Ford F-150 Transmission Oil Temperature Running Hotter Explained 

Here is the link to the Toyota Tundra owner story on higher temps: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-foIkP3WjpW0.html

Wow someone that can explain this issue clearly & coherently. I'm amazed keep up the great work a newbie to the channel but I like what I'm seeing & hearing!

The difference between The 2021 F-150 and the 2019-newer Tundra is that the F-150 has a thermostat and temperature gauge. The 2019-newer Tundra has neither, only a warning light that indicates trans. fluid is over temp. The 2021 F-150 is using the exact same trans. cooling system that the Tundra used from 2011-2018 model years, which cools via the a/c condenser. The 2019-newer Tundra is no longer cooled through the a/c condenser (hence no thermostat). Only the 2007-2010 Tundra had a true trans. "auxiliary cooler".

Since we're planning to tow with our new F150 - if it's ever built - I appreciate learning about this, Tim. Thank you!

Excellent work Tim explaining about the oil temperature.

You can tell the Trans temp # on my 17 F150.Just scroll through the settings

Thanks as always love the channel

This is clearly a cost savings for Ford. Yes, the synthetic ATF can handle more heat, the seals not so much. There is a direct correlation between transmission life and operating temperature. Ford has decided to build a truck to basically last through its warranty period the same way they didn’t bother to paint their axles. After that it’s your problem/expense. As much as they charge for these trucks they could afford to build in greater durability. Instead they would rather sell you a replacement! If you want a transmission to last keep it properly adjusted and change the fluid and filter every 30K miles no matter what the owners manual says.

Great stuff Tim. I do think Toyota WS is a Semi not full synthetic. At least based off Exxon MDS it hasnt changed

My 2018 has a analog number. I am trying to figure out what range I should stay in when going up hill will my camper. 204 seems like normal temp. Was up to 220 today for a brief moment.

My 2013 F 150 has a dummy gage as well as a digital numerical readout in the center display.

Are you referencing the new 2021s in this video?

For info my 2014 f-150 3.5l ecoboost with tow package has radiator mounted cooler and can run up to 200 degrees normally. I tow over 8k rv in the summer heat over 95 degrees and over Colorado Rockies and hottest trans temp was about 210. I dump my full synthetic trans fluid every 50k and change filter. Now has 170k miles and trans is smooth as glass.

This is why I like your reporting Tim. 👍 I've been trying to explain to people for years that the 240 degree temp that gets bandied about isn't applicable with synthetics. I've been trying for a decade to find a number on them for thermal/viscosity breakdown from engineers to fluid manufacturers. No one wants to spill it. Only way I could think of is yank the sensor and put it an oil bath on a hot plate and see at what temp it closes. At least you'll know that's the temp they decided to warn you at. And yes, the liquid exchanger is sometimes called a cooler and sometimes a warmer.

I've seen in other videos, once the engine or trans temp gets on the high side it actually starts showing the temp numerically..

What change is being talked about? Looks like Ford didn’t really change anything from that chart, other than deleting the radiator mounted cooler on the 3.3.

Ford's transmissions have run at 200F since they introduced the 6R80 6 speed around 2009. The 6 speed achieves this by having a thermostat in the oil cooler circuit

Hello like the information. I have a2019 F-150 5.0 10 Speed trans. Form the word go this trans. shift hard at times, Some time as soon as the engine start a hard thump like the truck is in gear, but it is not in gear. All the time Ford at South Bay Ford said it was normal, Ford is in a law suit about this 10R80 and we are not fixing shit. None of this was reviled before I payed for it. As soon as the warranty expired at 36K miles I had a large Trans cooler installed the Temp went from 215 to (120 normal temp) change the filter and oil also Added LubeGard additive two 10oz. bottles ALL THE PROMBLEM WENT AWAY. The hottest temp this trans have gotten was 160 towing 4 bag of rock from Home depot with a car trailer in 2 hours of stop and go traffic stuck on the 15fwy between Barstow and the 40fwy.

You can probably find the actual trans temp in one of the instrument cluster pages. At least you could on the 15-20 model years.

I believe FORScan can put the numbers above or below the gauge

I have a 2018 F150 and my gauge looks similar to yours however whenever the temperature rises the gauge then displays numbers to give you an actual reading of the transmission fluid This is normally displayed just as the temperature is above to hit yellow shaded area.

That was pretty interesting and well explained. Now to hear the ripping on Ford like so many did to Tundra?

My 2018 F150 V8 10 Speed has an option in the dash screen to go from the Speed to the transmission temp.

Toyota still has the promotion showing transmission cooler on the tundra, inside the dealership in Oklahoma City

It seems like for most engines, the only change is the location of the only cooler from under the bell housing to the side of the transmission.

I could see how the synthetic oil would make a difference.

I know Ram trucks have their share of issues, (I have the 8 spd transmission and not having the dipstick is irritating) but overall they don’t skimp out on critical components. Only thing is they get cheap and put some components in places that are hard to get to.

Thank you for the explanation. I watched this because my warning light with wrench came while pulling 4,000 lb. trailer and boat uphill for a few mile stretch. I have a towing package 2013 Ecoboost, Kind of bummed out the truck overheated like it did. I ended up having a tow truck take my trailer over the hill to the destination (20 miles). So I suppose it is intended I pull over and wait until the oil cools and then go as far as I can until it overheats again. I just expected more from Ford’s. Wonder why I paid for the tow package. Thank you. - Now, I think I should have purchased the F 150 8 cylinder engine.

2020 Platinum Expedition still has aux cooler and display of transmission temperature. Ford pushes hybrid synthetic oil and you have to insist on full synthetic. Temps up to 220 fine. Above 220, you want to reduce load and bring back under 210. If you ignore, at 240, the cooler comes on and is annoyingly loud. Never let go above 250.

The ULV fluid used in 10 speeds is about 20w oil. Older LV was about a 30W fluid. My 10R80 is little jerky until it warms up. Also it will hold gears until warmer while going slower, under 35.

Quick question, I ordered my f150 in February still has not been built. And ideas why? I have the vin# but still no word on when it will be built.

I always wondered why any of the big 3 don't block overdrive in tow haul...

As mentioned in the comments. Ford designed the transmissions to run fairly hot. 200 degrees plus. My 2014 F150 ran that hot too.

Tengo una ford expedition 2020 y la transmisión se calienta cuando esto entre 20 y 40 mph en 230 o 235 f, en carretera no se calienta, no uso remolques, que tendría que hacer para que no me siga calentando la transmisión? Me han dicho que cambie el termostato de 160 f , alguien aquí le pasa lo mismo ?

My 2021 powerboost lariet f 150 transmission is broken. 620 miles on my truck, truck won't shift thu all the gears and making wierd noise. Had truck towed to dealer, they are emailing back and forth to ford about it. They have only had the truck for 1 day, hoping they can get it fixed without needing new transmission. On board 7.2 power hasn't worked as it says left circuit breaker needs to be reset, but it won't reset. Sounds like an update will be available in late June. I have the max tow package. Love the truck.

Tim, slightly different topic: does your truck have a noticeable and irritating "bump" under the leather wrapped steering wheel on the underside at about the 5:30 position on the wheel? My truck is at the dealer now getting a new $4,500 steering wheel (under warranty) to, hopefully, correct this issue. My truck is a Limited but I felt it on King Ranch and Platinum models at my dealer's showroom. I'm thinking has something to do with the sensor that tells you to keep hands on the wheel, but dealer doesn't know. Maybe the Ford engineers will respond to you.

Tim, based on the comments I think some people are confused. The oil to water coolers are now what cools the transmission. They don’t the need the air to oil coolers anymore. The transmission will run a similar temperature to the coolant.

How is wireless Apple CarPlay working? Have had any over-the-air updates for sync?

Has anyone installed an aux trans cooler on these new 10 speed trans?

I have a 2020 Ford and I am having problems with the transmission, from 20 to 40 mph it takes a long time to make the changes and I have to press the pedal lightly because if not it makes a very ugly noise in the transmission, after that speed passes it revs better but not perfect, if I put it in sport mode the transmission slips the changes and it is terrible if I put it in eco too, but if I put it in normal mode the changes are better, apart from that the transmission heats up when I use sport mode, Even though I'm looking for someone who has the same problem and has solved it, I don't know what the best solution would be. A mechanic told me that the valve body needs to be changed, another tells me that the scanner shows P076E-00 and he told me that the selenoid had to be changed but he couldn't tell me which selenoid, I'm desperate because I work with that car, yes Can anyone tell me what I can do, I would appreciate it.

Ram w/ tow package comes aux oil cooler still. Not sure about Nissan or Chevy. I know that trans fluids have come a long way, but if Ford is boasting a truck to tow 14K pounds, a aux trans, oil, and rear diff cooler should be standard.

If oil to coolant coolers fail, doesn't it trash everything? Oil to air coolers would let you know there is a leak....???

Sorry for bothering you but I have a 2018 f150 10r80 trance

Nice video

Ha, they remove that part, spend more per quart of transmission oil, but less over all, and still raise the price. As far as these new transmissions and synthetic oil, only time will tell. We will hear from the heavy towers in the commercial industries first. They make vehicles in Mexico, a GIANT savings, and don't decrease the price to reflect the savings. They put sealed lifetime transmissions knowing you won't own the vehicle that long, and let the next guy eat it. If it wasn't for congress giving the stock market 2.5 trillion in free money and another 2 trillion in super low interest loans, it would have crashed the 401k's and vehicle prices would've finally gone done. But, until that happens, they are just going to keep rising, especially with this inflation we are under.

Do Ford or Toyota have a maintenance schedule to change the transmission fluid or is it “good for the life of the vehicle?”

Increasing heat above 200 degrees F starts to degrade the yield strength of aluminum....also I personally don't like liquid heat exchangers as when they go bad it gets messy and expensive quicky, coolant in engines and transmissions are bad news, and vice versa.

Bad move. Trans fluid may handle higher temp, but if they didn't upgrade trans internals to handle more temp, your transmission is not long for this world.

It's a bit ridiculous. It should at least be an option you can add on.

Really?! these stupid 1/2 tons are getting close to 100K and they are worried a bout $100! Make it a $100 option and see how many of us pay it.

WTOC - Water to Oil Cooler ATOC - Air to Oil Cooler.

Funny how they remove parts and the price goes up. The budget concept is B.S. People will pay more for reliability and piece of mind. People are paying more anyway!

When the transmission gets hot your dummy gauge will actually display the actual temperature

Ford realize that 99 percent of there customers aren’t going to tow anything heavy, so why spend the money on installing an extra trans cooler. The synthetic trans oil will hold up to the higher temperatures.

Ford assessed that the auxiliary transmission cooler is not required for the transmission to make the 60k mile warranty period. So they can take that savings per truck and add it to their profit margin.

👍

No wonder the 2021 f150 have so many transmission problems

Comments are funny, like the majority don’t understand your explanation that new tech limits need for the accessory. Same guys probably change their syn oil at 3K even though it’s clean, & said companies were “cost savings for profit” when they couldn’t find the choke on their EFI

Everything runs hotter nowadays. I drive truck for a living.Detroit Diesel engines run hotter than ever.Seldom does the engine fan come on.

It's normal. I see 195 normally and 210 towing

FORD STEPPED RIGHT UP AND SENT OUT NEW TRANS. WILL HAVE THE TRUCK BACK IN LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER IT BROKE. THEY CONFIRMED ON BOARD POWER UPDATE IN JUNE.

Yeah and all of us with tundras are still p!ssed about it toyota!!!!!!

Go outside kneel down and look. Sheesh.

Finally you exposed Ford and opened blind eyes of fan boys. I have been telling you about cooler being gone for long time in comments section. Good job!

Eventually this kind of cooler will break down internally and then the coolant will mix with the oil. Ford engineers better explain or guarantee this will never happen. In my view it's a stupid idea.