transmission fluid flow direction?

[vibecrxsi240sxse]

Did a search, but I'm not seeing the info. I need.Does anyone know which transmission line coming out of the radiator is the return line? I'm going to install a cooler in series 'cause I just bought a pop up camper and going to tow it to the lake, about 75 miles away.Houston summers get REAL hot and I'm just trying to delay the damage to the auto as long as possible.I'll change the fluid more often than necessary also. The trailer weighs in loaded at 1350 lbs. We already towed it once to the lake and the Vibe did just great. Even got 22 MPG while towing, mostly freeway...Thanks in advance to whoever can tell me the transmission fluid direction question.

[djb383]

The bottom hose coming off of the radiator is the fluid return line back to the tranny. On my Vibe, I ran a hose from the tranny fluid fitting (upper green circle) to the cooler, then from the cooler to the metal return line (lower green circle). Hope this helps. Joatman posted a service manual drawing - do a search under "tranny cooler". Don't forget to get a quart of tranny fluid 'cause you'll lose some doing the install.

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[vibecrxsi240sxse]

Many, many thanks for the quick response.Must have had a brain fart, cause I didn't think of 'tranny cooler' for my search criteria.Your picture helps tremendously, although I'm still trying to get its orientation to something I recognize. My wife took the car to work and I only glanced at the lines this am. I've done one install before on a Mazda MPV minivan. Should have just shot the car to put it out of it's misery. I bought a stacked plate type of cooler. It doesn't look like the typical coil and fin that I'm used to seeing.Read somewhere that the plate cooler has less of a pressure drop? than the usual coil type. Thanks again.

[djb383]

That's what I installed - B&M #70264 stacked plate type.

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[vibecrxsi240sxse]

Thanks again for your input. I installed my trans cooler and took my camper out on the road. Keep in mind that I live in South Texas (Houston) and it is relatively flat around here. Just have to drive about 50 miles west or Nwest to find hills.Austin is about 150 miles away, they're known for their Hill Country and Lakes.The Vibe cruises all day long in O/D at about 2600 rpms at 70 mph. The cooler is mounted in front of the Ac condenser and is from a company named Hayden. It is very large and only fit on the driver's side of the condenser.The dimensions of the cooler are 3/4" thick, 11" tall, and 11 1/2" long. It is rated for full size motorhomes and 5th wheel vehicles towing 10,000 lbs. Both Autozone and O'Reilly had the same part in stock and recommended them for Vibes.It hit 88 degrees today while I was driving on the freeway, hot already in Houston....Now I have peace of mind when towing the popup. I had so much fun today that I went 75 miles in a circle towing the camper. Just to wind up back home..... Appreciate your help again..

[djb383]

Do you have cruise control on your Vibe, if so, will it hold in O/D while towing with the cruise control set at 70 mph?

[vibecrxsi240sxse]

Yes and Yes it will hold no problem..