Best / easiest option for monitoring transmission temps?

Hi there,

NOT to make another Tundra missing the trans cooler thread.... I got my new Tundra with the notion that I will keep it a very long time and go on many adventures... So at the very least I'd like to actively monitor my trans temps since that DOES seem to be the weakest link if there ever was one now.

I was about to purchase a Scanguage II but saw that others had issues with adding some kind of codes or junk? I'd really like something easy that I can use just anytime I feel the need. My only hitch with using my phone would be that on our travels I use it with apple carplay for maps. I dunno exactly how I would monitor temps in those situations.

Thanks!

 

I haven't had any issues with my Scanguages. Code are here:

https://www.scangauge.com/support/x-gauge-commands/toyota-lexus-scion/

 

I choose not to worry about it. I’ve got more than enough things to fret over. If I have the overtemp light coming on I’ll revisit this. Until/unless that happens I’ll just continue to drive the shit out of it.

 

Same for me, though my use case is a bit different. I don't tow all the time; and even if I did, most of it would be with my 14' trailer. When I purchased my Tundra, my towing requirements were literally that I be able to tow what I could before (a 20' or so camper, and my 14' trailer) a few times a year easier than my '13 F150 could.

This'll do that easily. With that usage I SERIOUSLY doubt I'll ever get close to having any issues; but if I ever get any overtemp light come on, or I start towing more, I'll install the aftermarket cooler.

 

ScangaugeII is the easiest method of monitoring your transmission fluid temperatures. I own an UltraGauge Blue to avoid the cord. That also ties up my iphone, but I can get by using one or the other. An adapter cord is helpful to keep your iphone charged if you use it to monitor temps.

Minor hack skills are required to input the proprietary codes into ScangaugeII properly. Not difficult, just go slow and proof read thoroughly. All the other alternate methods will require the same or greater hack skills. At least with ScangaugeII, you do not have to setup the display format, which is much more complicated than the simple data codes.

Face the facts, Toyota never intended owners to read their transmission fluid temps directly.

A great volume of information pro/con on all monitoring methods exists in the forum archives. Use search.

 

Veepeak OBDCheck Bluetooth 4.0 OBD2 Scanner for iOS & Android

$42 Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+ Bluetooth 4.0 OBD II Scanner for iOS & Android, Car Diagnostic Code Reader Scan Tool for Universal OBDII/EOBD Vehicles

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076XVQMVS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_xPaVsaiIgr5Uo

I use it with the OBD Fusion app on my iPhone. Simple plug and play.

You can buy the Toyota pack in the Fusion app for 9.99 and get a ton of gauges to monitor. I haven’t done that yet, as I can monitor the trans pan and TC temps without it.

 

Thanks a bunch all, think I got the info I needed.

 

Scanguage works just fine, also used it for the transmission service to check the level at the temp per Toyota's service manual.

 

pretty slick not having to add another gauge

did it work ?

 

Be sure to check out all these threads about 2019+ transmission failures related to not having the factory trans cooler.

this one:


this one:


and this poor guy:

 

Just bought a used 2014 ..

studying up

 

I did buy the Toyota pack. I monitor engine oil, coolant, trans pan, TC, lockup status, and battery. Works great.

There was one guy who burned his up in his 2019 towing a 3k lb trailer daily. He ghosted the forum after posting a service write-up from his dealership which connected the failure to lack of an external cooler. Also, practically all of us are still within the 5yr/60k warranty. My perspective has always been that it’s a very tough transmission. But it was originally designed with an external cooler on tow-package trucks. Nothing in the design changed when they deleted it except potentially lockup programming.

If you bought to keep long term, investing the relatively small amount of money for one makes sense. Especially if you tow. If you’re gonna sell in before the base 60k/5yr drivetrain warranty is up, no need to bother.

 

Love to see that post and read through it.

 

There’s more to it if you search his posts. I had some of the details wrong. Truck is a 2020. He tows 3k 5 days a week for work and then a travel trailer sometimes on the weekends. The dealer doesn’t say explicitly that lack of a cooler caused it. Toyota corporate was supposed to get back to the guy to tell him what exactly caused the failure. I’d be very surprised if they said, “yeah, it’s because we deleted the external cooler up front. Whoops, lol.”

I’m just glad there is a case logged through a dealership service center where a de-cooler’d truck had a transmission that burnt up and needed to be replaced. Still don’t think we’ll see more failures until past the warranty period. This guy’s usage falls well outside the majority of Tundra drivers. My thinking is that this failure rate is acceptable for Toyota.

Over 200k Tundras produced 2019-2021. Suppose Toyota saved $500 (this is a total guess) per truck by deleting the thermostat, hard lines, hoses, radiator, any mounting hardware, and using 1.5-2qt less trans fluid. That would save them $100M.

 

Bet he wasn’t towing in S4

 

https://edgeproducts.com/shop/insight-cts3

I haven't looked into the Banks, and was disappointed to learn that the company Edge, does not make a monitor (like the Edge CTS3) that supports a 2019 Tundra V8. However, when I plugged in a 2014 Tundra V8 only the CS2 came up.

So for the Tundra I ended up going with

 

That’s what I would have told them too…..

 

I don’t think there’s any basis for thinking he’s lying. He seems to know what he’s doing from his posts. He said he did the exact same thing for 7 years in a 2013 and had zero issues. The 2013 has a cooler.

 

I certainly wouldn’t want to accuse him of such. Posting mostly in jest about that. While not a perfectly controlled scientific experiment , makes a man wonder for sure. Unfortunate outcome for him, very rare it seems, at least from the Tundra community here to have a trans failure, cooler or not. Most report stable trans temps when towing in S4, rarely above 230-240°. Toyota reports the trans fluid to be stable up into the 300° range. Not sure what wizardry that is, I wouldn’t want my trans fluid temps anywhere near that.

 

This thread has some good data about tranny temps.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/green-thunder-oil-analysis-thread.94464/

Post 18 and 39 have the test results. I use the Veepeak and OBD Fusion app mentioned earlier here. What I have learned for my use is I likely don’t need the added cooler if I pay attention or use the tow button and S4 if in doubt. One more oil test to decide for sure for me. I tow moderate weights some, load truck and go some, off-road some. When towing if I use tow haul and am on level ground, D works fine unless it’s summer, then S4. If towing anytime on hills, corners, etc. have to use S4, it’s the shifting that spikes temps. If off-road 4L is a must.

Get the set up to monitor your temps, it’s kind of fun in a way.

 

Hey buddy, since that post I have added a trans cooler and it's been great. I also use the Veepeak without issue. Thank ya

 

Not the cheapest - but you can kill two birds by ditching the entune HU for an aftermarket with Maestro unit.

 

I got the ScanGaugeIII about 6 months ago and have nothing but positive comments. As you can see both trans temps are on my monitor. You can also look and clear codes, tons of “trip” functionality along with MPGs, etc.

 

watch a Tundra almost overheat in under ten minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8upLk9jlcQ

 

Max trans fluid temp was 246°. Toyota WS fluid is good for around 300° per Sweers. Not saying 246° is good, just that the Toyota engineers designed it based on a higher operating temp. If I were towing heavy up the Ike, I would put a cooler on mine.

 

That was under 10 minutes in winter in Colorado. Try hours of towing in summer. I ve read reports some are overheating without towing, just sitting in traffic. Engineers are clearly not in charge, bean counters are, Sweers is making excuses for yet another Toyota facepalm. Btw by the time the tranny idiot light goes off you ve already burnt your ATF. If the tranny had a dipstick, it doesn t, another bean counter facepalm, you d be able to smell the burnt oil. Unless Toyota has some secret ATF that beats all other oils out there they need to issue a recall on the 19-21s.

 

I was running ~230 unloaded cruising down hwy. houston heat

put in cooler. Never reach 198.

 

Link to these overheating reports please