Typical transmission temps?

I purchased the Toyota packet but then added the custom PID from someone on youtube because I couldn't find the options.

 

I tried to add a PID. Tested it and it said successful. But that's as far as I got. It had no option to save it.

 

Hmm.. would be interesting to get some data. I just got back from Montana/Idaho. On the way out there was towing a 7x14 enclosed trailer (Over 8' tall) in 100F, 12 hour days.

Had the Tundra on S5 at 55-65 mph. Didn't use the cruise at all as I was very, very closely monitoring the RPMs and would let off the gas as soon as in S5 the torque converter unlocked (or I shifted to S4). First sign of an incline it went into S4. Got pretty tiring, but would be interesting to be able to monitor the temps.

On the way back, others drove the Tundra and I pulled the trailer with a 2500HD (still in 100F temps, S6 with cruise on at 72 mph.). Transmission temp never broke 200F. Sat between 185F and 190F mostly. I did kick it down into S5 on the hills/mpuntains right away as that was only 300 rpm higher than S6. I suppose the trans temps may have gone higher if I continuously left if in S6 going up.

 

I suppose the way I drive may effect the temps. I'm usually pulling a 7x16 enclosed that might weight 4500-5k and I stay around 80mph. Unless I feel it's winding too high too long, then I'll slow down a bit. Like 75.

 

You've got to be absolutely taking it in the shorts on mileage at 80 mph. I was trying to maintain a 9-10 mpg at 55-65 (North Dakota, Montana, Idaho).

 

I've never heard that, but after looking it up, ya single digits mpg. But overall for the trip it's usually around 10-11.

 

How long are these trips usually? Long trips like that I think would push the trans temp very high

 

Only like 40-45 miles at the higher speeds.

 

Ex-squeeze me? No no no no no...

Foist you must establish a preconceived outcome. THEN you venture forth in search data points that support your outcome whilst rejecting data that diametrically opposes your desired result.

THAT... is science.

 

From what I understand reading threads on this forum, the following are expected, normal transmission operating temps;

Pre-2019
-Cool as a cucumber. Always, no matter the situation.

2019+
-Unloaded at 70 mph = HOT!
-Truck full of family and camping gear = if a RAM transmission ever got this hot it would melt
-Pulling a trailer/heavy loads = Satan himself says "Damn, that's TOO HOT!!", but Toyota says it's just fine

 

Plot twist… 2018 got the new improved refrigerant for the air conditioning system, but not the bigger condenser to accommodate. Users have reported poor air conditioner performance and higher transmission temps with the oem cooler. Lol.

 

My 2015 does not seem to run cool as a Cucumber.

 

You guys and your facts!

 

Yes, this! I have seen 230 in below freezing weather. Toyota knows what they are doing, do the guys that are running their transmission cooler than designed for know how to build a bullett proof 6spd?

 

Maybe, but probably?

 

No offense, but your science is dumb. If you don’t have a transmission cooler obviously you need it, if you have one need another. More better!

 

I am going to get five, to match my vaccine count.

 

Source? Not saying you're wrong. I'd just like to read about it. And the complaints.
I've got the new refrigerant, the bigger condenser, and a small ext trans cooler that sits in front of the upper passenger side corner of the AC condenser. Are you suggesting those of us with 2019+ Tundras who have added a cooler might see problems with the AC? I haven't seen any issues, and I'm not sure that the trans cooler blocks the radiator in a detrimental way, especially considering those big plastic air dams on the sides that draw more air into the AC condenser.

My understanding is that, since the OEM thermostat doesn't even open till ~190ºF, this transmission has always run hot compared to other manufacturers. For example, I've had a few GM trucks ranging from 2002 to 2012, and those transmissions always ran between 120ºF and 165ºF.

Putting an ext cooler on a 2019+ is not running it colder than designed because it's the same transmission that was designed with and came with the ext cooler for years. I'm not running mine any colder than the way the transmission was originally intended by Toyota. The ext cooler is thermostatically controlled to open at ~190ºF. It's not even a factor until then. Transmission pan stays between 190ºF and 200ºF when I'm not towing, like it ostensibly did for several years.

 

Only answering my quote. I have a 2018. I get to compare temps and stuff in extreme heat(desert) conditions with other various year Tundras. All my friends have LT Tundras and we do stuff… 07-10ish run cooler trans temps, but the calibration reflects that. 2018 Tundra got screwed on AC performance.

 

Bummer. Mine won't get ice cold until I start driving. But then it's fine.

 

And let me save you the trouble from quoting the anonymous Toyota engineer ever again. That was a personal opinion from an engineer that works for Toyota, that has nothing to do with how or why the transmission cooler exists or not. I know a few, mixed bag. Lol.

 

Yeah, in a previous career, I worked alongside many engineers. I get it. But I disagree that this is a personal opinion. COTJ said this engineer “deals with this directly”, so it’s not just some random Toyota employee with an engineering degree giving an opinion on an issue that is totally unrelated to what Toyota pays them to do. I consider it a highly informed professional opinion. Much more highly informed than any of us anyway. What I want to know about are the heat defects mentioned.

Dealing with it directly is why their words carry so much weight for me and why I don’t think it makes sense for so many people on here to dismiss it out of hand.

 

Its been over two years since the change, show me the data that proves they are somehow failing, and the dealerships that are full of burnt out Trans. I'll wait.

 

Show us the data that they are just as healthy as a pre 2019... This can go on for ever, put a cooler on if you feel the need, don't if you don't !

The pissing match back and forth is really getting old..

 

I disagree with other engineers and managers who think they are engineers on an hourly basis. Confirmation bias is a bitch even with the best data and information at hand.

Case in point that shows even my own struggle with it.

Had a compression train at work that shutdown and was acting very bizarre. Pids flying all over the place. One was speed. Its a turbine driven compressor.

We also knew there was a valve hang up that would have allowed the unit to reverse spin. To make matters worse the system was indicating zero oil pressure while spinning backwards up to 24000 rpm with second critical speed at 20000 rpm. In other words a big effing deal.

I'm looking at all the trends. my reaction was "zomg tear everything apart now. its a blood bath."

(The contractor mechanics loved me...all the OT...wow)

An operator and an automation specialist found a faulty speed probe. They found the real issue while I was in a panic.

At any moment in this debacle, I was the engineer with one set of data and a theory on what had occurred. The Automation specialist and operator were actually at the unit when it failed and was getting a totally different set of data that indicated no backspin.

My own confirmation bias made me disregard other sources of information.

 

I have a 2021 with a self installed external transmission cooler magnetic grey metallic black interior. I live in one of the most hot miserable humid climates Houston. I can attest I have ZERO AC cooling issues. I am very pleased with the AC performance even when 98f and 80% humidity. The trans cooler didn't affect AC performance in my opinion. It blows a solid 43F all the time. Wife 2017 4Runner blows 48F. My 2017 diesel 44F, my 2001 lexus gs 300 36F (variable displacement compressor) P

On a side note premium vehicles do have some better parts. My Lexus upper control arms have spherical bearings, not rubber bushings, will last a lifetime or two. AC compressor variable displacement, clutch never cycles on and off. Its nice vs hearing my other cycle on and off at lights etc.

 

I’ve always said it’s not likely to be an issue within warranty period, especially considering how many people just commute in their trucks. I put one on because of how I use my truck. If I remember correctly, you got pretty heated with a guy who came in here and showed his service ticket with a burned up transmission on his 2020. He was towing 3k lbs 5 days per week.

Agreed. We have so few issues to discuss that we go round and round on the few that people have strong opinions about. Add a cooler, or don’t.

 

Curious if you tow with your Tundra and if you do, what kind of transmission fluid temperatures you see. Also your temps while not towing. Do you have a comparison of temps before and after? TIA!

(FYI I also have a GS. HUGE fan of those cars. I've had several)

 

Did you purchase the kit or put the trans cooler system together yourself?
My 2021 trans temps hit touched 210 F with a very light load, full tank, no trailer, and one passenger when climbing fairly steep grades through a short local pass during cool ambient temps 39 F several days ago. It seem to drop back into the mid 190's fairly quickly. Next time out I'll be taking screen shots and recording conditions better for comparison.
Truck hasn't had it's 1st oil change btw.

 

Some late 2018 trucks have R1234YF refrigerant with the smaller condenser that had the ATF cooler built into the condenser. These see reduced AC performance as R1234YF is less efficient and you have hot ATF flowing through part of the condenser as well. This results in more heat transfer in the condenser making it harder to cool the refrigerant.

What you have on your truck is a larger condenser that is just for the AC. The ATF cooler you added is separate, therefore you do not get as much heat transfer within the condenser itself. The idea of blocking air flow doesn't matter too much. If you look at the radiator and the condenser from the factory, a large portion of the surface area is behind the bumper and supports. When driving, the area in front of the radiator is high pressure due to air being crammed into the grill, behind the grill is low pressure. This differential pressure causes air to move through the condenser and radiator, extracting heat in the process. By adding an ATF cooler in front of them, all you are doing is very slightly raising the temperature of the air before it flows through the condenser and radiator. As you and others have noted, there doesn't seem to be any change in AC performance due to this in the majority of operating conditions.


Since this thread is about trans temps.
2020 Platinum 4x4
Unloaded, other than driver and fuel (GVW ~6440)

Stock:
cruising on the highway at 80-85 in D, ambient temps from 60-90F on multiple drives
Pan temps 215F-222F

Setrab 920 cooler installed (I made my own kit):
cruising on the highway at 80-85 in D, ambient temps from 60-90F on multiple drives
Pan temps 195F-199F

I only recently started viewing TC temps. Anytime they exceed 210F, the thermostat seems to open and the pan temps being dripping fast. I have not done enough towing to have meaningful data.