i understand that very few, if any, class c's on the ford e450 frame come with a tranny temp guage. seems odd to me especially when most also have the towing capability. so, that being said, how does one check tranny temps when towing? is there a relation to water temps? or am i concerned for nothing?

You don't indicate which engine you have, and that makes a difference as to what you may need to monitor. In terms of actually monitoring, you can either install individual gauges or a monitor such as as the Edge Insight or Scangauge, either of which plugs into your OBD port and provides real time data from your computer.

I use a Scangauge to monitor mine.

1) If you stay with specification (20,000 GCWR for most E450s or 22k on the newest ones) you probably won't ever get the transmission too hot2) If it does get do hot, the PCM will start reducing power to protect the transmission.I added Banks trans temp gauge to mine because I do run over original factory spec. I ended needing a larger transmission cooler because my grill guard blocks a lot of air.

I use a scangauge to monitor transmission temps. Normal range seems to be between 175 and 200, depending on outside temps and load.

scanguage sounds worthwhile. where does one get them and approx. cost?

E450 tranny temps | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

jdog
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
My 2007 with a 2006 E-450 Chassis has a factory trans temperature gauge.
carringb
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
I think trans temp via OBD2 requires CAN, which didn't come out in the E-series until 2003. So anything older requires a simple analog gauge as far as I know. I actually like analog for temps because it give enough information at a glance you don't really need to look at it and "think" about where the temps are. My trans temp gauge pretty much sits in the middle when I'm towing in hot weather, which is where every other gauge sits (incl my diff temp gauge). The Banks gauge is also color-coded so I don't have to remember what's too hot.
Mich_F
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
I bought one at Auto Zone not quite two weeks ago. It was $159 plus tax. I used it for the first time this week end. Temp ran between 192 and 197.
I did have some difficulty setting it up. It runs through their x gauge formatting. I tried the different settings a couple of times with no luck. mikebo on here told me the setting he used. I tried that and it still didn't work. I unplugged the unit, plugged it back in, and it started working.
I just checked your profile and I assume you'll be using it on a 2010 MH, which I imagine will work. My 1997 V10 couldn't be read by scan gauge because that info didn't come through the OBDII connection.
chinrv
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Check AutoZone online - I recently ordered one for about $128 + tax.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Jul 15, 2013
Also, customer service is top notch. I emailed them about a problem I was having with my ScanGauge. I told them it was 3 years old so it was out of warranty. They told me to ship it back for a free repair. I had it back in about 7 or 10 days.
ronfisherman
Moderator
Jul 15, 2013
jk31668 wrote:
scanguage sounds worthwhile. where does one get them and approx. cost?

Camping World. About $160.
Scangauge II
jk31668
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
scanguage sounds worthwhile. where does one get them and approx. cost?
mikebo
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
I use a scangauge to monitor transmission temps. Normal range seems to be between 175 and 200, depending on outside temps and load.
carringb
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
1) If you stay with specification (20,000 GCWR for most E450s or 22k on the newest ones) you probably won't ever get the transmission too hot

2) If it does get do hot, the PCM will start reducing power to protect the transmission.

I added Banks trans temp gauge to mine because I do run over original factory spec. I ended needing a larger transmission cooler because my grill guard blocks a lot of air.
rvten
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
I use a Scangauge to monitor mine.