Allison 4500 RDS Problems – Common Issues You Should Know

There are a few Allison 4500 RDS problems – and it helps to understand what these are and how to address these.

Generally, Allison transmissions are revolutionary components designed for various industries. They are intended to provide optimum power and ensure the best performance in your vehicle.

However, there are some issues that may arise along the way, which is why it is important to get these sorted out by knowing more about the symptoms of a problem with this engine and what you can do to prevent these issues.

Here, we talk more about the Allison 4500 and what other valuable information that every potential owner should know.

Allison 4500 RDS

The Allison 4500 – as well as the entire 4000 series – is known to be a heavy duty and on-highway transmission. The horsepower and the torque ratings are impressive, which is why it is ideal for use on heavy duty commercial vehicles. Driving can be done with ease and there is more power for better productivity. 

Furthermore, the 4000 series is capable of adapting to various road conditions. Operation is efficient and it can maintain superb performance even in severe types of applications.

As for the specifications of the Allison 4500, the output engine power is at 410 kw or 550 hp, and the torque converter is a one stage, three element, and polyphase. This also includes a standard integral damper that performs well in lockup.

Problems With the Allison 4500 RDS

The Allison is commonly used in bigger trucks. With this in mind, it is a heavy duty component that can handle tough conditions.

In terms of speed, it is most definitely quick. It also helps to maintain the engine on boost, especially on up shifts. Thus, it helps to minimize the strain placed on the driveline. 

When it comes to ease of driving, you can expect it from the Allison 4500 RDS. It is robust and does not break easily, which is why it is a good value for the money.

But at the same time, there are a few problems that come with it. For one, it runs hot. The Allison 4500 RDS uses more fuel and can be rather glitchy when handling a partial throttle. 

In addition to these issues, you will have to get the filter and oil changed each year. This can cost quite a lot, which is why some people are wary about using it for their trucks.

With that in mind, overheating and lack of proper maintenance can easily cause serious problems to the Allison 4500 RDS over time.

Additional Details About The Allison 4500 RDS

Generally, Allison transmissions are well-made and custom-designed to meet the heavy demands in various industries. Much of the problem with it is in the part failure, this is why it is important to use the manufacturer’s warranty for this issue. 

There were also some concerns with limp mode, which means the unit can get locked into third gear and the torque converter is not enabled to lock up. Some of the most common triggers for this issue are excessively high temperatures. When there is too much heat, this results in slipping.

So, if the problem happens in very hot weather, you may want to install a cooler as a remedy to this issue. These components are typically easy to source, install, and inexpensive.

Now, the transmission can go into limp mode as you pull a heavy load. This is also very common when you drive on a steep incline. Unfortunately, towing in such a situation in combination with stalling is not the best time to get stuck.

You also need to include a driveline tune with your engine tune. If you fail to do this, it is highly likely for the Allison 4500 RDS to malfunction. So, you should tune this back to the recommended factory specifications to eliminate such errors.

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Conclusion

Although generally sturdy and robust, the Allison 4500 RDS can present certain problems that can be quite inconvenient for many people. For example, a rebuild to the part may be required, or it could also be a false alarm when you notice some problems arise. This is why clearing these error codes is very important to know exactly what the deal is. 

Thus, you may want to scan the trouble code using a code scanner. This may disappear as the engine cycles but in other cases, there may be further work required to fix it.

Either way, it is always best to have a specialist take a look at your unit and have the problem addressed based on the diagnosis made. Then, you can ease your worries about potential issues that may come along while you drive and minimize any inconveniences linked with downtime and breakdowns.