hello
looking for a little insight
I have a 99 24 valve, 150,000 km on it, auto trans.
I am getting an after market temperature gauge tapped in
what is normal temperature for everyday driving ?
I only pull my 01 24' 5th wheel, what is the safe zone while pulling, where would my limit be so I don t do any damage ???

 

I have my sensor in the trans pan. Highway speeds 70f ambient temps will get approx. 145f trans temps.. On a hot day I could see 165f.

Stop and go traffic on a hot day and a 4000lb camper on truck I can see 195f temps.

Truck has a Goerend trans. with low stall torque converter.

 

ive read that ATF is good to around 200-220F but once above about 220ish the effective life of the fluid goes down fast and if you get close to 300 at all its burnt and needs to be changed asap

not 100% on the validity or even the numbers to be honest but thats what I recall. mine is seldom above 125-140f unless its low on fluid or im towing up hills in city traffic...

 

My 92 has the sensor in the pan. It never sees more than 100°. My 01 has the sensor on a heat sink attached to the cooling line outlet. Normal round town sees 150°. Both have deep sumps, but the 92 has the Derail with the cooling tubes in the bottom.

 

ATF is good to about 220*-230*. Any hotter than that and the fluids lubricating properties drop considerably and the life of the fluid goes from thousands of miles to hundreds of miles.