Transmission temp

[Soonermikel]

I just bought a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 ltr V8 and 8 speed auto transmission. I'm not sure if it has a heavy duty transmission cooler or not. Would the VIN # tell me? Also, at what temp is the transmission getting hot? I appreciate all advice! Thanks!

[1l243]

Winter or Summer? It's going to depend on outside air temperature.. Normal in summer could be 140 to 220 with a stock system with stock trans cooler. Over 220 I would think of adding a cooler.

I added a very large trans cooler to my F250 7.3 and I don't get over 155 no matter how hot the outside air temp is...

don't know about the Dodge but you really cant trust OEM trans gauges. Even though there are a gauge they reall have 3 setting cold, medium and HOT!

[Timtation]

I don't remember the numbers but I have the same engine in a 2012 Dodge and when monitoring the trans temp in summer it shows about 2/3s to the hot side with 90 degree temps, 65 mph and probably 235 coolant temps. Am I happy about this, no, am I diligent about watching it, yes. Have I seen it get higher and cause me to either exit the freeway, or take other measures to alleviate the concern, no. If I were exposing the engine to these conditions regularly I would have a meeting with my dealer and resolve my concerns but... BUT the truck seems to resolve itself at the elevated temps and is stable. I will monitor the transmission fluid and change it using the stressed recommendations and my nose. Incidentally 1l243 the Dodge has a menu readout for trans, oil and coolant temps.

[Jane1550]

Husband knows transmissions, he said 160-180 was optimal temp, anything over 200 and fluid life is cut in half

[vinmaker]

My Tahoe just driving around tends to be around the 170 mark. I guess that is where the computer wants to try to keep it. I have yet to tow with it yet. That will happen this weekend. If I hit 200 F, I am going to install a second external cooler. It job looks very straight forward.

Vin.

[martinto]

Use synthetic. It helps substantially.

[rattleNsmoke]

All trucks and transmission combo's will be different. Towing versus unloaded will give vastly different readings along with temp and terrain. For example, yesterday I towed the 14k beast through fairly level terrain and 85 deg OAT and my transmission temp was between 185-195 degrees F. Unloaded, the temps consistently range between 155-160F.

[DDC]

If you add an extra cooler it will not be a bad thing.

[1l243]

The problem is when your trans temp is running on the edge and your not working it you don't have very far to go when you hook up the trailer and start pulling a load or if the outside air temps goes from 70 degrees to 100 degrees.

I added the OEM 6.0 31 row trans cooler to my F250. It's been in three years now and I tow 12k in all kinds of conditions and it has not gone over 155. Winter needle hardley moves off the peg. Now this would not be optimal if you lived in Alaska but works for me..

[Soonermikel]

Thanks for all the comments! I'm pulling my 8K TT down the Texas coast in a few weeks and will keep an eye on the temp. Will my VIN# tell me if it has a HD engine/transmission cooler?

[Happy Vibe]

Yes your vin should tell you. Try it here </title> <meta content="" name="keywords"/> <meta content="" name="description"/> <title>Dodge - Contact Us
under your vehicle go to equipment list.

[dannyabear]

Transmissions need to operate in the 160-200 range , same as your engine, to keep any moisture evaporated. Too cool is not good.

[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by dannyabear

Transmissions need to operate in the 160-200 range , same as your engine, to keep any moisture evaporated. Too cool is not good.

That makes a lot of common sense. Does anyone know if the tranny system contains a type of thermostat like the engine has to close and open when needed. It is good for an engine to run in a certain zone. The thermostat is supposed to help with that.

Vin.

[PhoneDude 8289]

I have a scangauge on my Tundra, trans temp is always between 190º - 220º. Never seen it above 220º pulling some pretty steep grades in the Rockies.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by Soonermikel

I just bought a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 ltr V8 and 8 speed auto transmission. I'm not sure if it has a heavy duty transmission cooler or not. Would the VIN # tell me? Also, at what temp is the transmission getting hot? I appreciate all advice! Thanks!

you should be able to tell the temp using the menu screen on your dash.

i have a 2015 2500 with the 6.4 and i know I have a transmission cooler. I run 168-172 degrees with or without towing

[acadianbob]

Every brand has its normal range; they can be quite different; and it even varies within brand depending on the year. My 2005 F150 ran at 160; my 2012 runs at 195.

You should only pay attention to what others with the same truck are running. What somebody runs for temps on a Chevy or Ford means nothing to your situation.

Temps are much hotter nowadays and some transmissions are thermostatically controlled. My Ford runs 195 no matter what I do; empty or towing.

[SuicideSaints]

Originally Posted by Soonermikel

I just bought a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7 ltr V8 and 8 speed auto transmission. I'm not sure if it has a heavy duty transmission cooler or not. Would the VIN # tell me? Also, at what temp is the transmission getting hot? I appreciate all advice! Thanks!

You can email dodge straight from there website. Include your VIN and they will email you back a complete build sheet. I have done this for both of my dodges. They usually email you back within 24-48 hours.

[mud yapster]

I also put the OEM 6.0L tranny cooler to my 7.3L. Before my tranny towing 17,000# would get to 228 so I replaced the cooler with the one out of a 6.0L which is twice the size cooler and now on 100 deg days my temp only gets to 168 deg. its a nice upgrade and was well worth my time putting it in. They say the life expectancy of a tranny drops drastically when the temp goes over 200 deg so more cooling the longer it will last.

[Soonermikel]

I used that link to the Dodge website…it worked perfectly! I do have a HD engine cooler and a HD transmission oil cooler! Thanks!

[1l243]

Never heard of a trans blowing because of moisture.. But most have blown because overheating.

I read where some put on a inline trans fluid thermostat then heard of them taking it off when the trans started getting hot again.

Putting in a inline trans thermostat to cirumvent the cooler does not make much sense to me . I like running 155 in the summere when towing I know I have a long way to go before the trans gets too hot..

Any moisture collected during the winter will evap out during the summer... I do a complete fluid change every 30k.