I've noticed that it takes a considerably longer amount of time to start my ES when the engine is cold. When I first start the car in the morning, I have to crank the engine for much longer than when the engine is warm. When it's warm it just starts right up. The shifting of gears also seems to be harder when cold - I can feel a jerk when shifting into reverse to back out of the garage. Is this normal behavior for a car, or is there something I can do about it? 1996 ES with about 115K on the clock.

 

I'll just throw out a few things that could point out to the problem with your cold starts:

- Replace spark plugs (should be done every 60K miles)
- Check the tranny fluid after driving the car around for 5 minutes, pulling over to a gas station or somewhere, gate shifting thru all the gears (P,R,N,D,2,L), and pulling out the tranny fluid dipstick. Wipe the fluid from the dipstick with a white-colored paper towel or napkin. If the fluid appears red or reddish brown, the fluid is OK. However if the fluid appears like a dark grey or near black, you should consider changing the tranny fluid ASAP. If the fluid has never been changed before in the lifetime of your car, look into having the transmission fluid system flushed out and replaced (i.e. flushes out the fluid from the tranny pan and the torque converter). The more common drain-and-fill method is employed in which the old tranny fluid from just the tranny pan is replaced.
- Replace the air filter if it's dirty.
- Clean the fuel injectors by inserting some fuel injector cleaning fluid into the gas tank. This kind of fluid can be bought off the shelf at your local Wal-mart, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, or any auto parts store. I prefer Chevron w/ Techron concentrate.
- Clean the throttle body by taking apart the airbox and the tubings that lead to the TB. You may use a specialized throttle body cleaner spray that can be bought from any auto parts store. I would leave this step as a last resort as this is not a common maintenance practice.

I would approach the easy way into this problem first. In this case, look into the air filter and tranny fluid steps before anything else. Hope this info helps

 

My 1992 es 300 runs way different when it isnt fully warmed up. It is hesistant to accelerate. I just had the plugs replaced and ran some fuel injector fluid through it..But it still does it, maybe i need to clean the throttle body i duno..

 

When was the last time you had your transmission serviced? If it's more than 30K miles ago, I suggest you get it done ASAP. This could possibly mean bringing your car to the dealership to have the filter and gasket replaced, and the fluid changed. Once that's done, it will make a big difference in how your engine starts up and when you accelerate.

 

run a colder plug.

 

Run a colder plug? that will just foul out faster on a stock motor. You only go with a colder plug range if you plan to run boost and the engine is running excessively hotter. Otherwise you don't even mess with that.

 

well how long are you actually warming up the car and where is the temp guage in proximity to the normal operating range when you first drive your car? If it's at or below the C line, you're obviously driving the car when the engine coolant hasnt fully warmed up.

 

How new is your battery?