Ryan300

this DIY is very helpful:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...er-change.html

blueridge

Normal. I have a AWD 2001 and the neighbor has an AWD 2000 and both do this in first gear.

bgross88

I also have a 2000 RX300, 98K miles. Makes the same whine in 1st...bought it used with 82K..immediately drained/filled ATF, dropped/cleaned pan, and replaced filter. Fluid was tired, but I had no metal on magnets. My neighbor is a 30 year mechanic..and he said same thing as posters here..lots of early Gen RX's make the noise.

shortlid

I heard when they put in the 5-speed auto in '04 on RX, Lexus upgraded the front diff. on the auto transmission due to this issue.

Emilaman

So, this noise means that something wrong and need to be fixed or its okey?

Ryan300

the noise is a bit annoying especially on a "luxury" Lexus SUV but I'm used to it now.

According to the forum experts here it's a design flaw and nothing to worry about. But they highly recommend to drain/fill the transmission fluid and drop the pan to clean magnets, filter and pan itself (especially if you haven't done any maintenance on the tranny).

I'm on my second drain/fill using Amsoil. I noticed a slight improvement on the auto-shifting.