My Silverado has a trans temp gauge and I usually see it run anywhere from 120-170 degrees F. The highest I saw it get was 195 and I was driving slow up a curvy hill on a day where the outside temp was about 100 degrees. I just wanted to know what everyone else sees on there gauges (if you have one, I know it isn't common) and at what temp would I need to be concerned about?

 

That's normal.

Without question though, you should put on a cooler and deeper transmission pan. The heat is what usually kills transmissions...you can greatly extend the normal life of one by keeping temps lower.

 

Thats good news to me knowing that is a normal temp. I have a transmission cooler which I believe was part of the tow package. I could put a deeper pan on but I'm not sure how much cooler it would run and if the price of it would be worth it in the long run. I do good maintenance and check fluid levels almost everyday. How much more fluid is usually needed with the installation of a deeper pan?

 

The deeper pans typically take 2 more quarts and lower temps around 40 degrees. That's big and honestly shouldn't even be a question whether or not to do it.

A stock cooler is good, but you would do well to add an aftermarket cooler. Weigh the cost of a new cooler against the cost of rebuilding a trans because the clutches burnt up due to higher heat. It's a no-brainer.

 

I will probably get a bigger aftermarket cooler and a deeper pan when I go to replace the fluid. I have less than 30,000 miles on the truck right now and plan to do that at the 50,000 mark. The owners manual says 100,000 but I do fluid changes much earlier. I don't even let my engine oil reach 3,000 miles. I know it may seem extreme to some but thats just how I am.

 

This is the one I run: http://www.oregonperformancetransmis...Code=LNG-47391