If you are new to the world of trailer towing, you are already on the right track. Research and preparation are critical parts to towing safety. In order to tow your trailer, you need to fully understand the parts, process, laws, and safety regulations involved. On your way to learning how to tow, you have probably already gathered most of your towing parts, including your hitch receiver, ball mount, hitch ball, pin and clips, safety chains, and more.
But if you plan on using an automatic transmission vehicle to tow your trailer, there is another towing accessory that should never be overlooked, and that is an aftermarket transmission cooler. This is especially important this time of year when seasons are warming up.
Continue reading to learn what a transmission cooler is and what it does, and better understand their importance.
When towing a trailer, a vehicle’s automatic transmission must work harder to manage the extra weight and resistance of its load. And when a transmission works harder, it creates more heat, which is not good for transmissions. An aftermarket transmission cooler is a towing accessory that prevents an automatic transmission from overheating as it tows. This allows a vehicle to perform at its strongest while towing.
They operate by cooling heated fluid from the transmission, power steering, and engine. The heated fluid passes over the fins in the cooler, cools down, and then flows back to its original source in a loop-like pattern. This process keeps the transmission and other vehicular components from overheating as you tow your trailer.
How to Install a Transmission Cooler
There are a few different installation methods for transmission coolers. Most often, they are attached to the radiator or air conditioner condenser with narrow plastic rods, pads, and fasteners. You can also install them using a metal bracket mounting kit. Be sure to choose a cooler with quality cooling performance. The general rule of thumb is, “the bigger the cooler, the better the cooling capacity.”
Also, “plate-and-fin” coolers tend to perform better than “tube-and-fin” coolers. So that is something to think about when choosing one for your vehicle. Consider talking to a local and trusted tow truck operator for advice on mounting a transmission cooler for towing purposes.
But if you plan on using an automatic transmission vehicle to tow your trailer, there is another towing accessory that should never be overlooked, and that is an aftermarket transmission cooler. This is especially important this time of year when seasons are warming up.
Likewise, if you're planning on a long road trip with a lot of stuff in your car, you could also be at risk of overheating your transmission. In such instances as described above, you should consider installing a transmission cooler.
Mounting the cooler in front of the radiator and AC condenser is recommended, even though heat from transmission fluid will pass through the condenser and radiator. Mounting positions 4 or 5 may subject the cooler to flying objects. Position 3 should be used with caution, especially if the car has a flexible-blade fan.
In terms of transmission operating temperatures keeping the fluid 200 degrees or less is preferred for long life — for every 20-degree increase in temperature above that, the life of the fluid is cut in half.
Transmission damage from towing can occur for several reasons. If your vehicle's transmission needs service, towing might stress this component even more. Or, if you have low or contaminated transmission fluid in an automatic vehicle, slipping and overheating can become a concern.
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.
Here's how your transmission stays cool: Whenever your engine is running, the transmission fluid gets pumped into the transmission cooler, which lives inside your car's radiator. As the transmission fluid passes through the radiator (inside those transmission cooler lines), it essentially gets bathed in coolant.
Stacked plate transmission coolers are the most efficient and effective type of cooler. They have a series of plates stacked on top of each other, and the transmission fluid flows through the small passages between the plates.
The best place to position your air cooler is right in front of the window. Hotter the air, faster the evaporation and cooler the air blown out by the fan. It's also important to create good ventilation in the room to push the humidity out. In order to do this, you need to open windows in the room.
A person with minimal automotive skills can install a transmission oil cooler in a couple of hours or less. Note: Installation instructions may be included in the transmission oil cooler kit you purchase. If so, follow those instructions first and use this information only if needed.
The average cost for a Trans Oil Cooler Assembly Replacement is between $574 and $636. Labor costs are estimated between $164 and $207 while parts are priced between $409 and $429. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
Should the cooler be installed before or after the radiator? Answer: We recommend installing the auxiliary cooler after the radiator to return the coolest fluid directly to the transmission.
However, if you tow a great deal with your regular passenger car, then you would also benefit from an oil cooler. Oil coolers extend the life of your vehicle's engine and reduce the chance of overheating under extreme conditions.
A transmission cooler will help the transmission run cooler and last longer while towing a trailer. However, it does not increase towing capacity of your towing setup, It can make a difference in the life of your transmission.
Towing can put your vehicle's powertrain and braking system through a serious workout, as the additional weight of a trailer or a heavy load in the cargo hold requires the engine, transmission, and brakes to work harder.
These lines pull transmission fluid from the transmission and take it to the radiator, where it cools down. They then circulate it back to the transmission where it keeps doing its job. Like all parts of an engine, transmission cooling lines can wear out.
One way to minimise heat and improve fuel consumption is to rev the engine harder. This reduces load and heat generation on both the engine and the transmission torque converter.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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