Dan2017

ES350 2007, 125K miles

I noticed a minor delay and slipped power some days before.
Started cold (25F) for 1 min., I raced the engine about 3200 RPM when merging the Highway and later, the car lost engagement power intermittently.

Was it possible there no transmission fluid that caused the problem. What I would check first prior to have a major repair?

Thanks,

Dan

Clutchless

The transmission does not have a dipstick and the check procedure is complicated and only a shop or if you are a skilled backyard mechanic you can do it. It requires measuring overflow from the drain at a certain temperature and is easy to mess up. It is more likely you have worn fluid or a worn transmission with valves going bad or gummed up etc.

Given your mileage, I would consider investing the $200 to $300 for a transmission fluid flush at a Toyota or Lexus dealer. Not all such dealers will do them, but many do and it may make a difference. It also may not make a difference and your transmission could be failing given the years and mileage and that fact the the Toyota/Lexus so called lifetime fluid really does not hold up past 50,000 miles let alone over 100,000 miles. If you plan to keep it, get it done soon and know that a new or rebuilt transmission is several thousand dollars.

dreyfus

This sounds to me like the common (in '07) transmission flare between 3rd & 4th gear. It's more noticeable in the cold. There's absolutely nothing you can do to fix it on your own. Some have said a firmware reflash by the dealer fixed their issue, others had their transmissions replaced. Mine happens almost only on the first 3rd to 4th gear shift of the day and not after that. I just back off the throttle a bit and then go on my way. If yours is worse you may not want to live with it like I do.

It's a crummy defect in an otherwise solid car.

Flying3

I hear a lot about this transmission flare issue. Does it exist in the 2011 ES?

dreyfus

Not that I know of. I thought the issue was dealt with well before then.