Trans cooler for Commodore towing 1000kg

The problem is heat, autos hate it. While holden say you don`t need a cooler to tow 2.4 ton it would kill the auto in no time due to heat and burnt oil.
You might get away with towing only a ton if you take it easy but it will still shorten the autos life.
For a few hundred bucks I would fit one if you intend keeping the car for any length of time, lot cheaper than 4-5k for a new gearbox.

Either fit yourself or have one fitted preferably by someone who knows what they are doing and can advise the most suitable size for your vehicle. If Holden or the stealership challenge you, tell them it was on the car when you bought it. So there. I'd also move the transmission selector into 3rd gear and avoid towing in overdirve - shouldn't be too much difference with fuel consumption but will be easier on transmission. You have to remember that most vehicles are not built for towing but with some adaption can tow moderate weights.

Hi David R
I think it may already have an external transmission cooler in front of the radiator as standard , I could be wrong though !!
At least my last to commodores had them, VS now VT.
Others here may correct me.
Hope this helps.
Cheers BoldJack

Why not ask you local Holden dealer?

It avoids the "my brothers next door neighbours cousins mate at work knew someone how lived down the road who said....."

Regards Richard

Hi David
When I worked at GM Dealer a few years backs, you could buy a Holden Genuine Transmission Cooler as an add on, so you would not void your warranty. They were not that dear and gives you peace of mind when towing.

Cheers

Stephen

David R

I think you will find that the standard transmission cooler lives in the bottom tank of the radiator and therefor uses the vehicle cooling system to get rid of excess transmission heat. While this works fine for most situations IMHO if you intend to tow a van you will greatly extend the life of your auto by fitting an additional external cooler. As mentioned above the cost of this will far outway the cost of a transmission rebuild.

Cheers pop2

Thanks again everyone for your replies. Its pretty clear I need to install a transmission cooler which confirms my thoughts anyway. I just wish the major manufacturers would make it clear in the owner's manuals.

Hope you all have a good new year and plenty of happy travels in 2008.

cheers

David R

David R (QLD)
Your VY has cross flow radiator & has oil cooler in both side radiator tank to run transmission oil through
from Graham

David,
I would recommend using a transmission oil cooler if you were going to be towing for a reasonable distance, but as you say ""I am NOT planning any long trips, furthest would be Brisbane to Gladstone, around 600km"" I'm not so sure I would worry.

Why not "write" or 'type' to HOLDEN and ask them directly, that way you will have their 'written' advice.

I use an Auto with overdrive and tow a 700 Kg Camper for tens thousands of Kilometres per trip, all without an 'extra' oil cooler fitted as it also has an oil cooler in the radiator like yours.
It's done 600,000 Klms, and is on it's second box now, but it gets worked hard.
I leave it in O/D at 100 to 105 Kph so I don't get run over by the roadtrains lol.

Mainey...

Hi David, I have owned a few commodores, VC, VL,VP,VX.... VC been the only one with the old three speed trimatic, the VP turbo700 tranny. I have towed ski boats both around the 1300/1500 kg in weight also an 16 foot viscount caravan one of the older shapes. I didnt have an additional cooler on any of the vehicles. I also left in drive. The holden boxs are very responsive and will kick back with the slightest bit of right foot especially when in hilly areas so they dont labour in a higher gear. If only doing a 600k run I wouldnt even bother with one but if you intend doing alot of towing then for your own piece of mind get one. They are available from holden and come with all the correct brackets for fitment. Most S pack commodores and upwards SS, clubys etc have a cooler standard. The exec's, lumina's, equipe's didnt have one as they were basically an exec with a few xtra's elect windows,cruise, etc but tranny coolers was some thing they didnt bother fitting to the lower spec commodores. One tip I will give you with commodore trannys is never put into drive while still rolling backwards. It will stuff the main shaft in the box and will cost between 1500 to 2000 $$ for a new one. I know its easy to do especially if your in a hurry to have a tendany to slip into drive without coming to a full stop after reversing but big no no. Hope this helps you out a bit. regards Steve M

I wrote to Holden Customer Assist and recieved this reply today:

Dear David,

Thank you for your email.

We advise that as per chapter 10 of the VY Series Owner's Handbook, an additional transmission oil cooler is not required.

Please be advised that Holden does not recommend any modifications that are not approved by Holden Engineering for your particular vehicle, and as such, we cannot offer any further advice in this regard.

We suggest that you contact your nearest Holden Dealer to determine whether there is an approved aftermarket accessory that may suit your purpose.


Yours sincerely,

(name)
Holden Customer Assistance Centre