If you see the “AT OIL TEMP” light come on in the dash, that’s telling you your automatic transmission fluid temperature is too hot. Hanson Subaru recommends pulling over and parking the vehicle in a safe place immediately. Allow the engine to idle while the transmission cools down and let this light turn itself off.
A quality conventional motor oil will tolerate oil sump temperatures of up to 250 degrees, but starts breaking down over 275 degrees. The traditional approach is to try to hold oil temperatures between 230 and 260 degrees.
What do I do if my transmission temperature light comes on?
If you see this red light come on in your car, you should first pull over to allow your transmission to cool. If not, you could cause expensive transmission damage. Then, as soon as you can, bring your car in to have it serviced immediately.
What should I do if my oil temperature is high?
Bring your car in for service to determine whether you need more oil or a different type of oil, and to make sure your engine hasn’t been damaged from the hot oil temperature.
What does the AT oil Temp light mean? – Related Questions
What is the common cause of high oil temperature?
The most common cause of excessive oil temperature is a blockage in the oil galleries in the oil cooler. If the oil cooler isn’t working properly the oil will not be cooled to normal temperatures. Usually, but not always, a restriction in the oil cooler will not cause low oil pressure in the engine.
How do I know if my oil temperature sensor is bad?
One way to know your oil temperature sensor is failing is if you get false readings due to the electrical signal output by the temperature sensor. These are indicated by the temperature gauge going from cool to hot in one minute.
How do I keep the oil temperature down in my car?
Water is what the motor uses to keep temps down. Increase the capacity of the cooling system with a larger radiator and your high oil temp issues will go away. This will be the ‘best’ way to reduce the resultant high oil temps.
Get the approach right the first time – you may not have an engine for a go-around. There is a noteworthy pattern here: Low oil pressure or high oil temperature will eventually result in a high oil temperature combined with low oil pressure, and that’s the really bad one.
What causes oil pressure to run high?
The most common causes of high oil pressure are a cold engine, the wrong type of motor oil, or a faulty oil pressure sensor. It could also be caused by a faulty relief valve in the oil pump or a damaged oil filter. While these are some of the symptoms, it’s not all of them!
Is engine oil hot after driving?
The engine oil temperature may rise up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 120 degrees Celsius. If you measure the engine oil immediately after driving the car and fill it to the maximum level, it will be over the maximum level when the engine oil is cold and poured into the oil pan.
How long does it take for engine oil to cool?
Turn off the engine and wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool down. Manufacturers used to recommend that you check your oil when the engine was cold, to give the oil a chance to settle in the oil pan.
How long does it take for an engine to cool down to change oil?
If the vehicle has been driven, open the hood to let air circulate and let the car sit for 20-30 minutes before draining the oil.
Adding oil to the car engine when it is cold will not cause any problems. It is an excellent way to avoid any burns. If you want to change the oil, though, you will face trouble draining it because it will be too thick. It is best to change the oil when the vehicle engine is not at extreme temperatures.
How long does it take for engine oil to warm up?
Thirty seconds is usually long enough for most cars to get their oil flowing properly before take-off. Your car will continue to heat up and do so faster after you’ve begun driving.
What happens if you mix 5W30 and 0W20?
5W30 has a regular variant which is not suitable for the synthetic variants of 0W20 oil. Mixing contrasting variants could harm the engine in the long run and could even render the warranty of your car invalid.
Can you mix synthetic oil with regular oil?
So, can you mix synthetic oil with regular oil? Yes.If it’s something you do only occasionally, mixing shouldn’t damage your engine. Let’s say you want to top off your oil, just to keep you rolling until your next regularly scheduled maintenance check.
What are the disadvantages of synthetic oil?
A few disadvantages of synthetic oil to be aware of include: Probably the most glaring downside of synthetic oil is the cost. The price of synthetic oil is around two to four times the price of conventional oil. Synthetics may be more prone to additives precipitation during cold storage conditions.
Will thicker oil raise oil pressure?
Can you switch back and forth between synthetic and regular oil?
Synthetic oils typically provide better protection than conventional oils, but switching back and forth between full synthetic and conventional oil will not damage the engine.
Is High Mileage oil Really Better?
It can help reduce oil consumption, smoke, and emissions from older engines. High mileage oil also works to minimize leaks and oil seepage. While you could use high mileage oil in a younger car without harming it, the issues that high mileage oil addresses usually don’t appear in vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles.