I am the original owner of a 2000 Rx300 AWD with about 95K. Most maintence has been done at the dealer at prescribed intervals. No towing or off-roading - generally its just been the family car for me and my wife.

Recently the car had a tendency to kind of lurch when applying the gas in reverse. The car would hesitate as if the emergency brake was on and suddenly released. Afterwards it would appear to drive normally. Last Saturday I felt like the transmission was slipping on upshifts in Drive. This was at highway speeds.
Today I tried backing the car on my street (about a 5 degree incline) and had no reverse at all ( as if it was in Neutral). After dinner I drove to a near by school and it seemed to work OK reversing on level ground and on a slope.

Per Lexus guidelines the transfluid has never been changed.

My questions are:
1. Do these symptoms sound typical for an incipient Transmission failure?
2. Is there any point to changing the ATF and filter now?

Any experiences or suggestions the group has would be welcome.

Thanks,

Jim

 

What you describe is exactly how my 1999 RX300 felt shortly before the tranny failed at about 116K. Probably no point in changing the ATF now - the damage has probably been done - but what do you have to lose?

 

Do not do a flush... If all maintenance was done at Lexus, I would ask for a goodwill replacement, especially since they did not recommend tranny fluid changes, and they know they have a problem. Treat them firmly, politely, and ask about a good will repair of the transmission.

 

I guess, first you have to take your RX in to the dealership for diagnosis.

I assume you have checked the trans-fluid level ... engine/transmission hot, level surface, engine running.

Salim

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Its time for an oil change and tuneup anyway so I will have the dealer assess the transmission at that time. Probably will spring for a drain and refill and a new transmission filter.

Again many thanks. This is a great forum!

Jim

 

sounds like the trans.screen/filter is clogged. also what thomas mentioned is a good idea "ask about a good will repair of the transmission." I personally would pick up a filter/gasket from toyota,drop the fluid (as well as the differential) drop the pan,change the filter/screen,check to see whats at the bottom of the pan (you can tell a lot from this) put back together refill,test drive.btw,one of our people had these symptoms and did what i suggested,and it worked.

 

As Lexus114 said drop the pan, see what is going on, and cross your fingers. Maybe you will luck out. As for the filter unless you have had it serviced it could be the original wire mesh screen. The replacement would be a paper element.

 

Is this "paper filter" dealer or aftermarket? I keep hearing of this replacement "paper filter". I going to change mine soon, is there a difference between the paper and screen filter, obviously one is paper and one is a metal screen, but is one better than the other?

 

Had similar problems as you are describing 2 years ago with my RX300 AWD 2000. Lexus changed the transmission under warranty because they knew they had had problems. Now 2 years have passed and I have similar symptoms. Took the car in to a transmission specialist and he said to have the ECM checked out. It turns out he was correct, the dealer is also under the impression that it could be the ECM. It seems they have had problems with the ECM's on Toyota Rav 4 and Lexus RX300 as their transmissions are quite similar. Think about it when you go to your dealer.

regards

 

The original installed was probaby the wire mesh. Lexus and Toyota since than has changed it to a paper filter medium.

 

It has a better flow with the screen filter vs.paper.

 

I seem to remember reading somewhere, I don't remember where, that the mesh screen can still be purchased as a Toyota replacement part.

I'm partial to mesh filter screens, but then my dear old Mercedes had a mesh screen (oil bath) engine air filter.

 

I tried both dealership Toyota and LExus, the screen was not available. They thought it was, but what came in when they ordered it was paper.

 

About two years ago now,I replaced my paper filter (the woman that had the RX before me had all the maintenance done at the dealer) with a mesh one I got from Car Parts. I must have gotten lucky or something,I dont know.I did notice a definite shift improvement after the change.

 

It could be:

1) the wire mesh was letting too much go through. [improvement driven change].

2) Non-metal screen filter is cheaper but works well or well-enough. [cost reduction driven change].

The screen can be cleaned and re-used.

Salim