R-pod Owners Forum : newbie towing - transmission cooler? https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : newbie towing - transmission cooler? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 18:21:44 +0000 Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:55:56 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14344 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ newbie towing - transmission cooler? : I did not know about those splitters,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139417#139417 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14344
Posted: 11 Jan 2021 at 1:55pm

I did not know about those splitters, so there ya go.

What I still would be concerned about is how they communicate with the vehicle...is each connected device able to communicate properly? I guess one would find out quickly after plugging all that together.
]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:55:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139417#139417 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : It is possible to get a Y cable... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139411#139411 Author: StephenH
Subject: 14344
Posted: 10 Jan 2021 at 10:05pm

It is possible to get a Y cable to share the OBDII port. Look for an OBDII Splitter.]]> Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:05:21 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139411#139411 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : Thanks to all who posted replies... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139376#139376 Author: Jeremy Skinner
Subject: 14344
Posted: 10 Jan 2021 at 12:12am

Thanks to all who posted replies to my inquiry.  Very helpful!  I'll look into what my current trans cooling setup is and also into scanguage.  Thanks again!

Jeremy Skinner
]]> Sun, 10 Jan 2021 00:12:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139376#139376 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : I've used scangauge for... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139369#139369 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14344
Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 4:29pm

I've used scangauge for years and they will show a variety of information that may or may not be displayed on the factory gauges.

Things like instantaneous and average MPG, horsepower being used, exhaust temps, coolant temp, torque converter slip, engine RPM, transmission temps, oil temp and pressure, fuel pressure, error codes, yadda yadda yadda....if you are towing, I highly recommend them. 

Please be aware that they attach at the OBD2 port near your steering wheel, plug and play, BUT if you are already plugging something else in that port, like an insurance device or alarm or dashcam, then you are out of luck. 
]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2021 16:29:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139369#139369 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : Check out a ScanGauge II. You... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139366#139366 Author: Colt
Subject: 14344
Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 1:17pm

Check out a ScanGauge II.  You can buy them on Amazon, too.

https://www.scangauge.com/

It has X-codes for Kia that will show Transmission Fluid Temp.  You can monitor the temp and slow down or stop when the temp reaches your personal limit.  That should allay many fears.  I use one.  My TFT has never gone over 215F. 
]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2021 13:17:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139366#139366 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : You don’t say what year your... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139364#139364 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14344
Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 10:48am

You don’t say what year your Kia is, but it is going to already have a trans cooler, they don’t cool themselves. The trans cooler is typically integrated into the radiator. If there isn’t a skid plate or something blocking your view you should be able to see two lines from the trans entering and exiting the bottom of the radiator. These lines are metal tubes, much smaller than the rubber coolant hoses from the engine, easy to spot.

So the question is going to be if the OE trans cooling capacity is adequate for towing or not, in which case adding an aftermarket trans cooler somewhere might be a good idea. That is going to depend on where and how you operate the rig. I’d suggest checking on the Sorento forums for that kind of info as well as what and where the aftermarket cooler was added if it was needed.]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2021 10:48:25 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139364#139364 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : You should check to see if your... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139363#139363 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 14344
Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 10:25am

You should check to see if your transmission is already plumbed for cooling. Many vehicles have lines running from the transmission to the engine radiator. It's not much, but it does provide a base level of "cooling" for the transmission, as the coolant in the radiator should generally be at a bit lower temperature than the transmission fluid.]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2021 10:25:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139363#139363 newbie towing - transmission cooler? : Hi Folks-My wife and I just purchased... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139360#139360 Author: Jeremy Skinner
Subject: 14344
Posted: 09 Jan 2021 at 9:25am

Hi Folks-

My wife and I just purchased a 2021 171.  I have to admit I'm a bit freaked out by the towing, specifically wear and tear on the car.  We had an Odyssey which was rated for 3500 lbs but decided to upgrade to a Kia Sorrento V6 AWD which is rated for 5000 lbs.  We are set up with an Anderson weight distribution/anti-sway hitch.   I asked the RV dealer about a transmission cooler and he did not recommend, saying we should be fine if the vehicle is rated for 5000 lbs.  

I'd like some other advice.  Everything I've heard is that towing is really hard on automatic transmissions, and I felt pretty anxious about wrecking my new car on the way home.  I called the KIA dealer to ask about a "tow package" and the only thing they had was a hitch receiver.

Your input would be much appreciated.

Jeremy Skinner  
]]> Sat, 09 Jan 2021 09:25:44 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14344&PID=139360#139360