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The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. Above that, for every 20 degrees bad things happen, starting with formation of varnish at 240 degrees, followed by seals hardening, plates slipping, seals and clutches burn out, carbon is formed, and, ultimately, failure.Sep 25, 2018
Fluid Life Expectancy vs Temperature
The ideal operating temperature of transmission fluid is 175 degrees. Overheating occurs after the temperature surpasses 200 degrees, and the failure rate doubles for every additional 20 degree increase after that.
It doesn’t take long for the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to heat up once the vehicle is in motion. Normal driving will raise fluid temperatures to 175 degrees F., which is the usual temperature range at which most fluids are designed to operate.
The ideal temperature for your transmission is 200 degrees. For every 20 degrees past 200, the lifespan of your transmission is reduced by a factor of 2. In other words, if you hit 220 degrees, you can expect to get about half the normal life out of your transmission. … Hot transmissions give off an odor.
How Hot is Overheating? Since automatic transmissions are located closer to the middle of the car, how do you know when your gears are running a little too hot? … A transmission operating temperature normally tends to be anywhere from 175 to 200 degrees, with the fluid inside ranging between 185-194 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allowing the car to idle in neutral, while sitting at red lights, in congested traffic or at rail road tracks, reduces the strain on the transmission, allowing the transmission to cool.
The ideal temperature for it is 175 degrees, plus or minus 25 degrees, and when the transmission gets below zero degrees, it gets too thick. The fluid can also fail to lubricate parts when it is too cold, wearing parts down unnecessarily.
Reasons for overheating include low fluid levels, leaks, burned, old or dirty fluid, or problems with the solenoid. You can ensure the long life and efficient performance of your transmission – and your car – by doing some things to make sure it does not run too hot.
An overheating transmission usually means there is already some sort of internal damage or a transmission fluid issue, such as a leak, low fluid level or just old/dirty fluid running through the system. It can also happen with too much transmission fluid, which causes excess pressure within the transmission.
Change the transmission fluid regularly
We recommend that you change the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles, and more often if you drive long-haul routes, operate your vehicle in hot climates, or tow heavy loads. This reduces transmission wear, which in turn reduces the risks of overheating.
200-225 is very common when the ambient air temp is 80-100 degrees and your transmission is under an increased load. Temperatures from 230-240 have been reached with no damage to the transmission. If you are seeing temps above 225 degrees on a regular basis you should check your fluid level.
Without enough transmission fluid or effective fluid, your transmission will start acting out. The ideal fluid temperature is under 175 degrees, but as fluid ages it starts to break down and lose its capacity to cool down the transmission. This is when transmission overheating occurs. At 220 degrees, varnish forms.
Temperatures from 230-240 have been reached with no damage to the transmission. If you are seeing temps above 225 degrees on a regular basis you should check your fluid level. Fluid levels to high may cause excessive temperature. … These transmissions will run from 200-230 in the summer months when towing in hilly areas.
Normal operating temperature of new and used vehicles
Of course, factors such as air conditioning, towing and idling at a stop will impact this, but you should be fine if your car is running at anywhere between 190-220 degrees. Over this limit, and your radiator and coolant fluids run a higher risk of burning.
Since the CVT fluid is cooled (and warmed) using engine coolant via a heat exchanger, CVT fluid temperatures of 200 to 210 F (slightly above coolant temperature) can be expected in normal hot-weather operation.
There really isn’t a reason to warm it up, unless you are in extreme sub-zero temps. Letting the engine idle for a couple minutes should do the trick (that is even a hot debate). If you are experiencing trouble shifting when the trans is cold, it could be an indication of upcoming issues, so get it checked out.
Low or Bad Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid keeps your transmission lubricated and ensures that the machinery operates at an optimal rate and temperature. Bad transmission fluid — or not enough fluid — will cause your transmission to overheat quickly.
if the thermostat is stuck open
you might see these issues as a result: temperature gauge reads lower than normal. heater doesn’t work. automatic transmission has trouble shifting into higher gears.
But if the engine coolant level is low, the coolant won’t immerse the transmission cooler properly. So the cooler won’t release the heat necessary for the transmission to cool off. The heat continues to increase in the transmission, causing parts to expand and pressures to build.
#2: Overheating CVT
The belt-driven CVT transmission is cooled by transmission fluid. If there’s been a fluid leak, a glitch in the computer or some other problem, the transmission could begin to overheat. … You may be low on transmission fluid, or the fluid you already have may need to be exchanged for fresh fluid.
Normal operating temps will range from 180-200 aprox 100 degrees above ambient air temps. These transmissions will run from 200-230 in the summer months when towing in hilly areas.
Anything under 235 is normal temp for these engines, and is where they are designed to run. As for the trans, anything under 220 or so is fine. Even 220 isn’t bad if your towing. if it has the factory DEX VI in it, it is good to around 235-240 without much breakdown.
You can run up to 250°F for up to a half hour at a time. Above 250°F you should find a safe place to stop and idle or fast idle in park or neutral to cool the trans. You won’t actually start hurting things until you are well above 300°F.
Most experts agree that your engine should run between 195 degrees and 220 degrees. In ideal situations, your needle will maintain a posture right in the middle of your gauge. Keep in mind that this can go up or down depending on the conditions in the vehicle itself (such as running the air conditioner or heater).
Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle — even for a minute. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Check your local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in your area.
Not only do extreme temperatures have a potentially dangerous effect on the human body, they can do some serious damage to your vehicle, if you’re not careful. Extremely hot temperature can damage the rubber of your tires, especially if they are improperly inflated.
The CVT is a transmission not an engine. Any engine needs a little time to warm up to make sure it is properly lubricated before driving no mater what transmission it’s connected to it.
There is no Nissan-approved substitute for the specially-formulated NS-2 CVT fluid. Use of any other transmission fluid can damage the CVT.
Cold weather causes the parts of the transmission to contract and sometimes the gears can freeze which leads to slipping. Cold temperatures cause the fluid to thicken which means it can’t move around as freely to do its job.
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