Transmission Cooler
Transportation has been an issue since the beginning time. People needed to go places, either for work or simple going around for fun. It started off with walking, then moved on to using animals to pull a cart or themselves. Till it came to the modern time and the usage of motor vehicles have increased by a great deal. Nowadays people can’t even imagine going about without any sort of vehicles: bus, cars, trucks etc.
Back in the time when animals were used as a means of transportation it was necessary to take care of the animal in question; feeding it, giving proper amounts of water, bathing it, basically keeping it as healthy as possible just to ensure safe and guaranteed transport. To many people motor vehicles are just machines, but they need to be taken care of too. If a vehicle is not taken care of, it might give out and break down at the most unexpected moments. Parts tend to wear out as the vehicle gets older.
Different vehicles require different kinds of maintenance. A commercial hauler truck might require more frequent servicing than a privately driven SUV (sport utility vehicle). Whereas, a privately driven SUV might require more frequent tire change than a truck. This is because the tires of a truck are made to be more durable than vehicles under less stress. There are a lot of areas to be taken under consideration when maintaining a motor vehicle. The major areas consist of:
- Engine
- Transmission system
- Drive train
- Exhaust system
- Fuel system
- Braking system
These are the larger and more complicated areas in a car that require crucial maintenance as they require an expert mechanic to handle, and also make it impossible to get the car running without a tow. Although an engine is the heart of the car, the transmission system is what makes the car run. It is also the key area of a car that connects and communicates between the engine, drivetrain, wheels and eventually the exhaust and brakes. The Transmission needs to be in top condition for the longevity of a vehicle and the most vital component needed to keep the transmission healthy, that most people tend to overlook is the Transmission cooler.
The transmission system of a car is the most complicated of all other parts since it consists of a lot of gears and sprockets. The friction between the gears tends to generate large amount of heat and hence need to be cooled.
A variety of transmission coolers are available in the market today. Many are made for performance, while others are just to ensure a smooth ride. It is very important to know what to expect out of a vehicle and choose the proper transmission cooler for it. It is also important to keep in mind that transmission comes in two kinds: Automatic and Manual. Both require different kinds of transmission coolers as they don’t tend to heat up equally.
The secret to the longevity of automatic transmission is to keep the transmission fluid cool, fresh and clean. Usually the optimal functioning temperature range is 160 - 200 degrees. A temperature higher than that causes the transmission fluid to burn. This tremendously decreases the fluid life and eventually affects the life of the all the moving parts like the bearings and the seals. Installing a cooler can prolong the transmission life and help avoid expensive repairs.
When choosing the right cooler, the first thing to keep in mind is to determine the proper place to mount it and if there is enough space or not. As mentioned above, it is important to know that different vehicle require different cooling options.
Small and compact cars that undergo almost no stress would require a cooler with a much lower GVW rating: 10,000lbs – 16,000lbs. Medium sized cars are a bit heavier and require coolers with 14,000lbs – 18,000lbs GVW rating. Small trucks, pick-ups and SUVs need coolers with about 22,000lbs – 26,000lbs GVW. Big Heavy duty trucks and Big Motor homes require a bit more than the other, which can range from 28,000lbs to much more.
Some cooler applications need extra fitting and might even require some structural modifications in the vehicle when installing the cooler kit; hence it is always best to seek expert opinion.
