So I baby my car and dont make it do anything fast. When I back out of my garage in reverse of course then shift from reverse to drive....she seems to take a full second to engage into drive and be ready to go. Its smooth as silk...but I am wondering if with 135k on the tranny if she would shift instantly if I really went nuts and got my tranny fluid to all new stuff vs just 2 new quarts at a time. I recently had a shop do a drain and fill of the tranny fluid...but as most of u know they only get about 2 quarts out. Or maybe this is just the way the car shifts? My LS is a 2004....

 

I've been doing the drain and fill method (about 2.8 qts.) and with 259K miles on my '01, the trans is smooth as silk. There's a split-second lag in shift, but that is normal (same as on my low mileage '06's).

 

so u note there is a second as the engine kind of goes into neutral then drive......I dont jam it into gear just kind of shift slow and smooth. How often are you doing the drain and fill? Are u doing it yourself? Is there a tranny filter or screen that can be cleaned? I believe mine is fine...but she is gettin up there in age and I want to go into prevent defense......

 

Yes, this is normal for the 430. It is electronically controlled. You should also not be moving forward or backwards when shifting. This is not good on the transmission for any vehicle. Come to a complete stop, shift, wait until you are fully in gear, then proceed. If you are getting a little bit of movement it's getting close for the 3 motor mounts. I need to do mine before too long.

 

I believe the delay correlates with the side mirrors returning to normal position when shifting from reverse to drive. At least that happens on my 06.

 

Yes, I do the trans drain 'n fill myself ... when I change oil & filter. I have not replaced any trans filter/screen. I started drain 'n fill on the '01 at about 100K miles on the clock and with the mileage it has now (+258K), I do it every 4th - 5th oil change (20K - 25K miles). I have had no problems whatsoever with the transmission.

 

The mirrors tilting down in reverse is independent of the transmission shifting from forward-reverse-forward. In fact, if you place the mirror adjustment switch in the middle setting (between "L" and "R"), the mirrors don't tilt down in reverse.

 

Thanks all....good replies. I figured it was normal for this car but wanted to be sure. I back her up like an old man.....complete stop.....shift......wait.....she engages.....then we drive miss Daisy....Being a perfectionist I wont feel good until my tranny fluid is running clean. Will have to read some threads on how to do this and get it done. Not gunna pay the stealer 4 times to do drain and fill......not gunna do it

 

I would be shocked bringing this thread back from the dead that any of the owners are still on this forum! If even one is.....Does the transmission still work when backing up in the morning when cold, and going into Drive? Does it still take some time or has it gotten worse? Of course I'd have to be lucky enough to find any owner that still owns their LS430. I still do after 15 years... and it does take a split second to engage into drive after backing out of the driveway in the morning and putting it into drive. I just wanted to know after 168,000 miles my transmission is starting to show signs of it's age. Thanks everyone!

 

I'm right here with you Bocatrip. My tranny seems to shift exactly as when I first took the keys and title back in 2009. I remember it like it was yesterdaaayyyyyy.......haha.

I have done 1 tranny drain and fill over my ownership (did it myself). My 2005 now has 198k! Pretty crazy, but I think I'd sell my 2012 F150 before I sell the LS!

 

Does your LS have the slight delay going from reverse in the morning into drive?

 

Of course. There's a slight delay, but the delay is normal and equivalent to what I've experienced from driving EVERY 'rear wheel drive' vehicle. Also it's constant, in other words, it doesn't disappear after the tranny is hot vs when the tranny is cold.