Would a Transmission Cooler Help a 2009 Dodge Caliber that Whines After Warming Up on Hills

Updated 08/25/2014 | Published 08/23/2014

Question:

how well do these work? transmission on my caliber will make a whining noise after driving a little while. Whining occurs when going up a grade and engine is pulling.once over the grade then the whining will basically stop until going up another hiil or grade. will these coolers help a lot or is this just a bad transmission like others say thanks

asked by: Danny H

Expert Reply:

Transmission coolers do an excellent job keeping the transmission fluid cool to prevent damage from happening, but if your transmission already has problems it won't fix the issue.

Your best option would be to take your vehicle to a qualified transmission repair shop and let them diagnose the noise your vehicle has. Once the problem is addressed I would then recommend installing a transmission cooler to prevent future problems as heat is the number one killer of transmissions.

The part # D15902 that you referenced would be an excellent choice for a transmission cooler as long as you have room for it in front of your radiator. This cooler measures 17" Wide x 12-1/2" tall x 3/4" deep. However, your vehicle has a CVT transmission so you may not be able to install a transmission cooler. You would need to consult your local Dodge dealer for info on if this is possible.

I attached an install video, installation instructions and an FAQ article on transmission coolers for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jameson C