Auto trans temp?

[volkinator]

So, all you southerners can share some warmth on us northerners if you'd like....

But anyways, I'm trying to figure out what the optimal trans temp is for the auto. I bypassed the stock cooler with the B&M unit, and since its been so cold out my temp will max out around 115-125* (Scangauge 2). Definitely a lot less than normal and obviously less than in the summer.

But I'm wondering is it worth covering it to help it get a little warmer. In the past I've covered my radiator (different vehicle) with a sheet of cardboard to block some airflow from driving.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bstrom]

I have a similar concern - we have had a few nights in the teens here in baumy Tennessee, not unusual, but it makes you wonder if the cooler won't get the tranny up to temp.

The attached PDF is from Amsoil - it says a synthetic is going to 'thin down' to ideal operating temp much better than an organic fluid. And a temp of around 150 degrees is where the mechanical efficiency comes in best, which tells me a 150 degree minimum is a good target. I'm beginning to think mounting the tranny cooler behind the radiator is a better location. May call B&M about this.

 

[ralatkins]

I have a trans temp gauge (97 model, so no scangauge) and my temps have been hovering around 125 on the highway and around 150 in stop and go here in eastern NC. Daytime temps in the 40's

 

[jpeaslee]

IIRC, the B&Ms have a little valve that prevents the fluid from going into the cooler unless it's at least a certain temp, so I don't know that blocking it will do you any good. I haven't really paid too much attention since its cooled down, but I see summertime temps in south GA between 170-190 regularly. Outside temps 80-105.

 

[Bstrom]

IIRC, the B&Ms have a little valve that prevents the fluid from going into the cooler unless it's at least a certain temp, so I don't know that blocking it will do you any good. I haven't really paid too much attention since its cooled down, but I see summertime temps in south GA between 170-190 regularly. Outside temps 80-105.

Could a thermostat of some sort be put inline ahead of the cooler to hold temps where they need to be? Haven't heard of this approach as yet.

Here's a good 'experiences' thread - confirms the low 3 digit temps in cold weather but with claims the tranny runs fine, etc.

Transmission coolers - low temps and bypass thermostats - Tests and results - YotaTech Forums

 

[jpeaslee]

I haven't had a chance to read through it, but this thread might be worth a read.

**edit** Bstrom WAY beat me to it

 

[volkinator]

Could a thermostat of some sort be put inline ahead of the cooler to hold temps where they need to be? Haven't heard of this approach as yet.



Here's a good 'experiences' thread - confirms the low 3 digit temps in cold weather but with claims the tranny runs fine, etc.



Transmission coolers - low temps and bypass thermostats - Tests and results - YotaTech Forums

I haven't had a chance to read through it, but this thread might be worth a read.

Seriously exactly what I was looking for! I just know that coolant temps have there optimal range, and wanted to make sure I wasn't making things tougher on my runner with 210K+ miles.

Now just waiting for nicer weather... Highs around -10F tonight...

 

[gamefreakgc]

So, all you southerners can share some warmth on us northerners if you'd like....

But anyways, I'm trying to figure out what the optimal trans temp is for the auto. I bypassed the stock cooler with the B&M unit, and since its been so cold out my temp will max out around 115-125* (Scangauge 2). Definitely a lot less than normal and obviously less than in the summer.

But I'm wondering is it worth covering it to help it get a little warmer. In the past I've covered my radiator (different vehicle) with a sheet of cardboard to block some airflow from driving.

Any thoughts?

TruCool (which is essentially the same thing as B&M) said that they highly recommend keeping their cooler connected to the stock cooler in the radiator if you live in a cold climate for this very purpose. I realize most people isolate it to prevent the pink milkshake issue but the side effect for when it's hardly 0 degrees, the transmission stays pretty cold.

Wrapping it might not be a bad idea.

 

[cashmoney]

And this thread is why manufacturers put dummy gauges on vehicles.

 

[volkinator]

And this thread is why manufacturers put dummy gauges on vehicles.

I haven't seen a dummy gauge for cold tranny temps...Or any stock transmission gauge period. SGII helps a lot with that for monitoring it though. Just figured I'd see if there was any concern. Googling and asking here are my go to's. :yield:

And the coolant gauge is practically useless. It stays in the 'middle' from 100-200*F Basically if it gets anywhere above horizontal you'd better stop. I haven't seen this talked about anywhere. Everyone is always worried about the higher limit on the trans.
I can definitely see the advantage of using the external in series with the stock, but a new radiator wasn't in my budget at the time, and I don't know any records on the radiator (stupid P.O) And the external does a wonderful job of keeping me <200*F in the summer

 

[cashmoney]

Chevy's, ford's, dodge's. Most if not all of their trucks have trans gauges. 2010 Camaro I drove this weekend had a trans temp gauge and it was a manual. They do exist.

My point is is that unless you understand what you are looking at you are going to worry about nothing. If you don't understand what you are changing in a system designed to work a certain way then you shouldn't be messing with things. That's why manufacturers put dummy gauges in cars. People would be constantly complaining and worrying about why their gauge does this while the other gauge does that and they ready on the internet that the ideal range should be this and there's isn't so there must be something wrong. Quit worrying about it and just drive the thing. It's amazing how vehicles last 200k+ miles without all of these fancy gauges and their owners being completely oblivious.

 

[jgue467]

...So, all you southerners can share some warmth on us northerners if you'd like....

But anyways, I'm trying to figure out what the optimal trans temp is for the auto....
Any thoughts?

Yeah here's some warmth y'alls way - gonna be upper 60s in sunny austin, tx today. :^)))

anyway - I would suppose the Optimal trans temp would be what Toyota designed it to be. Can anyone dispute that? And we Know what that temp is, right? So there is the answer to Both questions. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[volkinator]

Chevy's, ford's, dodge's. Most if not all of their trucks have trans gauges. 2010 Camaro I drove this weekend had a trans temp gauge and it was a manual. They do exist.

My point is is that unless you understand what you are looking at you are going to worry about nothing. If you don't understand what you are changing in a system designed to work a certain way then you shouldn't be messing with things. That's why manufacturers put dummy gauges in cars. People would be constantly complaining and worrying about why their gauge does this while the other gauge does that and they ready on the internet that the ideal range should be this and there's isn't so there must be something wrong. Quit worrying about it and just drive the thing. It's amazing how vehicles last 200k+ miles without all of these fancy gauges and their owners being completely oblivious.

I get what you're saying. I'm definitely going to keep driving it! There's always the spectrum on the internet, and I just wanted to start a conversation I haven't seen before on here. Figured I'd see if anyone else had any experience with it or not. And needed something to do while I was warming up after my walk inside.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I just wanted to start a conversation I haven't seen before on here.

To be fair though, auto trans temps have been discussed to death on this forum.

 

[Bstrom]

Just called B&M and they told me this. A normal minimum tranny fluid temp is around 130 degrees. They claim no bad experiences with it in front of the radiator. The inlet should be at the top position with hoses coming in from the side.

So, with an upper limit of 200 degrees, running tranny fluid through the radiator is pushing that limit all the time. I smell my tranny fluid occasionally as well.

I'm going to mount mine as dircted and use a flap to block it during cold weather and remove it in summer.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Just called B&M and they told me this. A normal minimum tranny fluid temp is around 130 degrees. They claim no bad experiences with it in front of the radiator. The inlet should be at the top position with hoses coming in from the side.

So, with an upper limit of 200 degrees, running tranny fluid through the radiator is pushing that limit all the time. I smell my tranny fluid occasionally as well.

I'm going to mount mine as dircted and use a flap to block it during cold weather and remove it in summer.

The flap will be useless IMO. B&M has a low-temp bypass. It won't help heat up your ATF any faster. Once it's hot enough to flow through the entire cooler, it's not like it'll cool the fluid so much that it'll drop back in bypass mode.

I haven't noticed my trans needing all that much extra time getting up to temp, even in -20F to -25F, my trans temp will still hit and stay within the 130F-150F range.