Normal Transmission Temperature?

nomad297 wrote:
I own a 2004 2500HD Silverado with the 6.0 gas engine. They must have run out of the correct instrument clusters while mine was on the line, so I was blessed with a transmission temperature dummy light instead of an analog gauge.

I recently had to replace my cluster due to lighting and gauge problems, and the new OEM cluster (not rebuilt) came with the transmission temperature gauge. Everything on the new cluster works fine, but I don't know where the needle should rest at cold and where it should hover at normal temperature for the transmission. I've searched the web and read many opinions which vary from 160 to 180 degrees for normal temperature, but that 180 seems too high to me. My 2005 3500HD Duramax's transmission temperature always seems to be around 140 degrees.

I just don't know what it should be. Can somebody please let me know?

Thank you,

Bruce

Bruce I have to ask why you think 180 it too high? Why not 250 or 150 or whatever? I'm surprised someone hasn't posted the 1970's Tranny chart yet. :R


Here's the deal. Some on this site are living in the days of points and carburetors and 235 is the death knell of transmission fluid.

This isn't 1970 and we don't have points or carburetors or tranny fluid that turns to junk after 235 degrees F. This is a fact and if you think I'm wrong just go to some manufactures sites and see what they say about synesthetic tranny fluids. Or pull a sample and take it you your favorite lab and see what they say about what kind of shape the oil is in.

To answer your question, there is no such thing as a "normal" transmission temp.

If it's cold outside and you aren't towing anything the temp will be low; 140-160 degrees or so? If the outside temp is in the 70's your tranny fluid might be somewhere around 160 to 180? If you are towing up a steep hill with a super heavy load when the outside temp is 100 or more degrees your tranny temp might be 200 to 250 degrees F, or more.

Bottom line is, GM engineers say now days 275 and you should start doing something. The way new trucks are built I can almost guarantee that you will not see 275 unless you are doing something crazy with your truck.

Here is some good reading about miles and tranny fluid.