Very Cold Trans Behavior
#1
Very Cold Trans Behavior
Just noticed this today during the FRIGID temps in Chicago.
The car was (which was in D and SPORT, and had been sitting outside all day at work) would keep the car in second gear at stops and never go down to first until it was warmed up...never knew it did that.
The car was (which was in D and SPORT, and had been sitting outside all day at work) would keep the car in second gear at stops and never go down to first until it was warmed up...never knew it did that.
#2
Pole Position
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: MA --> CA
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Interesting. I wouldn't be surprised if the car acted up in any way, considering that you guys over there got Arctic weather. A way to keep idle at higher rpms to warm the car quicker?
#3
Driver
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Southern California
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Wow what a weird coincidence. After work today I started my car and put it in manual mode immediately and it started in 2nd and wouldn't go to 1st in manual mode for about a minute. It's never done that before and it wasn't that cold out. Thought it was strange but as soon as it got a little warm it went right in to 1st. I think it's designed that way because it gave me the notorious beep when it doesn't want you to down shift.
#4
Lexus Test Driver
This is just me trying to figure out what could have possibly going on… When it gets that cold out the oil in the trans has to have a higher viscosity and have a smaller volume than it does at normal operating temp so maybe this could cause low oil pressure in the trans and because of this low oil pressure the car tries to keep the gears in the trans from spinning too fast. Acting as a safety measure to prevent the trans from running with not enough oil pumping through it… Just my thinking. I am probably way off
#5
Tech Info Resource
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Wouldn't keeping the car in first gear have a higher idle. Seems to me like the car was trying to keep its rpm lower to avoid damaging itself until it was warmer…
This is just me trying to figure out what could have possibly going on… When it gets that cold out the oil in the trans has to have a higher viscosity and have a smaller volume than it does at normal operating temp so maybe this could cause low oil pressure in the trans and because of this low oil pressure the car tries to keep the gears in the trans from spinning too fast. Acting as a safety measure to prevent the trans from running with not enough oil pumping through it… Just my thinking. I am probably way off
This is just me trying to figure out what could have possibly going on… When it gets that cold out the oil in the trans has to have a higher viscosity and have a smaller volume than it does at normal operating temp so maybe this could cause low oil pressure in the trans and because of this low oil pressure the car tries to keep the gears in the trans from spinning too fast. Acting as a safety measure to prevent the trans from running with not enough oil pumping through it… Just my thinking. I am probably way off
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Other end of the telescope here. Pressure is high, very high, and stresses the seals. The bypass in the oil pump is only so big and when it is cold it won't control (lower) the flow sufficiently to keep the pressure in the normal range. When it's very cold the software controlling the transmission is doing everything it can to minimize undue stress on the gearbox. This behavior is much more pronounced on the IS350 - mine limited gears in both directions when cold.
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#8
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
I took the F out on Tuesday when the temps were LOW, I'm talking like -15°F windchill. I actually didn't notice the car starting in 2nd gear, will look out for it next time. It was so cold that only 45 min into my commute I noticed the oil temp go to 3 bars. Commute is mostly highway.
#9
Seriously, the "F" is not engineered to run in subzero temps. Nothing would surprise me.
#13
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
^Correct, i usually just leave it in D until it hits 2 or 3 bars.
Last edited by VtotheJ; 01-09-14 at 11:00 AM.