Trans Temp While Towing

[RyanbabZ71]

I towed for the first time with my 08 Tahoe today. It is a 7x12 utility trailer (ill post a pic later). What do you guys normally see in regards to trans temperature while towing empty/light weights (Tables/chairs for a party). Just curious. I think the highest I seen it was 172? It ranged anywhere from 160-172. Almost 40 miles.

[pwall]

I would say that it's not that much of a load for your truck, so the temps look normal to me.

 

When I towed my 27' TT with my YukonXL, I used to see over 220 sometimes.

Current truck last week it stayed around 170.

[Spurshot]

I wouldn't sweat it until it approached 250F.

[RyanbabZ71]

Cool thanks I was just curious. My 2000 Silverado didnt have a trans temp so this is something to play around with and monitor

[QUIKAG]

Towing a 6,000lb trailer with car with my '08 Yukon, I saw max temps of around 210F. Not bad at all.

[96chevy7.4L]

Personaly I think anything over 200 is to much. 180 is the magic number to shoot for loaded. Although with the heaviest load I have hauled the max I see is 165-170. But the cooler the fluid the better off you are.

[brims]

At 65-70 mph in 90 degree temperature I consistantly run 175 degrees on the trans temp with my Hayden 679 auxiliary cooler; without a load in the bed or on the hitch. I'm contemplating bypassing the oil to water cooler.

[s_n_a_f_u]

I wouldn't sweat it until it approached 250F.

 

 

Spot on at 250F and above oil can oxidize rapidly and loss much of it's lubricating quailities

[Spurshot]

..and I think that's a conservative temp with the newer Dexron IV.

[wurgs]

Towing my 8000lb camper this summer, saw 192 max temp. That was towing in pretty hilly country in 90 deg weather.

[RyanbabZ71]

few photos

[pm26]

..and I think that's a conservative temp with the newer Dexron IV.

 

The new trucks use Dexron VI, not IV.

[Pilot12]

Personaly I think anything over 200 is to much. 180 is the magic number to shoot for loaded. Although with the heaviest load I have hauled the max I see is 165-170. But the cooler the fluid the better off you are.

 

I'd like to know if there is a "magic" number, but so far all I've heard are opinions. This is the first truck on which I've seen a tranny temp display. I have a factory cooler/ trailer package and I see 190 degrees, empty and without a trailer, just going down the freeway 70 MPH and 105 degrees OAT. With a load I'm just guessing it will be a little warmer.

 

Why put this info in front of us with no limitiations listed in the manual? Near as I can tell, it's like the rest of the gauges......learn what is normal for your truck and keep an eye out for irregularities.

 

Can anybody say what MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE tranny temp is and cite the source?

[Starrman]

that's a lot of folding chairs, glad I'm not unloading/loading them...lol.

 

I've noticed that if you use tow/haul mode while towing that the tranny temps drop a few degrees. At least it does on mine, I've tested it

[Spurshot]

Personaly I think anything over 200 is to much. 180 is the magic number to shoot for loaded. Although with the heaviest load I have hauled the max I see is 165-170. But the cooler the fluid the better off you are.

 

I'd like to know if there is a "magic" number, but so far all I've heard are opinions. This is the first truck on which I've seen a tranny temp display. I have a factory cooler/ trailer package and I see 190 degrees, empty and without a trailer, just going down the freeway 70 MPH and 105 degrees OAT. With a load I'm just guessing it will be a little warmer.

 

Why put this info in front of us with no limitiations listed in the manual? Near as I can tell, it's like the rest of the gauges......learn what is normal for your truck and keep an eye out for irregularities.

 

Can anybody say what MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE tranny temp is and cite the source?

 

 

 

From my 99 2500 Sierra owner's manual.

 

If you vehicle has a heavy duty automatic transmission, you will have a transmission temperature gage.

 

When your ignition is on, the gage shows the temperature of the transmission fluid. The normal operating range is from 100*F (38*C) to about 265*F (130*C).

 

At approximately 265*F (130*C), the message center will display a TRANS FLUID HOT message and the transmission will enter a transmission protection mode. When the transmission enters the protection mode, you may notice a change in the transmission shifting patterns. The transmission will return to normal shifting patterns when the transmission fluid temperature falls below 260*F (127*C).

 

See "Message Center" in the Index for further infomation.

 

If the transmission fluid reaches temperatures of approximately 275*F (135*C) or greater, the message center will display a TRANS HOT...IDLE ENG warning message. Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it is safe to do so. Set the parking brake, place the transmission in PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature falls below 260*F (127*C). If the transmission continues to operate above 265*F (130*C), please contact your nearest dealer or the GM Roadside Assistance Center.

 

There was more, but it was just general warnings about a variety of things that could affect temp.

 

Notice the temp gage has hash marks that go red at 275*F