Transmission fluid temp

[D Hook]

Did a search for this but came up empty.

I installed a gadget that connects to my smart phone and gives a readout of all kinds of different sensors, one of them being the trans fluid temperature. So I took it out one the interstate to see what temps I was getting from the transmission fluid and it fluctuated between 160° and 170° F. Does that sound normal?

And what temp would be considered too high?

I want to pull my boat with the Explorer and am trying to set a baseline for normal so as not to overheat the fluid when towing. Boat weighs close to 3000#. Not intending to pull cross country, just short 30-40 miles trips to nearby lakes, etc. We usually tow w/the wifes Expedition but would like to be able to take it out with the Explorer too.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What kind of device is it (Scanguage or something similar)? The temperature range on the highway is around the temperature that you posted. Low speed stop & go driving will be a higher temperature.

 

[D Hook]

Thanks for the reply.

Here's the post from yesterday re: the device:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356591

So far it's working very well. Next is to plug it into the Lincoln and see how it work in there.

 

[iBrent]

I have the ScanGauge II that does exactly what you are describing. It plugs in to the OBD port and continuously reads whatever PIDs I program. I have TFT (transmission fluid temp) as one of the gauge parameters.

During normal driving I see what you see, about 160-170. While towing my boat (~5000lbs) the temperature rises to 170+. One time I was accelerating on to the freeway uphill in 95 degree weather and saw it rise up to 200 deg. I was about to pull over but on the downhill it quickly went back down to 170.

This website shows the relationship between TFT and failure rates. It seems 175 is normal operating temp, 275 is max for short durations. 300 is iminent failure.

http://www.digi-panel.com/trannyoil.htm

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I too use and love torque...temp is normal most I've seen is 181 for a second cresting a mountain loaded with gear

DID YOU ADD THE FORD PID'S?

I'm 148(valve closed) to 170...
I'm having the cold flow valve removed soon Will post if it helps temps..though I'm taking the 16qt system up to about 21 total so that may play a factor..yay for my money pit lol

 

[D Hook]

Brent: thanks for the website. Very helpful!

Will: I THINK I added them; I'll have to chedk to be sure. Having some time to page through the preferences and set them up is difficult right now. But I might have to pick your brain later.