Going very slowly with a lot of wheel slip is going to be difficult on any AWD vehicle. Lots of wheel slip leads to higher temperatures, and driving slow doesn't provide any air flow over the radiator to help in cooling.
I'm not sure what the transmission cooler has for a fan, but if you plan to do this crawl a lot, you could look into a higher CFM fan. Or just drive faster.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. Any idea if the G1 functions similarly in a slow uphill climb? I don't know if the VTM lock would make a difference with the G1's climbing ability.

 

You could add a deeper aftermarket tranny pan so that it holds more fluid for better cooling (assuming aftermarket makes them for Ridgeline/Pilot). The aftermarket pan may also conduct heat better. You know that big heatsink on your old decrepit desktop computer? Pull that and attach it to your tranny pan (don't forget the thermal grease, e.g. - Arctic Silver!).

 

No replaceable pan on a Honda that I know of. If going to drive that way often, then add a small switch controlled fan over the tranny cooler

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

https://youtu.be/p1d_ptE6yrc DJI Mavic Pro. WOW!

 

You are the "I like turtles" guy right?

 

redman7.0, what does that have to do with trannys?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

nothing. ban him

 

Curious---did you let air out of tires? What offload setting did you have it on?
Thanks

 

No I didn't let any air out of the tires, and I didn't change the offroad settings. It was my second time on the trail, and last time I used sand mode. It climbs like a beast in sand mode, but the road is such that it wasn't really needed. I was just testing to see if there would be a difference and there definitely was. More responsive, and felt like more torque.

 

My transmission didn't overheat, but there was definitely a distinctive burning smell when we reached the top….

Was the odor stronger around the transmission, or around the rear differential? Was "AWD" flashing on the dash?

 

i have a brand new 2018 Ridgeline with a tow package that i purchased in December last year. Recently i took a long road trip towing a camper that weighed well under the trucks advertised towing capacity, and i kept having an issue of the transmission overheating light coming on every few hundred miles.I would pull over for 20 or 30 minutes too let it cool down and the light would go away. After about the forth or fifth time i decided to take it to the nearest Honda dealer to have looked at, and they came up with nothing so they did a quick fluids change and sent me on my way. All seem good for the next couple thousand miles till the light started coming on again another 6 or 7 times. By this time i was almost home and decided to take it to my local dealer to have it checked. Again they found nothing except that the fluid was a little burnt so they did another change. i don't know a lot about cars so im here seeing if anyone is having a similar issue or know of anything else i can have checked to make sure my transmission doesn't fail going down the road.The dealer is refusing to look into it an further unless i can show the better evidence of the issue.

 

Based on the description of the trailer you're towing, there should be no reason for the AT idiot light to illuminate, especially when cruising along relatively flat road at of near freeway speeds. Airflow alone should be sufficient to cool tranny fluid. And fluid "burnt", no way that should happen.

How certain are you the trailer and all the stuff in it was less than tow capacity? What about stuff in the bed? Was the total load under spec?

Couple thoughts. Dealers can be real dicks about stuff like this. One thing you could do is hook the trailer up and go to a weigh station, get a print out of the results and keep it handy. You could go one step further by purchasing an inexpensive bluetooth OBD streamer and using the Torue app to log vehicle sensors.

This is a screen shot of a Torque dash board I use in a 2013 Crosstour.

I assume the Gen2 Ridge is using the same PID library as the Crosstour, which would mean you can not only view trans fluid temp in real time, you could also log it and print out the results for the dickhead at the dealer. Showing them a weight ticket and a record of vehicle temps while towing the trailer might be convincing evidence the issue actually exists.

Having said all that, if the gross vehicle weight is under max rating and you are having AT overheat issues and fluids are correct, its unlikely they'll be willing go go way into the fluid thermal management system.

The short story is: trans fluid passes from the trans thru a heat exchanger inside the bottom of the radiator. From there, fluid routes to an cooler mounted in front of the radiator. Short of there being blockage somewhere in the fluid circuit, or poor fluid pressure at the output of the trans, there isn't much to debug.

This is a diagram of the cooling system in the Gen1 Ridge. Believe it or not, its exactly the same in the Gen2. Good luck

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=379702

 

That is surprising but knowing that the first year 17' release had an issue with a magazine overheating it on a trail I'm not surprised really. At the same time I know on mine I have my doubts about the capacity of the transmission cooling system in hot weather. I think the rest of the year it's not a problem but when it's hitting 90+ out even without a trailer I get the feeling of cooking the transmission. Especially the fluid. It would be nice if there was a optional add on Rad for the tranny that would help it out more like they have for our Cadillac SRX with a tow package upgrade. I'm feeling that this would be a good idea on the RL as well. Anyone from Honda on here have any input on this ? I'd like to keep it cool!

Steve

 

Maybe adding a larger transmission cooler might help. There was a thread about adding or installing a larger transmission cooler. For some reason I can turn this into a link
But if you search for the following: 2017 Ridgeline transmission cooler
It should come up.

 

Agreed, a larger or secondary air-to-oil cooler would likely help or even solve the OP issue. Still, the question is, if the vehicle is being used within design specifications, why is the trans overheating?

Warranty might be a future problem under the modification clause. I'm only guessing at that.

 

Seems to me changing burnt fluid is proof enough..
Of course we say change, but im sure some are thinking...its not a change its a drop and fill whick is only partially changing fluid. If it was mine and new i would demand multiple changes until burnt fluid gone or honda recommended way..dont care..its warranty and burnt fluid is still in my new car..id be pissed

 

@nanjim please confirm that your 2018 RL has AWD? I think the 2017 had a TSB relating to burnt ATF. Rather embarrassing especially with the extra k we are charged for the HD transmission cooler. Please keep us updated.

 

Seems strange to make a first post with a problem like this and never bother to log in again.

 

I'm a member of several forums and see it all the time. Sometimes these posts are legitimate and the poster had the issue resolved or no longer has the vehicle and didn't bother to follow up. Sometimes its just a "troll".

 

https://www.cheaperhondaparts.com/a...rim/6-speed-automatic-engine/electrical-exhaust-heater-fuel-cat/atf-cooler-scat

 

I have a 2017 REL-E with AWD, towing rating of 5k, etc. I tow a camper with that is 3700 pounds dry. I weighed it one time loaded and was 4600 lbs, so I have tried to lighten it a bit by keeping the tanks dry while towing. Once in the Ozark Mountains and twice on straight flat highways the transmission overheat light has come on, and I too had to sit 20 minutes for it to go out. I was towing at 65 mph in 90 degree weather. I would like to add an additional trans. cooler, but am unable to do it myself. I have a mechanic who would add it if I provide what is necessary.

 

There is a thread in here somewhere about a larger transmission cooler. If I find it, I’ll post it’s address.

Edit: Here is one of the threads.

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...-performance-parts-modifications/214696-transmission-cooler-direction-flow.html

And the other thread.

https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com...-performance-parts-modifications/200578-2017-ridgeline-transmission-cooler.html

 

Still bugs me that a cooler mod might be necessary when towing within the design limits. That just sits crossways with me.

 

It bothers me too. I haven’t towed anything, I hope it works ok if I need to.

 

Seems like there was also a suggestion that Honda had made an effort in late 2017 or 2018 to reprogram how the transmission cooler functioned in order to increase its effectiveness? zroger?

 

TSB 17-025 which addressed a transmission judder issue in some 2017 models included a software update "...to maintain the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range under all driving conditions..." As far as I know, this was rolled into later 2017 and all 2018 and newer models.

 

I have the same exact error and my Honda Dealer told me the same thing. Nothing on the computer registered any issues with the transmission. My wife and I did a 600 mile trip a couple months later and the light came on and we decided to "drive it out" not stopping. We got all the way home and at my next Honda service date I let them know and they again said nothing.

 

Please post your year model, trim level, FWD or AWD; if towing, the total trailer weight and type; what sort of terrain and ambient temperature.

Context is everything if anyone is to learn or deduce anything from your anecdote.

 

2018 RTL-E Towing an empty flat bed trailer on the interstate in light traffic in Florida on a Sunday. Cruise was set at 75. As soon as the Transmission Too Hot indicator came on I pulled off on the next exit which was right ahead.

Temperature today is 98°F and the interstate is black top.

Still though, it's an empty 300 pound trailer. Writing this as I grab food and wait for it to cool down.

 

Well that's no good. Only 300 lbs? Shouldn't even break a sweat. I'm shopping this vehicle and I'm looking to tow about 2500 lbs at least 3000 miles a year.

 

2018 AWD RTL-T, towing a Jayco 174BH camper trailer (dry weight 3030 lb).

I've made a number of long trips with the Ridgeline/camper without any issues. Including from Houston area to Big Bend and Houston to Florida. Neither of those trips were in the summer, but it is still Texas so it's not cool.

First got a Transmission Temperature Too High warning light last July (outside temp was about 88°F, terrain was slightly hilly, highway speed). Then a couple of trips with no problems. Got it again in March (outside temp was about 80°F, terrain was slightly hilly, highway speed). Just came back from another trip this weekend and got it again (outside temp was about 84°F, terrain was slightly hilly, highway speed). This time I seem to have transmission fluid leaking. Local dealer hasn't been any help. Going to try a different one this week. Will let you know what comes of it.

FWIW, after the 1st time getting the warning I got an OBD reader and Torque Pro. I can tell you that the warning comes on when the temperature hits 302°F (150°C). Also it will stay on until the temperature drops below 266°F (130°C).

-Tim

 

To update, after I took a 30 min break and got back on the road I had no issues. It has 25k miles on it. Last September I towed a Pioneer Side by Side from Tampa to Little Rock and back with no issues.

The black top was indeed scorching. I'm not sure where the temperature sensor for the transmission is located, but I really think that it was more a sensor heating up from the scorching black top than anything else... Though maybe that's just what I'm hoping it is...

So far I love the truck, but not going to lie, the incident has dampened my faith in the platform quite a bit.

 

I'm not sure where the temperature sensor for the transmission is located, but I really think that it was more a sensor heating up from the scorching black top than anything else... Though maybe that's just what I'm hoping it is....

The transmission fluid temperature sensor is located inside the transmission fluid flow path. It does not and cannot read ambient temperature unless it falls out of the transmission and dangles in the open air at which point the transmission fluid will leak out and the vehicle will stop.

 

Now I'm no mechanic...sorry, technician...but according to the manual, the maximum speed while towing should not exceed 62mph (pg. 414). Seems like an arbitrary limit...unless that's the speed above which Honda's testing showed the transmission would start overheating. Two posts stated they were driving over this limit. Dare I say the problem seems to be somewhere between the steering wheel and the back of the driver's seat? >

 

I’m a new owner (March 2019) of lightly used 2017 Black. I’m towing a 23’ travel trailer dry weight 3750. More with our camping gear and some fluids In the tanks. Tongue wt according to the hitch drop of about 3 inches when hooked up of about 550#. Driving at 65mph in the rolling hills of Maine with air temp of 86 the ATF temp went to 214F (Bluetooth OBD2 to my iPhone) and stayed there for our 150 mile trip. Not trailering it stays about 140F on a caller day.

 

Same thing happened to me with my 2018 towing about 2200 lbs. Put trans in D4 and not further issues the whole trip!

 

These trans overtemp posts give me a negative impression of the G2's towing abilities. Are these simply anomalies?

 

I'm with you Speedlever. Although anecdotal, I don't recall reading many, if at all, Gen1 5AT overtemp issues. The extra gear in the Gen2 and the fact that it's made in North America (Gen1's 5AT was made in Japan) tells me that these transmissions are quite different from one another.

Looking at Honda's literature and press interviews, they went out of there way to say the Gen1's 5AT was beefed up saying it has "high capacity bearings, heavy-duty clutches and stronger shafts;" these "high capacity components are engineered for towing, heavy payloads and off-road use." Honda only states that the Gen2's 6AT "features reduced friction and improved lockup clutch... with a 20% wider gear ratio spread." In other words, there is no mention of beefing up the new 6AT for truck duty compared to the version used in the Pilot--unlike their statements about beefing up the suspension and I-VTM4--but they did write about beefing up the 5AT in the Gen1 for truck duty.

Given Honda's design focus for the Gen2 (more common parts with the Pilot), They may not have put any effort into improving their 6AT for truck duty, hoping it would be enough for most users. Honda went out of there way to proclaim that the Gen1 was different writing, "the engine, transmission and VTM-4 have been extensively calibrated and strengthened to meet the more rigorous demands of truck buyers including greater towing and cargo hauling duties."

None of this is evidence of anything, other than Honda did not tell the public about any modifications they may have made to their 6AT to support truck-type duties. I think the concern over transmission strength and temperature management is why Honda did not put/offer the 9AT in the Gen2, knowing that their 6AT was a stronger component, but maybe not strong enough for those of us that use our RLs as a truck (hauling, towing, off-roading).