ATF Coolers

[SMB]

A friend of mine suggested that if someone wants to put synthetic ATF in a AT that you better install an ATF cooler since the fluid will get hotter than regular ATF.

I know synthetics protect against heat better but is it true what he's saying?

 

[LargeCarManX2]

If a synthetic fluid absorbs more heat than mineral ATF...then it would be run hotter.

I don't know if a synthetic fluid absorbs more heat than mineral ATF? Experts?

However, synthetics can take the heat better and maintain their status quo over mineral ATF.

Either way, you can't go wrong with a ATF cooler and synthetic ATF.

 

[Whitewolf]

The heat transfer value of a real synthetic tends to be better than that of a mineral formulation.
Also note that , as a rule of thumb, for every 10 degree increase in temp the oil life is decreased by half. Another piece of published information that can be found in the dreaded papers. Let's not confuse the world of hearsay by presenting facts though!

 

[EricZoom]

I installed a ATX cooler, and put synth fluid in my Mazda 6 Jatco trans. That ATX needs all the help it can get with its heat issues.

 

[bmwtechguy]

With a quality synthetic (that's recommended for your transmission), you can potentially lenthen the life of your transmission and fluid change intervals. An auxillary cooler may additionally help in many applications. Adding a proper filter to the cooler circuit will keep more wear particles out of the fluid and slow down the wear process and may allow you to change the fluid less often. This has been my real world experience.

 

[Lyondellic]

I feel that synthetic ATF will actually run at a lower temperature than a mineral ATF would when used in the same application. My understanding has always been that synthetic ATF reduces friction, which results in less generated heat. Royal Purple even advertises that their ATF will reduce operating temps substantially:

"Max ATF significantly reduces heat to extend the life of your transmission."

 

[JohnBrowning]

No actualy if you go with an ester based ATF often you can do away with the need for a cooler. If you can find one that is 100% ester you can probably get 25°F cooler then youd o right now with a cooler and dino ATF. Cooler do a great service when needed but are a bandaid for a larger sump or better fluids. They are an extra part that can fail and they never fail when you are at home inthe garage on a nice warm day! It will always be dead of winter in a snow storm or while cruzeing through death valley or on your vaction etc.......!

 

[jaj]

Originally Posted By: Whitewolf
The heat transfer value of a real synthetic tends to be better than that of a mineral formulation.
Also note that , as a rule of thumb, for every 10 degree increase in temp the oil life is decreased by half. Another piece of published information that can be found in the dreaded papers. Let's not confuse the world of hearsay by presenting facts though!


Celsius?

 

[dkryan]

Typically, by how much would a given AT cooler actually reduce the operating temp of the ATF? I know, "it depends," more likely than not on the type of tranny, the type of driving, etc., but I'm looking for a "ballpark figure."

Also, in northern climates, would an AT cooler keep the ATF at a temp that would not allow for efficient operation? In other words, is there such a thing as ATF being "too cool?"

 

[BuickGN]

Originally Posted By: dkryan
Typically, by how much would a given AT cooler actually reduce the operating temp of the ATF? I know, "it depends," more likely than not on the type of tranny, the type of driving, etc., but I'm looking for a "ballpark figure."

Also, in northern climates, would an AT cooler keep the ATF at a temp that would not allow for efficient operation? In other words, is there such a thing as ATF being "too cool?"



My transmission builder said to run the biggest baddest cooler(s) I could run. He said it could only be too cool in a very cold climate. This is a transmission that does not monitor temp. On a newer transmission, running it too cool can cause things like late shifting and no convertor lockup. I've seen a 60 degree reduction on the GN. I've also installed a cooler on the TL and it's worked fine for a year now.

 

[c3po]

What type of transmission cooler, well the best 1 is a B&M Transmission Cooler and I will tell you why, it has something built into the cooler that when the trans fluid is cold it bypasses the cooler so you will not over cool the trans fluid, it is not a tube and fin design but a stacked plate design that is very efficient, make sure you mount it in front of the radiator, B&M even makes 1 with a fan and the fan only comes on when the fluid reaches 175 degrees, you can get these coolers either through Jegs or Summit Racing, these are excellent coolers, if you mount it in front of the radiator make sure you do not mount it right on the radiator, I had 1 that I mounted in front using some metal strips it was 6 inches in front of the radiator, unfortunately a few years ago I hit a deer and it was busted but the radiator was fine and the cooler had a pin hole leak so I had too get rid of it, I made it home but without it there I would have busted the radiator. Even with a cooler synthetic transmission fluid is a must, the best choices are Amsoil, then Redline and finally Mobil 1.

 

[Whitewolf]

Yes. Sorry degrees C. It does work very well though, as one of the information in one of the dreaded papers shows!

 

[unDummy]

No need for a paper to prove that ATF coolers work. Its been pretty much proven over the years already!
But, I guess for some, without SAE paper proof, nothing means anything.

An ATF cooler is an excellent upgrade reqgardless of what type of fluid you are using. It is NOT a requirement for synthetic.

 

[Whitewolf]

I think that you probably misunderstood what I was saying. I was not saying that coolers are good (or bad since running too cool can also create problems) what I was trying to point out is the amount of effect that 10 degrees C has on the oil.