Transmission Temperatures on 2019 - 2021 Tundras

I know people ask this all the time, but I recently purchased a 2021 Tundra TRD Sport. I don't tow, but go to the mountains about 2x a year. I know this one does not have a transmission cooler. Just curious for those who don't tow what the average transmission temperature you get and the highest transmission temperature you've seen.

Thanks!

 

Depends but people report as high as 230 unloaded. I would just do the upgrade for peice of mind and longevity. Plus....mods are fun lol.

 

My max readings while towing 8k# in S4 through hilly Arkansas terrain in my 2019 CM Limited TRD OR on stock tires no lift.

 

This is all not towing, but these are max pan temps I saw loaded up to max payload at a 95F or higher degree day or so.

Before cooler, 220F-ish in the mountains. It would float between 210-220F on average.

Then put a cooler on at about 500miles on the odometer.

With cooler, 201F.
With cooler and pinned thermostat, 185F. Can do 85mph into a 20mph headwind and it won’t budge over that temp.

Stock wheels/tires and bed cap that’s about 6” higher than the cab roof.

 

i was 230 unloaded in houston all the time

175 now

pinned open

 

Unloaded 6th gear cruising

 

See post 1312 in "5.7l transmission cooler kit" thread. Has a before/after cooler kit installation in my 21.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/5-7l-transmission-cooler-kits.60550/page-44

 

Thanks everyone. Has anyone heard of any transmission failures in the 2019 - 2021 Tundras? I'm hesitant to get a cooler if she's gonna run good without. I can't find anything on the transmissions actually failing.

 

Cooler is always better. Fluid breaks down. Why not have it run better and not worry about temps at all? Get a cooler.

 

I have a 2019 tundra Crewmax. I tracked temps around town no towing, 225 F very common.

put in the cooler by nick advertised in here, barely break 190 now. Fantastic upgrade, almost all OeM parts. Came with a free cooler tracker like the pictures you see above. Couldn’t be happier with it!


Had a local shop install since I am not mechanically inclined.

expensive but thought worth it for long term and I plan to tow so it was a easy choice for me


Here is link to item I bought


https://genuinecoolingsystems.com/

you can build one yourself, but I was not inclined to

 

I haven't heard of any failures let alone a trans over temp lite. Once you start monitoring transmission temperatures you can make your own decision or just send it as is. Cooler will make a remarkable difference and I have one.

I've seen 240 TC temp up Utah mountains towing but cools rapidly to pan temp when TQ locks back up usually 20-40 degrees lower depending on distance up grade.

 

Good video by auto trans experts, including the AB60. Short answer, get a cooler!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DyU3LIpA-Mg

 

I think if you plan to keep it a long time then do it. If you’re gonna change it out in 5 years don’t worry about it.

 

Too early to tell. But it can only be worse than having one.

 

Watched this the other day.

I tossed a huge cooler on mine soon after purchasing, with the thermostat I usually max out at 195-199f. I just pinned it open, will find out this weekend what it looks like now .

 

I typically see 195-205 depending on outside temp in my day to day driving from work. 22 miles each way backroads and interstate. No cooler

 

Same, 220-230 in H-Town traffic. After cooler, 185-195.

 

2021 with a 3/2 lift and 35” tires, i was seeing 220+ just driving around town. Now i do S4 in town and S5 on the highway which keeps my temps way down, i don’t plan on towing so this strategy works for me. I’ll get a cooler if i ever do need to tow.

 

At the end of the day, if you’re asking us about it, I would just say do it. Pay the money for a quality part and have it professionally done unless you can do it and feel confident

 

I added a cooler to my 2020 SR5 CM, I haven’t towed anything yet but I had seen temps over 200 which isn’t bad at all but I figured it’s the smart play for the transmission. I don’t believe I have seen over 200 after I installed the cooler but I only drive the Tundra a couple times a month. That will change after my F250 diesel sells. Here is a pic of the instal and also post cooler temps.

 

Thanks everyone for the info! Greatly appreciated. Still haven't decided if I'm gonna get the cooler yet. I got a scangauge 3 coming this week. And I'll see what the temperatures are when I go to the mountains then I'll make a decision.

 

Driving habits, especially paying attention to TC lockup has a big impact on temps too.

2019 no cooler yet, I think the highest I've seen was 239º while towing, that was pushing it pretty hard on I-8 West coming up out of the desert at the Imperial / San Diego County line. Those of you familiar with this grade know what I'm talking about. It's a nasty one. Two lanes, steep and curvy, you either stay with the flow or get stuck behind someone struggling at 35MPH.

Normal towing on flats in S4/TH she settles in at around 210º-212º. Will get up in the 220's on most grades than drop back down once I crest.

Daily driving it's rarely higher than 205º-210º

So far the temps I'm seeing are not too alarming. My trailer is only 5,500 lbs. and we don't go as far or as often as I'd like.

If temps or travel frequency changes I may add one, but for now I'll do drain/fills on a "severe duty" interval every 30K and continue to monitor.

 

Thanks

Love the view!

 

Yeah, that one was pretty epic.

Between my wife and I we probably took 40-50 pictures of that sunset as it changed from red to orange to purples.

Pictures of her taking pictures of the sunset.