Hey Scotty I have a 2011 Nissan Frontier 5spd Auto 149K miles. It’s trans fluid temp eventually warms up to 150 degrees but won’t go past 150 degrees. Is this too cold for a trans temp?
When I did an external cooler on the 4.0 liter pathfinder I had(same thing as that frontier) it ran cooler like that. Nothing wrong with it and it won’t affect anything negatively
Hey R4nier, I have a question. In your 4.0L V6 did you have a fluctuating idle? Like my Nissan Frontier goes from 550-650.
And also, isn’t heat the main killer of automatic transmissions? So wouldn’t us running lower tempatire be better for the trans?
Ya that temp won’t hurt anything on that. Fwd trans usually run hotter than rear wheel drive since they’re is better air flow under the vehicle and it’s not stuffed into the engine compartment. For the rpm fluctuations is the hvac system on more when you notice it? If the compressor is cycling it will cause that and the ac doesn’t necessarily have to be on for it to engage the compressor it depends on vent selection
Yea, mine is 4x4 though in my truck. Though my idle even when the ac compressor is off is flucatuing pretty badly between 550-650 is that normal?
I would recommend having the throttle cleaned and idle calibrated
I cleaned the throttle body and I guess I’ll go to the dealership to have it recalibrated. Though there is a TSB for my truck that is the exact issue I’m having. I have to order a new center exhaust tube and have my ecm reprogrammed
That bulletin is for a vibration felt while stopped in drive not so much for a surging idle. And when you manually open and clean the throttle body it needs to be calibrated after otherwise it won’t idle properly
Yes it should be higher. Is the transmission shifting properly? Is your radiator clogged?
Yes my transmission is shifting very smoothly, it just has a slightly low temp. The radiator is not clogged.
I’m aware it’s supposed to stay at around 175<temp<200
hopefully it's just the temp sensor malfunctioning
I take it back. The minimum threshold for TCC apply is lower than I thought. You should be fine.
So wouldn’t us running lower tempatire be better for the trans
machines, especially those lubricated by oil have an optimal operating temperature range. Why do think your engine reaches optimal performance and efficiency around 200F. Yes, too much heat is not good for a transmission. But it does need some to work properly. Certain mechanisms don't even activate until the trans warms up. This is partially why the transmission fluid is usually routed through the warm coolant in the radiator.
Right, I suppose you’re correct. Yeah oil flows at different certain temps better, than Colder temps.