Towing problems- No transmission cooler on 2020 TRD Pro

That gauge is in the middle anywhere from about 160 to 240 based on my experience with my 2010. It doesn’t move until you have a problem. By that time you might already be doing damage. The gauge is the same as having a light when overheating.

Due to fluctuations, the only trans temp gauges that are worth anything are digital. But most manufactures don’t put them in cause most people don’t know what the numbers mean.

 

Surprised and confused as well. The 2020 eBrochure for Tundra, under heading Maximum Towing: Towing Package, states it has supplemental engine oil cooler and supplemental transmission cooler. And it shows S standard for all the models. And on the “sticker” breakdown for my 2020 Tundra SR5 (SR5 Upgrade Package) and TRD Offroad Package it shows Towing Package with Tow Receiver Hitch, 4.30 Axle, Eng/Trans Fluid Coolers,, TOW/HAUL Mode, HD Batt & Alt, & Integ 4/7-Pin Connector. I do not see the transmission fluid cooler up front in front of radiator, like I did on my 2018 Tacoma (that I traded in) but I assumed it was buried somewhere. Are you and others saying this is false information then, in regards to transmission cooler?

 

Yep pretty much bullshit

 

As others have stated, they now consider running a line of engine coolant back to the transmission fluid a "transmission cooler". You can stop looking for a real cooler because you won't find one. 2017 or 2018 was the last year a real cooler was installed by Toyota.

 

The good new is you can add a cooler yourself for around $400.

 

2018 was the last year with them.

 

Exactly. My cost estimate is about the same, depending on which aftermarket cooler you prefer...$400-$450.

 

Thanks for setting me straight on this. I went back through the manual and only saw where it said to use tow/haul and no reference to S mode except for braking. Maybe my Tacoma manual said to use S4 for towing?

 

Well the way I see it is Toyota engineers designed it that way for a reason, not saying it was a good reason but a reason none the less, so I digress.

I would run it until it failed, under warranty, hopefully not, but if it does fail have them repair it.

 

They probably re-designed it with an accountant breathing down their neck to reduce production costs. Or my favorite, i think they removed driver grab handle purely to pass driver side offset collision only to get smacked down when they tested passenger side a few years later. Why not just remove both sides if they knew it was a hazard. Maybe next gen wont have a grab handle on either side, lol.

They probably tested trans oil's upper end heat capacity and called it a day.

 

I'm hoping for both sides having the handle in the next gen. GM brought the driver's side handle back for 2019.

 

Maybe Toyota doesn't want short drivers.

 

Bean counters tend to ruin a lot of things.

 

It's a shame too because you know Toyota has some amazing engineers. Heck, even Ford has an amazing team and it sure seems like they have a hand tied behind their back when it comes to even simple things like material type for parts longevity and fit/finish.

 

Accountants dictating design changes to the engineers in the C suites has got to be one of the top misconceptions ever.

 

Yeah, those accountants are no fun. I’m with you, businesses would be a lot better if their executives made ignorant financial decisions.

 

Accountant to COO (engineer): here is the financial analysis you requested for your meeting sir.

COO: thanks, have a good weekend.

 

Next Monday morning:

COO: I think your analysis is defective. It really should say this.

Accountant: I'll take another look sir.

30 minutes later

Accountant: you were correct as usual sir. The analysis now shows exactly what you wanted... Errr expected.

 

At the very least make an external cooler an option.

 

Just an FYI, took my new 2020 CM camping this weekend. Light load, myself, wife, dog and tent camping supplies for 2 nights. Drove 2 hours in the mountains on a nice paved road running 35-65 mph with no big hils and my transmission temps were getting into the 230 range with no trailer. I hit 234 max that I saw. This is too high with no trailer. I have the full cooler kit in my garage and will be putting it on this fall when it cools off outside.

 

Trany is cooled by coolant taken from same point as the cabin heater hose. Issue is it's already 180f. Cool that 40f and your good to go. Maybe splicing a trans cooler in that coolant (hose) line will do the trick.

 

FYI, that page says to use S4 to maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance when using engine braking. I use mine all the time in S6 unless I am going up a fairly steep incline, then I will use S5 or S4 appropriately, and I do downshift to take advantage of engine braking on declines. If I'm doing 65, I will not try to maintain that speed on inclines (I don't use cruse control). With that being said, I have a 2011 5.7 with tow package, and have never had an overheating problem when towing a 7000 lb trailer in the hot Arizona sun. So, whatever works for your situation. I, for one, am glad I have the transmission cooler.

 

I've got a '19 w/ tow pkg and I've been following every YouTube and forum thread I can find. I think a little information can be a dangerous thing. Lots of wannabe engineers and trans experts have everyone worked into a froth over this trans cooler issue.

One thing I've yet to see in these 3 years, is/are widespread cases of trans failures owing to overheating - or really anything for that matter.

As the miles keep racking up, I'm still waiting...

What really kills me is that everyone should be be under warranty, yet they are preemptively installing coolers. That's a head scratcher.

Why aren't you folks who are so sure it's going to overheat and fail, just let it happen? Then we can see if it's really an issue or not?

If Toyota has somehow made a huge mistake on this, they'll send out a bulletin to have '19+ 5.7s w/tow pkg get retrofitted for external trans coolers. That would certainly be cheaper than replacing transmissions, class action lawsuits and the like.

My assumption is that Toyota was not reckless here. They have too much pride to risk something so major to repair and to suffer the hit on their history of excellent reliability.

 

Why would Toyota do anything about this issue? They already lied about installing a trans cooler, which clearly states on the sticker. Majority of drivers won’t care, they just assume everything will be fine. Bottom line, if you want to tow anything and want to keep your Tundra a long period of time. Add that external trans cooler. And it will have to be installed at the Toyota dealer or it will kill your transmission warranty.

 

Toyota did not lie. You're just expecting an external cooler like the older ones. As others have stated, the warmer/cooler is integrated.

Bottom line, check your fluid, or have it checked, after a hard tow and see if it shows any signs of being burnt/getting cooked. You'd be surprised by how far, even in the last few years, synth tech has advanced. My guess is that you will not have ruined your fluid or trans. Heck, wait until the end of your warranty, and then you'll know more about the failure rate, and if there are none to speak of, you'll have saved yourself several hundred dollars.

 

It’s a warmer, not a cooler. Do your homework. And if it’s true that the transmission overheating light does not come on until over 302F. Do your homework on that one to. Check how much a new transmission cost for a Tundra. Compare that price to $600 for a transmission cooler installed at your friendly Toyota dealer.

 

Easy does it. No need to cop a 'tude with me. Now since you mentioned homework. I've done it. Looked at the schematic. That's why I posted what I did. It serves to both warm and to help cool the tranny fluid. Is it as powerful at cooling as a dedicated cooler? Of course not. Does it keep it within what they consider acceptable range to not damage the trans or to be giving people the warning light left and right, apparently it is, because we're not hearing about it. And I think with as many miles as these things have been driven by now, we would definitely be hearing about it. I'm not even talking about failures, I'm talking about owners saying things like "every day I tow my rig up the same hill, and every day I have to pull over and let the trans cool down. I thought I was supposed to have a cooler to prevent that from happening!", But nope, not hearing of any such stories. If there were enough people complaining about overheating and failures, we would see class action lawsuits. Just by the title of this thread, you would think we would be seeing links to law firms seeking to put together class actions.

 

You have an external cooler. Why keep stirring things up?

When the transmission fluid is cooler than the puck it is a warmer.
When the transmission fluid is warmer than the puck it is a cooler.

Yes, just that simple.

 

Perfectly said John. It really is that simple.