Why is an oil cooler necessary for an automatic transmission?

Do I Need a Transmission Cooler? Transmission coolers help to protect your transmission when you turn up the heat. Transmission Coolers help transmissions deal with the added stress and heat caused by towing boats, trailers and other heavy objects.

Does an automatic transmission need a cooler?

These types of coolers have been around as long as the automatic transmission and for the most part do an effective job of keeping the transmission going for many thousands of miles. The in-the-tank coolers not only perform the job of cooling the fluid, but warm the fluid in extremely cold environments as well.

What kind of car usually needs a transmission cooler?

The transmission cooler is suitable for most standard vehicle types, and it proves to be ideal for small to midsize cars and trucks. With the capacity of 18,000 GVWR, it's perfect for towing small loads and ideal for daily situations on the road.

Does transmission cooler increase performance?

Keeping Your Transmission Cool for Best Performance

A transmission cooler helps the transmission stay cool, even when working harder than normal, which in turn lets you get the best performance and long life out of it.

Does transmission fluid need to be cooled?

Keeping Your Cool

In terms of transmission operating temperatures keeping the fluid 200 degrees or less is preferred for long life — for every 20-degree increase in temperature above that, the life of the fluid is cut in half.

Do You Need a Transmission Cooler For Your Car or Truck

Is a transmission cooler the same as an oil cooler?

Transmission, differential, and power steering coolers do the same thing an engine oil cooler does. They transfer heat away from the lubricating oil. Although it may seem like transmissions, differentials, and power steering run cooler than engines, exactly the opposite is true.

How cold is too cold for an automatic transmission?

The ideal temperature for your transmission fluid is 175 degrees, plus or minus 25 degrees, however, when your transmission gets below zero degrees, it gets too thick. In this condition, it won't be able to properly lubricate the internal parts, wearing the transmissions internal parts.

How much does it cost to have a transmission cooler installed?

You can have a local transmission shop install a transmission oil cooler in your vehicle. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for the job. Either way, installing an auxiliary transmission oil cooler is one of the best investments you can make in protecting your transmission from overheating and certain failure.

Do transmission oil coolers work?

As long as it is properly installed, a transmission cooler will not affect a factory transmission. It is a flow-through device and does not affect any internal components of the transmission. A transmission cooler will just help to prolong the life of the transmission by keeping the fluid cooler.

Does the radiator cool the transmission?

All transmissions have a cooling line that runs to the radiator. A separate fluid passage circulates the transmission fluid through a portion of the radiator to cool the fluid.

Should transmission cooler be before or after radiator?

Answer: We recommend installing the auxiliary cooler after the radiator to return the coolest fluid directly to the transmission. Installing the cooler before the radiator will still provide additional cooling and may be necessary in some difficult-to-access applications.

What happens when transmission oil cooler fails?

You hear odd noises coming from the transmission: Your transmission may have difficulty shifting between gears, or there may be clunking or grinding noises during shifts. This can indicate transmission fluid loss, high internal transmission temperatures, or both, which can be caused by a bad transmission cooler.

Do all vehicles have a transmission cooler?

Transmission coolers are not standard issue. There are different types and sizes of transmission coolers for different types of transmissions and different sizes of vehicle. Your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is key to determining what kind of transmission cooler you need.

Do transmission lines run through the radiator?

How Car Transmission Lines Work. Car transmission lines connect your vehicle's transmission to the vehicle's radiator. Also known as transmission cooling lines, they are typically made of metal or composite aluminium and rubber hoses because they can handle the flow of hot transmission fluid.

How do I keep my transmission cool while towing?

If you haul or tow heavy loads, the radiator alone may not be enough to keep it cool and you should consider installing an external transmission cooler. A stacked plate cooler for example is easy to install and attaches to the front of the radiator.

How much fluid does a transmission cooler hold?

We recommend to check your transmission fluid with your dip stick after installation of the cooler, typically you will need less than 1 pint-quart of fluid to fill the amount of fluid that was displaced. You can try to prefill the transmission cooler but this tends to get messy quick.

Does idling warm up transmission?

When your engine is running at idle speeds, it isn't cooling as efficiently as it should be, and your transmission fluid is circulating slowly. As a result, your fluid retains more heat, and your transmission isn't lubricating as effectively as it should be.

Is Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid better?

With their improved resistance to the heat and cold, as well as sheer and oxidation, many manufacturers have already discontinued organic-based compounds in favor of synthetics. Synthetic automatic transmission fluids also tend to last longer, making them the overall recommended choice.

Why does my automatic transmission slip when cold?

Cold weather causes the parts of the transmission to contract and sometimes the gears can freeze which leads to slipping. Cold temperatures cause the fluid to thicken which means it can't move around as freely to do its job.

What causes automatic transmission overheating?

Reasons for overheating include low fluid levels, leaks, burned, old or dirty fluid, or problems with the solenoid. You can ensure the long life and efficient performance of your transmission – and your car – by doing some things to make sure it does not run too hot.

Why does my transmission slip when it gets hot?

Transmission gears wear out and start slipping.

Over time gears can wear out – especially if they have been running hot and inefficiently due to lack of or worn out transmission fluid. Slipping gears are usually due to normal wear and tear, which causes them to not engage properly and to slip in and out of sync.

Why does my transmission shift hard when hot?

Transmissions shifts hard when hot because their parts tend to get damaged, worn, and malfunction under high heat levels. Your transmission needs fluid to keep cool and if the fluid leaks then it may create more heat and pressure.