Monitoring What Temperatures for Long Trips?

Hey All,

Doing a long trip out to the San Juans in CO from SF CA. Planning on monitoring temperatures live via a Veepeak OBD scan tool and the OBD Fusion app. on an iPad. Apart from the 2 transmission temps. engine temp. and coolant temp. what other temps. should I watch? And for anyone using Fusion do you have to program or enter formulas for this data? Or just select them off a menu in the app.?
Thanks in advance

 

Why do you need to monitor these temps? Are you planning on towing/hauling the max weight for the entire during of the trip?

 

I guess you got them all there. There others on the CATs, but not needed really. The big one is the transmission and from experience on my rig I haven't seen more than 221F going up hill with a bunch of crap in the back. I wouldn't sweet it too much if you are not towing and heavy. Good luck.

 

Wish I could monitor engine oil temp and oil pressure with my scan gauge. That's all I'm missing really.
I have it programmed for Voltage, Coolant temp, Trans pan temp and torque converter temp.

There are other useful things I used to monitor and data log on high output small turbocharged cars.
IAT, EGT, AFR (wideband 02 sensor), Injector duty cycle, fuel pressure. The list goes on.... I don't think the 4Runner even has the capability to monitor and report these accurately.

Suffice it to say for the 4Runner I think all of that is overkill. Voltage and trans temp are good to keep an eye on for long term use. Certainly not needed for most people.

 

If you ain't towing I wouldn't even worry.

 

Just drive. Runners are pretty bulletproof and will warn you if anything is getting too hot. Just control gear hunt in mountainous areas.

 

Per the expert Mr The CarCareNut your 2020 4runner has the most reliable engine out there, better than Land Cruiser 200 or GX460. So no reason to be worried.

If needed can add these relatively cheap (under 150bucks) yet the most reliable ScanGuage2 to monitor your Temps.

(I personally use.)
Scanguage 2 ( Low profile, 4 parameters in one page) - https://amzn.to/3Raudgl



Scanguage 3 (bigger one to monitor 9 parameters in one page) - https://amzn.to/3VlwRlR


Edit -
Here's a pic of mine-

 

I only measure tire temp for my AT's. I'm not max towing.

 

I think I would mount it like this: https://teamtechoffroad.com/products/scan-gauge-br-custom-housing-br-fits-toyota-4runner-10-20

 

Nothing, keep your eyes open for other hazards (drunks, cell phone users, flying truck tire, bikers doing a smash & grab while you're stopped at a red light [not a felony in CA]...).

 

That is super neat..


I have to think about it. Right now I have Amazon wireless camera as front camera down there. Mine is 2021, so don't have front (360') camera from factory.

 

I sure hope you meant 221F and not celsius, that would be 429.8 degrees F., that temperature would destroy a transmission!!

 

Must be smokin too at 221C

 

Yeah, F then. Degrees F. You guys....

 

im curious what you would do with EGT, IAT and AFR temp data driving around ? Unless you had all the electronics to and where building your own tune there is nothing you could change….


+1 to everybody else who says just drive it unless you are doing heavy towing and want to monitor trans temp. There are idiot lights that will come on if any of those other things get out of range and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in my 32 years of driving (much of that n far less reliable rigs than this).

 

WHY????

 

Because it was custom tuned by me using open source software. This vehicle was far from stock.

This is why I said

 

I have a scan gauge2 mounted on steering column. I have 4 tire pressure read outs normally on display.
When driving fast (example Southern Utah @ 85-90 mph) on roads with steep shoulders it gives me piece of mind and advance warning of a looming tire issue.
When on long grades, I switch a readout to tranny temp & others.

 

Hey All,

Finally set up temperatures monitoring with a basic dashboard. Can someone confirm transmission AT1 is the temp. at the pan. And AT2 the temp. at the TC? I can also input warnings in my dashboard. From what I read any transmission temp. exceeding 200F indicates overheating? And any info. on normal operating temperatures for engine oil and coolant?
Thanks in advance.

 

No, operating temps are between 175 and 225. Ran up to 212F this weekend while towing some long grades myself. I worry when it gets to 230 and start thinking about pulling over or hoping a grade ends soon. Around 240 the fluid can start to lose its protection and start damaging trans components, shortens the life of fluid. Limp mode and lights I believe kick in at 260 or 280.

 

Bad placement. Too low. Mount it on the steering column

 

Well it’s not like you need to stare at it at all times. There’s a 3D printed column mount and I was looking at possibly a Scangauge 3 but really I don’t want any of it mounted anywhere. I tried to see contact Banks to see if the iDash would read tranny temp but it seems like it won’t from the OBD port. You can add your own probe but I’m not ready for that just yet so I’m thinking OBDFusion with my iPhone since it will display on Carplay when you want it.

 

End result here. Got these temps. displayed horizontally on my iPhone 12 Pro above the center AC vents via the Off Roam Mag Safe phone mount. I haven’t tested the mount off road to see if it’s a strong enough magnet but I can vouch for the build quality. Practically full metal construction. And no drilling required.
Total set up cost for the OBD Bluetooth scan tool (VeePeak) and scan tool app. (OBD Fusion) approx $50. And setup was pretty intuitive / user friendly. Pretty good value I think.

 

Quick question. The 175-225F operating temps. you mentioned. Is that at the torque converter or pan? I’m noticing the TC fluctuates and gets hotter faster than the pan temp. My TC reached just under 225F going up to Wheeler Peak at Great Basin National Forest. Does it help keep the TC cool if I lock it into gear e.g. 3rd, 4th etc. and out of “D” on steep grades? (not towing)