Real world towing experience

220° Celsius is 428° fahrenheit. An auto trans at that temp would have burned 150° ago. Maybe what you read was a misprint? I'm a master tech (GM factory) retired, specializing in auto transmissions and differentials. This isn't something I read, this is something I know.

 

I'm not necessarily talking about the auto trans as a whole but just the temperature rise in the individual oncoming clutch for a particular shift. Obviously, I don't know what material toyota uses for their clutch packs so I can't say what their limits are.

Depending on the type of shift at a certain speed, certain throttle, etc. You could see a oncoming clutch build 60°C ontop of what your sump is. I agree with you that if your trans is running at +130°C you are getting to serious issues and the controls will most likely go into derate protections. But if you are already at 130 and do a gnarly shift under hard conditions, you could see temps getting close to 200 at that shift instant. That clutch would be smoked though.

Anyways without getting further into theory and random numbers... what I am trying to say is that clutches can handle a lot more than what most people think. While it is extra safe to tow in s4, s5, etc. There is no problem to also just put it into drive and let the transmission do the work.

 

I would guess those are tow miles not the actual miles your going drive your vehicle.