Hello All,

I have been searching this site for cold transmission / first morning shift issues. I have been reading a lot about this issues. Here is the situation:

My wifes car 2005 GS 300, in the morning (Florida) when she backs out of the drive way all is fine, as soon as she shifts into "D" to go forward the car slips for a second (no movement). After that sec the transmission catches the gear and all is fine for the rest of the day. I have noticed it typically happens when it is cold outside 75 degrees. This car is all stock and I was suspecting it was the torque converter. But after reading these threads about fluid change and add Lucas tranny fix and battery issues, I am will to entertain other options that are easier.
The battery is good, so that only leaves torque converter or Lucas fluid.

Is there a straight answer on this issue?

Thanks all in advance

 

Have you checked the fluid level? Fluid expands & contracts to heat, and when it gets warm the fluid expands enough to work properly. It sounds like you are about 1/2 of a quart low, or better.

 

Also how many miles on the vehicle? How many miles since last trans service

 

First, Lol at 75 being cold.

Second, I think this is common ACTUAL cold weather response. Both my 4th gen Camrys did this and my 01 GS430 does.
I have had my fluid drained and filled this spring. So either I got crappy fluid or this is probably normal. I also had my rear diff fluid changed.

 

Have you ever changed transmission fluid? If you do, what type fluid do you replace it with?

 

My 3GS does the exact same thing, when its cold, the first shift from reverse to drive slips/lags. After that its a bit sluggish as the car warms up (you can feel the shifts), but when its warm it shifts fine.

Fluid is fresh and red.

 

My IS does the same thing as well, shifts terrible when cold but when it warms up, all is well. Fluid is less than 5,000 miles old. Obviously not a GS but shares the same A650E transmission

 

Mine started slipping today. Off the line, even when warmed up, is sluggish and jerky. Then when moving it seems ok. Fluid level was close to normal last I checked and I don't think I've lost any in the last few months. It was just today that the problem appeared.

 

I changed my fluid at about 140k and for whatever reason it didn't mix well with the old fluid. Started getting bad shifts when cold. I took it in and they did a few drain and refills. No problems after that