Transmission Cooling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The transmission fluid cooler is an oil-to-air (OTA) fluid cooler. The fluid cooler is mounted between the radiator and the A/C condenser.

When the transmission fluid is cold and the thermostatic valve is closed, the transmission fluid does not circulate through the fluid cooler.
As the transmission fluid temperature increases, the thermostatic bypass valve opens and allows the transmission fluid to circulate through the fluid cooler.