Hot trans

Dr Dave · 04-16-2009, 08:12 AM

My 2008 Titan is great but when i tow the trans gets hot.. Ive taken it to the dealer and they say its normal anyone else having the same problem??
Suppusedly that model year has 2 temp sensors in the trans...

mudseeker · 04-16-2009, 08:44 AM

what's the temp? you get too hot and the fluid starts to breakdown.

Dr Dave · 04-16-2009, 09:44 AM

Doesnt have a numbered temp guage, just a dial type, 3/4 of the way over comp readout at dealer reads 280-300, but then cools back down when you stand on it and tach reads 3500

mudseeker · 04-16-2009, 11:29 AM

280 is way too hot for an automatic trans!

bradrhale · 04-16-2009, 11:44 AM

what size load are you towing?? if this continues to be a problem, you might look into a tranny cooler. have you tried driving with the OD off??

Dr Dave · 04-16-2009, 12:52 PM

Doesnt matter if in tow mode or not and it has a large trans cooler on it from the factory.. I have 2 different trailers 1 weighs 1200 and my toy hauler 8000 and it does it with both

hotrodpc · 04-16-2009, 12:59 PM

I would think trans temp should be around 175-200 normal driving, and no more than 230 towing. If it is, you need to invest in a trans cooler, and as Brad mentioned, use D and not OD. Believe it or not, it is actually better on your engine too. The RPMs may be a bit higher but not under as much strain, so you are not likely to see a difference in towing fuel mileage. Meaning, it will be the same mpg in D as OD while towing. Don't misunderstand and think I am saying you would get mpg same as unloaded becasue that is far from true. Don't be afraid to get to big of a cooler. I don't beleive there is such as thing. The cooler you keep a trans, the longer it lasts. Heat is #1 killer of auto trans.

hotrodpc · 04-16-2009, 01:16 PM

It is my undestanding, and maybe Nissan is different than GM, but the Tow Haul mode just changes the shift points and diables the lock-up converter. You still get to use OD in Tow Haul mode as far I can remember. So you may wish to do Tow Haul and manually select D insted of OD. Less strain and higher RPMs will likley help. And if you have a big cooler on it now, then I would suggest an even bigger one or an additional cooler. I also do not like those guages. The scale on those can be deceiving and I do not consider them accurate. Suggesting that maybe it isn't running as hot as you think, but then again, the dealer says its running 280-300. If thats accurate. Its to hot in my opinion.

Dr Dave · 04-17-2009, 06:55 AM

Nissan tow mode does change the shift points but also keeps it out of OD.

gmctrucks · 04-18-2009, 05:11 AM

I would call the 1-800 number that's on your owners manual talk to a rep and keep all your paper work just in case it goes out after your warreanty goes out. Say maybe the tow haul isn't working correct try towing in drive see what happens. Also get it in writing from the rep what the temp should be.
Good luck! GMC

04-16-2009, 08:44 AM	#2
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,317	what's the temp? you get too hot and the fluid starts to breakdown. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

04-16-2009, 11:29 AM	#4
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,317	280 is way too hot for an automatic trans! __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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04-16-2009, 08:12 AM	#1
Dr Dave Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5	Hot trans My 2008 Titan is great but when i tow the trans gets hot.. Ive taken it to the dealer and they say its normal anyone else having the same problem?? Suppusedly that model year has 2 temp sensors in the trans...

04-16-2009, 09:44 AM	#3
Dr Dave Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5	Doesnt have a numbered temp guage, just a dial type, 3/4 of the way over comp readout at dealer reads 280-300, but then cools back down when you stand on it and tach reads 3500

04-16-2009, 11:44 AM	#5
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	what size load are you towing?? if this continues to be a problem, you might look into a tranny cooler. have you tried driving with the OD off??

04-16-2009, 12:52 PM	#6
Dr Dave Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5	Doesnt matter if in tow mode or not and it has a large trans cooler on it from the factory.. I have 2 different trailers 1 weighs 1200 and my toy hauler 8000 and it does it with both

04-16-2009, 12:59 PM	#7
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,860	I would think trans temp should be around 175-200 normal driving, and no more than 230 towing. If it is, you need to invest in a trans cooler, and as Brad mentioned, use D and not OD. Believe it or not, it is actually better on your engine too. The RPMs may be a bit higher but not under as much strain, so you are not likely to see a difference in towing fuel mileage. Meaning, it will be the same mpg in D as OD while towing. Don't misunderstand and think I am saying you would get mpg same as unloaded becasue that is far from true. Don't be afraid to get to big of a cooler. I don't beleive there is such as thing. The cooler you keep a trans, the longer it lasts. Heat is #1 killer of auto trans.

04-16-2009, 01:16 PM	#8
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 2,860	It is my undestanding, and maybe Nissan is different than GM, but the Tow Haul mode just changes the shift points and diables the lock-up converter. You still get to use OD in Tow Haul mode as far I can remember. So you may wish to do Tow Haul and manually select D insted of OD. Less strain and higher RPMs will likley help. And if you have a big cooler on it now, then I would suggest an even bigger one or an additional cooler. I also do not like those guages. The scale on those can be deceiving and I do not consider them accurate. Suggesting that maybe it isn't running as hot as you think, but then again, the dealer says its running 280-300. If thats accurate. Its to hot in my opinion.

04-17-2009, 06:55 AM	#9
Dr Dave Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5	Nissan tow mode does change the shift points but also keeps it out of OD.

04-18-2009, 05:11 AM	#10
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 3,948	I would call the 1-800 number that's on your owners manual talk to a rep and keep all your paper work just in case it goes out after your warreanty goes out. Say maybe the tow haul isn't working correct try towing in drive see what happens. Also get it in writing from the rep what the temp should be. Good luck! GMC