gstern1994

I have about 120,000 on my car, and for the most part it's doing great. I bought it used when it had just about 100K on it, and the previous owner had the 90k service done on it.

I noticed the odd shifting pattern everyone talks about for the 04's and I brought it in and it was reprogrammed. Since then it's been fine in that regard, However, I have noticed that when it's cold it does shift a little more abruptly into second than my 02 did, once warm it seems to smooth out completley. Is this normal?

Additionally, when I go into reverse and I have my foot on mashing down on the brake pedal, I hear an audible grind from the rear. I thought was initially my tranny and I was spooked, but after testing it out on a completely flat surface (my driveway has a slight incline), I realized it was not my transmission but maybe a noisy emergency brake that was slipping ever so slightly when I went in to reverse (trying to hold the car on the incline). Has anybody experienced anything like this before?

Also, when in reverse and shifting into drive (foot on the brake), the car seems to get more gas than I'm used too as I get the same grind/strain nose on the brakes (as detailed above). In my 02, I would just shift into drive and I wouldn't feel any pull from the car when my foot was on the brake, but on my 04, I feel like I'm holding back a small pony and once I release the pedal I'm rolling.

Before take this in to have it looked at, I just thought I'd see if anyone here had some advice. Thanks everyone.

AlexusAnja

Just from my experience with my brakes, the OEM pads do not sit completely on the rotor surface. there is a slight overhang that over time when material wears, there is leftover that ends up scrapping against the top edge of the rotor causing a grinding noise. Check the pads and scrap off the excess material on the pad edge.

As for the cold shifting, I have not noticed it, but slightly rougher shifting during cold days in beginning is to be expected in most cars. if slipping, then that's different.

gstern1994

Thanks for the advice.

Also, on a slightly different topic - have you had your transmission flushed and filled? The dealer gave me the company line about the unit being sealed and I should forget about it. I guess it's just old habits that are hard to shake, but I really want to get some new fluid in their as well as a flush.

What are your thoughts?

caddyowner

Re transmission fluid: When I was in for the 60K service last week, my Lexus service manager said they do trans fluid changes at 100K on the LS430.

gstern1994

Thanks, I'm going to have this done.

AlexusAnja

I'd go with a drain and fill at 100K too. No lubricant is "lifetime" unless Lexus is going to give me a written guarantee saying that they'll replace if the tranny blows up. I just went for my 75K checkup and they didn't even suggest the transmission.

toantran99

Dealer will tell you that but if they drained it, fluid is filthy. They said the same thing about mine but when they changed it, fluid was dirty.

thinkin

I've noticed all the '04-'06 "strain at the reins" a little bit more, I think it's the lower first gear on the 6-speed offering more mechanical advantage at idle.