Anyone else notice the tranny is a bit jerky/rough when the engine is cold? I understand cars run differently when they are cold (I'm not disputing that) but my prev 2IS' tranny use to be much smoother when running cold. I took my car to a dealer, made them keep it over night and test when cold. They said the car is operating normal and the master tech didn't notice anything out of the norm. The car is jerky on the daily so it's not an isolated incident. I'm trying to find out if it is actually the norm so any input from fellow 350 owners is appreciated.

 

Yes, it is jerky when the engine is cold. I think it is for the first five minutes or so it happens to be jerky when shifting. You feel it every time the tranny shifts. When it gets to the operating temperature though it smooths out. I think this transmission is inherited directly from ISF, a performance version of IS. So this tranny is a performance oriented tranny so the shifts may not be same smooth that you normally find in luxury cars. I maybe wrong though.

 

So you feel it too then? Hmm. That almost seems like two steps forward and one step back. If its common then I guess I'm over it. Just seems very non-Lexus of Lexus to develop a tranny like that.

 

I feel this every morning at 6am on my way to work. After about 5 minutes or so it smooths out. I think this is pretty normal and it is not a tranny issue.

 

I have NOT noticed any jerkiness with my 8-speed. But then I'm pretty easy on the gas until it warms up a bit.

 

I've noticed this too every morning. I take it easy while the engine is cold most of the time anyway

 

I wouldn't exactly go and say that the IS-F transmission being "performance" is why this happens. Its well known that the IS-F transmission is not a great tranny. Its really...a rev hanging...too many changes for its own good...jerky transmission.

However, as with any transmission, and the same with my TR6060, a fluid change can do wonders. Depending on the climate you live in, and when you drive your car, you can find a fluid weight that will work slightly better for you.

 

Ok, so the consensus is that this is normal. I'm relieved. Unfortunately I have to feel it pretty harshly every am because I have to speed up to get on a freeway right out of my apartment complex. Blah! Thanks everyone.

 

Do y'all let it warm up s bit before driving?

 

I let it idle for atleast a few minutes. I wait for the rpm's to drop under 1000. I might just be paranoid, but i feel like when that drop in rpm happens, it means the oil has circulated through the engine and warmed up enough to reach an allowable operating temp. But this is complete speculation on my part. I have no idea if that's actually what is happening.

 

I usually let it warm up for at least 20-30 seconds. I wait for the revs to decrease from 2k to around 1300. One would have to sit in the car for 4-5 mins to get the engine to warm completely...i'm not about to do that in a car from 2015.

A few times I have activated the remote start 3-5 mins before I get to the car and the engine is about half way warmed. This definitely decreases the jerky tranny issue but is still kinda of ridiculous in my opinion. My 2008 IS350 did not have this problem so that makes it even more irritating.