Tranny Oil Coolers.....

[EJC]

I'm having to install a tranny cooler on my Mazda 626 after getting a new transmission installed this week. This POS tranny is very heat sensative and therefore the tranny oil cooler is a necessity (along will drain and refills every year)

Question....(calling accuratehorn)

Now I'm thinking about putting one on my Dodge Dakota. How necessary is this? Overkill?...or is it a good idea to install one in order to give a longer life to the tranny fluid thus giving the tranny a longer life as well?

 

[Lat22]

I didn't know you had to put them on cars. I know people that put them on their trucks if they tow a lot.

 

[EJC]

Supposedly the Texas heat can do wonders in terms of "burning up" your tranny fluid faster than usual.

 

[Sip94]

Heat will kill a tranny. You shouldn't need one, but if I were in Texas and had a history of transmission problems, I'd get one. If you do ANY towing I'd get one. If a proper cooler is installed correctly there should be very little downside. Broken transmission really suck ($$$).

 

[happy fun ball]

You guys are gross. Shouldn't this be on 3:16?

 

[Holden]

I have heard great things about them and have one on my truck. I do not tow much, but as a somewhat inexpensive option, I jumped on it.

 

[accuratehorn]

Most vehicles have a transmission cooler made into the bottom of the radiator. But the heat in Austin puts vehicles into the "severe driving conditions" category specified by manufacturers for shorter maintenance times.
The question is-is the cooler on the vehicle inadequate to handle the heat, or would an add-on cooler lower the temperature enough to prolong the life of the transmission. I would certainly add one if towing, especially heavy loads, and you should ask a reliable transmission shop, like Eagle on Burnett Road, about adding one if you are just driving normally. They would know if you model was one that seemed to have trouble due to heat, and needed lots of rebuilds, compared to other models.