Transmission fluid temps after short hill climb towing

[time4save]

1.5 mile fairly steep climb where I was averaging around 10mpg with a 2500lb trailer. Seems the fluid got pretty hot even on that short a climb. No lights came on as I was almost at the top by the time I took the pic but not sure what I would have done if the road was any longer.

are there aftermarket coolers suggested?

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[bakutheleo]

Not answering your question, but as long as it is not in the "too high" zone I would think it should be fine. The question then would be does it get too high if you did push it longer/harder?

 

[Vincenzo]

I am waiting on a response from Mishimoto. They have a nice cooler for the Tacoma that bolts right in. If it works in the 4 Runner I will be installing it. You can use any cooler that you want, actually. The one from Mishimoto has a nice mount. No “rigging” a mount or figuring a mounting solution

 

[T4RAZ]

I'm surprised this isn't talked about more. My 4Runner transmission runs VERY hot while towing. Trailer is about 2800lbs and my scan gauge shows freeway temps already at 215-220. Going on dirt/rocky road I saw temps up to 240s. That was a couple months ago with ambient temps in the 90s. Im planning a trip in a couple weeks and Im nervous to see the gauge with ambient temps at 105. Im really trying to get a transmission cooler for this ASAP but it seems no one has really done it yet

 

[Joey_Midnight]

Im more surprised its rising, im unsure if the off road, premium or towing packages change trans cooling but ive been pulling a race car trailer on 2 -7hour trips every month for over a year in the heat and thru the pocono mountains with no issue. I even put it in 4hi to see if it would build temp and nothing moved. Last month i pulled 9500lb dump trailer a few towns over on back roads and i thought that woulda got temps going but nothing. Dead centered always

 

[pmedicj]

I was worried about going on our trip with these posts about high trans temps.
We just got back from towing our 4500lb camper a couple hundred miles and it went smooth as butter, didn’t break a sweat and averaged 16.7 mpg.
Transmission temp stayed right in the center there and back.
Maybe the fluid levels are low?

 

[SC4Runner]

@Armbender might be able to help. How is the transmissions cooler working out for you?

 

[Armbender]

@Armbender might be able to help. How is the transmissions cooler working out for you?

I have a Mishimoto intercooler and it’s been keeping my temps at normal range

 

[time4save]

It’s not an issue pulling at speed, I can get to the mountains just fine. But this was a steep and slow climb for maybe a mile, less than 5 minutes.

 

[ThatSickRIp]

It’s not an issue pulling at speed, I can get to the mountains just fine. But this was a steep and slow climb for maybe a mile, less than 5 minutes.

How fast did the temps recover? Was it a fast up and down spike?

 

[mjssss]

I have a Mishimoto intercooler and it’s been keeping my temps at normal range

Intercoolers are for cooling intake air temps—not transmission…

 

[Armbender]

Intercoolers are for cooling intake air temps—not transmission…

I know that. I was quoted here to check with me and my experience. I was correcting the quote that I’ve only done the intercooler

 

[pmedicj]

I’m more curious why a few people report problems with high temps and others don’t. Are the ones reporting high temps non hybrids?

 

[Nodak]

i think it has to do with airflow over the heat exchanger fins.

towing loads on a highway is giving them enough airflow to dissapate heat vs off roading where the speeds are at times in crawling speeds with no airflow except may a breeze or whatever you may get underneath.

 

[CO/ZA]

I’m more curious why a few people report problems with high temps and others don’t. Are the ones reporting high temps non hybrids?

Have a non-hybrid, and have had zero issues with transmission temps on off road trails during Colorado summer.

It's a user issue, where people aren't using 4-Lo where they should be.

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