View Poll Results: Have you experience any jerkiness in transmission of your ES350?
Yes
16
72.73%
No
6
27.27%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll
Do you experience jerkiness in transmission with your ES350?
01-26-23, 11:19 AM
#106
01-26-23, 05:59 PM
#108
I can't believe I've actually read some posts where dealers refused to perform a fluid change on the "sealed" 8 speed.
Last edited by hotwings; 01-26-23 at 06:12 PM.
01-27-23, 06:03 AM
#109
Lexus Test Driver
I'm becoming convinced that perhaps the best approach these days is to NOT touch the trans fluid. My buddy's 4Runner with 275K on the clock still with original fill.
The following users liked this post:
F3Woody (01-27-23)
01-27-23, 06:30 AM
#110
I had a 2003 Acura CL that was notorious for transmission failure and this topic was discussed, dissected and analyzed ad nauseam in online forums. The consensus, backed by a great deal of data, was that a trans fluid change could actually be a catalyst for damage. Something about how, over the years, the fluid picks up tiny contaminants, metal shavings, etc, but that the transmission actually "gets used to it". And by replacing that with a clean fluid, the whole system goes into "shock", resulting in failure.
It's been years since I was involved with this, I'm just recalling these terms by shoddy memory. FWIW.
01-27-23, 07:34 AM
#111
Lexus Test Driver
May be something to this.
I had a 2003 Acura CL that was notorious for transmission failure and this topic was discussed, dissected and analyzed ad nauseam in online forums. The consensus, backed by a great deal of data, was that a trans fluid change could actually be a catalyst for damage. Something about how, over the years, the fluid picks up tiny contaminants, metal shavings, etc, but that the transmission actually "gets used to it". And by replacing that with a clean fluid, the whole system goes into "shock", resulting in failure.
It's been years since I was involved with this, I'm just recalling these terms by shoddy memory. FWIW.
I had a 2003 Acura CL that was notorious for transmission failure and this topic was discussed, dissected and analyzed ad nauseam in online forums. The consensus, backed by a great deal of data, was that a trans fluid change could actually be a catalyst for damage. Something about how, over the years, the fluid picks up tiny contaminants, metal shavings, etc, but that the transmission actually "gets used to it". And by replacing that with a clean fluid, the whole system goes into "shock", resulting in failure.
It's been years since I was involved with this, I'm just recalling these terms by shoddy memory. FWIW.
01-27-23, 07:35 AM
#112
Before transmissions started getting "sealed", there was almost always a manufacturer's recommended service interval to change the transmission fluid. It might be 60K or 100K miles but it was there. There are rotating friction plates which are sandwiched together that transfer power to the car. When they get worn from normal use, they lose their frictional behavior and start to "slip". Changing the fluid on a regular basis should slow down the speed of wear, since contaminents that promote wear get flushed out. The thinking, like F3Wooddy said, is a transmission that was neglected had wear contaminents which helped prevent slipping of prematurely worn plates. The plates are more worn than if the transmission had been serviced, but now the contaminents themselves are increasing the friction and all seems good. If the fluid is changed, the contaminents are flushed out and the prematurely worn discs now slip. If the fluid had been changed on a regular basis, the plates would have lasted longer. At least that's the theory as I understand it and I'm not a transmission expert, I just read a lot!
Manufacturers are now saying their transmission fluid does not have to be changed which many experts say is bogus. So they seal the units and market them as "non-serviceable". Critics claim this is to appease owners by advertising a lower maintenance cost, since many people don't keep the same car much past 100K miles and the transmisison will likely work that long with no service. Other critics claim a "no service" transmission appeases the EPA by reducing waste oil,even when accounting for recycling.
In patekwis' case, he is questioning if the transmission was ever filled correctly when it was built. This might explain his worse-than-usual shifting problems and I'm guessing the dealer that serviced the car never checked it. There have been some reports of the sealed 8 speed not being filled to the proper level from the factory.
Manufacturers are now saying their transmission fluid does not have to be changed which many experts say is bogus. So they seal the units and market them as "non-serviceable". Critics claim this is to appease owners by advertising a lower maintenance cost, since many people don't keep the same car much past 100K miles and the transmisison will likely work that long with no service. Other critics claim a "no service" transmission appeases the EPA by reducing waste oil,even when accounting for recycling.
In patekwis' case, he is questioning if the transmission was ever filled correctly when it was built. This might explain his worse-than-usual shifting problems and I'm guessing the dealer that serviced the car never checked it. There have been some reports of the sealed 8 speed not being filled to the proper level from the factory.
Last edited by hotwings; 01-27-23 at 09:44 AM.
The following users liked this post:
mikemu30 (01-27-23)
01-09-24, 04:36 PM
#114
I've owned a '24 ES 350 since November and so far so good. I've mostly driven around town, very little highway and have not pushed the car hard but so far its been very smooth.
The following users liked this post:
Mattstermh (01-09-24)
01-10-24, 12:19 PM
#115
I have owned my F Sport since early May 2022 and have never experienced a jerky trans. It’s the smoothest transmission I’ve ever had. And I drive it hard in Sport + mode sometimes.
01-10-24, 05:20 PM
#117
For 2022 and earlier model year F Sport models, only those equipped with the F Sport Dynamic Handling Package have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system. For 2023 and later model years, all (and only) F Sport Handling model types have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system and it is a standard equipment item for those model types.
See the model type and year appropriate Owner's Manual in the "4-5. Using the driving support systems" subchapter's "Driving Mode Select switch" section for more details.
The following users liked this post:
Mattstermh (01-10-24)
01-10-24, 05:59 PM
#118
Pit Crew
ES F Sport models equipped with the Adaptive Variable Suspension system have the Sport + driving mode.
For 2022 and earlier model year F Sport models, only those equipped with the F Sport Dynamic Handling Package have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system. For 2023 and later model years, all (and only) F Sport Handling model types have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system and it is a standard equipment item for those model types.
See the model type and year appropriate Owner's Manual in the "4-5. Using the driving support systems" subchapter's "Driving Mode Select switch" section for more details.
For 2022 and earlier model year F Sport models, only those equipped with the F Sport Dynamic Handling Package have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system. For 2023 and later model years, all (and only) F Sport Handling model types have the Adaptive Variable Suspension system and it is a standard equipment item for those model types.
See the model type and year appropriate Owner's Manual in the "4-5. Using the driving support systems" subchapter's "Driving Mode Select switch" section for more details.
01-13-24, 08:25 PM
#120
I took the plunge and went for a '24 ES 350 and closing in on 1000 miles so far so good (Insert crossed fingers).
I have not driven it hard yet but absolutely no compaints with shifting.
I have not driven it hard yet but absolutely no compaints with shifting.