Transmission Cooler Recommendation for 2013 Honda Pilot

Updated 06/16/2017 | Published 06/15/2017

Question:

Thank you for answering my questions about the ATF cooler. I appreciate the time you took to do so. I have another quick question about hooking up the hoses after mounting the cooler. The video was not really clear for a DYS mechanic like me. The video mentioned finding the coolest hose coming out of the existing honda cooler and attaching it to the new cooler. If I mount the cooler sideways so that the two inlets are facing to the right looking at the car from the front. then I take the coolest hose from the existing Honda cooler and disconnect it. Then I take the new hose provided and connect it to the top inlet of the new cooler. Then I take the bottom hose from the new cooler and feed it back into the transmission. Is that correct? In other words I am only disconnecting one existing hose from the Honda at both ends coolest hose and feeding the already partially cooled ATF into the new cooler and then out and back to the transmission. This may seem elementary to you but I just want to understand the procedure correctly so I dont mess up. Thank you for your time and expertise.

asked by: Joe C

Expert Reply:

When mounting a transmission cooler you want to install it in a location that will provide it with the max air flow as possible. Typically in front of the radiator is the best as that's where the vehicle was designed to provide the most air flow. Even being near the radiator the air moving as quick as it does through the fins would prevent heat build up. Plus you have the fan pulling the air through the cooler when at slower speeds.

That being said you still can mount it away from the radiator like you described.

We installed the # D13503 on a similar 2013 Honda Pilot and it worked really well. Check out the install video I attached to see the install process.

Power steering coolers typically aren't needed in towing setups. I wouldn't recommend one for your vehicle as it most likely wouldn't really help anything.

You would not need to reprogram anything in the computer of your vehicle either after installing this.

Derale coolers like the one mentioned are made in the USA as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Joe C.

6/15/2017

Jameson C.

6/16/2017

You are absolutely correct. You would basically take the return line from the factory cooler and route it to the new cooler, and then back to the transmission. That way you get the cooling power of both coolers. You should also note that the new cooler can mount and be plumbed in any direction. You don't have to run the in side of the cooler on top and the return on bottom. It could go either direction.