i have a 2003 lexus rx300. This morning i tried to shift it in reverse and i had to put a lot of effort in putting it in reverse. could someone tell me if this has to do with the transmission
i only have 36,000 miles on the car

please help

 

I have had felt this before, but it would just go away. Tranny fluid comes to mind.

Let it warm up for about 13 minutes (car is fully warmed up by then) and then try putting it in reverse. Sometimes this helps and the clunk goes away the next time you start it up.

 

Was the RX parked (in Park) on in incline, with Auxillary (3 foot pedal) released?

Salim

 

Salim, I have noticed if I am on an incline with car weight on the park mechanism it can be difficult to shift out of park, not so much though that I would normally consider mentioning it. Actually it happens in my driveway when I park on the slight grade, especially if I release the pbrake first throwing the weight of the car on the park mechanism. I even think I am hurting something by having to sort of force the shifter out of park - but I don't see any way around it, except I have learned to try to set the pbrake first putting the load on the brakes and then shifting from drive to park, and reversing the process in order to move the vehicle.

 

I have noticed this here on the inclines I have in Mexico.

When I did a drain and fill on my tranny last week, afterwards the gear shifter seemed much more fluid than before and that initial move from P to R (since I have to back out from where I park) was one of the smoothest I have ever had.

 

do you think this has to do with the oil sludge problem in thr rx300

 

It would not be a symptom.