Hi guys. I use a lexus rx 300 AWD, 2002 with 188,000miles. when the gear changes , it sometimes drags for few seconds before changing. mostly happens when it want to change from gear 1 to gear 2. Any suggestion what I can do? thanks

 

It could be a dozen things but try a new MAF. At least clean it and see if there is any improvement

 

MAF = Mass Air Flow sensor, it's right above the airbox/engine filter in the engine bay.

When's the last time the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) was changed, if ever? Pull the dipstick (orange/red one) and smell the fluid, if it smells burnt, get it changed ASAP.
That's to rule out the transmission as the issue. But as Drcoffee says, could be a host of things.

Take a look at this too.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...uid-level.html

 

Have you given the transmission good servicing by changing out the transmission fluid and the filter in 188,000 miles. If your transmission needs a service I would recommend Max life synthetic transmission fluid you can buy it at Walmart 4 quart bottle around $20. I just bought a 2001 RX 300 in the transmission sings opera in first year telling me that the planetary gears are going. I did a 16 quart drop and fill and now it is fairly quiet. It's held up for a year I do not know how much longer before it explodes but I have noticed changing all that oil it shifts very well now. There's a drain plug on your transmission when you drain it it's about 4 quarts this is how I did a 16 quart change out. I would do one change out drive the car about 40 miles do a second one and so on.When you clean your MAF sensor and make sure you buy the right product to do that do not touch a little wire inside the sensor just spray it and let it dry and put it back in. When I do this on my car I disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes I have found that the car will run better once you've cleared all the old memory because cleaning the MAF sensor it will be more sensitive and I found that I got a couple extra miles to the gallon after doing this cleaning.