Beach Driving Problem?

roberttu · October 8, 2007

Have a "03 K2500 with 40K miles. I recently took it on the beach in NC and all was fine until the light came on that says "Transmission Hot". It has the OEM tow package and (I assume) a trans cooler. The Trans temp guage on the dash was running slighly over 200 degrees F. I was in Drive, and changed several times between 4WD HI and 4WD Auto. I did not have the Trailer/Haul button engaged. I had only driven it for a few miles at less than 15MPH. The outside temp was around 70 degrees F. I stopped immediately and let it cool down, and we made it home w/ no problem. From reading various posts, I now know I had the tire pressure way to high (35-40PSI).

I would really appreciate any advice you guys may have.....

1) Did I damage anything? I have carefully checked the trans fluid and the level is fine with no burned smell. I am inclined to get it changed anyway. Seems like everything is working great.

2) If I were to drive with the Trailer/Haul button engaged, would that reduce the wear on the trans?

3) Should I have been driving in a lower gear or is "Drive" just fine?

4) Is it harder on the Trans to be in AWD or keeping it in 4WD Hi?

Thanks a million!

larryf · October 10, 2007

No expert but here is my two cents.

Think about when you walk in sand and how much harder you need to work. From my off roading experience, it's the same for a truck. The trans is getting a work out. If you don't have electric fan, running in a lower gear at a higher RPM will pull more air over the trans cooler. 200 is hot but not too bad for short period of time. Pull the dip stick and smell the fluid and look at the color. If it smells burnt or looks dark a fluid change might be in order. Good luck.

GRB60 · October 10, 2007

It's probably OK. On sand run with it in 4HI all the time. The Auto mode will have it hunting between 2wd and 4wd, which generates heat. Lower your tires to 15-20 PSI.

no bull · October 10, 2007

It's probably OK. On sand run with it in 4HI all the time. The Auto mode will have it hunting between 2wd and 4wd, which generates heat. Lower your tires to 15-20 PSI.

Running in 4lo when in loose sand will ALWAYS cause the drivetrain to run cooler, put gear selector in D, tow/haul off, tires at NO higher than 15psi and your set.