Overheating is one of the leading causes of transmission failure, especially for vehicles commonly used for towing. Auxiliary transmission oil coolers are specifically designed to help vehicles cope with increased transmission oil heat caused by towing and severe driving conditions. Auxiliary coolers can be a great asset to your vehicle, but only if they're installed properly.

The following offers a few pointers you can use to successfully install your auxiliary transmission oil cooler.

Use Compression Fittings for a Secure Fit

Line failures are the most common problem with auxiliary transmission oil cooler installations. In many cases, the methods used to secure metal lines to high-temperature rubber lines aren't strong enough to keep the lines from blowing off under pressure. Transmission oil can easily cause a fire hazard if it's allowed to spill out and make contact with other heated surfaces.

When mating a rubber transmission oil line to metal, you should always use standard compression fittings to hold the rubber hose in place. These fittings are relatively easy to install; plus, they offer a more reliable way of holding these dissimilar materials together when properly clamped.

Smart Routing Saves Wear and Tear

The last place you want your hoses to go is a place where they might chafe, be burned or punctured by other components. Always properly route and secure your hoses so that they don't come into contact with hot or moving parts.

When securing the hoses with bolts and screws, make sure the fasteners do not interfere with other components. It's all too easy to drill or cut into an important component in the process of creating places to mount oil line brackets.

Pay Attention to Cooler Clearances

When installing the auxiliary transmission oil cooler, it should never be placed directly against the radiator or condenser. Bolting or zip-tying your cooler directly to critical vehicle components could cause accelerated wear and tear, plus it can also cause any number of annoying noises.

Instead, an air gap measuring 1/2 to 1 inch should always be present between it and other components. This air gap is necessary for providing the oil cooler with enough airflow to properly dissipate heat. It also prevents the cooler itself from damaging other components as well as being damaged itself.

Pay Attention to Oil Levels

Keep in mind that your auxiliary transmission oil cooler may hold an extra quart due to the increased size and capacity of the new cooler. For this reason, you'll want to keep an eye on your transmission oil levels after you've installed your new cooler.