"Tow/Haul" Mode in Cold Weather

[MontanaHandyman]

I've got a 2014 5.7 hemi with the 8 speed... aside from letting my truck warm up forever when it's really cold (can easily be below zero here in Montana), is it easier on the tranny to run it in tow/haul mode until everything warms up, or just run it in normal mode...or does it even make a difference? When it drops into the teens or below, I plug it in, and if it's super cold I throw on a magnetic heater on the engine oil pan...is there such a thing for the tranny? I notice a huge difference in how it shifts cold vs. warm. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[pacofortacos]

Does the 8 speed circulate the trans fluid in Park? Many trans do not circulate the fluid while in park.

Since you are plugging it in, the warm coolant should help warm the trans up fairly quickly with just normal driving.
The trans pan (stock) is plastic and finned so it would be hard to use a stick on - but you might be able to use an external heater (even magnetic) if you made a bracket or something to hold it against the pan.

I think the aftermarket replacement pan is metal - not sure if aluminum or steel though and finned or not.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Idling for a long time cold is the worst condition for wear and oil contamination. After a minute at most I am generally rolling. Which not to say there’s anything wrong with using remote start and / or a long warmup for those who prioritize comfort over longevity.

Automatics of any stripe change shift characteristics cold to warm, but it’s more noticeable in newer electronic control trans because it has a temperature sensor and the computer is programmed by the trans designers to react to temperature. So just drive it. That’s the best way to warm it up, and the difference in shifting isn’t causing any premature wear or problems. It’s intentional. I have full confidence the people at ZF know how to design for cold weather.

I do, as a rule, drive gently until all the fluids are up to operating temperature. That’s when all the parts are expanded to nominal size and fluids are at the desired viscosity.

 

[Rlaf75]

I wouldnt worry too much about it. Let it warm up a few minutes and drive easy until the truck is at operating temperature. I'm in New England and it can get just as cold as Montana at times. I get out of work at 1am so its basically the coldest part of the day. I remote start my truck and let it run for 5 or 10 minutes while im waiting to punch out. That's usually enough time to defrost the windows and make it comfortable inside the cab and gives the engine a chance to warm up. Not that I'm hard on the truck but I take it easy driving home so the transmission doesn't get beat up. I never had a problem with my routine

 

[Tim7139]

is it easier on the tranny to run it in tow/haul mode until everything warms up, or just run it in normal mode.

Run it in normal mode. Tow haul will not heat it up any faster, and the harder shifts and relaxation of wheel torque limiters lead to more wheel spin.

 

[Tim7139]

if it's super cold I throw on a magnetic heater on the engine oil pan...is there such a thing for the tranny?

Most magnetic heaters list they can be used for oil pans or transition pans. In very cold weather you can throw them on the rear diff too. I personally see little point with transmission or rear diff heaters above -40, and below that you're likely better off with other options as your dealing with brake fluid and mechanical issues.

Coolant will warm up your transmission fluid, so plugging in your block heater and driving soon after starting to get the engine up to temp will be your best option to get the tras up to temp. Letting it idle keeps it below operating temp longer so you get more wear and condensation in your fluids you need to burn off.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Most magnetic heaters list they can be used for oil pans or transition pans. In very cold weather you can throw them on the rear diff too. I personally see little point with transmission or rear diff heaters above -40, and below that you're likely better off with other options as your dealing with brake fluid and mechanical issues.

Coolant will warm up your transmission fluid, so plugging in your block heater and driving soon after starting to get the engine up to temp will be your best option to get the tras up to temp. Letting it idle keeps it below operating temp longer so you get more wear and condensation in your fluids you need to burn off.

Thanks for your tips!

 

[bcbouy]

i live in central British Columbia.bone chilling/it's effing cold is a normal winter day here.i just plug in my block heater around mid oct and unplug it in mid april.i've never had cold weather( -40c ) trans issues.i just drive it like normal.

 

[Arctic Flyers Fan]

Never had a issue in the cold. It's -30c today even.

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I've got a 2014 5.7 hemi with the 8 speed... aside from letting my truck warm up forever when it's really cold (can easily be below zero here in Montana), is it easier on the tranny to run it in tow/haul mode until everything warms up, or just run it in normal mode...or does it even make a difference? When it drops into the teens or below, I plug it in, and if it's super cold I throw on a magnetic heater on the engine oil pan...is there such a thing for the tranny? I notice a huge difference in how it shifts cold vs. warm. Any advice is appreciated!

Op,

I live in MT and only just plug in when it's cold. I don't use tow haul but do manually select th gear using the buttons on the steering wheel.

I usually set the selection on 6 vs 8 as the truck tends to warm up quicker when staying in lower gears.

I find no decline in fuel economy and find th truck performance is not affected.

Your active grill shutters will help on warm up.

No other activities and no. Excessive idling

Hope this helps.

 

[Dean2]

Been running pickups in -40 to -50 for years. Plug in the block heater, also have a 120 volt in car warmer so I don't have to scrape the windows and also have an cab that is above freezing from the get go. This allows me to start the truck, let it idle about 30 seconds, then put it into gear and start GENTLY driving. I too hold the gears down to get about 2000 rpm before up-shifting on a gas job. Your vehicle will warm up much faster under gentle power, far better on the fluids and all moving parts. The big key is Gentle on throttle, brakes, rpm etc.

Heater is called a Little Buddy in Car Warmer - made by Zerostart.

 

[Nicholas Cove]

Run it in normal mode. Tow haul will not heat it up any faster, and the harder shifts and relaxation of wheel torque limiters lead to more wheel spin.

Exactly. Tow mode will crank up max line pressure.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Gets to -40 on a regular during winters here. No issues, all I did was add a NOCO battery tender and spliced it in with my Block heater.

 

[MontanaHandyman]

Op,

I live in MT and only just plug in when it's cold. I don't use tow haul but do manually select th gear using the buttons on the steering wheel.

I usually set the selection on 6 vs 8 as the truck tends to warm up quicker when staying in lower gears.

I find no decline in fuel economy and find th truck performance is not affected.

Your active grill shutters will help on warm up.

No other activities and no. Excessive idling

Hope this helps.

Thanks...lot's of great advice from y'all!

 

[Wild one]

After spending a few years in the oil and gas industry,i'm not so sure you need to be easy on the tranny or driveline even when it's -40,lol. One thing that was common in that game was the young guys jumping in a company truck,starting it,and then it was foot to the floor leaving the lease,lol.Things warmed up at 5,000 rpm with the snow flying as they left,lol.

 

[Dean2]

After spending a few years in the oil and gas industry,i'm not so sure you need to be easy on the tranny or driveline even when it's -40,lol. One thing that was common in that game was the young guys jumping in a company truck,starting it,and then it was foot to the floor leaving the lease,lol.Things warmed up at 5,000 rpm with the snow flying as they left,lol.

Saw it lots too. That said, trucks driven that way sure didn't go 300, 000 miles on the original motor and tranny. Mine always have. Even when I was young and driving company trucks I just could not bring myself to abuse them like that, and I really like driving fast. When we left a work site I was always the first guy at the restaurant or camp because I could make a truck do stuff on bad roads the others couldn't. Starting out a hair gentler didn't change the final outcome after 80 miles of bad road.

 

[Wild one]

Saw it lots too. That said, trucks driven that way sure didn't go 300, 000 miles on the original motor and tranny. Mine always have. Even when I was young and driving company trucks I just could not bring myself to abuse them like that, and I really like driving fast. When we left a work site I was always the first guy at the restaurant or camp because I could make a truck do stuff on bad roads the others couldn't. Starting out a hair gentler didn't change the final outcome after 80 miles of bad road.

Alot of the lease trucks have more air time then drive time,lol.But your right most of them don't make it 300,000 clics,not saying anything,but i think your claim of 300,000 miles unless it's a Cummins is a bit far fetched for anything gas powered in Canada.I'd have to see these gas powered toys you're talking about with a 1/2 million kilometers on them,before i'd take your word Dean,lol