Trans. Temperature?
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Trans. Temperature?
I've got a 99 F250 and I am wondering what the trans. temp should be for just driving around town with out anything being pulled. What is too hot? Thanks for the post to come.
Ben
Ben
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From: Temperance, MI
100 degrees above ambient temp is about the cut off temp to let it cool down. You shouldnt ever see that unloaded the most Ive ever seen has been 150 unloaded with out side air temp around 95 with 100% humidity
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From: Plant City
That's about where mine runs. I plan on upgrading the trans cooler to the 6.0 to bring those temps down.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: North of Greenville
Every increase in temperature by 18 degrees F will cut your fluid life in half. Alternatively, every decrease in temp of 18 degrees F will double the life of your fluid. Hardware life goes with fluid life in both directions.
Cargo Master
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Was it in the 2000 models that they started routing the trans fluid through the radiator in order to also help warm the fluid? If that's the case, I would imagine there is a point where the trans temp is too low, as well. I don't know what the temp is, though. Maybe Mark will come on and square me away.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Slatington, PA
Like most of the guys have said, 100 degrees above ambient at most. Over 200 and you should start to ease up on it. At 210, I'd pull over and let it idle to cool down. As for cooler weather, you want to get the trans up to 150 so any moisture that may be in the fluid gets hot enough to evaporate out. The last part is something I remembered from a post Mark K made (a retired ford auto-trans guy).
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Was it in the 2000 models that they started routing the trans fluid through the radiator in order to also help warm the fluid? If that's the case, I would imagine there is a point where the trans temp is too low, as well. I don't know what the temp is, though. Maybe Mark will come on and square me away.
Yes, it was sometime in late 2000 they started to add the cooler to the radiator (IIRC). My 2000 doesn't have one. I don't think it warms up the fluid though. Not sure on the last part but think I have read that you can run to cool.
Lead Driver
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From: Damon (South East Texas)
Trans fluid temp will rise faster, when driven, than coolant temp when the engine is cold. The OTW trans cooler is located on the "cold" side (outlet) of the radiator. Though the engine temp will "top out" at a higher temp, the trans temp will be lower at this time due to cooler location and how the temps are read. Hope I explained this correctly.