|
Re: transmission heating in rodeo 2001
You're gonna want to ALWAYS manually downshift this tranny if you're hauling a load over 2,000 lbs; especially in the hills (any kind of hill really) the *engine* was designed for this kind of load, the *tranny* is not.
The GM 4L30-E tranny's in these trucks are underbuilt for what the engine can do; it is best to baby this tranny if you will, rather then leave it in overdrive (hunting between 3-4th gears).
My 97 regularly towed a 4,000lb trailer for a great portion of it's life, I have just in the last year retired it from towing anything over 1,000# primarily because I now have a bigger truck, and I've had good luck with my original transmission in this rodeo, and at nearly 175k miles, I don't want to push it.
However, I am NOT saying this truck can't do it, just make sure the minute that trailer leaves your yard, that tranny's in 3rd - always! Only exception to this is complete flat-land driving, where 65mph comes easy, but I do NOT recommend going faster the 55-60mph with this kind of load.
The truck can *pull* it, but if you were caught in a cross-wind, and or had to stop immediately - forget it! Won't happen.
I highly recommend doing several drain/refills on that transmission over the next 1k miles to get all of the burnt fluid out - it will not last long with burnt fluid staying in it, so do as LITTLE as driving as possible until at least 50% of the fluid is swapped.
You can replace up to 3.5 qts in one drain/refill procedure; I recommend doing at least 3 times in less than 2k miles. And do not tow that trailer again until new fluid is put in, or you risk loosing it.
FWIW - I myself have never installed an aftermarket transmission cooler, but I do perform partial ATF fluid changes every 15k miles, and, with living in the Rocky mountain region, the truck stays in 3rd whenever a trailer's hooked to it.
Also, try not to gun that truck up a hill with a load, sit back a bit, and allow it to climb at a moderate pace - basically, expect the drive to take longer then you would otherwise expect without a trailer or a smaller trailer.
I for one, can make it to Vegas, NV climbing over I-70 with a loaded Rodeo in say 8-10hrs, stopping only for quick food and bathroom; traveling that same highway with the heavy trailer, it can take 13-15hrs depending.
|
