Fitting transmission cooler and Toyota warranty

[tassietiger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tassietiger]

Hi there,

Does anyone happen to know if fitting an aftermarket transmission cooler is likely to void my Toyota warranty?
I will be towing a camper trailer / van around (and up and down) the big island for a year or two and would like to keep ATF temperatures nice and cool.
Thanks for any sage advice.

J

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I fitted one and never had problems with the warranty issues. Just make sure that it is installed correctly.

[tassietiger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tassietiger]

Thanks for your reply, appreciated.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I had a number of warranty claims, and the transmission cooler never came up.

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

I expect the transmission cooler issue would come up as an issue with a warranty if something went wrong with the transmission.
When I asked a Toyota rep about adding a transmission cooler, the response was that the cooler could cause higher pressures in the system which could be a problem. Therefore Toyota did not recommend a cooler.

Theoretically one could expect higher pressures because of the longer pipe fluid routes occurring within the cooler and with the extra pipes to and from the the cooler. How much extra pressure and whether that extra pressure could cause a problem, I do not have enough knowledge about that. Though I expect probably not a problem. Owner's risk completely.

For me, I spoke my transmission mechanic. He reckoned a cooler would not be a problem but he said that it was important that regular servicing occurs. I tow a caravan and so far, I have elected for no transmission cooler. I do use to a system to monitor transmission and torque converter temperatures, tow in S4 transmission mode, change gear manually in hilly terrain and get the transmission serviced regularly. For my vehicle, I find using the Cruise Control seems to get the transmission torque converter to lock more easily. Normally, I would tow at speed around 95-100kph. Van is 2.5-2.7 tonne.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

I have pondered fitting one as well but have seen plenty of arguments against especially one that the transmission will run too cool at start up and in cool conditions. I was recently in Alice Springs at the dealer seeking information on a fuel transfer problem. I also asked about the high transmission temps (up to 125 degrees on occasions). Their response was that they had experienced zero problems with the 6 speed auto in temps of up to 45 deg. They service heaps of Prados and Hiluxes driven by all sorts of government departments to venues all around the Centre. That said I just had my transmission fluid changed at 80000 and it was quite dark despite very little towing and no heavy towing at all. They sure run 10 15 deg cooler in 4th gear.

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

I have a MY21 six speed and have also considered fitting one. The fact that I rarely need need it when towing my 2.2t van has discouraged me. It's only when towing up extended climbs that the transmission starts to get warmer than I'd like. For example, when coming up Brown Mountain between Bega and Cooma, where the road is winding as well as steep and there is one spot where you often have to stop for a roadwork red light, so I have to work the transmission as I can't maintain a steady speed. If I was doing that sort of driving more often then I probably would get one.

I'd have said that my Prado locks more readily in S than in D when towing, although I rarely tow in D so I haven't really done a comparison. I tow in S5 so long as the terrain is not too hilly or undulating, and I don't think it elevates the ATF temp very much if at all, so long as I down-shift in advance of a climb. Ditto for towing in S6 on flat terrain at around 100km/h - the transmission shifts far more easily into S6 and locks than it does in D in such conditions.

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

I have read reports that the Prado models with the 2.8 Litre 500Nm motor have their transmissions programmed so that the Torque Converter locks more readily than the models with the 2.8 Litre 450kN motor. My vehicle has the 450Nm motor.

[tassietiger Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tassietiger]

Thanks again for contributions to this thread.
Very tempted to get a Scangauge 2 (or 3) and see what's happening with trans temps. ... and yes, will be using S rather than D when towing.

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

If you're concerned about transmission temp then a scangauge or similar is a good first step. At the very least it gives you feedback about how to drive so as not to elevate the ATF temperature.