What i learned about big hills & trans temps

[jgue467]

So far about 1/2 way on my summer roadtrip is while climbing mountain passes and significant hills in Cali is while the engine/trans can take most passes/hills on top gear the trans temps can climb up to about 235 but if i depress the overdrive overide button the temps come down to 197 or so and of course the engine/trans strain much less. Seems obvious the strain would be less but i didn't expect trans temps to decrease so much, so of course, I'll be using that from now on. engine temp always remained the same 194 or so. Probably everyone knows this but me yet thought i'd share. Next comes Utah and Colo, been having a great time in Cali. :^)

 

[Vannnce]

Im surprised yours gets that hot with having a cooler. I havent noticed mine getting that hot ever, also monitoring with the torque app, still using only the stock cooler in the radiator. I start slowing down/ pulling over/ cooling down at 215 degrees in any of my vehicles

 

[thor999]

If you're running a cooler with no fan (like me) and its a radiator bypass, well you actually have LESS cooling potential; I cannot even run 10mph in the middle of winter on flat land in 4Hi w/out getting those temps. Solution? Disable OD, and when 4 wheeling, run in 4Lo not Hi. I'm not sure a fan would help much, but will know pretty soon when I install one; however will still probably add a secondary cooler.

 

[jgue467]

Yeah kinda high, but like i said the trans temps dropped like a rock (to 197) if i just turn overdrive off.

I should have added more details, the high temp of 235 was reached while traveling the legal limit in west texas of 80, i held this speed even while climbing and the outside temp was 110 degrees, not sure that really impacted things.

Now i'm thinking of touring thru the lake tahoe area then perhaps salt lake then golden/morrison/denver colo (taking I6 from salt lake). Anyone with experience in those areas, do you think it will be about the same type of grades as west texas and cali? Just looking for some scenic paths (with maybe a few stops for cool stuff to shoot pics of) on the way home (something different than what i saw on the way via new mex, ariz, south cali) that aren't too tough on the old girl.

A little concerned but not too much, I have drained/filled the trans fluid 3 times in the last 4 months and will probably do it once i get back to good ol' texas for good measure. Thanks for any info! Regards...

 

[amalik]

I haven't driven in Texas, but have driven to California once. Golden/Morrison is nothing like those up and downs in California.

Here's what I recommend.

Stop by Lookout Mountain in Golden, it is very beautiful from the top, but the climb/ascension is pretty high. Wikipedia states the elevation is 7,374 ft, so you're climbing ~2,000ft on the winding roads since we are already a mile high. You'll be fine though, tons of Civics/small cars climb it just fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lookout_Mountain_(Colorado)

Also, it's worth making a trip to red rocks, they are not that far apart and the rocks there are pretty unique.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[GVL]

On a very similar note, I just noticed my ATF temp stays considerably cooler when using 4 Low (steeper & slower) instead of 4 High on loose & hilly trails.

I'm hoping that's normal and a good thing LOL.

 

[2014 Warthog]

I have also noticed huge trans temp drops when shifting into "sport" mode and downshifting to get the torque converter into full lock going up steep roads. Makes sense. It you are towing, definitely be down shifted so you aren't working your fluids hard an unlocked torque converter...