Are Transmission Coolers Necessary?

These types of coolers have been around as long as the automatic transmission and for the most part do an effective job of keeping the transmission going for many thousands of miles. The in-the-tank coolers not only perform the job of cooling the fluid, but warm the fluid in extremely cold environments as well.

Can I run a car without a transmission cooler?

Not unless the cause of the problem was a broken radiator that mixed coolant and transmission fluid, which would have ruined the discs in the transmission, and left oil in the coolant line.

Can you use a radiator without transmission cooler?

Never bypass a transmission cooler if it’s an automatic. They need the cooler. Transmissions use the engine heat that is dumped into the radiator to warm up when it’s cold, then use the cooler to stay a consistent temperature. The main issue is transmission fluid breaks down very quickly at high temperatures.

Will a transmission cooler make the transmission last longer?

In terms of transmission operating temperatures keeping the fluid 200 degrees or less is preferred for long life — for every 20-degree increase in temperature above that, the life of the fluid is cut in half.

How important is a transmission cooler for towing?

One of the most common questions we get asked during the Summer months is “do I need a transmission cooler for my car”? The short answer – YES!! We could not recommend them highly enough for cooler running, prolonged transmission life, reduced costs and better fuel economy.

Do most cars have transmission coolers?

In almost all vehicles with an automatic transmission there is a transmission cooler placed inside the radiator. Most standard transmissions do not make as much heat and therefore do not have a cooler.

Do all automatic transmissions have coolers?

All automatic transmission equipped vehicles come with a transmission cooler built into the radiator. However, if your vehicle tows heavy loads, you live in a warm climate, or often drive in stop-and-start traffic, you may require an auxiliary transmission cooler.

Should transmission cooler be before or after radiator?

Answer: We recommend installing the auxiliary cooler after the radiator to return the coolest fluid directly to the transmission. Installing the cooler before the radiator will still provide additional cooling and may be necessary in some difficult-to-access applications.

What happens when transmission cooler fails?

Transmission overheating
When a transmission oil cooler hose fails it can cause the transmission to overheat. This can be due to low fluid level from a leak or preventing flow. In either case if the transmission overheats it can stop working entirely and this condition may be permanent.

What is a transmission cooler good for?

A transmission cooler operates like a heat exchanger mounted adjacent to your car’s radiator. Hot transmission fluid flows through the unit and comes in contact with a series of fins or plates. The resulting heat dissipation cools the liquid as it cycles back into the transmission.

Can a transmission cooler cause overheating?

Your engine is running hot or overheats: If you are have a bad transmission cooler, the symptoms may spread to your engine, as well. All of that transmission-related heat and drag can make it more difficult for your engine to run properly, and its temperature can also rise as a result.

Whats the longest a transmission can last?

With proper maintenance, transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles or more. This includes changing the fluid in your transmission system and regular checkups. However, when you don’t keep up with routine maintenance, your transmission might have problems at the 100,000-mile mark or even sooner.

Can a transmission be too cool?

The ideal temperature for it is 175 degrees, plus or minus 25 degrees, and when the transmission gets below zero degrees, it gets too thick. The fluid can also fail to lubricate parts when it is too cold, wearing parts down unnecessarily.

What transmission temp is too hot when towing?

When you’re towing, the added drag and weight of the trailer will make your transmission work harder. Hard work means the internal temperature of your transmission will rise. What is this? To keep your transmission running at a safe temperature, keep the reading between 160 and 220 degrees.

Does towing mess up your transmission?

Tow trucks can damage cars when the towing process is not handled properly. Towing can even damage your vehicle’s transmission, so that is why tow truck drivers take extra precautions. The driveshaft is disconnected, and front-wheel drive vehicles are towed only from the front wheels.

Does towing hurt transmission?

You also risk damage to manual transmissions if they are towed while the vehicle is in “park.” These vehicles should be towed in “neutral” only. Conversely, automatic transmissions do not disengage when the vehicle is in “neutral” and towing could force the transmission to move in the wrong direction.

How much does it cost to install a transmission cooler?

You can have a local transmission shop install a transmission oil cooler in your vehicle. Expect to pay between $150 and $250 for the job. Either way, installing an auxiliary transmission oil cooler is one of the best investments you can make in protecting your transmission from overheating and certain failure.

How expensive is a transmission cooler?

The average cost for trans oil cooler line replacement is between $242 and $270. Labor costs are estimated between $108 and $137 while parts are priced at $133. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

Which type of transmission cooler is best?

1. Editor’s Pick: Hayden Automotive 679 Rapid-Cool Transmission Cooler.
2. Best Transmission Cooler for Import Cars: Hayden Automotive 402 Ultra-Cool.
3. B&M 70268 SuperCooler.
4. Mishimoto MMTC F2D-99SL Transmission Cooler.
5. Mishimoto MMTC Ram-03SL Transmission Cooler.
6. Mishimoto MMTC-K2-14 Transmission Cooler.

Do transmissions shift harder when cold?

Cold weather can lead to a transmission that shifts hard
When the temperature drops, transmission fluids with poor cold-flow properties can thicken and cause elongated and hard shifts until the fluid has warmed up enough to flow properly. Switching to a high-quality synthetic transmission fluid will help.

Do automatic transmissions need to warm up?

Driving Habits with a Negative Impact on Transmission
It’s recommended to always let your transmission warm up before driving, however, do not let it idle for too long.