Towing & Transmission Cooler

[jetmonkee]

Hello

Just put a hitch on the rogue and was wondering if I should install and transmision cooler? Haven't done much towing yet but I am worried about the cvt taking the load. I know the rogue is rated to 1000lbs1500lbs with trailer brakes. Not planning to tow more than 1500lbs. Also has anybody had any trouble towing? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[meitingo]

If you have an AWD Rogue it already has a transmission cooler.

[philipa_240sx]

If you have an AWD Rogue it already has a transmission cooler.

Actually, any model equipped with the paddle/manual shift option comes with a transmission cooler.

Nissan has deleted the manual shift option from US models starting in 2009

[tempest.runner]

This was posted by philip in one of my threads and I found it useful;

The auxiliary trans oil cooler (visible on the lower RH corner of the rad) comes with all Rogues that have the manual/paddle shift option. This additional cooling gives allows the higher 1500lb rating.

Depending on year, only certain models/trim packages came with this option:

In Canada,

- You need the SL Premium Pack available on both FWD or AWD models. All model years apply.

In the US, it depends on model year,

- 2008: SL Premium Pack models, both FWD and AWD
- 2009: AWD SL Premium Pack only
- 2010: Not available. This means no 2010 Rogue in the US has the higher 1500lb tow rating.

[philipa_240sx]

Adding a auxiliary trans oil cooler to a Rogue that does not have one may prove to be difficult. The stock trans cooler uses a different fluid heat exchanger (A small ribbed can on the side of the transmission just below the battery) with ports for the aux cooler. The non-cooler equipped Rogues do not have these ports... not even plugs that could be removed and tapped into.

[kerrton]

I just checked with my service manager about this, and he said

"I would not recommend having a aux cooler installed. You would be modifying the system for something it was never intended for and would jeopardize any future warranty concerns."

The underlying thread that I interpret from all this is that the CVT durability is always in question when applying additional loads, which is why the vehicle has such a low tow rating to begin with, and why I think my service manager does not advise even trying to add a trans cooler to up the tow limit. I would not consider jeopardizing my 10 year CVT warranty just to get another 500 pounds of towing capacity (possibly more, I'd like to push it to 2000 or 2500 lbs but that is really uncharted territory and could be dangerous), and I wouldn't want to chance having to pay $4000 plus to replace the CVT because of my foolishness.

I am still disappointed in the tow rating of this vehicle, but it was my fault for not paying attention to this before purchasing, oh well, you live and learn.