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Tranny Fluid
How true is this sounds good for sure hehe, If this is true, maybe we could have like a how to doc posted with that info? for people with tranny Questions?
We could edit this as a nice chart? thanks to the orginal writter to this. Peter, Just for the record, you should understand that the SVX has the ability to spike the ATF temperature rapidly, just from a single drive up a long hill, or a day in stop and go traffic, or anything that causes the tranny to continually upshift and downshift. If it gets high enough, it will cause your transmission to self destruct in only a few miles. I drive in 3rd gear in city traffic to eliminate all the shifts to high and back to 3rd. I only shift to 4th when I can maintain 45 mph for a reasonable distance. Here is an ATF temperature vs tranny lifetime chart. ---------------------- Automatic Transmission Fluid Oxidation Automatic transmission fluid (Dextron) will provide 100,000 miles of service before oxidation occurs under normal operating temperatures of about 170°F. (The SVX thermostat is set at about 170.) Above normal operating temperatures, the oxidation rate doubles (useful life of fluid is cut in half) with each 20° increase in temperature. The approximate life expectancy at various temperatures is as follows: 175°F 100,000 miles 195°F 50,000 miles 212°F 25,000 miles 235°F 12,000 miles (In a 93 SVX with an external cooler and temp gauge, and RedLine High Temp ATF, I once saw temps of 240F. I was driving around slowly in some hills, looking at houses in 70F weather. Note that, for standard Dextron, I would have had less than 12,000 miles left on that ATF. I would never have known except for the guage.) 255°F 6,250 miles (I suspect that many SVX's see temps of 275F without their drivers being aware of it.) 275°F 3,000 miles 295°F 1,500 miles (The SVX ATF warning light comes on at about 305F.) 315°F 750 miles 335°F 325 miles 355°F 160 miles 375°F 80 miles 390°F 40 miles 415°F Less than 30 minutes This information clearly shows why transmission oil coolers and the various maintenance intervals are recommended for severe usage. (The SVX should be considered Severe Usage, because of the added load of the AWD and the limited cooling capability.) Above 300°F, the metals inside the transmission will warp and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of overheat. Because this damage occurs and fluid life is so seriously impaired, rocking out of snow, mud or sand should never exceed a very few minutes. ----------------------- The point is that it's not how often it is changed - it is that it must be changed if it has been damaged. So you need to check the quality of the ATF regularly, and change it if it has been damaged. If you EVER see the ATF light, you have big problems. Stop immediately, and leave the engine running until it cools off (make certain your fans are working). It is exactly for that reason that I use the RedLine High Temp. It lasts longer without damage. It takes an additional 70F before it begins breaking down. My local Subaru service department uses only RedLine for all their transmission work. They also have and use a flush system. They said "It doesn't make sense to add good ATF to bad ATF." You should try to find out the working temperature of the Mobile Synthetic ATF SHC. Compare it to Dextron, and to RedLine HT ATF. If you are driving 25000 miles between changes, you are betting that your ATF temp never exceeds 212F. I assure you, it does, regularly. John |
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that was an excellent read - thanks for posting it.
i don't know about his cooler type/configuration, but 240 seems kinda high. i got over 200 a few weeks ago, but the driving i was doing would have been PUNISHING for any car. 85+ degrees out, lots of stop and go traffic, and for some reason i ended up on all these long uphill roads. i kept close attention to the gauge, and it peaked once at 207, and then quickly went down. my gauge will display peak temp at the push of a button, so its kinda helpful if you aren't paying attention and want to see how much damage you caused on a drive. this is a tip from Mike Davis, and i can't recommend it enough: REMOVE YOUR PLASTIC UNDERTRAY!!! i think this is why my temps rarely go above 200 now. the belly pan has a BIG effect on tranny temperatures. i've also noticed that the temps drop MUCH more quickly than they did before. this is no B.S. - i watch that temp gauge like a hawk, and i noticed the difference right away. i plan on putting the undertray back on for winter to allow the tranny fluid to warm up properly, and to keep salt and sludge off the underside. do yourself (and your tranny) a favor and get that damn belly pan off in the summer!!!! those in warmer climates may want to just leave it off all year long.
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
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We had a meet and drive last weekend over a pass in the North Cascade mountains. The max temp my tranny got to was 290. It was there only for about 2 minutes, but it still got to that temp. I was considering changing the transmission fluid, but now I know I am. Thanks for the post. I am working on a graph and a how to. Oh, and one other note - the belly pan was on, and the temp was in the 80s. Over the rest of the trip when the temp was over 90, the transmission temp was only around 180.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#4
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I buried the needle on my temp gauge at the tail of the dragon this year - 318 curves in 11 miles will create alot of heat. For the fall meet I'll try it without the belly pan but I don't think in this case it's going to help.
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Matt Locker Link 2015 BRZ Limited 6MT 92 Ebony LS-L ECUtune Stage2av1, Z32 MAF, 370cc injectors, TomsSVX intake, BontragerWorks 22mm RSB #003, HID Hi and Lo beams, OT endlink and bushing mods, PWR Aluminum radiator, Harvey's QC shift kit, 2.5" flowmaster 80 exhaust, 17" Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, Poly sway bar bushings, Slotted Bradi rotors, AFBeefcake powdercoated calipers, 97 grill, and a huge set of air horns. 300,000 miles and counting 92 Ebony LS-L. ecutune stage1v4, motorsport 1pc pulley. Garage Queen - sold to Dad in upstate NY 155,000 miles 19 Subaru Ascent Premium - -Hers !. 89 DL 4x4 little red wagon - a.k.a. The immortal suby. 275k R.I.P. |
#5
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The highest I've EVER seen on mine was 228°F (92, no external cooler)
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David B. SVXipedia @ SVX-IW.COM -- SVX Information Warehouse 2.0 coming...eventually! Ebony 1992 SVX LS-L 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro 187k miles RIP (Rust In Pieces) 1993 SVX 5 spd Koni/GC Stebro Polyurethane bushings still available! |
#6
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Quote:
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#7
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Quote:
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
#8
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Tranny Knowledge for Dummies
I am a neophite to all the information you are dropping, but I am here for a purpose. To save myself some trouble.
Do all you guys have tranny coolers? You recommend removing the tranny cooler belly pan, but not in winter climates? I understand that. Do SVX's have tranny fluid temperature gauges? Or are all of yours aftermarket? I am only asking to make sure I understand. I am printing this out and taking notes. I am about to buy a 1992 or possibly 1994 SVX and I want to make the tranny lasts as long as possible, but I have no idea how the previous owner abused it or not. Thanks for any help, because I am new to the car and really don't have a lot of money for expensive repairs, but like a lot of people I love the looks, perforance and design of the RARE SVX. |
#9
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Quote:
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#10
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I too have never gotten past 212. Did that once. Other highest reading was 208 sitting in NY I95 traffic for 3 hours in 100 degree weather. My readings come from a sensor in the pan (which I would suspect should be higher)
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British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
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Quote:
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#12
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Quote:
not in series - i bypassed the stock cooler (heater?) completely. i'm not sure what GVW rating my cooler is - my Summit catalog is at work. its just a TCI 'fin-n-tube' cooler.
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Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
#13
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Anybody have a pic of the tranny cooler belly pan or some distinguishing feature they could describe for us "neophites" as JJay put it? I don't want to remove something that shouldn't be.
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#14
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Quote:
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May your transmission live forever. SuperbVehicleXtraordinary Proud sponsor of a 1992 SVX. |
#15
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Quote:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...t=TCI%2D823800
__________________
Alan 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 1997 SVX LSi (Ebony) SOLD! 2005 Legacy GT (Silver) [Cobb Stg 2+] SOLD! 1987 928 S4 (Black) SOLD! 2005 Forester XT Premium (Crystal Gray Metallic) SOLD! 2008 Lancer Evolution X MR (Apex Silver) [Cobb Stg 1+] 2015 Outlander Sport 2.4GT AWD (Mercury Gray) 2013 G37xS (Obsidian Black) |
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