Those temps are normal.
Transmission temp ???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 43
From: Anderson SC
Transmission temp ???
Never really pay much attention to the transmission temp but yesterday Wife and I took a trip up Hwy 28(Moonshiner 28) out of Walhalla SC . We made it up to Highlands and came back before dark
I used the paddle shift going up and had a blast but out of curiosty I had the DIC set so I could watch the tranny temp
It got up to 216 by the time we got to Highlands.
I did noticed when we made the trip back home after dinner it stayed around 185 on the hwy
Just curious if this is what I should expect and what is considered too hot.
Fun short trip and wished we had just prepared to spend the night somewhere up there and gone further up 28 but did not leave our house till 4 or so
I used the paddle shift going up and had a blast but out of curiosty I had the DIC set so I could watch the tranny temp
It got up to 216 by the time we got to Highlands.
I did noticed when we made the trip back home after dinner it stayed around 185 on the hwy
Just curious if this is what I should expect and what is considered too hot.
Fun short trip and wished we had just prepared to spend the night somewhere up there and gone further up 28 but did not leave our house till 4 or so
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
On extended drives the transmission temps are pretty close to water temps. Just think of all the hot air blowing over it from the motor.
Nothing to worry about with your temps.
Nothing to worry about with your temps.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 43
From: Anderson SC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
The auto transmission should always run just a little below the water temp since the oil is running through a cooler INSIDE the radiator. The oil is raised to water temp and then cools in the transmission back at the rear of the car. If you are "slipping " the transmission by shifting or just heavy load without the transmission locked then the oil gets a lot hotter in the torque converter and doesn't have a chance to cool so it stays at or above the temp it has in the cooler in the radiator.
So what does the owner's manual say?
So GM says 230 is OK. But evidently I have an advantage that I am one of the few people who has an owner's manual which allows me to seem like I know everything which I actually don't. I just have to keep my advantage a secret. Oops. 
So what does the owner's manual say?
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays and four chimes sound if the transmission fluid temperature rises above 270°F (132°C) or rises rapidly. The transmission may shift gears or apply the torque converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature. Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the transmission fluid temperature to be higher than normal. If this message appears, you may continue to drive at a slower speed. Monitor the transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at least 230°F (110°C).
This message displays and four chimes sound if the transmission fluid temperature rises above 270°F (132°C) or rises rapidly. The transmission may shift gears or apply the torque converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature. Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the transmission fluid temperature to be higher than normal. If this message appears, you may continue to drive at a slower speed. Monitor the transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at least 230°F (110°C).
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
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From: va
Never really pay much attention to the transmission temp but yesterday Wife and I took a trip up Hwy 28(Moonshiner 28) out of Walhalla SC . We made it up to Highlands and came back before dark
I used the paddle shift going up and had a blast but out of curiosty I had the DIC set so I could watch the tranny temp
It got up to 216 by the time we got to Highlands.
I did noticed when we made the trip back home after dinner it stayed around 185 on the hwy
Just curious if this is what I should expect and what is considered too hot.
Fun short trip and wished we had just prepared to spend the night somewhere up there and gone further up 28 but did not leave our house till 4 or so
I used the paddle shift going up and had a blast but out of curiosty I had the DIC set so I could watch the tranny temp
It got up to 216 by the time we got to Highlands.
I did noticed when we made the trip back home after dinner it stayed around 185 on the hwy
Just curious if this is what I should expect and what is considered too hot.
Fun short trip and wished we had just prepared to spend the night somewhere up there and gone further up 28 but did not leave our house till 4 or so
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 476
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From: Belleville IL
Manual transmissions get up to mid 250's on a track about the same as oil temps. 280+ is would require a change of fluid. For highway cruising it takes at least a half hour for mine (manual) to creep to 180-190.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 43
From: Anderson SC
The auto transmission should always run just a little below the water temp since the oil is running through a cooler INSIDE the radiator. The oil is raised to water temp and then cools in the transmission back at the rear of the car. If you are "slipping " the transmission by shifting or just heavy load without the transmission locked then the oil gets a lot hotter in the torque converter and doesn't have a chance to cool so it stays at or above the temp it has in the cooler in the radiator.
So what does the owner's manual say?So GM says 230 is OK. But evidently I have an advantage that I am one of the few people who has an owner's manual which allows me to seem like I know everything which I actually don't. I just have to keep my advantage a secret. Oops.
So what does the owner's manual say?So GM says 230 is OK. But evidently I have an advantage that I am one of the few people who has an owner's manual which allows me to seem like I know everything which I actually don't. I just have to keep my advantage a secret. Oops.
Thanks, guess it pas to read the manual more often
Team Owner
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From: Southern Utah
Team Owner
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
One member here has logged his transmission data and can see that below 140' tranny temp, the shifts become slightly erratic; he avoids full throttle until above 140. Driving on the highway on a cool day, it can take a LONG time to hit 140. The oil temp can hit 180 (my minimum for full throttle) well before the tranny hits 140.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
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From: Southport North Carolina