How to Choose a Transmission Cooler
Because of the constant stop-and-go traffic, your automatic transmission becomes overheated and malfunctions. Transmissions are destroyed by heat. Heat, to be more exact, causes the transmission fluid to degrade.
How to Choose a Transmission Cooler
The majority of automatic transmissions will function properly in temperatures ranging from 170 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Your fluid may last up to 100,000 miles if the temperatures are maintained at that level. Unfortunately, if the temperature rises by just 10 degrees, your fluid life might be reduced by up to 50 percent, according to research. The transmission fluid is typically cooled in one way or another in the majority of stock automobiles. There are a variety of ways in which you can assist in the cooling process.
First and foremost, replace the transmission filter. Even a minor blockage in a filter will restrict the flow of fluid, resulting in increased friction, which in turn generates heat, as previously stated. Next, try switching from a smooth transmission pan to a finned product, such as this one from Speedway Motors, to improve gearbox performance. By incorporating fins into the pan, you can increase the surface area across which cold air can move, hence increasing the cooling capacity of the pan overall. Derale manufactures a line of transmission cooling pans that are equipped with built-in cooling tubes that circulate cool air through the automatic transmission fluid. With their 2-quart expanded capacity and heat-dissipating covering, these pans have the potential to lower fluid temperatures by 20-50 degrees Fahrenheit. Isn’t it true that every little bit helps?
If none of these measures prove effective, an auxiliary cooler may be the next best alternative. For your convenience, there are a variety of alternatives, ranging from a single pass inline unit to four passes and even six pass kits, such as one from Derale that includes a cooler, hose, brackets, and mounting hardware.
If you plan to install an inline cooler for your transmission, there are a few considerations that you should bear in mind before you begin. First and foremost, make certain that you utilize a barbed fitting to connect to your existing lines. Transfer case pressure lines are high-pressure lines, and if you don’t have the barbed fitting, you can blow a line and drain your transmission. Install it on the return side, after the OEM cooler, and you’re done. Thus, the amount of heat that is introduced to the radiator, which is often where the factory cooler is positioned, is reduced. Last but not least, location is critical. Please do not attach the cooler to the exhaust system. Try to place the cooler in a location where it will receive the most airflow.
Auxiliary coolers are often rated in Gross Vehicle Weight, and this figure may be found on the Vehicle ID plate that is placed on the door jamb of most American automobiles. Auxiliary coolers are typically rated in Gross Vehicle Weight. These choices are by far the most cost-effective when compared to the expense of a transmission rebuild.