Automatic Trans Temp.....

[kcpolk]

Pulling some hills (dirt and steep) with my Travel Trailer behind this weekend.... my Edge programmer flashed and alarmed the transmission temp at 265F. The factory trans temp warning light DID NOT come on. I believe its just a setting in the Edge I need to bump-up. Anyone know at what temp does the OE transmission Temp Idiot light come on? I would presume it's at or over 300F? What is a safe MAX temp for the 2012 68RFE Auto Trans? THANKS!

 

[bigblock_doc]

Mine has never gone over 220 pulling 14,000 5er.

 

[RustyJC]

225-230 degF is the highest I've ever seen on our previous 2011 3500 dually with 68RFE, and that was only after long 1st and 2nd gear pulls up and down steep hills with the torque converter unlocked on 90 to 100 degF days. That's towing a 19K GVWR 5th wheel.

Rusty

 

[jacknife]

I PUT A 8.5 " fan in front of the transmission cooler with a manual switch for stop and go traffic . I haven't had a chance to try it but will post on how well it works when I start towing next month.

 

[transe]

The trans temp warning light comes on at 275°F sump temp, but personally I would advise keeping it cooler than that. Brief spikes to the level you're talking (265-275°F) will not instantly kill the trans, but you don't want to run there for an extended period of time.

In general, for longevity, the cooler the better. Personally, I would try to keep the temp below 220°F, take some corrective action if it hits 230°F, and shut down and let it cool off if it hits 240°F. In most cases, you don't get into this temp zone, but steep dirt hills with a trailer is not the best situation for keeping the trans cool! Next time, tap it down manually to the lowest gear possible ("1" at speeds of ~20 mph and below). That will help to keep the temps down.

 

[Hoefler]

I had my 08 with the 68rfe peg my gauge at 285* with no ill affects.

 

[Jim W]

My 08 has never gone above 210F since I installed the Mag-Hytec deep dish transmission oil pan, pulling a 34RL Cedar Creek.
I would look into installing a deep dish AL. transmission oil pan this should give you extra oil and help keep the oil somewhat cooler for you.

 

[gsbrockman]

In most cases, you don't get into this temp zone, but steep dirt hills with a trailer is not the best situation for keeping the trans cool! Next time, tap it down manually to the lowest gear possible ("1" at speeds of ~20 mph and below). That will help to keep the temps down.

If the OP has 4WD.....he should also let torque multiplication become his friend and run in 4LOW.

 

[RCapehart]

My 08 has never gone above 210F since I installed the Mag-Hytec deep dish transmission oil pan, pulling a 34RL Cedar Creek.
I would look into installing a deep dish AL. transmission oil pan this should give you extra oil and help keep the oil somewhat cooler for you.

I am interested in doing this. What temps were you seeing before you installed the deep pan? Just wondering what kind of difference it made.

Ron

 

[Jim W]

I am interested in doing this. What temps were you seeing before you installed the deep pan? Just wondering what kind of difference it made.

Ron

I had seen one time 265F and I was not pulling any trailer at all. I was driving the Needles Highway RT 87, I believe in Custer State park SD. I was using the exhaust brake and the trans in 1or 2 nd gear going downing the hair pin turns, the Trans reached 265F. This convinced me to install the Al Mag-Hytec pan. I have never seen that temp again even towing through the Eisenhower tunnel on RT 70 last year when we went west. I was towing in 5th gear to keep the EGT's down around 1000F and everything else was operating correctly.

 

[kthaxton]

No offense, but I really doubt a pan solved whatever issue you were having. They help dissipate heat, but not whole lot.

 

[AKetay]

Pulling campers for a living, you tend to monitor your vitals more often than not. All stock truck with 404,000 miles and my trans temp normally stays about 100 degrees higher than the outside temp over 80 degrees. The only time it gets hotter is in stop and go traffic. Run it in Tow/Haul and keep the RPM's above 1700 and it will stay cooler.

 

[cerberusiam]

. I was driving the Needles Highway RT 87, I believe in Custer State park SD. I was using the exhaust brake and the trans in 1or 2 nd gear going downing the hair pin turns, I have never seen that temp again even towing through the Eisenhower tunnel on RT 70 last year when we went west.

No comparison in the terrain there. The pan really did nothing for you as far temp help, the terrain did it all. A deeper pan is just going to delay the max temp a bit, not lower it. Only way to limit temp is limit fluid shear and load.