I have heard of folks blowing their trannys pulling in overdrive. knowing that what is the correct method for towing ? 3rd gear, never letting it go into overdrive?

That sucks fuel.... is there a better way??

I am just gunshy of this 700 r since the seal blow out!!

As far as Ive heard its because people let it constantly shift in and out of overdrive. I tow in OD almost always and never have a problem. if there is traffic behind me, or going really heavy id start in third and get her up to speed then shift into OD. if theres a nice hill coming, id downshift into third to keep constant gear and rpms, instead of letting it up and downshift a bunch of times. if no traiffic, sometimes I start in OD selection and let her do her thing.

have 2 trucks here with 6.2's and 700r4's, never really had a problem at all with towing in OD specifically.
anyone else?

Also while we are on the topic, What kind of fuel mileage do you get towing.

I hadn't even thought about it, My rear bump is rated at 4000 pound pull load. Guess I am going to have to invest in a reciever. The jeep weiths 3700 and I know thee trailer is heavier than 300 lbs.

If you are going to tow anything at all (and I mean anything) with a 700r4, invest in a tranny tempearature gauge.... will be the best money you ever spend!! as it will help keep you from killing your tranny. Biggest failure in an auto tranny is fluid overheating. Also put an external cooler in your truck to help keep it cool.

The 700R4 can be destroyed by running, or towing, when the TCC is unlocked - this creates unmanageable fluid temperatures.

Towing in o\d is not always possible, due to weight and terrain, but manual downshifting to 3rd, with TCC locked, does the trick.

TCC unlocks anytime you let off the pedal, and anytime the brake is tapped - this can damage the 700R4, as well as the 4L80E, when towing heavily loaded.

Lock it and save it...........

GMCTD, how right you are! A GM Hydramatic Field Service Team visited my dealership in the '80's and said it this way. "Fluid temps are the life and longevity of a transmission." They explained that the service interval of a trans is based on temps as well as mileage. The fluid breaks down under load and heat. If the fluid temp runs 180 to 195 degrees, it can last up to 100,000 miles. (taking into consideration, all the other factors) If the operating temp goes up to 200+ degrees, life span is about 30,000 miles. If it sustains temps in the 220 degree range, the fluid is breaking down in as few as 12,000 miles. That's where the owners manuals used to tell us to change it if the truck was operated in high temperatures or heavy load/towing conditions.

I've seen test data on high stall race convertors that show temps rise at a rate of 100 degrees per second at stall speed. That's why drag racers don't like to see a lot of time lapse after they are staged and "up on the convertor" before the starter activates the starting light system.

I removed a convertor from a 1/2T 2WD pickup that turned blue from heat when the TCC plug came off the trans while towing a travel trailer. Not Good!

Already got a external tranny cooler. so whats the optimal operating temp range for the 700R4, towing or otherwise? I see how it affects fluid, but there must be a magical number to keep it under.

Years ago, before the emissions regs got tough, GM recommended trans temps in the 190 - 200 degree range when towing. Don't know what the latest info says.

I do know that you can run them too cold. The fluid doesn't provide proper clutch action if it's too cold. That's why the run the factory cooler through the radiator...to speed up the warmup of the fluid. If the T-stat is 195 degrees, the trans temps will be somewhere near that as the coolant temps pass over the trans cooler and add/take away heat as needed.

The newer additive packages in the latest/greatest trans fluids probably take into account that late model engines are designed to run hotter and are made to help the trans survive increases in operating temperature.

try to stay under 200*f every 25*over that cuts your fluid life in 1/2 this according to amsoil