Where can one find the normal temperature ranges for coolant, oil, trans? Owners manual doesn't seem to have it unless I missed it.,

Nobody?

Nobody?

But honestly the answers are elusive and really avoided by all due to liability concerns, so everyone tries to be as vague as they can…Ok just kidding!

I really don’t know of any one site or manual that spells out specific numbers, I just happen to know most of them from reading tons of manuals on various types of equipment, but also a lot of those high dollar equipment comes with temp gauges for trannys, rear ends radiators and such.

Normal range would depend on the environment on which they are required to operate, hence the lack of a “normal range” definitive answer, like 190* for instance, JMHO.

But we know at least this much; conventional oils, and machined metals have minimum\maximum operating temperature tolerances before failure, as well as optimum operating range for maximum efficiency and longest operating life.

I would say for instance as a rule of thumb, transmission and axels can operate safely\best around 120-160* for axels, 165-180* for trannys due to their radiator cooling assistance with 180* being the upper limits. Engines 160-195* I would consider 195* at the upper end of its desirable limit without any serious consequences since that is where the designers placed the thermostat setting at. My preference for engines would be 165-180*, but I have seen them operate for long periods at 200-220 gulp! :drink:

I was never comfortable at 22o even though I’ve been told it’s ok, by authority figures on the subject, again just looking at the thermostat setting gives “hint-hint”. :wink2:

But that’s just me!

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

By watching NASCAR races I've learned that they start to panic when their oil temp. exceeds 245 deg. (F). :)

If one googles "high oil temperature z06" the first link gives some interesting numbers.

All temps are in Fahrenheit

Water temp = 190-220 (New Gen aluminum motors have a tighter range of temps due to the expansion properties of aluminum.)

Note: For those of you who are putting in 160 degree thermostats and running your engines at these lower temps, be very weary you are cutting the life of the motor in half for no reason.
Yes it made more power in the old days with heavy metal intakes. But with the composite intakes of today we're seeing no gains running the motors below 190.

Oil temp = 180-220

Transmission = The colder the better within reason of course. I would say anything over 200 is bad with the preferred being around 100-160. (This is where keeping a stock thermostat and keeping the fans all the time becomes a player).

Thanks
Mike Haddad

Mike, thanks very much! you just took a big worry off me. I've been seeing coolant temps up to 210 after getting off the freeway into traffic and oil temps around 205. Average is about 203 for coolant, 195 for oil. Its hot as Hades here now but those seemed high to me.

trans temp has been running around 185. All reading off Dashhawk, recently set up with custom screens to show these temps..

Mike, thanks very much! you just took a big worry off me. I've been seeing coolant temps up to 210 after getting off the freeway into traffic and oil temps around 205. Average is about 203 for coolant, 195 for oil. Its hot as Hades here now but those seemed high to me.

trans temp has been running around 185. All reading off Dashhawk, recently set up with custom screens to show these temps..

Sounds like a healthy running car to me brother.

Typically speaking factory settings are pretty good for everything.
The tranny is typically one of the most overlooked and temperature sensitive areas. For anyone driving there car real hard (i.e. road racing) an isolated tranny cooler is a must.

Thanks
Mike Haddad

Sounds like a healthy running car to me brother.

Typically speaking factory settings are pretty good for everything.
The tranny is typically one of the most overlooked and temperature sensitive areas. For anyone driving there car real hard (i.e. road racing) an isolated tranny cooler is a must.

Thanks
Mike Haddad

thanks Mike. She is running very well. 8.55 1/8 mile as measured by Dashhawk yesterday, hopefully some real track runs tomorrow weather permitting.

Since GM now uses Dexron IV, the trans temperature isn't as critical as it used to be either.