What Do Class Ratings for Transmission Coolers Mean

Updated 01/14/2021 | Published 03/06/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(886)

$112.40

Derale Snap-In Radiator Adapter Fitting for GM

(275)

$16.69

Question:

How does your class system actually work? Is class 1 the best or the worst? And what Is the absolute best style of cooler?

asked by: Dean C

Expert Reply:

Transmission coolers like the Derale # D13503 that fits your 2013 Chevrolet Silverado with 4.8L V8 engine using adapter # D13035 are given a class rating to help customers select one. Because we are in the towing industry, our customers are used to seeing Class ratings on their trailer hitches, so this is an easy way to alert the customer as to which cooler is the most efficient for their towing needs. Therefore we use the Class rating to let customers know that if they have a Class II hitch on their vehicle, then a Class II cooler should be sufficient, but they can always use a larger cooler for more cooling if they like.

The linked articles on transmission coolers will give you plenty of good background on how they work and how best to install one. The best one to use is the largest one that will fit in your available mounting location.

expert reply by: Adam R

Doug Y.

1/10/2021

Hello. Looking at my radiator for my 2016 Honda Pilot it appear that the fins are spaced to narrow to allow the use of the mounting pins. Is there another way to mount? I don't want to mount behind the bumber as this decreases the efficiency of the cooler. Also is a class lll more efficient than a class l cooler. Thanks

Jon G.

1/14/2021

A Class III cooler will provide more cooling than a Class I - yes. As far as mounting goes, if you don't have enough room for this cooler then you may need to look into a different cooler or a different mounting location like you mentioned. Sometimes you might not be able to physically fit it in the most ideal place so in that case you mount it in the next best place (see attached helpful article).

Helpful Links

faq-about-engine-transmission-coolers.aspx