So I purchased my 2008 IS 250 used with 69,000 miles. I have yet to get the car service for its oil change, still need a 200 miles until it's next one.

The other day I noticed that the car gets stuck on 5th speed and doesn't want to shift into 6th. It usually does this when it hasn't been driven for a few hours, so in the morning on my way to work and then again on my way home. I haven't noticed any abnormal jerking while it shift into 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5th. Although it does seem to feel a bit harsh while it down shifts from 2nd to 1st.

What the issue is, as I press the accelerator its shift up to 5th but then the 6th doesn't engage and then my RPMs go up to 4/5. After that the car either shift down to 4th and back up to 5 th while RPMs still remain high. The car doesn't engage into 6th until about 10 to 15 mins after driving it. During that period I try to keep off the accelerator as to not stress the engine and keep the RPMs low.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this normal? Or could it mean a transmission issue. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

When I start up my car early mornings, especially cold ones, my 2is will do the same till the temperature of the engine gauge reaches near 25% to 50%. I think all of our cars do this as a safety measure to protect the transmission? I'm sure someone who actually knows technicalities will chime in soon

 

It's completely normal, and happens in cold ambient temperatures. It's done to get the catalytic converters to light off more quickly to reduce pollution.

 

normal, 6th gear is not available when tranny cold

 

Last month when I bought my IS I realize it wouldn't shift to 6th gear in the morning till the car warmed up about 25%. Till last week I realized it would change into 6th gear after the car warmed up about 25%.

Totally normal.

 

It's totally normal. Don't be scare