For авто enthusiasts diving into DIY maintenance, monitoring your vehicle’s vital statistics is crucial. When it comes to automatic transmissions, fluid temperature is a key metric, especially when performing tasks like fluid changes. The challenge arises when direct temperature readings are not readily available through standard OBD2 tools. This article explores a practical workaround using drive time estimation, as faced by a 2nd gen GR86 owner attempting to check their automatic transmission fluid level.
Initially, the goal was straightforward: use an OBD2 scanner to read the transmission fluid temperature. Like many, the natural first step was to connect an OBD2 tool, hoping for a direct temperature readout. The popular Scangauge 2, known for its ability to display transmission temperature on previous generation models, was employed. However, the attempt hit a roadblock: the PID (Parameter ID) used for older models didn’t function on the newer 2nd gen GR86 automatic transmission. Extensive searching for the correct 2nd gen PID proved fruitless, highlighting a common frustration for owners of newer vehicles where diagnostic information isn’t always readily available or documented.
Faced with the inability to get a direct temperature reading via OBD2, a resourceful alternative was needed. The solution turned to estimating fluid temperature based on drive time and ambient conditions. Leveraging data points from other owners who had successfully monitored their transmission temperatures, a correlation between drive time and temperature increase was established. Previous reports indicated approximate temperature increases per minute under specific ambient conditions. By noting the ambient temperature (around 90F on this particular day) and considering the car had been briefly run, a timed idling period was calculated – in this case, four minutes. This estimated idling time was intended to bring the transmission fluid to the correct temperature range for checking the fluid level via the overflow plug method.
This method, while not as precise as a direct OBD2 reading, offers a practical approach when direct data is unavailable. It relies on estimations and prior observations, acknowledging that temperature increase isn’t linear and is influenced by various factors. By carefully considering ambient temperature, initial engine state, and available data points on temperature-time correlations, a reasonably informed estimation can be made. While this method allowed for a fluid level check to be performed, it underscores the desirability of direct temperature monitoring.
In conclusion, while ideally, an OBD2 scanner would provide a direct and accurate transmission fluid temperature reading, the reality for some newer vehicles is that the necessary PIDs may not be readily accessible. In such situations, drive time estimation, based on available data and careful consideration of environmental factors, can serve as a viable workaround. However, it reinforces the ongoing need for comprehensive OBD2 parameter availability and community-sourced information to enhance DIY automotive maintenance for enthusiasts.
