Cold Weather 4Running
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brillo_76
Elite Member
You could that a try if you wish. As the radiator is also a transmission fluid heater when its really cold outside. I would imagine though if its driven around a while, the fluid would get warm no matter how cold it is. :noidea:
Cold transmission fluid isn’t a problem like too hot transmission fluid. Cold transmission fluid will lead to firmer shifts and a little loss in fuel economy. You can try to cover the external transmission fluid cooler, but be careful you aren’t going to block the radiator and cause engine cooling issues.
Kanoe
New member
You need a winter front. It gets cold here, -20 to -40 sometimes colder. Lots of vehicles use a front block to get things up to temp faster. I cover 75% of the front openings until temps get back above freezing again. Overheating has never been an issue.
Just stick a piece of cardboard in front of the tranny cooler during the cold snap.
Just stick a piece of cardboard in front of the tranny cooler during the cold snap.
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brillo_76
Elite Member
It was 0 and -10 for a week or so here recently. I just had a stiffer power steering for a little while. However, I don't run an external transmission cooler. So I don't have experience with them in winter. Actually, I just removed one off of a rig a PO put on..
Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk
Don't worry about it.
There are many hundreds of thousands of vehicles being driven or have been driven in much colder weather with transmission coolers without any issues whatsoever.
It was -23 F here this morning and I bet if I checked my trans temp it would be about 95 F.
This is it's 20th winter without issue.
There are many hundreds of thousands of vehicles being driven or have been driven in much colder weather with transmission coolers without any issues whatsoever.
It was -23 F here this morning and I bet if I checked my trans temp it would be about 95 F.
This is it's 20th winter without issue.
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cold does play some games, and I too block my radiator ( currently minus 23 )
some trans coolers have a bimetal valve that does not allow the oil to go through the entire cooler if cold, I know my B&M was advertised that way. ( well no longer have, it was on a 4runner that is gone now)
as stated above in another post , the radiator also heats helps heat the tranny fluid in cold weather. How much I dont know as this time of year my rad does not get above 185 and my trannny rarely above 150 according to my torque pro app.
some trans coolers have a bimetal valve that does not allow the oil to go through the entire cooler if cold, I know my B&M was advertised that way. ( well no longer have, it was on a 4runner that is gone now)
as stated above in another post , the radiator also heats helps heat the tranny fluid in cold weather. How much I dont know as this time of year my rad does not get above 185 and my trannny rarely above 150 according to my torque pro app.
cl4Rk
Member
-23! Yeah. And here I thought I was having a cold morning at 4 degrees...
gamefreakgc
Elite Member
Cold fluid does increase wear on parts as the fluid is more viscous (thick) and takes more effort to move fluid around. You may also find the transmission will refuse to lock the torque converter in an attempt to warm the fluid. That being said, the A340F transmissions in these 4Runners are stout and long-lasting. If it were a problem to the point of failure your local junkyards would be overflowing with 4Runners, Tacomas and Jeeps as they all use the same transmission. Seeing that's not the case you should be good.
If you want a warmer heater for the inside I recommend a partial blockage of the radiator like mentioned above. The same wear does not apply to coolant.
If you want a warmer heater for the inside I recommend a partial blockage of the radiator like mentioned above. The same wear does not apply to coolant.
