Transmission running hot?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Transmission running hot?
Hello I’m a bit concerned about my A4 transmission’s temperatures. My operating temp is roughly around 220 +- 5 degrees and whenever I am in the canyons I have reached 235 trans temp. Is my transmission frying itself and will I see an ocean of glitter when I drop the trans pan? currently at 92k miles and service has been done every 30k on the dot. I am dropping the pan next week to install a shift kit and to fix my TCC regulator valve that’s giving me the p1870 code occasionally. I’ve been driving the car regularly for months with the code, I just clear it whenever it shows up and the car shifts just fine. I am the second owner and the owner before me did no racing and really cared for the vehicle. I have long tube headers in my car and a 3.42 differential.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Depending on the shift kit, a shift kit in an otherwise stock 4L60E is not always a good idea. A good tuner can really help with your stock trans. Mine is totally stock with 150,000 miles on it. Your trans temps seem mighty high to me. Do you have a higher stall converter on the trans? If so, you need an additional, external cooler.....
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 696
From: Avon Lake OH
Just a few basic questions. Do you have a stock radiator? Have you clean out the debris that can accumulate between the a/c condenser and the radiator lately? Maybe an additional external transmission fluid cooler?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Depending on the shift kit, a shift kit in an otherwise stock 4L60E is not always a good idea. A good tuner can really help with your stock trans. Mine is totally stock with 150,000 miles on it. Your trans temps seem mighty high to me. Do you have a higher stall converter on the trans? If so, you need an additional, external cooler.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Last edited by SattarC5; Apr 4, 2026 at 02:39 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
Your temps are hot. Mine barely goes over 180 degrees on a hot summer day with 3.73 gears, 3200 stall. But I have a trans cooler. On a 30 degree day, it doesn’t go over 130degrees. Get it checked.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 696
From: Avon Lake OH
Yes way too hot, here is one of many charts that show the exponential relationship of the reduced life span of the ATF compared to elevated operating temperatures.
https://streetsmarttransmission.com/...8h6yQwoXtcj3lu
Yes there are special high temperature ATF fluids, but the problem is not just the fluid, its the internals of the transmission itself, which can't handle the elevated temperatures for long without damage.
https://streetsmarttransmission.com/...8h6yQwoXtcj3lu
Yes there are special high temperature ATF fluids, but the problem is not just the fluid, its the internals of the transmission itself, which can't handle the elevated temperatures for long without damage.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Yes way too hot, here is one of many charts that show the exponential relationship of the reduced life span of the ATF compared to elevated operating temperatures.
https://streetsmarttransmission.com/...8h6yQwoXtcj3lu
Yes there are special high temperature ATF fluids, but the problem is not just the fluid, its the internals of the transmission itself, which can't handle the elevated temperatures for long without damage.
https://streetsmarttransmission.com/...8h6yQwoXtcj3lu
Yes there are special high temperature ATF fluids, but the problem is not just the fluid, its the internals of the transmission itself, which can't handle the elevated temperatures for long without damage.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 245
Likes: 89
From: Mobile
The dic will warn when it gets hot enough to damage.
I bought a c5 a4 with 3rd and 4th bad in texas. drove it home 4.5 hrs in 2nd on state highways. Had a spare trans with z06 diff to go in it. Was getting warnings and pulling over to cool it in the evening. Once the sun went down it stayed below warning. A worn TC can slip and heat fluid. What is the asphalt temp?
Trans Temp High
"If the transmission fluid temperature rises above threshold or rises rapidly, this message is displayed.If this message appears, you may continue to drive at aslower speed. You should also monitor the transmissionfluid temperature and allow it to cool to at least 230°F(1 10°C).
I bought a c5 a4 with 3rd and 4th bad in texas. drove it home 4.5 hrs in 2nd on state highways. Had a spare trans with z06 diff to go in it. Was getting warnings and pulling over to cool it in the evening. Once the sun went down it stayed below warning. A worn TC can slip and heat fluid. What is the asphalt temp?
Trans Temp High
"If the transmission fluid temperature rises above threshold or rises rapidly, this message is displayed.If this message appears, you may continue to drive at aslower speed. You should also monitor the transmissionfluid temperature and allow it to cool to at least 230°F(1 10°C).
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Again, some shift kits cause a very firm shift, as in tire chirping when shifting from one gear to another. Most stock 4L60E's will not tolerate harsh shifts for long. That's what I've been told by transmission guys, so my trans is stock inside. The mileage on it, with 3,200 stall Yank and a 600+hp 427 jerking on it speak for themselves. Obviously, your car-your choice. I haven't done it, and wouldn't do it. My opinion....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 130
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Again, some shift kits cause a very firm shift, as in tire chirping when shifting from one gear to another. Most stock 4L60E's will not tolerate harsh shifts for long. That's what I've been told by transmission guys, so my trans is stock inside. The mileage on it, with 3,200 stall Yank and a 600+hp 427 jerking on it speak for themselves. Obviously, your car-your choice. I haven't done it, and wouldn't do it. My opinion....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 896
From: Nappytown MD
When I did my upgrades last year to an RPM Level 4 with a new converter (3200 stall), I was seeing 215 degree temps in traffic and climbing a little higher on the drive home from ECS. That was cruising driving, no spirited at all, so I knew it was no bueno. I got a Hayden 679 cooler for ~70 bucks and installed it in front of the A/C condenser on the upper drivers side and plumbed it into the radiator. Took the output of the radiator oil cooler line (top oil cooler line out of the radiator) and ran it to the Hayden and then took the output of the Hayden and ran it back and plumbed it into the return line to the trans. Pretty easy install. When I was done, now even idling in hot days in traffic, it doesn't go above 195. Usually sits around 180-190 when fully warmed. When the radiator fans kick on, I can feel the air being drawn through the Hayden, that is key to make sure it works properly. I have a Dewitt's radiator and it was relatively new, so I knew I needed to address that issue. Happy camper now-
RPM told me the same thing-They recommend 195 for normal operating and not to go over ~210 for extended periods if you can help it.
Last edited by Missileboy; Apr 8, 2026 at 11:56 AM.