Transmission Cooler for 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 5.3 liter Engine

Question:

I have a 2016 Chevy Silverado 5.3 engine. I live in Pa. with its rolling hills. I tow a 5400 lb. camper loaded about 6500. As far as I can determine this truck transmission 6 speed auto has a thermostat to keep the fluid at 190 degf. If this is the case how will an additional trans cooler help? And if so what cooler would you recommend? on short distance hills I have seen 210 degfs and mostly it runs at 195 degfs. there is an OEM cooler located in the top section of the condenser coil.

asked by: Dennis K

Helpful Expert Reply:

The factory cooler of your 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 does not have a thermostat to keep the fluid at 190 degrees. That just happens to be the temperature the factory cooler keeps it at mostly since it's built into the factory radiator which does have a thermostat. What this means is that the engine's coolant thermostat is indirectly acting as a thermostat for your transmission fluid. So an aftermarket cooler will install after the factory cooler and will then do a great job keeping the temperatures lower which prolongs the life of it.

The Derale cooler part # D13504 that you referenced is exactly what I recommend for you truck. It is a very efficient cooler style (plate-fin) and is larger which helps quite a bit as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C