Monitoring Towing Temperatures

[TimeOutside]

I recently purchased the "OBDLink MX+ OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner" because I understood it would give me the temperature readings I want to monitor when towing. But I'm having trouble both knowing and finding the readings I should be monitoring.

I'm thinking I should watch for Hybrid Battery Temp, Engine Coolant Temp, Transmission Fluid Temp, and Cylinder Head Temp. Are these correct? Are there any others that I should be watching? Perhaps one of the power level readings, to keep the level consistently below a certain level (50%?). I don't know what I don't know.

Also, which application is best to use, OBD Link, Torque, or FOREScan Lite?

Finally, for the readings I'm monitoring, what temperature and/or values should I not be exceeding?

Thanks,
Andrew

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[MM Mav]

Here are some potentially helpful links to some related posts from this forum.
Displaying temps
Hybrid towing recs
Towing with Hybrid Maverick

 

[MM Mav]

@The Real Maverick I know you have real world Hybrid towing experience while monitoring numerous parameters. Care to chime in to help the OP?

 

[The Real Maverick]

Engine Coolant Temp and Cylinder Head Temp are one and the same in Ford Hybrids. NICE to look at since it varies greatly and the built-in dash only shows cold - normal - hot.

I have a ScanGaugeIII and it does everything automatically. I did not have to program anything.

I look at Engine Temp.
180 to 205 normal not towing.
180 to 215 towing.

HV Battery temp.
Ambient to 115 is normal.
Battery is hottest in stop n go.
Battery is used LESS in tow/haul mode.

Transmission temp.
Ambient to 145 is normal.
Ambient to 155 is normal towing.

Generator coil temp.
Hottest with sustained generating.
Hottest at high rpm.
150 to 200 is normal
150 to 250 is normal towing.
(As high as 265 no codes.)
Heats up fast under load.
Cools down fast when load is relieved.
( 1 or 2 minutes )

Motor Coil Temp
much like generator but less
130 to 180 is normal
130 to 210 is normal towing

Battery coolant is an interesting one. It can show when "active" battery cooling takes place vs. "passive" battery cooling.

Passive: battery and battery coolant are in equilibrium (same temperature or within a degree or two).

Active: battery coolant will be about 10 degrees cooler than the battery.

I have only witnessed active cooling above 113°F. And this was only two times ever. I'd like to know what others see. My battery is pretty chill when towing. Means it is not used much. It is held in reserve at a high charge for hills, "passing" or accelerating mostly. This is true if you are in tow mode. If you tow in Normal or Eco mode; you can, and I do on flat land, the battery will be used more, will run hotter, and won't hold reserve for the hill coming up. I use tow mode primarily in hills and mountains.

Engine RPM is a fun one. Tow mode boosts RPM by about 10% in general. Makes the truck more "peppy" when towing. Simulates a lower gear. But costs a couple lower MPG.

RPM is fun to watch going down hill using engine brake. Also reassuring you are not exceeding "red line".

Hint: red line is 5600 RPM and the truck won't exceed this. Also, the engine is louder than you'd expect.

Without a tach, your gut feeling may think you are at redline, when really you are at 4000 rpm. 4000 rpm sounds much faster than reality.

 

[TimeOutside]

Here are some potentially helpful links...

Lots of info...

Thank you! This information is gold, and I have probably only seen half of it. It's going to take me a bit to absorb and apply it. I'm sure I'll have some follow-up questions.

Unfortunately, for these next two weeks I'm going to be slammed with activity. But I most certainly will be following up.

Thank you again,
Andrew

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