My 08, LS460 has a slight problem that my dealer said was normal. I mentioned to him that when I start in the morning, the initial gear changes, maybe 1-3, are a bit on the rough side, a little clunky. My car is garage kept and does not start cold. It only happens on the initial start and by the time I have come to a light and start out again, all seems to be well.
He said that that was normal for the 460 gear box. Anyone else can confirm or has had similar problem with different responses from your dealer?

 

I obviously can't speak for the '08 but my '10 starts out smooth and stays smooth. Nothing like what you are describing.

 

My 08 does exactly what you are describing and when I asked dealer about it, I was told it's normal. I had an 07 before this one and it did the same thing. Ignore it.

 

Sounds like cold tranny fluid. Once the engine gets to normal operating temp all is fine. By then everything is warmed up and running smoothly. Does this happen to anyone else that has pretty cold mornings? How about up in Canada?

 

This TSB is for 2007, but it sounds like it might be your problem.

http://www.lambros.net/LexusTechInfo...L-TC009-07.pdf

 

It's not the same issue. Above mentioned TSB was issues for a different reason. Nospinzone, I think you've been here from the Launch Date of LS 460. Remember when they first came out, 460 had a feature where trany was disengaged when the car came to a complete stop to save on gas? Everyone complained about it because it barely saved any gas but would cause a slight hesitation and a bump when you would hit the gas pedal. This TSB addresses this "feature". What OP and I are describing is a bit different. I feel a bump going from 1 to 2 or 2 to 3, can't remember now as I learned to ignore it. Lexus claims it's normal. I've had trany software re-flashed a few times for different reasons, but the bump never went away.

 

My 08 does the same thing when it's cold. It goes away very quickly. I've always assumed it's normal and have never even had it checked.

 

I do notice it when I don't let the car warm up for 6-7 minutes.

I think it's nothing to worry about. Just be easy on the first two gears. I drive 10-15 mph for the first two gear shifts and I don't notice anything abnormal.

 

My '10 LS AWD is a bit rough, as well, first thing in the morning, whether it's cold or not. My 08 GS AWD was the same way.

 

Cold trannies with cold tranny fluid is what it sounds like the problem is. Especially if it goes away as the engine warms up. My car is a manual, and on especially cold days, the gears can be a little rough when engaging. I would say ignore it and/or let your vehicles run for a few minutes on cold days before you're ready to go. Besides, it'll let the steering wheel warm up and be nice and toasty for when you're ready to go. If you have that option.lol

 

My 08 has done the same thing. The dealers have acted like it was unheard of, but I read that letting the car warm up "helps" with this condition. I now let the car warm up and it seems to help that issue.

 

I like to warm my cars up before driving in cold weather. Is there a way to leave the care locked while warming up and then return after a few minutes to drive away. What about using the mechanical key? I don't want to leave the car running unattended in my driveway without being locked - even if it is only for a few minutes.

 

I actually read a few years ago that it was better for an engine to warm up under load, rather than just sitting. Has anyone any genuine insight on that?

 

Unfortunately, no unless you install an after-market device that might or might not exist. The mechanical key isn't a practical option that could be part of a daily routine.

When I drove the car the first time, I assumed that the well thought out Lex wouldn't move with the key not detected. So I stopped by a Starbucks and left the engine operating for full 10 minutes. It was a very wrong assumption, but luckily I still have the car. Phew!

I read that quite recently. The main idea behind that theory was that leaving the car warm up for few minutes every day accumulates some material in the exhaust system which could have a negative impact of some sort. Can't recall the details.

 

My transmission shifts very smoothly on morning starts with no warm-up. The only way I can tell it's shifting, with slow acceleration, is by watching the tach.