Transmission Temp question.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: 972 and 405
Transmission Temp question.
Since the owner's manual doesn't tell warning levels for this, I'll ask here
. What temp is too hot for the automatic transmission? While driving it takes a while for it to warm up. And the hottest I've seen it is around 180 degrees. Also what is a good temp for it to be around?
. What temp is too hot for the automatic transmission? While driving it takes a while for it to warm up. And the hottest I've seen it is around 180 degrees. Also what is a good temp for it to be around?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: 972 and 405
Okay thanks. I just wasn't sure what was too hot. Seems like all fluid temps should be around 200ish normally. It's just that it can take the transmission quite a bit of time to actually heat up to that temp so I wasn't sure if that was overheating the tranny. On some trips I won't even hit 150.
Pro
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Okay thanks. I just wasn't sure what was too hot. Seems like all fluid temps should be around 200ish normally. It's just that it can take the transmission quite a bit of time to actually heat up to that temp so I wasn't sure if that was overheating the tranny. On some trips I won't even hit 150.
I STUCK A TRANS COOLER ON MINE TO KEEP IT BELOW 200 IN THE SUMMER HERE.
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Race Director
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From: 972 and 405
Today it was about 70 here and it still takes awhile to get over 170. So as long as I am in the normal operating range I'm good.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bluffton SC
C5 automatic transmissions don't like heat. If you want your tranny to last the $50 for a cooler is cheap insutance. Here in South Carolina on the hottest days I would routinely see 220 degree tranny temps. Installed a cooler and have never had the temp over 175 again.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: 972 and 405
But I'll probably purchase a tranny cooler anyway. Are they difficult to install?
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
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From: Littleton Colorado
The warning goes off at around 255, then there is a stronger warning at a higher temp. Everyone will tell you more than 210/220 is too hot, but I have to think GM knows what its doing and if they have the temp warning that high and the fluid flush at 100k the trans has to be able to take more than previous generations.
Keeping it cool is a good idea, but so in putting in a good dextron VI.
Keeping it cool is a good idea, but so in putting in a good dextron VI.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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the trans temp warning in mine comes on around 255. If you can find a way to run it less than 200, more power to you. At the track, mine reaches 255 in about 6 laps with the most gigantic cooler I could find.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Forsyth Illinois
Give us more info on a 50.00 cooler?
Mark
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: 972 and 405
Press the "gage" button to the right of the Gauges behind the steering wheel. It will display a number of other car vitals such as tire pressure "if equiped with TPMS, and oil temp also. A very loved feature of this car.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: 972 and 405
I think rule of thumb is that automatics are at more risk of heat damage than manuals. And I am assuming that the 6-speed is more capable than the auto, which is normally the case. The book states that the temp is there if equipped with an auto.