Do I need to change my auto transmission oil?

[Traveler]

I have about 2600 miles on the truck. Had a difficult backup with the 5th wheel (weight 12K. ) The transmission temp got to 250 for at least 20 minutes. The sensor is in the line going to the transmission cooler.

I remember a back issue of TDR where they give the life of the oil at variuos temps? Any suggestions on replacing the oil?

 

[KennethS]

I smell It to see If It cook

I was not there to see what went on but have you pulled the dip stick and smell the oil and felt It? If you think you did some damage to the trans WHY did you do that IN the first place. Take the truck out and drive It and see If It act normal.

 

[p-Bar]

That is my main worry about backing my 5er that temp gets pretty hot. Smart to look at it and see if it smells burnt use your judgement and use factory oils, I read a thread that said when taking off with a heavy load to pull it down to low gear to get you going supposed to be better fot the trans.

 

[WCPoe]

Change it and add a PML or MagTech deep pan

Traveler, Take this as an opportunity to change it and add a higher capacity aluminum pan with a drain plug. It couldn't hurt and your mind will be at ease.

 

[Hohn]

PML pan will shed heat more efficiently, as it lacks the "insulating" effect of the pretty pwder coating.

They also tend to cost less, I hear.

jh

 

[Buffalo]

I wonder if this is one of those instances where having the 4X4 Low Range capability would be an advantage?



Another option, if you were going to be in a similar situation, regularly, might be to install an aftermarket torque converter (DTT, ATS etc. ) with a lower stall speed.



With my '91. 5 W-250, 4-sp. auto, I once was stuck on the side of a hill & the torque converter would not transfer enough power to get me off the hill. Even floored-it in both Drive & Reverse. The truck just sat there belching black smoke & barely moving. Finally put it in 4X4, LR & was able to get off the side of the hill.



Had the TC removed & rebuilt by Hughes Torque Converters. They lowered the stall speed of the TC & I would imagine it would have eliminated the problem. Never got myself into that situation, again.



Finally, got an ATS transmission w/ Triple-Lock TC. What a great TC!!! Works much better, throughout its entire range, than anything I had ever had, before.



The only problem with getting a new, aftermarket, TC is that you will, most likely, void your transmission warranty. But, you may not need the warranty if you do the TC upgrade.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[RonCar]

I also had a hard time parking our 5er the first couple times we brought it home. I now put her in 4lo (parking on dirt lot) and never have a problem with temps any more, just food for thought, gOOd luck...

 

[Traveler]

Thanks for all the posts. First off, the transmission has 2600 miles. I am not about to spend several thousand dollars on a transmission upgrade until this one is out of warranty. Did the same on my 96, when it went out of warranty I had it rebuilt at Suncoast. Second, if I change the fluid I will problaly have to take it in for a flush. You don't get anywhere near all of the fluid out by dropping the transmission pan. (my rebuilt transmission on the 96 had a converter drain plug... neat) Third, it was suggested to put it in "low" , a 2 wheel drive has one speed "reverse" for backing up. Right now the transmission is working great so will probably wait and put a few thousand miles more on it before I have it flushed. What is funny is that if I had not had the gauges (and a lot of people don't) I would not have any indication that things got hot, the idiot light never came on.





Thanks Ron