Trans Temp

kdogg · June 18, 2008

Hey guys,

It's been a while. I've been towing my Camper trailer alot and was wondering what the safe transmission running temp limits are. So far I've only gottin up to almost 230°F . This is a 07' 1500.

Oh by the way, havn't been on for a while and just caught the carnage of the so called ten year old Tundra "wanna be" truck owner/hacker with the mighty proxy. Did he get Hammered or what? Hope so, but at the same time it was pretty interesting to see anyway.

HawkeyeOC · June 18, 2008

Welcome back!

Not sure of actual temperature limits, but the DIC will let you know with a warning and chimes if it gets too hot. Nice feature!

On the other question:

One was banned, the other is still here somewhere under a changed nick

kdogg · June 18, 2008

That's a good point. I'll just look for that. I guess the warranty takes care of the rest???

C & A s Dad · June 18, 2008

Kevin, in my opinion 230 degrees is about 30 degrees too hot. Your warning msg will not come on until 250 I believe. Far past what I want to see.

I tow a 6500 lb camper with my 1500 Yuk XL and never see temps even close to 200. I hit 171 on a 95 degree day after sitting at idle for about 10 mins. It dropped back to the low to mid 160s as soon as I began moving again.

I have upgraded my OE cooler with a 11 x 11 x 3/4 stacked plate cooler by Hayden. The winter temps where you live will dictate the size of cooler you use to some degree. Very cold winters will not allow a cooler the size of mine unless you plan to run a stat or block it off partially in the winter.

If you are not towing in 3 rd with the TH mode engaged, you may want to consider this. Heat will build quickly if your trans is shifting a great deal

kdogg · June 18, 2008

Thanks Trey,

Ive never seen past 230°, but also never drivin that far yet in temps over 80° with this trailer that's why I'm wondering. Do notice that I drive like it's not there, if you know what I mean... As for extensive shifting, it doesn't shift that much. I don't really need to use the Tow/Haul button because of that. I will keep it at certain higher RPMs at some times, always keeping in mind the engine with some respect.

IceCactus · June 18, 2008

I think that may be why your seeing the higher temps is becuase you dont have it in TH. TH changes the shift points (holds the rpm longer) to help keep the trans cooler. I believe i read that in the manaul, if not i read it somewhere. If i remember corrrectly it said something about raising the pressure? or something so the shifts are firmer which also increase trans life.

Towing my quads around 3000lbs, in 80 degrees here in AZ to Gordon wells, mine used to hit about 180 if i crank on her to get moving on the highway...but then it would cool back down to 160

95Sierra2500 · June 18, 2008

For future reference, driving your truck like you're NOT pulling a trailer while you really ARE pulling one is damaging, dangerous, and overall ignorant. You simply MUST remember that it's back there and change your driving style accordingly. Your truck will thank you with lower trans temps, better fuel mileage, and less brake wear. Your trailer will thank you by not bouncing all over hell and breaking itself apart.

I've been towing for years, and doing things like slowing down (even 5mph), braking sooner, and keeping a longer distance between me and the guy in front of me has kept me and anyone with me safe, not to mention the other people on the road.

nbscanuck · June 18, 2008

Tow/haul will do nothing for temps. It only changes your shift points, makes accelerating easier. I use tow/haul in stop and go city driving to get me moving better. 230 is too hot, you NEED a tranny cooler. Pulling a 5000lb trailer with ATV in the box of the truck, I never broke 170 on a 80 degree day. I also never broke 60mph. You also need to pull in 3 gear, pulling in OD will build heat in a hurry and will kill your tranny in a hurry.

Bish · June 18, 2008

I agree you are too hot. I would change your fluid. I saw a graph of trans temps and fluid longevity somewhere. Basically anything over 200deg shortens trans fluid life. 230 was significant shortening.

In my 01 Tahoe (4L60e) I would tow in 3 as gear hunting and torque converter locking/unlocking REALLY heats up the fluid in a hurry. Also you should definitely drive more conservatively when towing unless you want to grenade the tranny. Tranny cooler is CRITICAL if you don't have one. If you do, get a bigger one or alter your driving style when towing.

Zembonez · June 18, 2008

I also agree that 230 is way too hot. My truck has seen 200 on a couple of occasions pulling long hills in the summer but normally operates well under 200 when towing. Same holds true for my Dad's Suburban. We've seen 200 but very rarely when pulling hard in the hills. Trans temps will get the hottest when the trans is working hard (obviously). Sounds like you need a better cooler. I don't agree with the folks that drive 40 and use 3rd gear. I use tow/haul... leave it in drive and have never had any issues. You certainly want to shorten up those fluid change intervals if you tow a lot. It's just good insurance.

ATMINF · June 18, 2008

Who got banned? I missed it. Also on my 4L80 never gets above 190.

kdogg · June 24, 2008

Well,... I went on another trip this past weekend. I used T/H mode the whole time and slowed down some more, actually stayed the speed limit between 60 and 70mph. The highest temp I saw was 217°. So according to what you guys have said so far is that it's still too hot. So I guess I should look into a tranny cooler or what?

nbscanuck · June 24, 2008

Absolutely you need a cooler. I'd be concerned if I reached 200. I pulled out of a river valley last weekend (about a 3 mile pull), fully loaded (400lb ATV, fuel, 40 gallons water, trailer, gear, etc.) probably close to 7000 lbs total and I never broke 175 on a 85 degree day. Slow it down too. 60-70 mph is way too fast, you need braking distance, you need control over your trailer. Give it a try and watch how much better you mileage is at 55 than at 60. Do a test with braking too. Drive 30 with out your trailer and stop, then try it with the trailer and look at the difference in stopping distance.

kdogg · June 24, 2008

Absolutely you need a cooler. I'd be concerned if I reached 200. I pulled out of a river valley last weekend (about a 3 mile pull), fully loaded (400lb ATV, fuel, 40 gallons water, trailer, gear, etc.) probably close to 7000 lbs total and I never broke 175 on a 85 degree day. Slow it down too. 60-70 mph is way too fast, you need braking distance, you need control over your trailer. Give it a try and watch how much better you mileage is at 55 than at 60. Do a test with braking too. Drive 30 with out your trailer and stop, then try it with the trailer and look at the difference in stopping distance.

Breaking isn't my problem though I understand what you're saying. In fact though the day we left it was pouring down rain. Somebody slammed on thier brakes right in front of me. All 8 tires skidded and stopped just a couple of feet from the dumb ass. We weren't even going 35 yet. So I get that point hence the slowing down for the whole trip. The out side temp has only been 60 to 67 here since I first posted this topic too.

I did have the trailer full of supplies and the truck full of fire wood, BBQ, and Bikes. On the way back was way lighter and the temps stayed the same.

alaska511 · June 24, 2008

Absolutely you need a cooler. I'd be concerned if I reached 200. I pulled out of a river valley last weekend (about a 3 mile pull), fully loaded (400lb ATV, fuel, 40 gallons water, trailer, gear, etc.) probably close to 7000 lbs total and I never broke 175 on a 85 degree day. Slow it down too. 60-70 mph is way too fast, you need braking distance, you need control over your trailer. Give it a try and watch how much better you mileage is at 55 than at 60. Do a test with braking too. Drive 30 with out your trailer and stop, then try it with the trailer and look at the difference in stopping distance.

Well said, Darcy. My new cooler goes on this week, I hate see 200*