2020 Plat Max Transmission Normal Temps

[Pmm150]

I am wondering if others have experienced rising transmission temperatures in the 2020 Plat Max model line. We have about 75k miles. Last week, we took a family of 5 road trip to the midwest for a day's drive and noticed the transmission hitting 255 degrees. Very surprised. This is a first and I wondered if this is normal.

Thanks in advance! -Phil

 

[Hellwig]

I am wondering if others have experienced rising transmission temperatures in the 2020 Plat Max model line. We have about 75k miles. Last week, we took a family of 5 road trip to the midwest for a day's drive and noticed the transmission hitting 255 degrees. Very surprised. This is a first and I wondered if this is normal.

Thanks in advance! -Phil

Absolutely abnormal. You may try to replace the thermostat. If you are interested in watching the live data for tranny temp, you may purchase an Ultragauge MX 1.4 if the instrument cluster doesn't show a digital number unless the tranny hits a certain temp.

 

[Dice Roll]

Absolutely abnormal. You may try to replace the thermostat. If you are interested in watching the live data for tranny temp, you may purchase an Ultragauge MX 1.4 if the instrument cluster doesn't show a digital number unless the tranny hits a certain temp.

Did they change that after 19? Mine can show the temp number right in the middle. I usually drive with it up there at all times.

 

[Hellwig]

Did they change that after 19? Mine can show the temp number right in the middle. I usually drive with it up there at all times.

Yes. Ford hides this digital display afterwards.

 

[Ugh_J]

Mine sits around 215 on longer trips in Texas. I have about 57k miles on it.

Also, no need to buy a custom gauge to show the trans temp; forscan can make those numbers show up for free (or the price of an OBD2 adapter), along with a bunch of other nice features. I think I got the offsets from this video but it might also be a selectable drop-down in the non-as-built section of the IPC.

 

[Hellwig]

Mine sits around 215 on longer trips in Texas. I have about 57k miles on it.

Also, no need to buy a custom gauge to show the trans temp; forscan can make those numbers show up for free (or the price of an OBD2 adapter), along with a bunch of other nice features. I think I got the offsets from this video but it might also be a selectable drop-down in the non-as-built section of the IPC.

Just a kind reminder, using Forscan to make these adjustments might void Ford warranty. I would adjust it back to factory setup before going to dealership.

 

[Pmm150]

My vehicle is the Platinum Max with the towing package. Does anyone know if this package automatically includes the additional transmission cooler as well? Or is this an add-on?

 

[Mr Big]

My vehicle is the Platinum Max with the towing package. Does anyone know if this package automatically includes the additional transmission cooler as well? Or is this an add-on?

The tow package includes a larger radiator and transmission cooler.

 

[Dice Roll]

My trans temps seem down a good 30 degrees since the new thermostat went in. They were typically 205 even I. Winter without a trailer. Now seem to be like 160-175. Only been a week and I haven’t driven a full hour to say, but I’ve driven long enough that before the change they’d be over 200.

 

[Hellwig]

My trans temps seem down a good 30 degrees since the new thermostat went in. They were typically 205 even I. Winter without a trailer. Now seem to be like 160-175. Only been a week and I haven’t driven a full hour to say, but I’ve driven long enough that before the change they’d be over 200.

Your new thermostat is RT1258 with 180F? On any day with ambient temp above 60F, my tranny temp is from 200F to 215F after 30 minutes driving with the factory 195F thermostat.

 

[Dice Roll]

Your new thermostat is RT1258 with 180F? On any day with ambient temp above 60F, my tranny temp is from 200F to 215F after 30 minutes driving with the factory 195F thermostat.

Paperwork shows hl3z 8575 and online stuff shows it’s the rt1252. The dealer was coy about what part they’d use and didn’t want to do the job anyway. I held my breath. All the was said was “we use the latest and greatest parts.” Just never know with these guys.

 

[zak99b5]

I put in the 180° tstat myself. Took less than an hour, and the gallon of premixed coolant I bought at the dealer was enough to replace what was lost. My original (brass collar) tstat was sticking, causing temp spikes to over 235° on the highway, loaded but not towing. Temps are now normal and stable.

 

[Hellwig]

Paperwork shows hl3z 8575 and online stuff shows it’s the rt1252. The dealer was coy about what part they’d use and didn’t want to do the job anyway. I held my breath. All the was said was “we use the latest and greatest parts.” Just never know with these guys.

RT1252 is the factory thermostat for 2022 model year and afterwards. The spec is 195F. It's amazing that you can achieve 160F-170F with it. My vehicle has the same one but the tranny temp fluctuates between 190 to 210 if not towing. If I tow, it would be above 210F and sometimes a little over 220F.

 

[Hellwig]

I put in the 180° tstat myself. Took less than an hour, and the gallon of premixed coolant I bought at the dealer was enough to replace what was lost. My original (brass collar) tstat was sticking, causing temp spikes to over 235° on the highway, loaded but not towing. Temps are now normal and stable.

Did you have to purge the cooling system to get the air bubbles out? Or there were no air bubbles after all when you replaced it?

 

[Dice Roll]

RT1252 is the factory thermostat for 2022 model year and afterwards. The spec is 195F. It's amazing that you can achieve 160F-170F with it. My vehicle has the same one but the tranny temp fluctuates between 190 to 210 if not towing. If I tow, it would be above 210F and sometimes a little over 220F.

If it’s not the 180 it makes me wonder if they put the wrong part in or put the wrong part on the paperwork. Should’ve been fully warm today and temps were about 175. Always over 200 since new until this.

 

[Hellwig]

If it’s not the 180 it makes me wonder if they put the wrong part in or put the wrong part on the paperwork. Should’ve been fully warm today and temps were about 175. Always over 200 since new until this.

Sounds like an aftermarket 170F thermostat.

 

[zak99b5]

Did you have to purge the cooling system to get the air bubbles out? Or there were no air bubbles after all when you replaced it?

I just filled it from the degas bottle and squeezed the hoses until it wouldn’t take any more. Started it up and let it get to op temp. It sucked a bit more in from the degas bottle, and I then topped it up again. Been fine ever since.

 

[TravisExpy]

I am wondering if others have experienced rising transmission temperatures in the 2020 Plat Max model line. We have about 75k miles. Last week, we took a family of 5 road trip to the midwest for a day's drive and noticed the transmission hitting 255 degrees. Very surprised. This is a first and I wondered if this is normal.

Thanks in advance! -Phil

I just got mine back after 3weeks in the shop today for the same thing. Only 47k miles on it and they just replaced the transmission for the second time. I didn’t own it the first time it was replaced but high temps is why they replaced it this time. Ford tells them to replace the valve body sleeve first and then rebuild the transmission if that doesn’t fix the problem. Our service advisor wasn’t real optimistic that this fix would actually work. It was fine this evening but I haven’t driven much and we haven’t tried towing with it.

 

[Dice Roll]

I did the first serious drive since the new stat went in. After thirty minutes, trans was at 165, before it would be 180-190. After a full hour it was 180. In about 200 miles today, it never went over 192. That was after repeated blasts to get around truckers hanging in the left lane on hills. Temps would back off some when returning to a steady cruise.

Before the new stat and flush, it was 203-205 on a regular basis when not towing. I’d see 212-215 with the rv.

I’m starting the think my stat didn’t fully open since new. The only time I saw anything erratic was about 4-6 weeks ago it had a wonky warm up when the gauge went back and forth a bunch to start the day, like it would stick open and closed and the trans hit 210-212 with no trailer on a cold day, upper 20s-30s.

 

[Dice Roll]

I hadn’t noticed the tech turned off the ac when he did the service. First time it mattered was on the trip over the weekend. With it on, it stays about 187 and sometimes 192. Still way better than with the factory stat.