Transmission fluid temp
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock AR
Transmission fluid temp
I have a new 2012 GS Coupe A6. The other day I was looking at the HUD watching the transmission fluid temp and it was at 226 degrees. I had been on the highway and running up around 70 MPH with one short peak of 85 mph. After a short stint on the in town roads it dropped to 216 degrees and stayed around there. Having read the owners manual it indicates that 270+ degree is too high and will cause a message and alarm tones.
But this temp seems very high to me during normal driving. I'm a Corvette newby and may be overly protective.........
Your thoughts?
What to do?
Thanks,
George
But this temp seems very high to me during normal driving. I'm a Corvette newby and may be overly protective.........
Your thoughts?
What to do?
Thanks,
George
Last edited by Travelor; Nov 22, 2011 at 09:23 AM. Reason: added comments
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,201
From: Ft. Myers FL
Your tranny temp will go up especially on a hot day. However, 226 is about as high as mine ever got. Then the fans come on and it'll drop down to around 200-210. However, another factor you should be aware of is that the trans shifts long and slow when the trans temp is below 160. So when you start up and it's still not up to temp, don't think the trans is bad. Wait til it warms up a bit. Until I knew this it scared the heck out of me. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 692
Likes: 61
From: Little Rock AR
Your tranny temp will go up especially on a hot day. However, 226 is about as high as mine ever got. Then the fans come on and it'll drop down to around 200-210. However, another factor you should be aware of is that the trans shifts long and slow when the trans temp is below 160. So when you start up and it's still not up to temp, don't think the trans is bad. Wait til it warms up a bit. Until I knew this it scared the heck out of me.
BTW, thanks guys for your time and comments,
George
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Generally, highway driving will keep the fluid temps cooler than city driving unless those highways are in mountains. The cooler is in the radiator, so monitor the relationship between the engine coolant and trans temps. Short term flucuations aside, a consistant difference of more than 15 degrees is reason to start checking for problems.
According to many experts, an ideal fluid temperature is around 175. The cooler in the radiator forces this to run closer to 200, which is considered normal.
According to many experts, an ideal fluid temperature is around 175. The cooler in the radiator forces this to run closer to 200, which is considered normal.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our Owner Manual says the overtemp warning comes on at 270, and you should allow the tranny to cool below 230.
So in one sense, 226 is ok. But that's higher than ours normally indicates unless I've been hammering the car along a twisty road, with lots of shifting and high power use.
On a 90' day, stuck in stop and go traffic for an hour, ours got to 219.
So in one sense, 226 is ok. But that's higher than ours normally indicates unless I've been hammering the car along a twisty road, with lots of shifting and high power use.
On a 90' day, stuck in stop and go traffic for an hour, ours got to 219.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Nov 22, 2011 at 02:17 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Valley Stream NY
Install a 160* stat, change the fan settings and you'll be a happy camper. I have done that and my coolant temp while cruising in 80+ is 178* and my trans temp is no higher than 185*. Best money I spent so far.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Wellington FL
Get more data from others.
Agree with two posts above. I don't think you have an imminent problem, but I'd monitor the trans temp vs coolant and oil temps, as well as outside air temp. See where you stand on all of those vs. other members to determine if the trans temp is tending to be high, or is your whole system running a bit hot. If it's the whole system running hot, then I agree you may want to consider the 160 degree stat and fan programming to keep everything a bit cooler. If you find your trans running 20+ degrees hotter than the avg owner under similar water and oil temps, then you may have a small issue of excess slippage/friction (heat) to be looked at.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 3
From: Metamora, IL
If your car goes back to the dealer for something, you might ask them to check the fluid level in the transmission to verify it is correct. Either too much or too little could cause the temp to rise above normal.
