Hey guys,

Wondering if anyone ever noticed that the cover by the shifter heats up after a period of about 30 minutes of driving. It feels warm like the transmission is really heating up down there. This used to happen all the time w/ the old Z1 fluid I had.

Strangest thing is that it went away (so did the double bump when shifting into D) but now it's coming back intermittently. I drive about 45 min to work and most of it is highway. So I am mostly in 5th and sometime 4th when I am passing. When I get to work, it would feel warm on some days.

What I've noticed is this. If I start the car, make a quick drive to pump gas or something, then turn it off and then start it again immediately or 15 minutes later and drive for 10 hours it would be COLD.

So what I am trying to understand is how does the fluid get cooled? I am driving an 06 TL. Feels as if sometimes the fluid doesn't get cool properly like some valve/solenoid doesn't open up to let the fluid out. It's very strange. Last thing I need on this baby is the tranny filter change and 4th D4 then 2qts of Racing ATF. Then she's ready for me to not touch her for a while.

Take note the next time you drive longer than 30minutes. Check to see if it's warm (it's warm even when I have the AC going with fan on "Vents" setting - this means that it gets pretty hot for it to be noticeable since the duct goes right by it to the center console for the rear vents by the floor.)

Let me know if it's city or highway or combo. Be very interested to know if it's just mine, 06 in general or all 3G.

At some point in time, I hope some of the mechanics can chime in on the housing/design of the 5AT.

 

umm the plastic pieces around the shifter? i was under the impression that it heats up because of the lights underneath the shifter. thats why mine is never warm except when my lights are on. i have never had it warm when my lights arent on. are you sure what you are experiencing is not placebo? you THINK it cooled down because of the change in atf but in reality its just from those light bulbs underneath.

btw, also the AC vents run underneath the shifter too so if ur AC is on, most of the center console will be pretty chilly, with an emphasis on the brushed aluminum/carbon fiber pieces

 

I am with you. Read my post again regarding the AC ducts.

It gets warm when the lights are off and the AC is on. No, it's not a placebo effect with the ATF. I am about facts.

 

Close your sun roof cover. we are having global warming..

 

First, the shift lever is no where near the transmission, so rule that out.

As the exhaust is routed down the middle of the car, I believe it is directly under the console, so make certain the heat shields are in place and the exhaust hasn't been damaged.

 

Hmmm. Interesting - I have to get the car on a lift now.

 

It's completely unrelated to the transmission. Trans is nowhere near the shifter. Lights, hvac, sun, ambient temp, or exhaust are the only explanations.

 

That's a very medieval way of thinking man