Transmission Shifting

[BROE]

My 2001 RX300 has been slow to shift into over-drive when it has been sitting outside at my office. The temperatures have been falling lately(below 20 F.) and I am noticing that the transmission does not want to shift into over-drive until I have driven for a few minutes. When I leave my office, I am soon on a state route and the speed limit is 55 mph, which I prefer to maintain. The colder it gets, the longer it takes for it will shift into over-drive. I have 40,000 miles on the vehicle and have no other problems.

Anybody have a similar experience?

I would appreciate your response!

Brian

[monarch]

That's normal behavior for Toyota / Lexus vehicles. No matter what car you drive, you should only drive at moderate speeds for the first 3-4 miles in cold weather

[Booyah]

Yep, totally normal Ops! Try warming up your car a little before hand

[Jeffchs32]

I had the same problem with mine and someone on the forums here said that it was a design with the transmission. It allows it to heat up quicker or something i cant remember exactly. Something like that i think...but it is normal i guess.

[LuvmyRX]

That is 100% normal operation for the transmission. It will not shift into the highest gear until it comes up to a certain temperature.

[jbarhorst2]

Perfectly normal, although quite disconcerting until you are familiar with it.

Lexus is warming up the engine and catalytic converters faster by holding the engine RPMs higher. This gives them the ability to control emissions sooner than a normal warmup and the car gets a better environmental rating.

Tom

[vaningen]

as everyone states, it's normal. my dad's 1981 Toyota Cressida did the same thing when cold. No trans problems for 140,000 miles when sold.