How Does a Transmission Cooler Work?

Fluid heated by the transmission, engine, or power steering pump flows to the cooler. Air flowing over the fins of the cooler carries away heat and cools the fluid flowing within the fins.

The cooled fluid is routed back through the transmission via the return line. Through this continuous process, cooling beyond just the standard system of the radiator is provided to the transmission.

Tube-and-Fin

The tube-and-fin type consists of a tube that carries transmission fluid through the cooling unit. It has what is called “turbulators”, which agitate the fluid, which causes it to cool more thoroughly by washing up against the inside walls of the aluminum tube. The heat is absorbed by the aluminum and is transferred to aluminum fins attached to the outside of the tube, which quickly dissipates the heat. The heat is carried away by air flowing all around the fins on the outside of the cooler. The tube-and-fin style of cooler works well but is not the most efficient kind.

Plate-and-Fin

The plate-and-fin style of transmission cooler works on the same principle as the tube-and-fin but is more efficient. It forces fluid through smaller plates that cause agitation of the fluid. The small, flat plates allow more fluid to contact the surface inside the cooler, which maximizes heat transfer and minimizes pressure drop.

Stacked Plate

Whichever transmission cooler design you choose, rest assured that it will extend the life of your transmission by preventing heat-related failures and improving shifting performance. AAMCO Colorado can help you make the right decision for your car, based on your driving habits, requirements, and a transmission Vehicle Courtesy Check. Once you know what type of cooler you need, we’ll install it and make sure it’s working properly, keeping the transmission cool and running smoothly.

Cooler designs are helpful

Whichever transmission cooler design you choose, rest assured that it will extend the life of your transmission by preventing heat-related failures and improving shifting performance. AAMCO Colorado can help you make the right decision for your car, based on your driving habits, requirements, and a transmission Vehicle Courtesy Check. Once you know what type of cooler you need, we’ll install it and make sure it’s working properly, keeping the transmission cool and running smoothly.

A Transmission Cooler Is Not a Substitute for Transmission Repair.

A vehicle used for towing may sometimes benefit from an additional transmission cooler. Towing increases the load and puts additional strain on a vehicle’s transmission, thereby increasing the heat that is generated and the cooling levels required to ensure the transmission doesn’t burn out. An auxiliary transmission cooler will not increase the towing or hauling capacity of a vehicle. If you overload the vehicle, no amount of cooling will make it haul or tow more than the maximum specified weight. You just need a more powerful vehicle. Also, a transmission cooler is not a solution for other transmission problems that can cause transmissions to overheat and fail. If your transmission is slipping or having other problems, you should come to your local Colorado AAMCO transmission center for complete Vehicle Courtesy Check by our certified technicians.

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