BEAT THE HEAT
There’s more to Coolers than you think:
It’s no secret that heat kills automatic transmissions, and in high-performance street-strip applications, the problem is especially acute. Small diameter torque converters coupled with stop-and-go traffic greatly increase the heat level in an automatic transmissions. In most cases, the extra performance heat under the hood can have the same effect as heavy loads, trailer towing and desert conditions.
How Hot is Too Hot?
The ideal operating temperature for an automatic transmission is between 175° F. At approximately 240° F, important additives in the ATF begin to cook. The result is the formation of varnish inside the transmission. At approximately 260° F, internal transmission seals (which are typically namufactured from a polyacrylate material) begin to harden. The end results are leaks, both internal and external, simply because the seals lose theire elasticity. At approximately 295° F, transmission clutch plates begin to slip because the oil is breaking down further. At approximately 315° F, seals and clutches effectively burn out. Carbon forms in the oil and for all intents and purposes, the transmission is junk. Just for your information, a typical transmission will die within 1000 klm’s if subjected to 300° F + heat.
