Driving a hot car can be dangerous and uncomfortable, but if your car’s transmission starts to heat up, you must stop driving. However, the question may arise: How long does it take for transmission to cool down, and when can you start driving? There are factors that you may know when your transmission is heating and all the steps that you must take.
How Long Does it Take for Car Transmission to Cool Down Overheating?
However, overheating the car transmission can be painful and cause various issues. A low coolant level can cause it, as well as a lack of airflow or a problem with the cooling system. Thus, the maximum time for the transmission to cool down is depending on how hot the machine is and when you address the problem.
Therefore, when your car engine starts to overheat, you must immediately turn it off and let it cool down. Some factors that affect the cooling down of the transmission are outdoor temperature and humidity levels. It may take approximately 10 to 30 minutes.
Different Factors to Cool Down the Transmission
- It all depends on the vehicle type to cool down the overheating transmission. However, better-insulated cars will cool down faster than those without one.
- The outside temperature also affects the inside temperature of the car. Therefore, it might take one hour to cool down on a summer day, whereas, in winter, the engine would take 15 to 20 minutes to cool down.
- The AC can help reduce the car’s interior temperature when you have an excellent cooling speed.
- The impact of shade will help cool down; for example, on summer days, the temperature will take a long time to cool down. But if the car is under shade, it will act as an insulator against the direct light.
Guidelines to Cool Down the Car Transmission
- The first step is to switch off the engine and wait a few minutes before opening the hood.
- Now, you can turn on your car’s heater so that heat can dissipate heat from under the hood.
- Hence, you can use a fan to create airflow within the engine compartment while you wait for the temperature to cool down.
- Ensure all the belts and hoses in the engine compartment are loose or worn out, causing more friction and heat build-up.
Why is the Car Still Overheated When the Engine is Off?
- Your car might still be heated even if you turn off your engine due to a lack of cooling time. The engine’s internal temperature might take longer to return to the average temperature.
- This can be caused when the cooling system is not working adequately, possibly because of low coolant levels.
- Suppose your car is parked in direct sunlight, contributing to the heat buildup in the engine.
- Ensure you understand the cooling system as early as possible to prevent further damage.
- You must wait up to 30 minutes for your car transmission to cool down, and then you will only start driving.
What If the Car Transmission Overheats in Traffic?
When your car transmission overheats in the middle of traffic, you must take preventive steps to cool down.
- You must turn off your hazard lights and go to the side of the road as soon as possible.
- When you cannot pull off your car aside, avoid putting strain on your engine and turn off the air conditioner, shifting it to neutral.
- After parking aside the road, open the hood, allow heat to disperse, and check for any other issues.
- When everything is fine, add water to disconnect the battery cables if required.
- Later, when you think the issue is resolved and the transmission has cooled down, you can try to turn on the car and start driving.
Warning Signs of Your Car Transmission Overheating
Burning Smell
While driving if you feel the burning smell is coming from the car, it is never a good sign. You must stop your car, as it might caused because of the overheating of the transmission.
Fluid Leak
You must regularly keep a check on your car, and if you find any fluid drips, transmission is a culprit. Thus, it is a symptom of overheating of transmission, causing a friction between the moving parts which creates heat.
Engine Temperature Getting Hot
Moreover, the engine and transmission of the car works hand in hand, and the cooling system helps to balance the temperature of both, which means if the temperature of engine is getting high, the transmission temperature is also getting hot.
Act Soon to Avoid Engine Failure
When the issue if transmission overheating happens, you must immediately call the expert to avoid further damage. You can call our toll-free number to book the consultation with our agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this can happen in cases, like when you car is parked in direct sunlight, lack of cooling system, or the airflow is not adequate. You can book our consultation to seek help from our experts.
The cooling down of the transmission depends on factors, including the vehicle type, outside temperature, and interior temperature of the car. The usual time to cool down is from 15 minutes to one hour.
If you are feeling a burning smell inside the car, found fluid leakage under the car, or temperature of the engine is getting hot. All these factors results in overheating of the car transmission.
To cool down the transmission you can turn on your car’s heater so that heat can circulate from under the hood. Else, use a fan to create airflow within the engine compartment while you wait for the temperature to cool down.
It cannot be the only reason to cause overheating, but yes if the car is already heated and on summer days, the direct sunlight can cause overheating.
