Hi!
When my mom used to tow our very old Nomad pop-up with her 4-cylinder (35 years ago), she had a transmission cooler (am I calling it the right thing?) installed. I tow my 1400 pound Forest River pop-up with a 2012 Subaru Forester (rated to tow 2200 lbs). When I asked the dealer about a transmission cooler, they didn't even have a part listed for one. Is this something I should do? If so, who should I have do the install, and will it void my warranty? The service guy at Subaru didn't think it would be needed...
Thanks for the advice!!
Marcie
Hi Marcie,
You're calling it the right name. Unless you're towing in very hilly terrain or stop and go traffic in hot weather, the factory installed tranny cooler (built into the radiator) will handle things pretty well. You're also not pulling a lot of weight.
For added peace of mind, though, especially if you do a lot of towing, an aftermarket cooler is great and usually pretty cheap (~$50.00). They're also easy to install. If you're not into do-it-yourself installation, I'd look for a shop that does transmission work.
John
Marcie
A radiator shop will have or recommend a transmission cooler for you. They will also be able to install it, probably less than an hour.
Even though my Ford Ranger was more than equipped to tow, I had an aftermarket tranny cooler installed as well. For the minimal cost, and John is right, it's a cheap piece of mind.
As for voiding your warranty, call your service department manager or find out who the regional/district manager would be and ask them.
I dealt with all warranty submissions when I worked Parts & Service Dept of a Suzuki (auto) dealership. I never came across that issue.
[quote author=Steve A link=topic=1688.msg13987#msg13987 date=1338832822]...
As for voiding your warranty, call your service department manager or find out who the regional/district manager would be and ask them.
I dealt with all warranty submissions when I worked Parts & Service Dept of a Suzuki (auto) dealership. I never came across that issue.
A properly installed tranny cooler should not have any effect on warranty. I worked in Dodge dealerships years ago and also never came across that being an issue.
John
I tow my 1500# pup with my 4cyl Tacoma without a tranny cooler. Granted I do have a higher tow rating than you at 3000#'s.
I did read a story once about how adding a tranny cooler voided the warranty so be sure to check on that. I would contact Corporate Subaru, not just the dealership, and save that email/letter.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
Which is why I said...
[quote author=Steve A]
...or find out who the regional/district manager would be and ask them.
The regional manager is the first person to be able to authorize work not normally covered under warranty. If you have an okay or thumbs up from them, you've got your bases covered.
It isn't as through you're altering the vehicle to make it sleeker, haul a55, or do things it wasn't intended to do. You are trying to "assist" the vehicle to better complete its mission of towing.
I agree with contacting them, but do NOT tell them it is for towing !!
I would suggest using the reasons that you plan on traveling, and going over/through high and low altitude highways with steep grade changes up and down hill, ( like the carolinas, upstate NY, mid atlantic states) and it increases the chance of early/premature failure.
Explain that you are doing them a favor by adding PREVENTATIVE measures to decrease your chance of having to call in on the warranty !
Marcie, I asked on another site your question. Here's a tech's answer:
Not if it was installed at the dealership using approved parts ,biggest thing with warranty is to be able to prove service with receipts . Should something fail you must be able to show you followed any and all service intervals , weather it was by time or mileage . All accessories must be approved is the line they stick to ,and what mood the dealer is in and if you are a regular customer .Trust me on that one if you have never been to the dealership they are not always going to go the extra mile to help out you will be told you voided the terms...
If your service department can do it, I suggest that's the route you want to go.
Adding anything to your TV in a approved manner with parts that meet or exceed Manufacture specification in a shop that is properly register, qualified, trained and authorized to do such work will NOT void your warranty. Does not need to be your dealer you bought the TV from. However you do have to keep all records.
The place I bought a NEW trailer from (some years ago) - installed my cooler, hitch and wiring into my one year old Dodge that was still under warranty - asked Dodge dealer when I next had it serviced to inspect it and they were okay with it. (they added an extra strap some where as they thought it might need it - N/C)
Just remember that it has to be done in a fully qualified shop. Which is hard to tell outside of the New Car Dealer network.
Bottom line here , cheap INS. !! I live in the mountains of Pa. with a jeep grand cherokee , it has a over heat light for the tranny , the oil pan for the engine holds 6 quarts too so you would think I'm all set but on the other hand look at it this way , $3,000 for a new tranny or $50.00 for a tranyy cooler , no brainer here !!! I installed a tranny cooler ..........
any extra cooling for your tranny is a good idea. Heat is the main cause of transmission failure.
Your car dealer usually will not instal them. Towing is usually not reccomended on anything. But yes have a transmission cooler installed.
Any shop (besides a car dealer) will usually install them. Transmission shops, Radiator shops, RV dealers install them everyday.
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