Question... Can anyone give me "safe" transmission temps. I have a 97 F-250 and am going to be towing a ski boat and camper over the mountains and want to know what is the maximum temperatures are before you run into problems
Thanks Tim

 

Anything over 225*F will toast your fluid. If you get any hotter than that, you need a fluid change. 200*F to 225*F will cut your fluid life in half.

About 250*F is the max you want to get. If you go over this temp, you probably will do some internal damage.

My advice is that once you get to 200*F, pull over and let her cool down by fast idling. Do not shut the engine off.

 

Tim, This is based on all the information I have aquired on this subject after loosing my tranny at 19,000 miles due to towing a large 5th wheel and overheating the tranny. The temps should on avarage run between 150-200 deg. I have been told that for every 20 deg over 200, should it run at that temp for any length of time will cut your tranny life in half. If you get to 240 for any length of time I would recommend changing the oil ASAP. If you find that the temps run over 200 on a regular basis, concider adding a large transmission cooler, or increasing the oil capacity, or both. I did this and it made a huge differance.

 

Thanks for the input. I am new to the diesel life so I apologize for the dumb questions. I did alright as a shadetree gasser but I am in a whole new ballgame now.