Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite - View Single Post

cattlerepairman · 08-12-2011, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Economist

I bought my A3 earlier this year and have been going through her to check all fluids and functions. I am 2/3rds through swapping the transmission fluid from engine oil to DEX III. Recently, I have noticed higher transmission temps. As I searched the SS forum, I see some information that says the tranny temp range is 160 to 200 (see quote above). In the -10 that I have it says the range is 160 to 300 (TM 9-2320-386-10 page 2-4). Mine seems to hover around 250 to 275. I do live in AZ and it has been HOT. I am trying to decide if I need an auxiliary tranny cooler. Any feedback would be appreciated.

-Economist.

I was told that excessive heat is what kills many automatic transmissions. I try my best to not be a DATD (dumb ass truck driver) and some things the mechanics tell me that DATD do are really bad....like applying the spring brakes and leaving the truck idling and in gear, then forgetting about it and running the (engine driven) PTO operating a knuckleboom for an hour at high idle, having the truck strain against the spring brakes and cooking the tranny oil in the process....stuff like that.

Long story short: if you CAN keep the tranny running cooler, you probably should, and increase its life span.