Topic: transmission cooler?

[21Rouge]

Our family does not do any towing but a transmission cooler on a factory vehicle seems to be only part of a "trailer package".  Am I over estimating the value of such a cooler on prolonging the life of these fancy 6 speed automatic transmissions that won't experience any towing? But maybe the cost of the trailer package isn't much different that installing an aftermarket cooler  . What do you think?

[inco]

If you tow you need the cooler. Okay maybe not NEED it but it does help the tranny stay cool when it is doing all of that extra work and stress. So if you tow, you may want to have it and that's why it is part of that package. Cool?

[airbalancer]

Does not hurt having a cooler, also when you get the trailing packing you can easily add some hanging balls on the car
http://www.bullsballs.com/

[KRS]

  If i''m reading correctly you are wanting the transmission cooler even thought you do not anticipate doing any trailer towing. I don't expect that its really necessary unless you live in an extraordinarily hot climate (i'm thinking death valley hot) but I know GM sells a transmission aux cooler for the pickups for $144.25 plus the labour to install. I am sure that many others offer coolers for a relatively low cost as well so if it gives you a bit of assurance then its a cheap price to pay. Still if there is any chance that you may want to tow with you vehicle the manufacturers towing packages are in my experience cheaper then getting a class 3 receiver installed aftermarket and if it comes with the oil cooler already is a good bargain.

  I would go for the trailer towing package personally just because circumstances can change and if suddenly you need to haul a U Haul across Canada to a new job its nice to not have to spend a ton at a bad time to be able to. Of course I've had two companies I've worked at go bankrupt over the last 15 years and that makes you think about these things.

[21Rouge]

  If i''m reading correctly you are wanting the transmission cooler even thought you do not anticipate doing any trailer towing. I don't expect that its really necessary unless you live in an extraordinarily hot climate (i'm thinking death valley hot) but I know GM sells a transmission aux cooler for the pickups for $144.25 plus the labour to install. I am sure that many others offer coolers for a relatively low cost as well so if it gives you a bit of assurance then its a cheap price to pay.

Right.

Maybe I will go after sale with the dealership or after market.

I dont think 6 speed automatics have been around very long?  I guess I wonder about the long term reliability of these units.

[barrie1]

They help any transmission stay cooler as they supply a larger capacity of fluid which is cooled down much quicker and this helps with a much longer lifespan of the tranny. Its also a asset when you go to sell this vehicle in years to come down the road as well as its already equipped withit. I would rather have the extra cooling and not need it then need it and not have it at all. Usually these packages have more to them then just this on the towing package as well which does make a difference in other parts of the vehicle. Heavier rad as well as the hitch are usually some of the things as well as the larger braking system also may be installed on this unit. 

[Squishy]

You also want to make sure the factory cooler has a thermostat, as there is such a thing as too much cooling, which will damage the transmission as well.

[Trainman]

You also want to make sure the factory cooler has a thermostat, as there is such a thing as too much cooling, which will damage the transmission as well.

Excellent point that a lot of people forget about when putting these on after the fact.  Happened with my Pathfinder (a good trannie cooler is pretty much a necessity for Nissan automatics even if you do not tow  ) and I had to have a change to the way it was hooked into the system to make sure there was enough heat in winter.

I also would be concerned about these new 5 and 6 speed trannies.  One reason we picked the Sienna over an Odyssey was the Toyota had a stock cooler while the Honda had to have one added, despite the issues that Honda was having with their 5 speed trannies at the time.  So maybe not a bad idea for a 6 speed.

[hoss]

I think you do need one that uses some type of thermostat, my Tundra has both a transmission cooler and a heater.  They really seems to work (it has a transmisson temp. gauge).  Another odd thing it (the Tundra) has coolers, small heat sinks really, on both the power steering and the brakes fluid lines.

[rrocket]

Heat is the #1 killer of transmissions.  Anything you can do to keep the cold out is a bonus.

I run 2 coolers on my Supra transmission (along with synthetic fluid) "just in case".

[barrie1]

Many of the newer trucks of to-day also have a oil cooler in the bottom of the rad as well. It allows you to carry more oil as well as cools it down before re-entering the engine again. Has a check vavle on it which opens when you change the oil filter and allows it to drain as well so its not left behind at a oil change at all. Certain models of car engines have this option also. 

[sly]

It really depends on the vehicule. Is it a car? Don't bother!

Is it a minivan, or SUV? It may be worth it. Weight is a big factor and many vans and trucks just don't have enough "heavy" in their duty, especially minivans. Even the "Japanese" vans have transmission problems because the transmission are just not tough enough for the weight they carry, especially when you decide to go get a load of bricks or something like that.

In such a case, it is worth it for $150.00 installed.

Cheers

[21Rouge]

Is it a minivan, or SUV? It may be worth it.

In such a case, it is worth it for $150.00 installed.

One of the GM lambda platform crossovers i.e Traverse/Outlook/Acadia AWD (2234 kgs/4925 lbs).

[barrie1]

My truck engine always ran too cold as I have a very large 4 core aluminum race rad in it which holds a extra gal of fluid for cooling. I also put a 30,000 lb cooler on the tranny for when I run it hard it does not overheat at all. Last year I replaced the thermostat and put a new 195 degree stat in which helped by bringing it up to a higher operating range then the old one did. The truck would run all day even with a large heavy load on board at 180 only which did not allow it to reach peak performance like it should have. No its a t 195 and runs much quicker as well as better fuel milage also.