Should I be running an oil cooler? Version 2.0 + other tow vehicle suggestions.

Now that the TDI has been sold.... my wife's 2005 manual Corolla has become the tow vehicle of choice. It's rated to tow 1500#s and we tow 1200#s at least once a week, normally for a short trip (5 miles?) but sometimes we will go farther (50 miles). Anything over that we generally rent/borrow something a little more heavy duty.

Any suggestions to make it more tow worthy? Although not directly related to the towing, we do have some 14# wheels from a Prius and some better tires on the way.

As soon as the warranty on my Focus runs out I will likely use that for the tow vehicle now that I learned the Corolla doesn't have ABS.

any major hills ? if mostly flat, then there shouldn't be any problems

disclaimer: I'm not a ASE mechanic … and I have never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express

I'm a fan of trans coolers in tow vehicles but that's so little distance it probably doesn't matter unless it's really hot or hilly or you drive like a complete jackass.

In reply to ultraclyde:

I think you missed the "manual" part.

I wouldn't bother unless there was some oem water to oil cooler that would bolt on...a la 1.8 miata? Still its more than likely fine, your not towing far and still under the "max" weight

Hit the pan with an laser thermometer after towing a while before jumping to conclusions about needing a cooler. I'd pay more attention to the brakes, when is the last time they were flushed?

Since this is a tow thread, I recommend selling the Corolla and buying a crew cab diesel dually. At least something like an F350 but a F450 and above is preferred.

Once you get your new truck, add that oil cooler too.

In reply to logdog:

Once I towed a 14ft aluminum boat with my f250 powerstroke diesel...I learned my lesson, ill only tow with a peterbuilt from now on.

In reply to chiodos:

But a DIESEL? Do you know how much an injectorliftpumpplutoniumlaunchsequencer costs to replace?!?!? ARE YOU READY FOR $5,000,000 OIL CHANGES?!?!?!?!?!

What you need is a big block gas engine, preferably several because you need ALL THE TORQUES!!! My uncle had a '94 Oscer Mayer Weinermobile with dual big blocks punched out to 1500 cubic inches each and he was once contracted to move the space shuttle to its launch pad when their normal transporter broke. It towed so well they tried to talk him into towing it all the way into orbit, but he has a fear of heights. BUT, he could have, and it would have gotten .0035463 MPG while doing it too, damn it!

In reply to Enyar:

A good synthetic trans oil would probably be smart, like whatever Royal Purple or Redline fluid is recommended for the car. I like the previously mentioned idea of checking the temps of the oil pan after using the car to tow so you know if the temp problem is actually a problem or not.

That generation Corolla is an automotive cockroach. You'll never kill it and towing 1500 lbs won't hurt it a bit.

Heck, it probably can't get going fast enough to need it's itty bitty brakes to slow back down.

In all seriousness, brakes would be my only concern, good pads, flush the fluid, drive sensibly, and all will be fine.

+1 for good pads and decent fluid (like DOT4). You don't need an oil cooler for a little light towing.

chiodos wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: I think you missed the "manual" part.

Why yes. Yes I did. In that case, carry on as before.

wbjones wrote: any major hills ? if mostly flat, then there shouldn't be any problems disclaimer: I'm not a ASE mechanic … and I have never stayed in a Holiday Inn Express

I'm in Florida....the only bumps are speed bumps, small children and the boat ramp.

KyAllroad wrote: That generation Corolla is an automotive cockroach. You'll never kill it and towing 1500 lbs won't hurt it a bit. Heck, it probably can't get going fast enough to need it's itty bitty brakes to slow back down. In all seriousness, brakes would be my only concern, good pads, flush the fluid, drive sensibly, and all will be fine.

I love that you called it the automotive cockroach. When I first met my wife I was always like what a boring car....but this thing is a DREAM to work on and it just doesn't die. Yes it's an appliance but it's a damn good one.

chiodos wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: I think you missed the "manual" part. I wouldn't bother unless there was some oem water to oil cooler that would bolt on...a la 1.8 miata? Still its more than likely fine, your not towing far and still under the "max" weight

I'll have to look.

Kenny_McCormic wrote: Hit the pan with an laser thermometer after towing a while before jumping to conclusions about needing a cooler. I'd pay more attention to the brakes, when is the last time they were flushed?

This is a good idea....what kind of temps should I be afraid of?

logdog wrote: Since this is a tow thread, I recommend selling the Corolla and buying a crew cab diesel dually. At least something like an F350 but a F450 and above is preferred. Once you get your new truck, add that oil cooler too.

True. I wonder if they make a diesel dually Corolla.

chiodos wrote: In reply to logdog: Once I towed a 14ft aluminum boat with my f250 powerstroke diesel...I learned my lesson, ill only tow with a peterbuilt from now on.

This actually tows a 15' fiberglass boat so maybe I'll see if NASA is selling a space shuttle crawler.

pres589 wrote: In reply to Enyar: A good synthetic trans oil would probably be smart, like whatever Royal Purple or Redline fluid is recommended for the car. I like the previously mentioned idea of checking the temps of the oil pan after using the car to tow so you know if the temp problem is actually a problem or not.

Added to the list!

GameboyRMH wrote: +1 for good pads and decent fluid (like DOT4). You don't need an oil cooler for a little light towing.

Also a good plan, added to the list!

ultraclyde wrote:

chiodos wrote: In reply to ultraclyde: I think you missed the "manual" part.

Why yes. Yes I did. In that case, carry on as before.

It was a worthy attempt.

Thanks folks, I'll post an update of my modifications.

On oil temps, I believe 230-260f is good for conventional, 270+ is bad. You can run a good synthetic up to 350 or so, assuming the engine can tolerate the low viscosity.

I run M1 0w40 in my 99, with a bigger 2ZZ filter, (not sure if applicable to 05) works well on a 8000 mile/1 year interval (have done analysis).

This is relevant to my interests. I am planning to build the Crown Vic for some <5,000 lb (atv or motorcycle on a trailer, that sort of thing) towing duties.

In reply to The_Jed:

You should be fine with a fresh fill of synthetic in the rear end and maybe a small auxiliary trans cooler.

Oil temps normally run 10-15 warmer than the coolant. Even working the engine hard it shouldn't go much higher. Oil must be at operating temperature for best lubrication. Before spending money on a cooler that "could" degrade your oils efficiency, find out what your actual temperature is.

I ran my ZX2SR in high ambient temps at rack days with out any oil problems.

So, I would say you most likely don't need a cooler.

My KJ with trailer package didn't have one. Towed 3900 lbs. many miles.

logdog wrote: Since this is a tow thread, I recommend selling the Corolla and buying a crew cab diesel dually. At least something like an F350 but a F450 and above is preferred. Once you get your new truck, add that oil cooler too.

You guys are all wimps. With winter coming up, clearly we're talking about a WINTER tow rig.

When there is a couple feet of snow on the roads and I need to get my six snowmobiles up into the unplowed mountain passes, I toss them into my 26-foot enclosed, triple-axle trailer and hook up the Miata (btw, load-distributing hitches and sway control are for losers who don't know how to tow). If it's especially icy out I may put my old Star Specs (on Kosei K1s, of course) onto the car, but usually because I'm an awesome driver I just leave the Hoosiers on it from last season's autocross. I've been doing that for decades and I've never gotten stuck or had any problems.

While fighting off dozens of Ninjas!

In reply to logdog:

This isn't a tow thread.

1500lbs isn't towing, it's a bed full of hay.

Amateurs.