Engine and Transmission Fluid Temperatures

[billb1000]

I'll start with an admission. I've never given much thought to the temperature of fluids within the engine or transmission. Yesterday we spent some time at Silver Lake Sand Dunes and had lots of fun. While exploring some of the GOAT Modes and screens I found transmission and engine oil temperatures. Interesting...

My question is about normal temperatures for the engine and transmission. This type of information has not been available on my previous vehicles, so I didn't know what the numbers meant. Out on the dunes in "Sand" GOAT Mode the oil was typically in the 210-224 range. The transmission seemed hotter than expected with temperatures ranging from 210-228. From the display it seems these are on the hot end but not a concern. Again, I had no frame of reference. Any experts agree?

Pushing through the sand definitely puts a strain on the drivetrain. It smelled hot a few times and we stopped periodically to let it cool a bit while we enjoyed the view. I did note cooler engine oil and transmission temps on my way home (at highways speeds). 25-35 degrees cooler. The simple solution is probably to get the oil changed more often than the prescribed Intervale. I'm on that program already. What about the trans. Any reason to do anything after a bit of offroad use like this?

The old saying is true. "Ignorance is bliss." Without the display I would not have thought much of these temps.
A few pictures in for those interested.

Thanks,

Carl

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[billb1000]

Seems counterintuitive but by running the AC , your temps for both engine and trans will come down to around 195.

 

[I_Fly]

Thank you. Interesting information. I'm well aware of the target engine coolant temperature. Just wasn't sure about targets for engine oil and transmission fluid. Seems they were both on the high end of normal while I was in the sand. It takes a bit of work to plow through the soft sand. Both temps returned to around 190 ish once I aired the tires back up and was on the road. I'm sure the airflow of moving faster and reduced drag make a huge difference.

Oddly, I actually turned the AC off to keep things cool. I didn't think about it adding air movement with the fan. The top was open anyway!

 

[telenerd]

It could be worse--you could have a Jeep Wrangler which sees 224+ just running down the highway unloaded. Your temperatures are fine and as long as they drop and are not sustained for hours on end, keep on wheeling!

Howdy,

Question regarding tranny temps. I was in the dunes with my ranger raptor and my friends ranger raptor. His tranny temps got up to 240. So we stopped and let the engine idle to lower temps.

Any tips for when tranny temps get high and what not to do? Do you just pull over and let engine idle? I recommended he run manual mode and not use automatic when sand duning. My temps were a bit lower than his.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Howdy,

Question regarding tranny temps. I was in the dunes with my ranger raptor and my friends ranger raptor. His tranny temps got up to 240. So we stopped and let the engine idle to lower temps.

Any tips for when tranny temps get high and what not to do? Do you just pull over and let engine idle? I recommended he run manual mode and not use automatic when sand duning. My temps were a bit lower than his.

I chatted at length with a transmission service tech about temps and other things and his "red line" is 260°F. The fluid won't start breaking down until >285°F sustained temperatures are hit.

I would continue to drive so that air flow goes through the radiator as that is where the transmission cooler lives. If those temps are constant, I would look to add an auxiliary fan cooled transmission cooler.

 

[positiveimpulse]

Apologies for the stupid question. How are you guys getting a numerical reading? I only see a guage on my dash display

 

[I_Fly]

Apologies for the stupid question. How are you guys getting a numerical reading? I only see a guage on my dash display

I can't walk you through specific menue choices but there are two ways. FIrst, my bronco displays a number of engine, transmission, and other temps when in certain goat modes. I think mudd and sand is the one. I think these temps are also an option when in normal mode. I know they are on the right hand side so use the buttons on that side of the steering wheel to navigate. Sorry, I don't recall specific menues. It wasn't difficult to find.

 

[tock13]

Apologies for the stupid question. How are you guys getting a numerical reading? I only see a guage on my dash display

Do you have a 2025 with the new dash cluster? I rented a 2025 Big Bend recently and I could not find where you could see actual values, just the gauges. My 2024 has a screen that shows boost, engine temp, trans temp and battery output all in a column.

Be interested to know if the new cluster has a way to show values of the gauges.

 

[positiveimpulse]

2025 with new dash cluster

 

[Ducati1098]

2025 with new dash cluster

Can’t get numerical readings on the new cluster.

 

[TruckCamper]

We removed the grille shutters on the 2.3L and 3.0L. That was a big help. Generally shoot to keep temps around 200 degrees or less.

AC or heater will help temps at slow speeds. AC keeps fans on low and keeps temps under 205 typically.

I will see 220 on climbs in boost towing. Long hills will slow down to maintain 5psi boost. Charge temps climb quickly at 10psi + for any sustained time periods.

Nobody has specific info on what temps the radiator fans turn on. It seems like it's rather hot (over 220)?

 

[B22-2023]

.

Nobody has specific info on what temps the radiator fans turn on. It seems like it's rather hot (over 220)?

I recently had a get really hot at idle incident while doing a coolant purge and those fans came blasting on at 220 or so.

 

[I_Fly]

Can’t get numerical readings on the new cluster.

I didn't realize the new cluster would be different.

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