When does your trans shift into third gear? - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

Dogster · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2006, 03:02 AM

My wife has a 2000 Avalon XLS that the transmission failed on last year. It was replaced with a factory rebuilt trans under the Toyota extended warranty. However now that the trans is 10 months old or so, it doesn't shift into third gear when the engine's cold until after 35 mph. The dealer claims this is normal and the computer has adjusted to my wife's driving style (she zippity doo dahs in the morning), so it doesn't shift when I drive it with a light foot when cold. Sounds like bull*#*$ to me. What does your Avalon do???

GenSec · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 11:46 AM

I have a 2002 (with 196K) and it does the same. However, it did not do this for me when it was warmer, but now that average temperatures are 40 degrees or lower, it always takes about 3/4 mile before it will shift to third gear. So, the change of drivers is probably not the answer.

In another area of this forum, there is a discussion of synthetic transmission fluid, and the advantages it gives. Does anyone know if that would solve this problem?

garagedude · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 08:51 PM

I have a 2002 Avalon, and since it was new - it has always been slow to shift into third gear when it is cold (below 45 degrees or so). You can force it to shift by pushing up the RPM but not sure that is good for the car. I have changed to synthetic transmission fluid - no change in the slow shifting when cold. So I just ignore this situation and leave well enough alone. Car has 110k miles on it.

gsracer · #4 (**permalink**) 12-25-2006, 10:43 PM

it is a normal condition and when the engine and trans get to the correct temp it will shift just fine

Tennesseestorm · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 12:31 AM

Huh- thats strange, my 2000 Toyota Tundra truck does the same thing and its a totally different transmission. It seems to be very common on the Tundras as well- at least the 2000-2002 models. I did not know that the Avalons had this behavior as well.

I was thinking there was something wrong with my transmission.

The transmission in my old 1990 Lexus LS400 was smooth as silk in all gears. Too bad the newer Toyotas did not follow that trait.

swnoel · #6 (**permalink**) 01-01-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaffer

Huh- thats strange, my 2000 Toyota Tundra truck does the same thing and its a totally different transmission. It seems to be very common on the Tundras as well- at least the 2000-2002 models. I did not know that the Avalons had this behavior as well.

I was thinking there was something wrong with my transmission.

The transmission in my old 1990 Lexus LS400 was smooth as silk in all gears. Too bad the newer Toyotas did not follow that trait.

My 2004 Tundra does the same thing when cold.

Must be normal.

Tennesseestorm · #7 (**permalink**) 01-02-2007, 12:54 AM

Must be. Whats strange though is that mine does not do it when it is cold- only when the truck has warmed to normal operating temperatures.

If it did it in all gears, I would not be as concerned. What has me concerned is that it only does it when shifting from 2nd to 3rd under anything but light acceleration. Seems like a lot of Tundra owners have mentioned this behavior as well, so that has me at peace a little.

I am thinking of adding that Auto-RX to my transmission and driving it 1000 miles, having it flushed and refill with Amsoil, or put Mobil 1 synthetic back in, which is what it has now.