Hey guys. I don't post much as my truck has been solid. I'm approaching 30k miles on my 2023 with 5.0 engine. Anyway, this winter I've noticed that the trans temp is coming up very slowly. I don't remember it taking this long last winter, but I was never paying close attention to begin with. Basically I can make my full 35 minute commute, which normally involves some near stop and go conditions, and the trans temp will still be quite low compared to normal and compared to the engine coolant temp. I'm wondering if the thermostat is stuck open (or stuck closed?). Before I schedule a dealer appointment and potentially waste my time, I was wondering what others experience?

For example, I'll start the truck and the trans temp is 40F. I'll be driving for 10+ minutes and it would only be like 68F. It will get over 100 before the commute is done, but certainly not 180 which is pretty normal. Ambient temps have been 25-35F for reference.

 

No one has feedback on what temp their truck trans runs at in winter? On today's drive, 12F. By the time I got to the office, the trans temp was around 120F. That was with about 40 minutes of driving. For perspective, that's around the first hash mark on the gauge.

 

There was a post about this last week. What you're describing is perfectly normal.

 

Overthinking.

 

Thanks. That's all I was looking for. A search for "transmission temperature" didn't bring up whatever thread you're referencing.

 

Not at all. Just looking for confirmation if normal or not. I've driven nothing but manual transmission cars for the past 15 years. Suffice to say I'm not versed on how Ford is managing trans fluid temps.

Thanks for the helpful response though.

 

I can't give specifics on the new model trans. The chance of the trans stat being bad are pretty much zilch. I only have experience on 2 6R80s one in my 2012, and a 2015 Expedition. I have done the trans service on both of them. As well as my daughter's Edge.
They all need to have the trans heated to at least 195 F to get exact fluid level checks.

That being said, I have tried driving them to get the trans temps up to that level. Even in the summer it takes forever. I just finished the lead frame on my f150 yesterday. I now just let them idle in gear in my shop. I use aluminum dryer vent on the exhaust, and run fans to keep the shop vented. It takes probably 45 to maybe 60 minutes in gear to get to temp.

Being in Buffalo, NY in the winter, it is going to take a long time to get to temp. I would not worry about it at all. That is one of the reasons they use ultra low viscosity fluid in the new transmissions.
Not sure on the Motorcraft trans fluid for the new trans. I just looked but can only find the Motorcraft LV specs that show a -54 pour point. So you are going to have fantastic flow properties on the trans at 12F. The only time I would ever get worried about trans temps is while towing a trailer.

Good luck

 

it was 20F here this morning, and I let it warm up for 20 minutes, and mine was nearly at temp before I even left.

 

I think mine was like this too. pretty normal for trans temp to only reach the first quarter for 30 min trips (if I recall correctly), I drove 2 hr onway trip to ski every weekend and I can see temp reach half mark.

 

According to trans gauge that is digital? I can't see how 13 ish qts of fluid can get to full hot temp that quick?