transmission downshift to first
 

My 95LS downshifts into first gear fairly hard when braking to a complete stop. It usually feels like a kick down. Not sure if this is related but upon cold starts when the engine is revving higher, and gets put into gear it feels like the car lurches forward.

The tranny fluid was recently changed. Could this be a tranny mount issue? Any Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Two things to look for here. First when the tranny oil was changed do you know for sure that it was Toyota ATF 4 (IV). it won't run well on anything else. Other than that your engine and tranny mounts will be shot. There's pleanty on here if do a search.

Atf
 

Previous owner changed tranny fluid at Sears, so most likely it is not Toyota. After searching around I am still curious if the down shifting and lurching is related or exclusive.

ls400 trans is VERY picky when it ocmes to fluid, if you dont use toyota T-IV (or the amsoil equivalent) then your trans WILL ***** at you.

The downshift feeling can be softened by changing the transmission fluid. My car lurches when I shift into drive as well and I've always thought it was normal on 1995 MY cars.

smoothe
 

Thanks guys. I notice that during normal driving it shifts very smooth, but when I punch it harder (like 3k rpm and up) it shifts with a jerk. And of course the downshift always occurs.

I'm going to replace the fluid as well as the all the mounts. Hopefully that'll take care of the downshifting and minor engine vibrations.