P0218 means Transmission Fluid Over Temperature Condition. The transmission fluid has run hotter than the computer allows, which can shorten the life of clutches, seals and fluid. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0218 means
Electronically controlled automatics are run by a transmission control module (TCM), a separate box or part of the engine computer. It reads speed sensors, the range sensor and fluid temperature to decide when to shift, and drives solenoids that apply clutches and the torque converter clutch. Many basic code readers only show the generic P0700; a scan tool that reads the transmission module shows the specific fault. Check fluid level and condition first, since low or burnt fluid causes many transmission codes.
P0218 symptoms
- Transmission temperature warning
- Harsh or delayed shifts
- Limp mode on some vehicles
Common causes of P0218
- Heavy towing or hauling, especially in hot weather
- Low fluid level
- Blocked or restricted transmission cooler
- Torque converter not locking up
- Failed fluid temperature sensor
How to diagnose P0218
- Check transmission fluid level and condition first
- Inspect the transmission cooler and lines for blockage
- Confirm torque converter lockup on a scan tool
- Compare the temperature reading with an infrared thermometer
Can you drive with P0218?
Pull over safely and let it cool; continued driving while overheating can damage the transmission.
P0218 tips
If you tow, an auxiliary transmission cooler helps keep fluid temperatures down; check that the factory cooler is clean first.
Will P0218 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0218 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0710 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If the fault turns out to be internal (worn clutches, a failed converter or a damaged valve body), compare a rebuild with a replacement in transmission rebuild vs replacement and transmission replacement cost, identify your unit with what transmission do I have?, and browse our transmissions.
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