Tranny question
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: WA
Tranny question
Ok, so the tranny is going. I have all the signs (slipping, acts like neutral in reverse etc) Unfortunately, these signs are sporadic and hard to replicate with the mechanic sitting in the seat. Luckily, I have a dealer warranty that totally covers it. However, they are not wanting to do anything until I am broken down on the side of the road with no movement.
I can understand they don't want to shell out the money until absolutely having to. However, my problem is I have a 2 and a 4 year old that drive around with my wife in the city all the time and I do not want them breaking down on the side (or middle) of they busy freeways.
So, my question is how would I go about "laying my transmission to rest" in the "vicinity" of my house? I was told to just jam it into park. However, I don't want to do anything that they can come back and say I abused the tranny or something ( I don't know if they could tell that I did that but I assume they could).
I'm not trying to be unethical here - I have 20K / 2 yrs left on my warranty so I know it's going before that is expired. I just know the inevitable is coming and I want my family to be safe when it does.
Thanks for any input/help.
I can understand they don't want to shell out the money until absolutely having to. However, my problem is I have a 2 and a 4 year old that drive around with my wife in the city all the time and I do not want them breaking down on the side (or middle) of they busy freeways.
So, my question is how would I go about "laying my transmission to rest" in the "vicinity" of my house? I was told to just jam it into park. However, I don't want to do anything that they can come back and say I abused the tranny or something ( I don't know if they could tell that I did that but I assume they could).
I'm not trying to be unethical here - I have 20K / 2 yrs left on my warranty so I know it's going before that is expired. I just know the inevitable is coming and I want my family to be safe when it does.
Thanks for any input/help.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 16
From: Ca.
Ok, so the tranny is going. I have all the signs (slipping, acts like neutral in reverse etc) Unfortunately, these signs are sporadic and hard to replicate with the mechanic sitting in the seat. Luckily, I have a dealer warranty that totally covers it. However, they are not wanting to do anything until I am broken down on the side of the road with no movement.
I can understand they don't want to shell out the money until absolutely having to. However, my problem is I have a 2 and a 4 year old that drive around with my wife in the city all the time and I do not want them breaking down on the side (or middle) of they busy freeways.
So, my question is how would I go about "laying my transmission to rest" in the "vicinity" of my house? I was told to just jam it into park. However, I don't want to do anything that they can come back and say I abused the tranny or something ( I don't know if they could tell that I did that but I assume they could).
I'm not trying to be unethical here - I have 20K / 2 yrs left on my warranty so I know it's going before that is expired. I just know the inevitable is coming and I want my family to be safe when it does.
Thanks for any input/help.
I can understand they don't want to shell out the money until absolutely having to. However, my problem is I have a 2 and a 4 year old that drive around with my wife in the city all the time and I do not want them breaking down on the side (or middle) of they busy freeways.
So, my question is how would I go about "laying my transmission to rest" in the "vicinity" of my house? I was told to just jam it into park. However, I don't want to do anything that they can come back and say I abused the tranny or something ( I don't know if they could tell that I did that but I assume they could).
I'm not trying to be unethical here - I have 20K / 2 yrs left on my warranty so I know it's going before that is expired. I just know the inevitable is coming and I want my family to be safe when it does.
Thanks for any input/help.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 22
From: Virginia
When the transmission in my 1999 RX failed at about 110K, in a manner just like yours, it remained (barely) driveable but the dealer was able to do something to diagnose the problem; I'm not sure whether the test procedure was electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
It depends on who is warranting the car. If your car is covered by an extended warranty program, I'd go get a second opinion from another dealer. Yours may be gambling that your warranty expires before your transmission. It's sad but true; not all Lexus dealers provide "the Lexus Experience".
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: New Jersey
I wouldn't recommend jamming it in park or anything like that. But being that Lexus does not open up the trans, just replaces them, I don't think they would really know.
What I would do is next time the trans is acting up is give it the gas and push it a bit. Nothing unethical about that.
What I would do is next time the trans is acting up is give it the gas and push it a bit. Nothing unethical about that.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
It depends on who is warranting the car. If your car is covered by an extended warranty program, I'd go get a second opinion from another dealer. Yours may be gambling that your warranty expires before your transmission. It's sad but true; not all Lexus dealers provide "the Lexus Experience".
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Great, mine is slipping a little too. It was replaced under warranty at about 70,000 and now it needs another new one at 170,000.
I never thought I'd say this but my Saab's transmission seems to hold up better than this one, I had to replace that one at 60k.
Money pit!!!
I never thought I'd say this but my Saab's transmission seems to hold up better than this one, I had to replace that one at 60k.
Money pit!!!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Great, mine is slipping a little too. It was replaced under warranty at about 70,000 and now it needs another new one at 170,000.
I never thought I'd say this but my Saab's transmission seems to hold up better than this one, I had to replace that one at 60k.
Money pit!!!
I never thought I'd say this but my Saab's transmission seems to hold up better than this one, I had to replace that one at 60k.
Money pit!!!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: WA
I have been down the road already with the dealer with regards to possible outcomes. They flat out do not care. They require the issue to be "replicable" and because it is sporadic, it never happens at the "right moment" when a mechanic is in the car. The issue is it is not a Lexus warranty but an aftermarket warranty the Acura dealer sold me. I have a hard time thinking that it goes the route of insurance fraud for the simple fact that the tranny is going and will go by the time the warranty is up. It is just a matter of where, not when.