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Trans temp.

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208K views 59 replies 29 participants last post by  PaleRider  
B
#1 ·
Hi everyone.

Does anyone know what is the normal operation transmission Temp? I'm getting between 174F to 185F only highway driving with out any load on the truck. The truck only have 21,500 miles on her.

Thanks
 
S
#28 ·
I've noticed the highest temps I see are always when I'm backing up my trailer, up a hill, into my garage. The lowest temps are when I'm cruising down the freeway.
 
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#29 ·
straight out of the service manual~> To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C). wheel/tire size has a lot of influence on the temp also...i see 212ish when summer towing fully loded and gassed.
 
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J
#30 ·
I'm on a fairly heavy wheel/tire combo (33x12.5 on 20s) and I'm also running a 34 gallon tank. Full tank and driving hard (with a custom tune with very firm shifts) on a 90 degree day and I see no higher than 195 degrees. I'm abusing my tranny quite a bit and still haven't seen 200 degrees yet. Maybe it's the tranny cooler that's keeping me cool.
 
#32 ·
I wonder if my cooler temps are related to the fact that I use Amsoil's Coolant Boost in the cooling system? It's supposed to be more effective at dissapating heat. I bought it for the engine, but it may be helping the tranny too. Maybe?
 
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S
#33 ·
^Could be, but we've got to remember, that most of us are running different tranny\engine setups. It sounds like the 1\2 ton 6-speeds run cooler than the 480LE transmissions.
 
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J
#34 ·
starspangled6.0 said:
^Could be, but we've got to remember, that most of us are running different tranny\engine setups. It sounds like the 1\2 ton 6-speeds run cooler than the 480LE transmissions.
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Would make sense. I'm running a tranny from 03 while you guys are running 07+. Also, could be due to the fact that my shifts are much much firmer and more frequent than stock as well as the fact that I'm running b&m trick shift fluid so that could play a huge factor in it. Still, I'm not seeing anything above 195 tho.
 
K
#37 ·
New truck, 1500 miles so far, just pulled a 6500lbs trailer, from MA down to PA, 95 outside temp. DIC reads between 180 as high as 207 for a short while. did use tow/hual mode.
 
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S
#38 ·
I recently changed out my rear diff fluid- it was overfilled, and who knows how long it's been since it was changed last. I put Amsoil in, and now, the trans temps are running 5-10 degrees lower. It's hard to get a good reading with the little stubby trans temp needle, but I can certainly say that it's running cooler. Hooray!
 
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#39 ·
EKinMN said:
I wonder if my cooler temps are related to the fact that I use Amsoil's Coolant Boost in the cooling system? It's supposed to be more effective at dissapating heat. I bought it for the engine, but it may be helping the tranny too. Maybe?
Click to expand...
The opposite should be true since your engine's radiator is now more efficient and thus dissapates more of its heat through the radiator. This heat would be dissapating right next to the tranny's heat exchanger and thus make it harder to dissapate its heat.

This is all theory of course... :ugeek:
 
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#40 ·
Theory's of heat transfer is like Physics....and physics give me a headache! :)
 
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#42 ·
So I just drove 20+ miles to school this morning. 10 miles doing 80mph. In 35 degree weather. Tranny only got to 135°. That normal? How long does it usually take to get to "normal operating temperature"?
 
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S
#43 ·
Sounds about normal... don't worry about it too much.
 
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C
#44 ·
My 2500 trans temp seems to run cold in Winter, towing a utility trailer it barely reaches 120 or 130. In the Summer towing a 30' TT I have seen the temp briefly approach 200 though. That was on the old fluid, now have synthetic and will see what my Summer temps are this year.
 
J
#46 ·
I normally only see 145F, that's my max operating temperature no matter how long I drive. (No towing, never done it I thought the 1500's were for grocery getting? :)

During the winter time, I see 131F at best.

I don't understand how you are able to get up to operating temp of 175-190F degrees ?! Could the temp sensor be off? Maybe I should take a reading with a laser gauge just for fun? Where would you do that, take out the dipstick and measure there or maybe on the outside of the transmission pan?
 
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2
#48 ·
Glad i found this. My trans temp sits about 130*f and 150*f depending how i am driving. when i ran it at the dragstrip it was at about 170*f
 
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O
#50 ·
So Recently Took my Travel Trailer on a trip Through the Rockies.. my Trans temp. never went over 225
But I felt it was too hot. So I drained and flushed the system. When I got back East. It was definitely burnt not mention that when it shifted there was a little whine. After flush whineing noise went away. Drove it back out west no problems. Flushed it again when I got home it was a little dark.
Not pulling trailer it Runs between 196/205 I do live in the Desert and it's freaking Hot here..
So I bought a kit that Replaced thermostat in trans (yes it has one) Designed not to open till 185.
Now I'm Running in the 175/1 much Happier Truck..
 
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