Transmission Temperature When Not Towing

[Calicajun]

Read a lot of posts about transmission temperature while towing but didn't find anything on what transmission temperature should be while not towing. Driving home from work today the transmission temperature hit 165. May have gone higher but I only live 12.5 miles from work. Is this normal for a 2013 Tahoe LT? I plan on adding a transmission cooler and an oil cooler for towing but need a base line for temperature to start from before installing the coolers. The Tahoe already has a power steering cooler, so I should be good to go on that one.

Any suggestions on which cooler and where to get them would be helpful.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yeah, that's about normal. Obviously air temp is going to play a factor in it somewhat. I've seen 185 during stop and go city traffic, but generally 160-170 on the highway without a trailer behind me. Been over 220 on the highway with a trailer that was catching a lot of wind.

 

[YukonXLPerk]

I have a 07 Yukon xl that stays around 165-175 while around town. Your temp seems to be in the normal range.

 

[Calicajun]

Thanks for the answer guys.
Now all I have to do is find an oil cooler and a transmission cooler. That with the K&N air filter, air lift bags in the rear coil spring and change out the stock soft shocks to the heavy duty load leveling ones and the Tahoe should be up to a 8,000 pound tow capacity.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Just remember that even if you do all of that and increase the towing ability mechanically, legally, your gvwr and gcvwr do not change. Odds of getting weighed for such a small load are very slim, but just something to keep in mind.

 

[Calicajun]

Just remember that even if you do all of that and increase the towing ability mechanically, legally, your gvwr and gcvwr do not change. Odds of getting weighed for such a small load are very slim, but just something to keep in mind.

Good point, will keep that in mind and not pull into any truck weight stations. This is something I will look into in order to stay on the right side of the law.

Driving home yesterday outside temperature was 85 degrees and the transmission temperature hit 165. Coming into work today outside temperature was 48 degrees and the transmission temperature only hit 130 degrees. Seems outside temperatures really play a big part in transmission fluid temperatures.

 

[GM Customer Service]

Calicajun,

According to your Owner's Manual on Vehicle Care portion page 5, it states that the transmission temperature should stay between 140°F and 167°F.

Please let me know if I can assist you with anything else.

Regards,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

 

[Big Buttons]

I have the Tru Cool 40K for my trans cooler. If thats too big for you they sell smaller ones. But if you plan on towing heavy loads the bigger one really works well. I've towed 6,000+ lbs and the trans temp never went above 150 and i'm in Texas.

 

[Calicajun]

Jennifer,
My trans temp on a 80 degree day is 183 around town. Have a 109 mile tomorrow all freeway will see what the temp is on this trip.

Big Buttons,
The 40k sounds good have already been looking at larger coolers like the Tru Cool 40K. Good to hear that the cooler works well while towing.

Finally found out why I can't find a engine Oil cooler, the Oil cooler is part of the heavy duty duel layer radiator. So I will be getting a new radiator and the oil lines soon. Doesn't look like it will be to hard to install.

 

[aflumb]

Well my temp stay around the average everyone here is saying. I have a B&M trans cooler that will be here Mon. Hoping to have it installed after work so I can go pick up my 8.5X20ft enclosed trailer. We will see how much it helps with temp. Most people get the tru cool; I wanted one but for $100 less for one almost the same size I figured I'd give it a try.

 

[Calicajun]

Haven't picked up a trans cooler yet, looking at 40k size and maybe one with its own fan too. That is if will fit in the Tahoe.

 

[Big Buttons]

I have mine mounted in the stock location in front of the condensor, but I have a NBS...

And there isn't too much more room behind the grille.

 

[Calicajun]

I have mine mounted in the stock location in front of the condensor, but I have a NBS...

And there isn't too much more room behind the grille.

You added a trans cooler and tow 6,000+ pounds, that sounds great. What rear end ratio do you have (i.e.: 3:08, 3:42 or 3:73) and how well do you get up the grades? My Tahoe did pretty well coming up from 100 feet to 3,258 feet climb over a 25 mile stretch. Not sure what percentage of a grade that works out to be for the climb, it has been a long time since high school geometry.

 

[Big Buttons]

I don't tow regularly, but it was a '70 GTO Judge drag car. Trailer weighed about 5500 with car and tools/supplies. It was a 1300 mile round trip in the middle of summer in Texas. I also had 2 really big guys in my burb so thats another 800lbs plus luggage and my 500lbs sub box in the rear.

I have the factory tow package so I have the 3.73 limited slip rear end.

But my motor is FAR from stock so that is where mine differs from yours. But mine handled the hills great. I would just speed up a little if I saw a big hill coming up.

 

[Calicajun]

Thanks for the information.

 

[aflumb]

well i got mine installed tonight. went for a 20 min ride. i was kinda ******* it to make sure everything was gud to go. well my temps stayed around 132 with my air temp gauge saying it was 62. thats 30 degree drop just by adding the cooler. tom i pick up my 8.5X20 ft enclosed trailer. it will be empty but still weigh around 3100 lbs. its about an hour drive back to the house. we will see what the temp diff. will be

 

[Calicajun]

A 30 degree drop in trans temp is great. We just spent 4 hours at the dealer where we bought our Tahoe arguing about the Tahoe not having the HD tow package as the salesman presented. The dealer refunded enough money to us so I can have all the mods done to the Tahoe. That will be trans cooler, new radiator, oil cooler line to the new radiator, load leveling rear shocks and a change our the 3:08 rear end to a 3:42 rear end. I don't think the salesman will be working there much longer. At least now, when the work is done, we will feel much better about towing with the Tahoe.

 

[Big Buttons]

3.73s or 3.90s would be a lot nicer lol

 

[Calicajun]

3.73s or 3.90s would be a lot nicer lol

I was planning on asking about 3:73, not sure they make a 3:73 for my Tahoe but can't hurt to ask, right.

 

[Big Buttons]

I believe GM still uses 3.73s but idk. If they dont offer it there are some great after market companies that make gears. If you go the route you might as well get a trutrac with it.

I want 4.10s and a trutrac but I don't really care about mpgs lol.