 when towing my 25' TT in the Texas hill country. This was on 100 degree day.

wiredgeorge · 10-07-2020, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

OK, it's a 2012 Chevrolet 2500 Suburban. 6.0 engine

Factory tow package with oil & transmission coolers
Not sure of the rear differential, it is a tall 3....something.
Towing a 32ft 26RBPR.

Coming home with it through four Colorado passes (but not towing anything) it read anywhere from 147 to 153 degrees.

Folks would find it easier to answer questions if you made a signature by clicking on the UserCP and adding your year/make/model of you camper and also the new tow vehicle.

wiredgeorge · 10-07-2020, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northofu1

When warmed up, my truck sits at very close to 90°C = 194°F

I think he was asking about transmission temps and not engine temp (coolant temp most likely). Is the 194F coolant temp? Thant is about what my 6.0L diesel runs on hot days towing.

lunge motorsport · 10-07-2020, 05:14 PM

GSG...

I have a 2013 6.0 with a 6L90 trans and 4.10 gearing, I tow a few things but the biggest load is a 10k 5th wheel. In stock configuration the highest temps I saw were 242f coming out of Death Valley during WOT in 2nd gear for an extended climb, outside temp was 104 at 11AM. While that temp is a little hot it is not abnormal to achieve it under those conditions. The warning light did not illuminate.

Still, I decided that I did not want to see those temps again so I performed a complete drain and refill with new filter, added a drain plug to the pan, and installed a much larger aftermarket cooler with about 2.5 times the area. I have not seen anything above 210f under any condition since. On level towing now during very hot 100+ temps my gauge reads about 170f. I would like to see about 190-200 ideally as that provides good flow characteristics and protection and also allows any short trip condensation to evaporate. I use a slim blocking plate to cover about 25% of the exposed cooler if I desire. It stays in place until the extreme tow comes up. I perform transmission service at 25k mile intervals.

There are many charts with the info you are looking for online. Different manufacturers will have different acceptable temp ranges.

Cheers

Northofu1 · 10-07-2020, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I think he was asking about transmission temps and not engine temp (coolant temp most likely). Is the 194F coolant temp? Thant is about what my 6.0L diesel runs on hot days towing.

The transmission temps are generally the same as the engine / coolant. The coolant usually heats or cools the transmission depending on temperatures / seasons. The transmission's happy place is 90°C.

SummitPond · 10-08-2020, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

OK, it's a 2012 Chevrolet 2500 Suburban. 6.0 engine

Factory tow package with oil & transmission coolers
Not sure of the rear differential, it is a tall 3....something.
Towing a 32ft 26RBPR.

Coming home with it through four Colorado passes (but not towing anything) it read anywhere from 147 to 153 degrees.

My rear differential ratio is listed on the white sticker in code (circled). I had to go to the web to decipher what the 3E meant, then I could see what it was in the owner's manual.

Ribtip · 10-12-2020, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by German Shepherd Guy

OK, it's a 2012 Chevrolet 2500 Suburban. 6.0 engine

Factory tow package with oil & transmission coolers
Not sure of the rear differential, it is a tall 3....something.
Towing a 32ft 26RBPR.

Coming home with it through four Colorado passes (but not towing anything) it read anywhere from 147 to 153 degrees.

The rams have a thermostat on the trans lines that open at 170 deg to let the fluid flow. Mine is always + or - 5deg or so from there. But im not sure where your truck should be.

Badbart56 · 10-12-2020, 12:24 PM

I had a conversation with a Ford transmission engineer a few years back and he assured me that anything below 230 F was fine. Obviously the cooler the better, but 230 was the magic number.

77cruiser · 10-12-2020, 03:15 PM

Your trans will live a happier life if you can keep the temp 200 or less. For the most part they tend to run 100 over ambient temp. 50 outside 150 on the gauge. If you converter isn't locked it will be higher.

Wyldfire · 10-12-2020, 03:35 PM

Old school thinking. Ford's new transmissions have a thermostat that doesn't open till 200. Heat equals efficiency. That is one way they are increasing mileage. New synthetic fluid can handle temps in the 250's. In fact to extend the fluids life needs to get above 212 to boil the atmosphere water out to keep the fluid working.

77cruiser · 10-12-2020, 04:05 PM

Not if you ask a transmission guy. If running cold cause water in the oil my gasser would be full I guess. On the highway it gets all the way up to 70 when it's -20 out.

Wyldfire · 10-12-2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77cruiser

Not if you ask a transmission guy. If running cold cause water in the oil my gasser would be full I guess. On the highway it gets all the way up to 70 when it's -20 out.

Depends if they have kept up with technology. Lots of people added aftermarket transmission coolers on their 2017 ford's because they were running greater then 200. Guess what they still ran greater then 200 because that is how they are designed. We used to change fluid every 50,000 now it is 150,000. Why? Old dino fluid couldn't take heat. Rapidly broke down as it aged. Synthetic fluid has changed that.

ChuckS · 10-12-2020, 04:29 PM

Typ8cal rule of thumb for transmission temp is plus 90 to 100 degrees above ambient temperature...

Also it helps if you take top cover off radiator stack and reverse blow out radiator stack as well as aux trans cooler is so equipped

Ribtip · 10-13-2020, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyldfire

Old school thinking. Ford's new transmissions have a thermostat that doesn't open till 200. Heat equals efficiency. That is one way they are increasing mileage. New synthetic fluid can handle temps in the 250's. In fact to extend the fluids life needs to get above 212 to boil the atmosphere water out to keep the fluid working.

Yea a lot of guys on other forums remove that stat to get the trans to run cooler. But i just keep an eye on my temps to make sure it dont get stuck closed. Mine never gets over 200 and i am surprized by that because i do pull heavy for that truck. But i am a flat lander in il. Been to ky and tn with it but mostly flat. Change fluid every year. Im under warranty till 120k so i dont mess with things.

German Shepherd Guy · 10-13-2020, 04:17 AM

These have been great reply's. (Oak the OP) So took the truck in as there was some leakage from both the trans. cooler lines and the oil cooler lines to have them replaced. Will be interesting to follow the trany temps this next week during our trip exploring through New Mexico. Not like driving in the summer but still plenty of mountain passes in both states. (CO. and N.M.)

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