When an engine runs, it becomes hotter than usual, making it harder to see whether the automobile is overheating. Unfortunately, Buster Poindexter won’t appear to tell you that your transmission is a bit too “Hot, Hot, Hot,” so you should learn what temperature is too hot for your transmission.

Stay On Top of Your Fluids

There are many functions that transmission fluid performs in a vehicle. It aids in lowering the transmission’s temperature, making gear changes easier, and lubricating the car’s moving components. One of the best ways to ensure your transmission stays in good shape is to check it often. One of the most obvious indicators of transmission trouble is low transmission fluid.

Check your owner’s manual for the suggested time and kind of transmission fluid, although the fluid’s color is usually a good indicator of whether it’s time to fix your transmission.

Indications of Impending Doom

When inspecting your transmission or while driving, keep an eye out for these red flags. Transmission fluid often has a crimson hue. Burning or complete combustion of the fluid happens if it has become a dark brown or black hue.

The smell of burning fluid is a common symptom of transmission on its last legs. The overheated transmission is igniting the transmission fluid to cause this. The dreaded “check engine” light coming on and transmission fluid leaking are further warnings of an overheated transmission.

When You Should Take Action

The fluid within a transmission operates at a temperature of 185–194 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the working temperature of the transmission itself is often between 175 and 200 degrees.

Your vehicle’s transmission will only last half as long if it operates at temperatures 20 degrees hotter than usual. Anything above 200 is a cause for concern. But when it surpasses 240 degrees, you shouldn’t hesitate to get it looked at. Purchasing a new transmission or repairing it may be costly, but it’s a fraction of the cost of what a new truck would be.

Most Common Causes of a Hot Transmission

A lack of transmission fluid may lead to premature wear and overheating. The efficacy of the fluid depends heavily on the pressure. The transmission won’t work well if the fluid doesn’t have enough pressure to go through it.

When a transmission reaches a certain age or has sustained sufficient damage, it can begin to falter, which may lead to overheating. It’s also possible that the problem is a faulty solenoid. It is a solenoid’s job to control the fluid flow rate in the transmission. Having too much or insufficient fluid move through depends on whether this functions properly. Overheating may occur if not enough fluid is present.

Preventative Actions

One of the finest things you can do for the transmission is to perform routine maintenance on it. This might be as simple as taking the car to the shop, or it can be a fun DIY job. Inspecting the fluid periodically yourself could also keep you ahead of any major complications.

When a vehicle is hauling or transporting a heavy load, the transmission must work harder to get the cargo to its destination. If towing big weights is common, you should check your fluid levels more often.

When you’re eyeballing your transmission gauge on the dashboard, you now know what temperature is too hot for your transmission. If you ignore the warning signs and an engine overhaul is in your future, Blessed Performance will offer a 6.6 LB7 Duramax engine for sale. But once you install this new Duramax engine, do your best to treat it better this time.