Transmission Coolers

The vast majority of automatic transmission failures are a direct result of overheating. And towing can place an extra strain on your transmission, causing it to get too hot. An aftermarket transmission cooler can help prevent overheating and extend the life of your vehicle's transmission. Even if you don't tow, keeping your transmission cooler can be beneficial. Even a relatively small drop in fluid temperature can almost double a transmission's life and increase its performance.

Most factory cooling systems are adequate at best, rarely maintaining your transmission's fluid within the ideal operating range of 160 to 200 degrees. Adding a transmission cooler is not difficult and can extend the life of your vehicle and ensure that it functions at its best.

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Types of Coolers

The heat exchanger is the cooler itself, the core that works to cool transmission fluid. Learn more about the three basic types of heat exchangers, below.

Tube and Fin

Fluid flows through tubes and transfers heat out to fins
- Copper tubing offers superior conduction
- Aluminum fins allow for maximum heat dissipation

Fins transfer that heat out into the surrounding air - greater airflow results in faster transfer

A tube and fin cooler is moderately efficient and often larger in size

Plate and Fin

Fluid spreads out along finned chambers to cool faster

Turbulators agitate fluid continuously to facilitate heat transfer and prevent pressure drop

A plate and fin cooler is very efficient and relatively smaller in size

Stacked Plate

Fluid spreads out over maximum surface area for superior cooling

Plate core can cool a greater volume of fluid faster than other heat exchangers

A stacked plate cooler is the most efficient and typically smallest in size

Looking for a custom fit?

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Transmission Cooler Location

Most transmission coolers are designed to be mounted flush against either the radiator or the AC condenser core. For maximum cooling ability, the heat exchanger must receive the most airflow possible.

Position A

Mount cooler between your vehicle's grille and the AC condenser core for the greatest efficiency.

Position B

Mounting the cooler between the condenser and the radiator still allows for ample airflow, but cuts effectiveness by 25 percent. Installation of a larger cooler unit in this position may help make up for that loss.

Position C

Mounting the cooler between your engine and radiator considerably decreases the available airflow and causes the cooler to be 40 percent less efficient than if you mounted it in position A. If you mount a cooler between the radiator and engine, you should install a larger unit to make up for that loss.

Transmission Cooler Diagram

Watch Now: Transmission Cooler Installation

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Other Mounting Options

Frame Rail Coolers

A frame rail cooler has a low profile design to fit on a vehicle's chassis
Allows for extra cooling, even in crowded compartments
- Lacks the efficiency of other cooler kits

Pan Coolers

A pan cooler replaces the pan on your vehicle's transmission
Uses the airflow beneath your car to cool the fluid in the pan
- Not recommended for vehicles that sit in traffic as ample airflow is required
Can result in a temperature drop of up to 50°

Remote-Mount Units

A remote-mount unit provides ultimate efficiency with a high-powered fan mounted to cooler - superior airflow no matter where you mount it
Choice of heat-exchanger core lets you customize your cooler
- Tube and fin
- Plate and fin
- Stacked plate
Great for environments where steady airflow is limited - heavy traffic, off-roading

Looking for a custom fit?

See Transmission Coolers confirmed to fit your vehicle.

Connectors

We offer a variety of adapters, connectors, and fittings so that you can hook up a cooler to your vehicle no matter the model. Most transmission cooler kits include hose, hose clamps, installation hardware, and a radiator adapter that can fit many transmission line connectors. In most cases, you won't need to cut or flare any lines to install a transmission cooler. However, you may need vehicle specific connectors to install a cooler in some vehicles. Our fitguide can help you find a cooler with the proper connectors for installation in your vehicle.

You can browse our transmission cooler adapters, fittings, and connectors through the following links:

Note: If you use flared fittings, be sure to match types:

AN to AN
JIC to JIC
SAE to SAE

Looking for a custom fit?

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Cooling Other Automotive Systems

Many coolers can be used not only for transmissions, but for engine oil and power steering systems as well. A power steering cooler will extend the life of both the pump and seal, drastically reducing heat-related pump failures.

Engine Oil Coolers

Questions and Comments about this Article

James S. 6/4/2021

There is no mention if there is any change in the amount of fluid to get a proper reading on dip stick.

Reply from Jon G. 6/4/2021

You will need to add more fluid once a transmission cooler is installed, yes. It varies by size of the cooler and how much fluid is spilled during the installation.