C5 Auto Trans Temp
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Refineryville Texas
C5 Auto Trans Temp
I have an Auto '98 with 87K on it, all highway. Looks new! My question is my trans temp is running 190-215 degrees. Is that too hot? The temps in Texas have been cool, around 70 degres tonight when it hit 215 and I was running it strong when it got that high.
When the summer time ambient temp gets around 90-100 , I would think it would get even higher. Is that true?
Should I have it serviced? I have only owned it about 3 weeks and did not see in the records where it had been serviced. The dealership printed out 5 pages of things it had been in for under warranty.
Any info would be appreciated.
Dan in Texas
When the summer time ambient temp gets around 90-100 , I would think it would get even higher. Is that true?
Should I have it serviced? I have only owned it about 3 weeks and did not see in the records where it had been serviced. The dealership printed out 5 pages of things it had been in for under warranty.
Any info would be appreciated.
Dan in Texas
Last edited by daneaux; May 14, 2006 at 01:17 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
Likes: 1,817
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
When I take mine to the track I can usually only stay out for 10 minutes of a 15 minute session because my tran temp gets so hot! Time for a trans cooler.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Mine stays a 190 on long highway trips with the cruise control set at 75. So, to me, that is normal.
Have you checked up under where the air comes in, sometime, trashbags, leaves, and other stuff get way up there blocking the air flow.
Have you checked up under where the air comes in, sometime, trashbags, leaves, and other stuff get way up there blocking the air flow.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Sounds normal, but I highly recommend a trans cooler. B&M makes one, it is easy to install and I am oftern running 20 degrees cooler. I haven't broken 200 degrees or gotten remotely close since I installed it in May 2004 and I have had the car in Hawaii and I know am stationed in South Carolina and the car has seen temps close to 100 degrees and the trans fluid is still nice and cool if you ask me.
Get one, it is insurance for a small price.
Micah
Get one, it is insurance for a small price.
Micah
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Sounds normal. I installed my trans cooler at the same time I installed my torque converter and I still run cooler than stock. 
I'm adding a cowl hood, curious to see how that will affect my running temps.
I'm adding a cowl hood, curious to see how that will affect my running temps.
Last edited by Rhode Warrior; May 14, 2006 at 11:43 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Stn Mtn GA
I pay attention to the trans temp b/c thats the main thing that causes failure. I always have the DIC set on Trans temp. I've noticed that in my 99 A4 highyway speeds its always at 180. The thing that bothers me is when i am sitting in traffic it hits 218. But as soon as I get moving it drops.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Henderson NV
I am in vegas (it is 105+ already here) and I see 225 trans temp in traffic. 200-210 regularly. I know in my truck, which I tow with, I try to keep the trans temp under 200 and definitely under 225. I asked my dad, he owns a transmission shop and his answer was "they run hot", which sounds like BS to me. I just checked the trans fluid this weekend and it is still pink, so it hasn't seemed to be a problem yet. I will probably install a trans cooler at some point.
Since you don't have service records (and the corvette manual has a rediculously long service interval for the automatic transmission), you might want to check the transmission fluid. It's weird to check the trans fluid though. You have to jack up the car, get it running, and while it it running you remove a fill hole in the side of the trans pan and it dribbes out (if everything is OK!). It was kinda nerve racking to be under the car while it was running, but no biggie really.
I searched thru the forums and it seems like most people are running < 200 deg temperatures in their transmission, but most of them don't like in texas/phoenix/vegas either.
-Jeff
Since you don't have service records (and the corvette manual has a rediculously long service interval for the automatic transmission), you might want to check the transmission fluid. It's weird to check the trans fluid though. You have to jack up the car, get it running, and while it it running you remove a fill hole in the side of the trans pan and it dribbes out (if everything is OK!). It was kinda nerve racking to be under the car while it was running, but no biggie really.
I searched thru the forums and it seems like most people are running < 200 deg temperatures in their transmission, but most of them don't like in texas/phoenix/vegas either.
-Jeff
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Henderson NV
Just one more thing to add. The fans don't turn on until almost 225 IIRC, so if you're stuck in traffic and have no airflow, the tranny is gonna get hot. You can turn on the A/C and it forces the fan on, although at low speed. The fan on the radiator is a two speed fan and the high speed doesn't kick on until 235 IIRC.
-Jeff
-Jeff
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Refineryville Texas
My high temps have come from running it "light to light" and then sitting in traffic at a light. Once moving it will drop to 191-198 deg.
But, it is not summer yet, and the average daytime temp will soon be in mid 90's.
I live in Beaumont Texas and if anyone knows an outstanding Vette Doc, Please let me know. It is difficult in my schedule to drive 100 miles to Houston for Quality service!
But, it is not summer yet, and the average daytime temp will soon be in mid 90's.
I live in Beaumont Texas and if anyone knows an outstanding Vette Doc, Please let me know. It is difficult in my schedule to drive 100 miles to Houston for Quality service!
