Normal Transmission Temperature?
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 lig...
Forum Discussion
I am glad someone brought up the fact that most of those ATF charts are old, and outdated. Cause they are. Todays ATF is all synthetic blends or full synthetic and can tolerate much high temps before degrading. And some transmissions are harder on ATF than others, regardless of temps.
Example, I monitored ATF temps of a 2012 Honda Pilot in normal driving and towing at max. Normal everyday drives showed a HUGE variance, from 90f cruising along on the interstate all day, to 210 in rush hour traffic, to 230 (peak) while towing.
Now I own Toyota Sequoia, and per my scan tool, I run 180-200 commonly and I don't see it drop below 170-180 once it reaches this temp. Toyota has a thermostat within the ATF system to keep the temps consistent, and higher than most think it should be. I'm not sure what its set to, but it appears to begin opening around 180.
My main point is temp alone wont tell you if you need to change your ATF sooner than recommended, unless you're well above of any normal temp. IMO, I think 275+ would get my attention and get me to change whatever I'm doing or have the trans looked at.
What's a normal range? I find it varies. I would agree that 275f is high and should raise eyebrows. And I would not worry at all seeing temps hit 230-240 peak (not constant) temps while towing or some other stressful event.
Get a UOA on your ATF to know where you stand and end the guessing game. You may be surprised to learn some transmissions could use a ATF "refresh" (drain 3-4qts and refill) at only 15k.
Example, I monitored ATF temps of a 2012 Honda Pilot in normal driving and towing at max. Normal everyday drives showed a HUGE variance, from 90f cruising along on the interstate all day, to 210 in rush hour traffic, to 230 (peak) while towing.
Now I own Toyota Sequoia, and per my scan tool, I run 180-200 commonly and I don't see it drop below 170-180 once it reaches this temp. Toyota has a thermostat within the ATF system to keep the temps consistent, and higher than most think it should be. I'm not sure what its set to, but it appears to begin opening around 180.
My main point is temp alone wont tell you if you need to change your ATF sooner than recommended, unless you're well above of any normal temp. IMO, I think 275+ would get my attention and get me to change whatever I'm doing or have the trans looked at.
What's a normal range? I find it varies. I would agree that 275f is high and should raise eyebrows. And I would not worry at all seeing temps hit 230-240 peak (not constant) temps while towing or some other stressful event.
Get a UOA on your ATF to know where you stand and end the guessing game. You may be surprised to learn some transmissions could use a ATF "refresh" (drain 3-4qts and refill) at only 15k.
