matt07208 Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 [color Hello All: I am glad that I came across this page, where I can discuss my car issues and get honest and biased opinions from similar customers. I have a RX300, 2000 model and recently I found out that my transmission fluid is very dark and the shifting pattern is not normal as well. When I need a quick pickup or acceleration, I have to depress the gas pedal hard in order to change the transmission into a lower gear. When I am climbing an uphill, if I do not depress the pedal hard, it wouldn't change the gear and stay in same speed. Am I alone with this issue, or anyone out there experienced the same or similar issues with RX300. Please inform me and I have about 53k on my car and I bought it brand new. I have my concerned about future transmission problems and please share your opinions as well as advice. Thank you all for your answers. Matt Mathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99lsguy Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 Your transmission fluid should be serviced every 30K miles Minimum!!! Your torque converter is acting up due to poor quality fluid and contamination. For us LS400 guys, this simply means a "pan drain" of around 2- 2.5 quarts and then refill with fresh Toyota T-IV. I service my tranny every 10K...it keeps the fluid perfect cherry red; and in perfect order. Call up Lexus and see what they do for a transmission drain / or total flush - and their price. You will probably find a tremendous improvement after a service...........but don't let it go this long again. Now, I don't know much about the RX300, but you probably need the diffy gear lube changed and the transfer case fluid changed......all this stuff is every 30K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RX in NC Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 matt07208, You've posted this topic in the wrong forum. Go to the RX300 forum and you'll have the opportunity to read more than you ever wanted to know about RX transmission issues and failures. But 99lsguy is correct - you're flirting with disaster by not changing your transmission fluid at least every 30,000 miles and using NOTHING except Toyota Type T-IV transmission fluid when you do. Keep in mind that replacing a damaged RX transmission will cost you between $6,000 and $7,000. Did that statement just get your attention? If so, spend some time in the RX forum under topics devoted to the transmission and you'll quickly learn the importance of keeping your Type T-IV fluid clean. You'll even learn how to save significant money by doing this procedure yourself. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 I'll move this post into the RX forum. With the detailing redirect links this was an easy mistake to make. Welcome to the club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestu Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 OK. I've talked to at least a dozen transmission specialists, mechanics, and import auto parts stores and they all agree that the RX300 should have a total transmission flush every 30k miles. The RX300 has a transaxle in front which means the transmission and front differential share the same fluid, around 16 quarts. Does anyone think that draining three quarts out and refilliing every 30k miles is going to make a bit of difference in the cleanliness of the fluid? I called several Lexus and Toyota service depts. and as I suspected, none of them perform a total transmission flush on a RX300, and said it wasn't necessary. I take my RX300 to a Toyota specialist that has a transmission flush machine that removes all the dirty fluid and replaces it with new T-IV transmission fluid. Contamination is not a problem. They also replace the fluid in the transfer case and rear differential every 30k miles.. Both use gear oil, not transmission fluid. I'm not an expert mechanic, but I have researched this topic extensively. I would never take my car to a dealership unless I absolutely had to, because they overcharge for parts and services, and usually take care of their own best interests first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 Been thinking..............AGAIN! My 01 AWD RX300's transmission fluid has a burned look and odor at just 38k miles. This on a vehicle that has no tow hitch but with the tow package (extra transmission fluid cooler in front of right front wheelwell) and no designated fluid/replenish maintainance schedule. I have sent at least three missives to customer_satisfaction_inquiries@lexus.com and what I get back each time is that I should check with the dealer about why my RX has burned fluid. Apparently something they do not wish to put in writing. Up until just this week I have been assuming that the designers underestimated the heating contributed by the VC. But then I keep hearing/reading about these hesitation problems and that got me to thinking on another thread. I am absolutely sure that my 01's transmission shifts into another gear, or maybe even neutral, during coastdown. Some have described it as a "slingshot" effect or as if being bumped from behind just before coming to a full stop. I have attributed this effect to a desire to increase fuel economy and/or reduce the instances of loss of control on a slippery surface as the result of engine braking to the front, drive, wheels. But suppose for a moment that I'm correct and the vehicle is being shifted into neutral in these instances. My 01 DOES NOT have an e-throttle so the instant I depress the footfeed the engine will react and apply high output......while the transmission is still in neutral or an inappropreately higher gear?? Now THAT would result in premature BURNING of the transmission fluid! But now with e-throttle the later models might have a firmware fix that delays the onset of engine torque until the transmission can be shifted into the correct gear and allow time for the clutches or bands to be full seated before excessive torque is applied. Obviously just guessing, but.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99lsguy Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 A lexus mechanic told me my LS shifts / Stays in 5th gear while slowing to a stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 99- I don't know if I'd believe that or not. When you slow to a stop watch the RPM needle and see if it fluctuates more than 2-300RPM. If it does its definately shifted down a gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99lsguy Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 I'll keep an eye on it........I know what you mean by the rpms "bumping up" as it kicks down to a lower gear. I have only noticed this a few time when I'm say: in a parking lot and only get up to 2nd gear or so.........then, while slowing down-- it will kick down to 1st at very slow speed. Usually, it just gradually falls with the speed of the car as you coast / slow down. So it makes sense....I'll be on it! The Dang LS Tranny is so smooth it's harder to tell after coasting to stop from on highway I got into the conversation with him due to the "delayed throttle" epidemic that everyone speaks of on the LS......The mechanic said it was due to this shifting procedure, and really a product of Emission's Control and gets Lower Emissions this way - another feather Lexus wanted in its cap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest Posted October 26, 2004 Share Posted October 26, 2004 I case I haven't brought this up before. If you were driving a manual transmission vehicle you would always release the clutch shortly before coming to a full stop. That's exactly how my 01 RX feels except it also feels as if the clutch is released at higher speeds during a long coast. Having the engine/transmission in neutral or even in a low(er) torque drive gear when stopped or during coasting would undoutedly improve MPG and EPA ratings. Once the vehicle is EPA certified in this way I doubt if the EPA would look very kindly on a "fix" that reversed the emissions advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99lsguy Posted October 27, 2004 Share Posted October 27, 2004 Steve, I've been watching the tach a little more closely......... I think is is shifting down but at very low rpms........ It definately "coasts" for a Long..............time in 5th gear.. Then around 20 mph or less is will shift down to 4th........15-10 mph to 3rd... etc, etc... The tach just barely bumps up.......about 50-100 rpms max......nearly unnoticeable!! I think most of this "gearing down" happens around 1000 rpms and that's why you don't feel much........ Smoooooth............ Sorry, no more hijacking of the thread 99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest Posted October 27, 2004 Share Posted October 27, 2004 So..... Watching the tach..... Is the tach a direct reading of engine RPM or is it driven by an an output from the engine ECU? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 My guess is its not direct and is a readout from the ECU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginger Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 OK. I've talked to at least a dozen transmission specialists, mechanics, and import auto parts stores and they all agree that the RX300 should have a total transmission flush every 30k miles. The RX300 has a transaxle in front which means the transmission and front differential share the same fluid, around 16 quarts. Does anyone think that draining three quarts out and refilliing every 30k miles is going to make a bit of difference in the cleanliness of the fluid?I called several Lexus and Toyota service depts. and as I suspected, none of them perform a total transmission flush on a RX300, and said it wasn't necessary. I take my RX300 to a Toyota specialist that has a transmission flush machine that removes all the dirty fluid and replaces it with new T-IV transmission fluid. Contamination is not a problem. They also replace the fluid in the transfer case and rear differential every 30k miles.. Both use gear oil, not transmission fluid. I'm not an expert mechanic, but I have researched this topic extensively. I would never take my car to a dealership unless I absolutely had to, because they overcharge for parts and services, and usually take care of their own best interests first. ← How much does a total flush cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestu Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 I think I paid around $140.oo to have my transmission flushed. It was a bit expensive, but I know they did the job right. I got quite a few referrals before I let them work on my car. It's not a guarantee that your transmission will be problem free, but I believe clean fluids can prevent many mechanical problems. I would suggest using a mechanic that specializes in foreign car repair and make sure they use the right type of replacement fluid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest Posted October 28, 2004 Share Posted October 28, 2004 Try this.... As you slow to a stop, at just about the time you would release the clutch for a manual transmission, slip the gear level into first. I suspect that in this case the transmission will actually shift into first and now you will be able to accelerate away for a full stop rapidly. Not saying the design feature is justified, just something to try for those of you so very frustrated about this. And of course more information to take to the complaint department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwest Posted November 6, 2004 Share Posted November 6, 2004 Went to the Seattle auto show today and dropped by the Toyota desk. Asked about the hesitation problem I've been reading about on the internet and another individual was pointed that would know the answer. He got on his cell phone and contacted someone he said would for sure know the answer. Came back and told me that "it's to provide smoother, less noticeable shifting". I'm not kidding, that's what the man said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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