576696

Just bought 1999 rx300 and found that it does not shift to third until there is a temp rise on indicator. I have read about this restriction for overdrive. Is this also normal for shifting to third when cold. It doesn't seem or feel right.. Too many rpms. Trying to decide if I should have it looked at. Thanks , Erik

salimshah

The solution is to drive slow and keep rpms at 2.5k and 3k at max till the engine and transmission warm up. Idelling the engine wont work.

Salim

hypervish

Welcome to Club Lexus!

It's normal.

You can do a search here, and you will find tons of threads on this topic. Once you read a few it will give you the peace of mind you need!

DriveVE

That is Lexus' idea of how to quickly circulate oil through the engine. It is annoying but you will get used to it except in very cold weather when it takes much longer for the engine to warm up the slight bit necessary for this hold-in-gear thing to D\C .

576696

Thanks, I got a remote start to handle the winter. Thought there might have been a problem with the car.

ATLs460

Yes, a remote starter is GOLD in the cold winters with our must warm up tranny.

salimshah

I'd be interested in learning how?

I can understand that comfort part where a remote starter would warm up the coolant and get heat in the cabin.

Driving is the best way to get things at optimum temperature.

Salim

ATLs460

Well basically when it's -15 F outside, the added wind on the radiator really makes it take a while to warm up when driving.

I actually see my temp needle drop slightly going down long hills when no gas is applied and the injectors kill.

I just hit my remote start 15 mins before I need to leave and I can shift to third immediately after leaving my driveway.

I'm on a 50mph road within 200 feet of my driveway so hanging out in second gear till it warms up really isn't ideal

lexus114

[QUOTE=Erics99RX;8399896]Well basically when it's -15 F outside, the added wind on the radiator really makes it take a while to warm up when driving.

I actually see my temp needle drop slightly going down long hills when no gas is applied and the injectors kill.

I just hit my remote start 15 mins before I need to leave and I can shift to third immediately after leaving my driveway.

I'm on a 50mph road within 200 feet of my driveway so hanging out in second gear till it warms up really isn't ideal[/QUOTE]


I agree this should be at the least a safety concern. My 330 trans does this in I think 3rd or 4th gear. But it isn't long, and in a higher gear. So it`s a lot nicer to deal with. Doesn't bother me at all.

salimshah

I hope I can get my point across ,,, getting the coolant temp up by idling does not raise transmission temp.

Salim

ATLs460

Then quite possibly it's not trans temp that regulates this...

Because when I warm up the car for 10-15 mins before leaving the house, it shifts to third as expected.

Now if I just start and drive, we're talking a couple minutes restricted to 2nd gear...which on a 50mph road is asking for trouble.

hypervish

It is in fact coolant temp that allows the car to shift into overdrive after it comes up to a certain set point (can't recall exact temp).

But what Salim is saying is that although you are able to get 4th gear everything else is still cold, engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluids, etc.

The most efficient way to warm up is to just drive gently and keep rpms' below 2.5 to 3k rpm when cold.

hypervish

Not quite, it's mostly done for emissions reasons. Trying to get the catalytic converter hot as quick as possible.

ATLs460

Thanks for confirming that it IS in fact coolant temp and not trans temp that regulates it.

I am well aware that all other fluids aren't warm yet, but crawling along a 50mph road until the other fluids rise in temp isn't a possibility for me. My home is maybe 200 feet away from said road.

For everyone else...yes...just keep it under 3k as long as possible.

salimshah

Is that the closest ramp or the only ramp?

Salim