P0218: Transmission overheating

What P0218 means

Automatic gearboxes, and some dual clutch ones, rely on fluid that must stay within a temperature range. When it gets too hot it loses its properties and the internal clutches wear quickly. Many cars change how the gearbox behaves to protect it when this happens.

Most common causes

• Heavy load: towing, long climbs or stop and go traffic in hot weather
• Low transmission fluid level or old, worn out fluid
• Blocked or leaking transmission fluid cooler
• Slipping torque converter or internal clutches
• Faulty transmission fluid temperature sensor

Symptoms

• Gearbox or engine warning light on
• Harsh or late gear changes
• Gearbox stuck in one gear (limp mode)
• Smell of burnt oil

Can you drive with P0218?

Better not Stop as soon as it is safe and let the gearbox cool with the engine idling or switched off. Driving on with an overheated gearbox can destroy it, and that is a costly repair.

How to check it

If the reader shows transmission fluid temperature, watch it live on a normal drive: if it climbs a lot without any special effort, there is a cooling or slipping problem. Ask the garage to check the transmission fluid level and condition.

How to read and clear P0218 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0218 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0206 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 6
• P0207 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 7
• P0208 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 8
• P0217 Engine overheating
• P0219 Engine overspeed condition
• P0220 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit malfunction
• P0221 Throttle or pedal position sensor B range or performance problem
• P0222 Throttle or pedal position sensor B circuit low
• P0200 Injector circuit malfunction
• P0201 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 1
• P0202 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 2
• P0203 Injector circuit malfunction, cylinder 3

P0218 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Audi, Fiat, Mazda, Peugeot, Toyota, Volkswagen. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.