Why Is My Transmission Overheating?

Nearly 90% of all preventable transmission catastrophes are due to a lack of attention to and overheating transmission. The important word here is preventable. Yes, this is a serious issue that you need to address immediately but there’s no need to panic. Let’s dive into some of the mechanics of what is going on with your vehicle so that you can hire the most qualified person to address your overheating transmission. Unlike oil, transmission fluid does not “burn off” so if you are overheating there is most likely an issue somewhere in your lubrication system that needs to be addressed.

What Your Transmission Service Indicator Means

A normal lubricated transmission operates at or below 175 degrees; anything higher than this breaks down your transmission fluid. 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 and above, you have a catastrophic situation on your hands so your car’s manufacturers installed a warning to let you know that you can’t wait any more. At 270 degrees your transmission fluid completely breaks down and your transmission can seize up. This can be disastrous for you physically and financially so the goal is to never get there. This can be a low cost transmission repair or a $6,000 repair depending on whether you take action now or later. AAMCO transmission repair will check the codes, check the fluid and determine what needs to be done.

Can I take My Car To A Mechanic Or Do I Need To See A Transmission Specialist?

When a transmission repair shop like AAMCO Coloroado services transmissions day after day, we get to know how to service them and how to repair them because we repair them many times a day. Most general shops may only see one or two transmissions a month. General shops are likely to not be experts because of their lack of experience. It’s like going to see a doctor for an eye exam, they can do it but doesn’t it make more sense to see an eye doctor?

Sometimes, general shops may misdiagnose something as catastrophic, when a much smaller repair or service was all that was needed. Don’t chance it when you can hire a team with experience for this very specialized type of work.