Drive Axle Oil Temperature Gauges
Notice: A sudden increase in oil temperature that is not caused by a load increase may indicate mechanical failure. Bring the vehicle to a safe stop and investigate the cause to prevent further damage. Do not operate the vehicle until the cause has been determined and corrected.
During normal operation, drive axle oil temperature gauges should read as follows:
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160 to 220°F (71 to 104°C) for Detroit Classic Model 2, 4, and 6 axles.
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160 to 329°F (71 to 165°C) for Detroit New Final Drive (NFD) axles.
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160 to 275°F (71 to 135°C) for Meritor™ drive axles
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180 to 200°F (82 to 93°C) for Dana Spicer® drive axles
Under heavy loads, such as when climbing steep grades, temperatures that exceed the normal oil temperature range for a short period are not unusual. If the temperature returns to normal when the load decreases, there is no problem.