YACT: Transmission cooler? eh? what does it do?

[luvya]

Well, I was reading this thread , and some people mentioned transmission cooler. I am not sure if my car has one (98 Honda Accord V-6). But I just don't understand what it really does. Cooling the transmission? But I always found my transmission shifts better when hot. Please educate me.

 

[PCTweaker5]

Make it last longer? Well Im guessing that it keeps the oil at a nice consitency so less wear and better longevity.

 

[HiTek21]

heat is your enemy

 

[Sluggo]

Works just like cooling system radiator, with the notable exception that it is filled with transmission fluid.

While excessive transmission heat build-up may not be a huge issue in your Honda, it is quite a big deal with guys you see pulling huge boats and RVs behind pick-ups and SUVs. A transmission cooler is basicly extra long tubes connected to a small radiator that runs up to the front of the vehicle where fresh cool air can flow through the radiator.

Not only does transmission fluid lubricate it also disperses heat from the multitude of moving parts within a transmission. The more excessive heat you can disperse, the longer your transmission life will be...theoretically of course.

See, I wrote a nice explanation when I wanted to post this

 

[Colt45]

holy uneducated batman

 

[Pliablemoose]

howstuffworks

Get ready for a lot of figures because they tell the story about automatic transmissions. First and most important, everybody including the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association agrees that 90% of failures are due to overheating. The oxidation rate (which determines the useful lubrication life) of ATF doubles for every 20 deg. F. temperature increase over the normal operating level of 175 deg., which means fluid that's formulated to last 100,000 miles (a distance frequently recommended by car makers as the change interval) at 175 deg. will only go 50 grand at 195 deg., or 3,000 at 275.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I'm assuming so long as you don't race the hell out of your car before it's fully warmed up should help?

WHich season is tranny cooler most beneficial? Summer hot temperatures I'm assuming?

Just changed my tranny oil @ 50,000 KM. Quite a few people on the Honda board recommend GM Syncromesh, and that's why I'm currently using. Helps with the 2nd gear grind issue. But Honda dealership says they don't recommend anything else but Honda MTF?

 

[The Stigenator]

i have an non serviceable manual tranny.. and i have been towing.. i got to do the long route to change tranny fluid.. i guess that will be done when i cross 100k.. that will be my BIG service..

 

[thedarkwolf]

Manual transmissions don't have coolers automatics do.

I run GM Syncromesh in my mustang's 5 speed its good stuff. You can get the penzoil version a lot cheaper and its the same stuff.