NYKnick101

Hey guys,
I've had my 2006 is250 awd for about 6 months now and I am getting all the parts together to do some major maintenance for the car as I bought he car used and other than basic maintenance, not 100% sure what the old owner has or has not done done. Any maintenance tips recommended is definitely welcome so feel free to chime in. Im at 88k at the moment

The car runs really well though but as of late I've been noticing that when I first start the car let it warm up and then drive, the car doesn't shift all the way to 6th gear. I just noticed it this week and idk if the weather getting colder is a part of the issue. The car shifts perfectly fine, no jumps weird noises, etc. I have to put the car in sport shift mode and shift to 6th gear (which is not a big deal at all) but when I put the car back in regular mode, it shifts all 6 gears perfectly fine. Its like the TCU forgets there is a 6th gear until i put it in 6th gear

The car is out of warranty but IDK if there are any recalls or other things for this that is worth looking into. Again, other than this hiccup, the car runs and shifts perfectly fine.

(Also if anyone has any info for changing front differential fluid on the AWD's please chime in as well)

DKnight350

Perhaps the car stays in 5th to assist in warming the car up? Are you going fast enough to warrent 6th gear?

Also, the manual shifting does not force the gear (meaning you put it in 6th gear and let the car slow to 40 or go up a steep hill, the car will downshift as needed even though it says it is in 6th), so are you sure it goes to 6 in manual mode?

UniSlayEX

Drivers.Lexus.com can tell you what's been done if it was taken to a dealer service center.

Spark plugs should have changed at 60k.

I have no idea about that shifting problem.

IS350AWD

It will not shift into 6th gear if you are going 60-ish MPH and the engine is not yet warmed up.

NYKnick101

Yeah positive it shifts in to 6th because I can feel the shift. I would ride all the way to 3500 rpms and higher before it shifts to 6th.

I checked. It doesnt really say much which i think the guy didnt get it serviced at the lexus dealership. I know he got the top end engine cleaning though

This is probably it. I usually don't drive when the car is completely cold, I let it warm up enough to decent operating temparature. but overall it isnt something to worry about just in the long run

nosurprise

iTrader: (1)

Do you see it shift? You can look at the RPM going lower and the gear indicator on the dash instead of feeling it.

It's not worth looking into. My car does the same thing when the engine is cold -- it does this longer when the weather is colder. Once the car warm up a bit it shifts to 6th gear.

IS350AWD

Yes, it's completely normal.

Also notice on cold days that you will have to hold the brake harder because, at a stop, the engine will idle upwards of 1000 RPM to warm it up more quickly.

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

The car has to warm up a bit before it will allow it to shift into 6th. Completely normal. Helps with warm up.

Dapper

iTrader: (2)

Yeah the car definitely accounts for the lower engine temperature by not shifting to 6th. Its best to just warm the car up to prevent any future problems.

PS.
I see you a knicks fan! Same here! Been a fan since the early 90s! Hopefully we can stay healthy and make a nice run this year.