Transmission Temperature Chart

[RhoZeta]

Not sure about the older units but the newer torqueshifts (08 and up) are thermostatically controlled. Thermostat stays closed when cold and tranny will not shift into OD til it gets to a certain temp. Because of this trans temps *should* remain fairly stable. I would imagine all of the manufacturers do this nowadays.

 

[thebrakeman]

My 2006 Mounty was the first generation user of the Ford 6-speed auto. Same as the guy with the 2012 F150...my SUV runs ~190F (per Scangage) in the summer when not towing. When towing 5200 lb camper, it's typical to be around 205F.

 

[mud yapster]

My 7.3L tranny (4R100) was getting to 225 deg. this summer towing my new toy hauler of 16K lbs. so I investigated and found out that Ford had under sized the tranny cooler for towing these heavy loads in the 7.3L F350's. I bought the cooler for a 6.0L diesel engine which is 3.77 times bigger than my tranny cooler and made to haul these heavy loads, I installed it last Saturday. Took my truck for a ride unloaded and the tranny temp only got to 140 max up and down steep hills. Going on another adventure this weekend so I'll update what the tranny gets to this time out towing up and down these steep hills. I bet it doesn't get over 185 deg. this time out. One of these days I'll buy a new F350 6.7L diesel if I can bring myself to give up the cash for one. LOL

 

[ironj]

I towed all through colorado, montanna, wyoming, south dakota , every grade as high as 11k ft over the last 3000 mile trip....my tranny temp was 190 and up to 195....never more never less.....towing 10k lb trailer or not.....I guess thats where ford wanted it?...the new ones also have a gauge in the cluster...ive never seen it out of the middle and I cant imagine what you would have to get the temp to make it show "hot"....

 

[mud yapster]

I use electronic gauges to read my tranny temp because my truck didn't come with a tranny gauge.

 

[ironj]

The new Ford's have a physical gague and you can also pull up tranny and oil temp on the info screen.....my mini maxx readout matches the tranny temp on the truck....no idea what the physical gage range is...

 

[Mtelkman]

Just an update. With my 7.3L w/ the 6.0 tans cooler hauling my 5er through Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon over the last few weeks I have not seen a trans temp above 170 degrees. I have a digital gauge.

 

[mud yapster]

I know the newer trucks are nice but I just can't bring myself to fork over the cash when mine is still like new but one of these days I'm sure I will. I bet that new 6.7L pulls real good. My 7.3L does a good job but those new 6.7L I hear are even better with more HP and torque.
I never had to worry to much about my tranny temp pulling my 35' travel trailer the temp always stayed around 185 to 195 but it only wieghed 8000#. Now I'm pulling double that so I had to upgrade my tranny cooler. I still like my truck but I know the newer 6.7L would tow it easier than this old 7.3L

 

[mud yapster]

Just an update. With my 7.3L w/ the 6.0 tans cooler hauling my 5er through Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Oregon over the last few weeks I have not seen a trans temp above 170 degrees. I have a digital gauge.

Thanks that's good news to hear. I'll be seeing how mine does with it tomorrow. Thanks again for your results with the bigger cooler.

 

[Ryanq55]

I think the chart that started this thread may be dated; or at least it may apply to older vehicles. My 2012 F150 transmission runs at 195 degrees; whether towing or not. That's its normal temp. And it doesn't vary much more than a few degrees from that.

I just bought MagHytec covers for my transmission and rear differential and MagHytec sent, I believe the same chart, in their brochure with each cover.


I've got a 2007.5 Dodge 2500 with the 6.7L that sits on 35" tires and pulling my 12k lb bumper pull load all around grades and all, it hasn't touched more than about 200*F now.

 

[mud yapster]

Sorry took a bit to give an update on this.
I installed the 6.0L tranny cooler and that thing is 4 times the size of my old cooler. We towed the 16,000 lb. 5er up and down hills at 60 to 65 and the tranny never got over 186 deg. It mostly stayed between 173 and 180 so I'm real happy camper now with a cool tranny. Oh unloaded it stays on 140 deg.

 

[camper1999]

On my GMC 2500 towing 12,000 my trans temp has never gone above 160 even when it was hot out or climbing in the mountains.

 

[mud yapster]

On my GMC 2500 towing 12,000 my trans temp has never gone above 160 even when it was hot out or climbing in the mountains.

That's a good thing.
Ford under sized the tranny cooler on the 7.3L engines for towing real heavy loads, but on the 6.0L engines they made the coolers plenty big enough, that's why I installed one of them and it fits in the factory spot the old cooler was located in perfectly. At least Chevy didn't under size yours, I guess Ford waas asleep when they designed my 1 ton truck.

 

[camper1999]

That's a good thing.
Ford under sized the tranny cooler on the 7.3L engines for towing real heavy loads, but on the 6.0L engines they made the coolers plenty big enough, that's why I installed one of them and it fits in the factory spot the old cooler was located in perfectly. At least Chevy didn't under size yours, I guess Ford waas asleep when they designed my 1 ton truck.

Of course you are towing 4,000 more and with your change your doing pretty good as far as temps.

 

[Too Tall]

I know the newer trucks are nice but I just can't bring myself to fork over the cash when mine is still like new but one of these days I'm sure I will. I bet that new 6.7L pulls real good. My 7.3L does a good job but those new 6.7L I hear are even better with more HP and torque.
I never had to worry to much about my tranny temp pulling my 35' travel trailer the temp always stayed around 185 to 195 but it only wieghed 8000#. Now I'm pulling double that so I had to upgrade my tranny cooler. I still like my truck but I know the newer 6.7L would tow it easier than this old 7.3L

If your truck is dependable, I'd keep it till the wheels fall off. I have a new ram 2500 with 6.7 and you can only get them in a 3.42 rear axle which is not adequate for heavy loads. The 3500, you can get 3.73 and 4.11. There's so much polution equip on these new trucks that they run very dirty oil since the egr is constantly sucking soot into the engine to reburn it. The torque seems high but the torque curve only developes the peak torque at 1700 rpm. Anything over or under that, it falls off drastically. Honestly, I wish I had my 1995 Dodge manual tranny back. It didn't have the power or torque like this new 2014 but pulled just as good and I got 13 to 15 pulling my 6000 lb trailer.

 

[leefl]

I know this thread is a little old, but thought I'd chime in.
My brand new 2016 F-250 transmission temps are 192-197 when not towing (although that is in FL summer temps, 85-95 deg), and have reached 208 when towing (mostly flat in FL).
I sure hope that guide is somewhat outdated, and unrealistic, since it seems the new F-250 has high transmission temps just cruising without any extra load.

 

[ChooChooMan74]

I know this thread is a little old, but thought I'd chime in.
My brand new 2016 F-250 transmission temps are 192-197 when not towing (although that is in FL summer temps, 85-95 deg), and have reached 208 when towing (mostly flat in FL).
I sure hope that guide is somewhat outdated, and unrealistic, since it seems the new F-250 has high transmission temps just cruising without any extra load.

This isn't accurate for newer transmissions. Mine also runs in the 190s and is heated by the engine water (210 deg thermostat) to that temp.

 

[18CrewDually]

I know this thread is a little old, but thought I'd chime in.
My brand new 2016 F-250 transmission temps are 192-197 when not towing (although that is in FL summer temps, 85-95 deg), and have reached 208 when towing (mostly flat in FL).
I sure hope that guide is somewhat outdated, and unrealistic, since it seems the new F-250 has high transmission temps just cruising without any extra load.

Where are you getting those readings? I'm at 160 empty and a high of 185 towing.
2016 trucks may be better regulated now and may never get much higher than 208. I wouldn't be concerned. You should be changing the ATF @ 30,000 miles at the most. If primarily towing change it in shorter intervals.

 

[Too Tall]

I see slightly over 200 when pulling a long mountain grade. I always back off to keep it under 200. Normal towing, I stay under 180. Empty 168 or so. This is a 2014 RAM/ Cummins.

 

[Kenny kustom]

I remember, when I had my ram..
Starting it up mid January, and seeing the trans and oil temp at -21c... Ha! I think I'll just let you warm up a bit before I go anywhere.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK