Allowing the car to idle in neutral, while sitting at red lights, in congested traffic or at rail road tracks, reduces the strain on the transmission, allowing the transmission to cool.
What causes high transmission temperature?
An overheating transmission usually means there is already some sort of internal damage or a transmission fluid issue, such as a leak, low fluid level or just old/dirty fluid running through the system. It can also happen with too much transmission fluid, which causes excess pressure within the transmission.
What happens if your transmission gets too hot?
#1 Cause of Failure The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. Above that, for every 20 degrees bad things happen, starting with formation of varnish at 240 degrees, followed by seals hardening, plates slipping, seals and clutches burn out, carbon is formed, and, ultimately, failure.
What to do if transmission fluid is overheating?
- Stop driving immediately and let your transmission cool down.
- Make a note of what you were doing, where you are, what's happening (noises, etc.)
- After cooling down, start back up & gingerly continue on your way.
What are the symptoms of an overheated transmission?
- A sudden experience of a burning odor inside and outside the vehicle.
- The gears “slipping” when accelerating or decelerating.
- A feeling of hesitation or delayed gear shift when you are driving.
- Any grinding or shaking sensation that occurs while accelerating or while idling.
What happens if the transmission is overheating?
Now, when the light comes on indicating that your transmission is overheating, it means that your vehicle is functioning at 250 degrees, which is considered “extremely high” temperature. At 270 degrees your transmission fluid completely breaks down and your transmission can seize up.