Transmission temp too cool?
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
So if they bothered to put a 165 degree thermostat in it, somebody, somewhere must have decided it runs better at that temperature or higher, is that right?
Wouldn't we then benefit from a transmission HEATER in the coolant line?
Is there any particular reason this transmission runs cooler than almost any other automatic?
Wouldn't we then benefit from a transmission HEATER in the coolant line?
Is there any particular reason this transmission runs cooler than almost any other automatic?
I guess I'd assume the opposite: They didn't feel the fluid needed to be cooled until it got to that 165-170 range...
Perhaps that is why they went to a full filtration filter? These trans do run nice and cool, that is for sure.
Maybe Mark knows why they went to the full filtration versus the bypass?
Perhaps that is why they went to a full filtration filter? These trans do run nice and cool, that is for sure.
Maybe Mark knows why they went to the full filtration versus the bypass?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
There is a need to heat the fluid in an automatic trans. They shift better warm. They get better fuel mileage. And they burn off any moisture better. It's like switching to 10w30 in your engine, lots of people do this for fuel mileage. Hotter fluid = lower viscosity = better shifting = better MPG. Aftermarket transmission coolers often come with thermostats to prevent over cooling. My trans definitely shifts better at 140 then at 60.
It would also allow my filter to work better. Right now it never filters more than 10% of 10%. I bet I never have to change the filter! Warmer temperatures should also allow the very expensive synthetic ATF to last longer by burning off moisture.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
If you are using the truck for its intended purpose, hauling a load, towing heavier, it will be filtering fine. I get what you are saying but it is overkill in my opinion, because the SP and LV fluid performs well at a wider temperature range. You could look into a tranny pan heater to go with an engine pan heater, which I agree should be on there and they should be using a circulating water heater rather than a single block element. But, for what it will get you, in the long run, Mark K has explained, there is only a small marginal improvement in fuel mileage at best. There are. Many things you can do to improve overall winter cold weather performance, a winter front, battery maintenance, circulating coolant heater instead of block heater or both, coolant filter, modified 2008 pan, increased capacity pan, you could in theory even tap the pan for submersible oil pan heater for the tranny. I just don't think it's going to be worth the effort. Just my opinion, it's your Truck. You are getting the information from Mark and he is spot on, knows a lot. What you do with that is up to you.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
I know I don't NEED to do anything. I'm talking about making it better. It's pretty obvious that the Ford engineers either failed miserably or cheaped out entirely when designing quite a bit of my vehicle. Obviously my transmission needed improvement or they never would have added the in pan filter. Something was wrong at the factory.
There is a need to heat the fluid in an automatic trans. They shift better warm. They get better fuel mileage. And they burn off any moisture better. It's like switching to 10w30 in your engine, lots of people do this for fuel mileage. Hotter fluid = lower viscosity = better shifting = better MPG. Aftermarket transmission coolers often come with thermostats to prevent over cooling. My trans definitely shifts better at 140 then at 60.
It would also allow my filter to work better. Right now it never filters more than 10% of 10%. I bet I never have to change the filter! Warmer temperatures should also allow the very expensive synthetic ATF to last longer by burning off moisture.
There is a need to heat the fluid in an automatic trans. They shift better warm. They get better fuel mileage. And they burn off any moisture better. It's like switching to 10w30 in your engine, lots of people do this for fuel mileage. Hotter fluid = lower viscosity = better shifting = better MPG. Aftermarket transmission coolers often come with thermostats to prevent over cooling. My trans definitely shifts better at 140 then at 60.
It would also allow my filter to work better. Right now it never filters more than 10% of 10%. I bet I never have to change the filter! Warmer temperatures should also allow the very expensive synthetic ATF to last longer by burning off moisture.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
Why not use a free heat source from the engine? It wouldn't be hard to plumb a heat exchanger into a coolant/ATF line, very simple plumbing. Not sure what heat exchanger would be best.
I never said there was anything wrong. Again, I was talking about making it better. Look at the 200* thermostat thread. Did everybody say "there's nothing wrong with the Ford stat don't bother"? The Ford thermostat is of a bad design and the aftermarket one improves fuel mileage. It "works" just fine from Ford, it doesn't have to be broken to make it better. It stands to reason the trans can be made better than what Ford sold also.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
I don't think the tranny is like the motor whereas more heat makes it better. As far as I'm concerned what ever Mark K says about these transmissions is the final word. He helped engineer them for crying out loud 
2006 F350 4X4
2006 F350 4X4
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