Transmission Operating Temperatures (Truck)

[tkramer]

Just came back from a 3 hour (mid day) drive from Hua Hin to Bkk and noticed that my (Chevy) truck 6-speed automatic transmission temperature was running around 87-88 degrees celcious, and when I choose to go manual over-ride it got as hot as 90-91 , then finally cooled back to 87 when I went back to full auto. No load, no towing, 3 passengers.

This seems quite hot to me, and a search on the web yeilded only info on US made Chevy trucks.

Does anybody know if these are 'normal' operating tempuratures?

[Spoonman]

The boiling point of transmission fluid if fairly high (300 to 400 degrees °C) and unless you felt the tranny was slipping I would not be concerned.

How are you monitoring the temps ?

[transam]

I believe the perfect temp is 175 deg F, temp after that reduces the life of the trans. I did have a graph but alas all gone. Sure it is on the Net somewhere.

Edited April 19, 2014 by transam

[tkramer]

"How are you monitoring the temps ?"

It is in my info system on my dashboard along with many other info services.

One guy on a US site said that if it got above 93, to shut it down. I'm not too far from that number.

[tkramer]

"I believe the perfect temp is 76 deg, temp after that reduces the life of the trans."

My immediate response is to check with the dealer service people, but after a while you learn to never trust or believe anything that comes out of the mouth of a local.

I checked the transmission fluid levels and they are right up there with brand new clean fluid.

[Spoonman]

I believe the perfect temp is 175 deg F, temp after that reduces the life of the trans. I did have a graph but alas all gone. Sure it is on the Net somewhere.

Is that for the 6 speed auto fitted to the current model Colorado ?

[sjonburi]

Pretty useless info to be displayed imo but since it's a Chevrolet., hmm.. nevermind

[Spoonman]

"How are you monitoring the temps ?"

It is in my info system on my dashboard along with many other info services.

One guy on a US site said that if it got above 93, to shut it down. I'm not too far from that number.

what year/model is your colorado ?

[tkramer]

2013 2.8L 6-speed Auto

[transam]

I believe the perfect temp is 175 deg F, temp after that reduces the life of the trans. I did have a graph but alas all gone. Sure it is on the Net somewhere.

Is that for the 6 speed auto fitted to the current model Colorado ?

Doesn't matter how many gears an auto trans has, it is about the fluid the trans uses. It has an operating temperature, go above that temp and the box will fail. The fluid is the life blood of an auto, thats why folk like me had a BIG trans temp gauge to see all was OK or not.

[tkramer]

"Pretty useless info to be displayed imo but since it's a Chevrolet., hmm.. nevermind"

Thanks...!

Edited April 19, 2014 by tkramer

[bkkjames]

What does Chevy Thailand say?

[Spoonman]

I believe the perfect temp is 175 deg F, temp after that reduces the life of the trans. I did have a graph but alas all gone. Sure it is on the Net somewhere.

Is that for the 6 speed auto fitted to the current model Colorado ?

Doesn't matter how many gears an auto trans has, it is about the fluid the trans uses. It has an operating temperature, go above that temp and the box will fail. The fluid is the life blood of an auto, thats why folk like me had a BIG trans temp gauge to see all was OK or not.

The 6 speed auto in the Colorado is not the same dinosaur box you had in your street/strip car years ago (was it TH400 ?). Technology has moved on from there. They run thinner oils and higher temps.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Spoonman

[transam]

I believe the perfect temp is 175 deg F, temp after that reduces the life of the trans. I did have a graph but alas all gone. Sure it is on the Net somewhere.

Is that for the 6 speed auto fitted to the current model Colorado ?

Doesn't matter how many gears an auto trans has, it is about the fluid the trans uses. It has an operating temperature, go above that temp and the box will fail. The fluid is the life blood of an auto, thats why folk like me had a BIG trans temp gauge to see all was OK or not.

The 6 speed auto in the Colorado is not the same dinosaur box you had in your street/strip car years ago (was it TH400 ?). Technology has moved on from there. They run thinner oils and higher temps.

Well, tel us what they use now. In my day it was Dextron 111 or the Ford equivalent, which I used in a Dextron box. Tell us...

[tkramer]

"What does Chevy Thailand say?"

Good question...outside of the dealer service department, is there another source to talk to...?

[Spoonman]

Is that for the 6 speed auto fitted to the current model Colorado ?

Doesn't matter how many gears an auto trans has, it is about the fluid the trans uses. It has an operating temperature, go above that temp and the box will fail. The fluid is the life blood of an auto, thats why folk like me had a BIG trans temp gauge to see all was OK or not.

The 6 speed auto in the Colorado is not the same dinosaur box you had in your street/strip car years ago (was it TH400 ?). Technology has moved on from there. They run thinner oils and higher temps.

Well, tel us what they use now. In my day it was Dextron 111 or the Ford equivalent, which I used in a Dextron box. Tell us...

Dexron-IV.

what is a Dextron Box ?

[transam]

Gawd it's incredibly difficult sometimes........

Do a simple google and all will be revealed to you about different fluids for different boxes, Dextron, Mercon etc. Then look up operating temperatures.....

[Spoonman]

I don't need to. I know what fluid goes into the transmission in question.

why don't you do some research for a change...... hell I'll be happy for a link to this so called dextron you are harping on about cause to my knowledge GM dropped the T from dextron in the 70's.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Spoonman

[transam]

I don't need to. I know what fluid goes into the transmission in question.

why don't you do some research for a change.

And it's safe operating temperature isssssssssssssssssssssss.............?

[Spoonman]

I don't need to. I know what fluid goes into the transmission in question.

why don't you do some research for a change.

And it's safe operating temperature isssssssssssssssssssssss.............?

Ive already said what the boiling point is.

Now about that DexTron fluid.......................

[transam]

We don't want to know about boiling temperatures, we want to know about auto box longevity related to temperature............

Dextron is/was used in GM and Merc boxes, Mercon, Ford etc.....just google............

[Spoonman]

Never said Dextron did not exist, just that the T was dropped in the 70's and has been called Dexron ever since.

I guess you are an older person hence relating to something from your youth gone wild.

[transam]

Never said Dextron did not exist, just that the T was dropped in the 70's and has been called Dexron ever since.

I guess you are an older person hence relating to something from your youth gone wild.

Still no answers to my temp thing from you. Oh well.

[tkramer]

boys, boys...

Edited April 19, 2014 by tkramer

[Spoonman]

Never said Dextron did not exist, just that the T was dropped in the 70's and has been called Dexron ever since.

I guess you are an older person hence relating to something from your youth gone wild.

Still no answers to my temp thing from you. Oh well.

The transmission is a loooooooooooooong from over heating.

What answer are you looking for ?

[transam]

thread hijack...thread hijack...!

Not really. Fluid temp is THE most important thing for an auto, doesn't matter what fluid is used. You can wipe out an auto in a few km's if it is to hot. My dash has a warning light for this eventuality......

[Spoonman]

thread hijack...thread hijack...!

You can wipe out an auto in a few km's if it is to hot. My dash has a warning light for this eventuality......

do you think the OP's 2013 2.8L 6-speed Auto that shows Trans temp on the dash cluster might also throw up a warning light or go into limp mode if it over heats ?

Yeah I reckon it would.

now back to that DexTron.......................

[transam]

thread hijack...thread hijack...!

You can wipe out an auto in a few km's if it is to hot. My dash has a warning light for this eventuality......

do you think the OP's 2013 2.8L 6-speed Auto that shows Trans temp on the dash cluster might also throw up a warning light or go into limp mode if it over heats ?

Yeah I reckon it would.

now back to that DexTron.......................

Your the expert, tell us...................

But do not forget to enlighten folk on trans oil temp and longevity, theres a good lad......

[Spoonman]

You already know it all which you repeatably tell us at every given moment.

[taotoo]

Never discuss politics, religion, or - apparently - automatic transmission operating temperatures.