No effing trans cooler?! I'm out Toyota

I remember reading that post here in one of these transmission cooler threads, but good luck finding it. I remember being both surprised and a little skeptical that a dealer would do the install.

 

To those saying the atf analysis was good on that one that towed (Greg M, no longer a member), would any of you go 23k before an engine oil change? The oil analysis was good so 23k must be ok.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/oil-filter-change-23k-miles-one-year-updated.37158/

 

All this debate about “trusting” Toyota Engineers. While not a good comparison, engineers make mistakes... look what happened when we trusted Boeing Engineers.

 

I LOVE LAMP

 

IMO, if I get a high ATF warning I will then change the fluid and install a cooler. If not, I’ll just stick to the regular service intervals. It appears that the warning gives you plenty of buffer for those of us who are hard on trannies. No giggling!

 

My take on this cooler thing:
If a transmission cooler was advertised on the window sticker, it needs to be there. Need it or not. Period.

It’s like the window sticker stating the truck has a “hood scoop”, but doesn’t have one because the Toyota engineers decided a fake hood was not needed because it causes more drag and it doesn’t cool anything.

The cooler might be a worthless accessory, but it is promised, so it must be there for Toyota to be compliant with window sticker law.

How are they getting away with this?
Changing the name on a part from a warmer to a cooler is just bullshit.

I have a strong feeling that the 2020 and below crowd will be compensated somehow.
That’s a large blunder Toyota is hoping goes away. I’m surprised nobody on this forum decided to do something legally about this.

Wish I had more time and resources.

 

This well written post sounds suspiciously like a project manager wrote it.

 

Late to the legal discussion. The warmer puck doubles as a cooler at a certain point. Legally, Toyota is on solid ground.

 

After following this thread since the beginning, I've come to a conclusion.

The tundra needs a transmission cooler.

The tundra doesn't need a transmission cooler.

If you want to forget about this debacle, at least for a little bit, I recommend walking into a ball hitch with your shin. That always clears the mind of whatever is troubling you.

 

They did change the window sticker for the 2021 model. It leaves the coolers off now.
They should have doubled down if they truly stand by their puck cooler theory.
This is all more grey than black and white.
At the very least, this is a bad representation on their part.

 

I agree, bad representation, but that's the worst of it. I'll wait before passing judgement on their judgement. So far the core doesn't appear neccessary, but I'll probably add one anyway. We all need projects, right?

 

I am giving Toyota the benefit of the doubt. I seriously hope the cooler isn’t needed.
I barely have time these days to polish my fenders with my broken back.

 

Unless you're working your Tundra like a 3/4 ton I think you'll be good. Hope you heal up and enjoy your Tundra!

 

Yeah, I still have the sticker from my 21. I checked, and the wording is no longer there. They know that puck isn’t an effective cooler. At least one Toyota engineer does not stand by the decision to delete it at all and decided to add one to their truck. They said they’ve seen defects in their trucks from overheated fluid even though the fluid itself can handle higher working temps.

I do a lot of mixed driving—short trips, commutes into town, lots of stop-and-go during rush hour with some towing/hauling and off-road adventure trips mixed in. Last few years, I’ve averaged 18-22k miles per year. I fall into the category of people who the dissenting Toyota engineer said “actually use their truck as a truck”. The cooler is easy to install, reversible, and gives me peace of mind. But like they said, if you’re easy on your truck, if you just drive to and from work, you’re probably fine.

And sorry to hear about your back! Get well soon

 

That reads like some kind of koan or haiku.

 

Hmm yeah I see what you mean.

Random thought. "Koan Or Haiku" sounds like a new move Goku would use. Saying it slow and dramatic for build up, while yelling the last syllable of Haiku. KUUUUUUUUU

Ok I'm done now. Nightshift is getting to me

 

I know this has been on a bunch of threads but I didn’t see much responses related to my question.

I got a 2021 Tundra. I didn’t know it actually came without a true transmission cooler. I do have the tow package.

I mainly bought the truck to tow my camper. Switched from a Subaru Ascent which supposedly tows 5k so I have an ultralight camper (roughly 3800lbs loaded) and I was sick of stopping for gas every hour because it only had a 18gal tank. And it limited me to only go camping in KY and TN because I have to stop to fill so frequently. Plus kayaks on top it really didn’t get much mpg. Plus the tongue weight was so light on it. So I lost my shirt and traded it up for my current Tundra.

I see a lot of posts about installing a trans cooler. At the time of purchase, I got the 10 year 125k bumper to bumper warranty from Toyota. Figured this truck would last a lot longer than that.

so the question is for everyone who tows with a 2019 and up tundra without a true transmission cooler. Have you ever gotten the warning light on your tundra stating the transmission is too hot? We pulled our camper roughly 10 times last year but plan on doing longer trips with the tundra, most likely cross country. I don’t want to ruin my extended Toyota warranty by adding a transmission cooler if I really don’t need to.

payload capacity isn’t the greatest on the tundra and I’ve seen plenty of people going over it, but I’d be within 150lbs of the capacity with the camper and cargo since my tongue weight is so low with an ultralight (450lbs weighed at a weigh station with the Subaru).

sorry for the rant. And I appreciate your responses! I was thinking of getting a scan gauge to monitor it but I’m hoping that people don’t get the warning so I wouldn’t need to buy one.

I’ve seen a YouTube video of some online website hauling a trailer on a tundra and some Chevy and yes it was hotter than the Chevy but they said Toyota stated it is meant to run at that temperature. And they said it wasn’t required. I just wanted to see some real world responses for anyone towing with the 2019 and up tundras. Hopefully some of you have towed long distance for a more reliable response to my questions. Thanks

 

I put my faith in anonymous internet engineers.

 

I don't have a TT, but I do tow, up to 3 1/2 tons (that being the most) . I saw temps of 225 to 230 pulling an empty flat bed trailer that was 3 -4 hundred pounds. I never got a warning light ever, but I did install a cooler, for peace of mind and this truck will be with me for a very long time. I recently towed 6800 pounds about 200 miles and the temp never went over 210.. I say run what you have as is, you have a warranty, you are mindful of capacities, you should be just fine.

 

Well put

 

Thanks for your response. I tried looking stuff online here and a lot of the posts were either rants or taken over by it. Just wanted some real life engaged responses before I start paying for a scanner or a cooler. Appreciate you.

 

@chasenicholas93 can answer any questions that you have regarding the cooler.

 

I have a 2019 Limited with the towing package. The specs show that the truck has a transmission cooler with the tow package. Your specs may show the same.

 

If you're in doubt, just get one for peace of mind.

 

I tow my 5000# trailer all over the West all summer, no warnings, no issues. Lots of mountain passes. Not worried at all. No added cooler.

 

Post a pic if you have one but I don't think any trim levels for 2019+ have one. I have the tow package and mine didn't come with one.