I was not aware that checking the transmission fluid require the engine to be running. As a result, yesterday my car suddently not moving, altough engine rev up.

I switched the gear from P to N to R, then N, then P. It moved.

Later I drove it for 40 miles, no problem.


After realizing to check the fluid with engine running, that evening, I checked the level again With hot Engine after 30 miles drive, the level is below the "LOW" mark. I Put 1.25 quart of Type IV.

Problem: When I drive slowly 25-30mph,and would like to accelerate, It doesn't downshift. It stays at the 4th gear, unless If I kicked my pedal to the floor then 2 sec later it shifted down.

Other than downshifting delay, the car runs smooth, up-shifting is smooth as well.

Have I destroying my tranny? This is 99 RX300AWD with 120k Miles. I drive it with gentle.


Appreciate any advise/comments.

Thanks for advise.
Email: Mek88@yahoo.com in Los Angeles

 

You probably have not destroyed your tranny. I flushed my tranny at 67K and now have 88K (will flush again at end of this year).

I race my RX in the 1/4 mile (do not laugh, it beats a lot of SUVs it should not) and do not do any manual shifting, just out of D (found out I get no advantage if I shift with L and 2). I do like to powerbrake for my reaction times (accelerator pedal pushed down with brake on/holds at 2,000 rpm, no tire squealing) Add to this that I live in a hill/mountain terrain going up and down every day. Still the fluid is red and I have never experienced any tranny problem. Lexus checked my vehicle in December and nothing found despite giving them the above information.

Periodically, based on the way I drive and where I live I sometimes get the behavior you are experiencing, though at different mph ranges, about 5 mph higher.

What I do is either pull the EFI fuse for a few seconds or better yet I pull the negative battery cable out for about 5 minutes (from recent observations). Then I floor it a few times either in D or in P, though it works better when you are on the road, and this gives it some better shifting capability. I had another friend with a 2001 FWD model down here, and this works somewhat, but then again his car is not modified in anyway.

What may have happened initially to you may have been a result of low fluid. Sometimes I will hit a small bump in the road and the car will temporarily not move until a second or too later (most likely the fluid swishing around the torque converter).

I think you did right but try the process I mentioned with the battery or fuse.

I often check my fluid by dripping a dot on a piece of paper towel to see if it blots or just sits. Still, I have seen nothing.

Besides my oil, it is the only other fluid I check on a weekly basis.

 

that is really hard on your tranny, I fried an accord tranny the same way. Get it fixed ASAP.

 

Good advice all! My question is "Where did that missing ATF go?"

Is there a leak? Is it external or "internal"? (Have you been "gaining" coolant?) Keep an eye on the fluid level for the next few weeks. Be sure the engine is idling in "Park" when you check.

Get the ATF changed and have the transmission checked by a dealer or a good transmission specialist shop ASAP, likr toy said. If either wants to sell you an expensive overhaul or a new transmission, get a second, maybe a third opinion.