I noticed nobody really posts anything in the sub threads so I'll post here.

I have a 1990 LS400 with 125k miles on it. I recently bought it in Oct. and have put 6,000 miles on it since then. It was all dealer (Toyota Specialist) maintained by the previous owner and garage kept, also usually driven just around town.

I'm a young buck and have driven it pretty hard while I've had it -(burn outs, wide open throttle,racing etc.) and now cus of my need to experiment the tranmission is starting to have problems.
On regular acceleration between idle (600rpm) and first shift (about 1500) the car studders/slows at about 800-1000 rpm then continues on as normal to 2nd gear at 1500rpm. When shifting it feels like it shifts twice and sometimes is delayed depending on how cold the trans/engine is.
The other problem relates to park shifting. I've read that the delay between shifting from P to R and to D is supposed to be happen within less than 1 second. (.03-.08 seconds). Mine on the other hand is about 1.5 seconds. I shift from P to R and there is that 1.5-2.0 second delay before the car hunches forward.
More recently when downshifting (slowing) there is a small jolt that can be felt.

I've read that slow take-offs may be related to spark plugs, which havent been replaced with the life of the car. I will change those soon. But what are the typical estimations about these tranmission problems? I've been told a mechanic will drop the tranmission and clean it out and change all fluids. Is this correct?
Are there any other options?

If anyone has any comments, thanks alot!

Happy New Year Lexus lovers!

 

Change your trans. fluid, make sure it is Toyota type T-IV. It only takes 2 liters time. You can do this yourself.

 

I've heard twice now that regular Dexron ATF is bad or isn't recommended for use in Lexus cars. Where I took my car to get the transmission flushed they said they had never heard of type IV being used in the transmission, only for rear differential.
What is the main difference? Does dexron damage the transmission?
After the flush 1st and 2nd still shift hard (I'm assuming the gears are just worn) but the acceleration at power peak is smoother and highway driving is much improved. It has Dexron ATf fluid in it.

 

About the only thing a person can say in a situation like this is to follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Call your dealership and ask someone in service.

If you would, post what you find back here.

 

Have your transmission drained and reflushed !

The dipstick says ATF TYPE 2, refering to TOYOTA TYPE 2, not
ATF DEXTRON TYPE 2.

It has since been replaced with TOYOTA TYPE 4.

DEXTRON ATF 2 or 4 is not the same ! It is used mainly in GM
products. The ATF from any TOYOTA Dealer comes in a large
metal container. If you are not having it done at the dealer,
then I would insist they use it or I would go somewhere else.
I had them keep the can and invoice when I had mine done.

 

SC400 and LS400 use Toyota trans. fluid Type T-II, Toyota has since upgrade their trans. fluid to Typr T-IV. SC300 use Dexron trans. I think Type T-II or Type T-IV has to do with the smoothness of the LS/SC400 transmission.
Yes, you're in big trouble. Got to flush the trans. and refill with Toyota trans. fluid type T-IV.
The rear differential use thicker oil 80-90W. The guy that told you that was an idiot.
Like Honda transmission, only use Honda trans. fluid, not Dexron II.
Hope you didn't ruin your trans. yet.

 

Hi guys, I got a question..

I am planning to change my tranny fruid. I heard about the Mobil 1 syntetic oil and the dextron 111. Which one is better? How My ride is a '94 LS 400 and it's got 118000 miles on it.
Some people use Mobil One and they said the gears work smoother. Is that right?

Thanks for the help

Dom

 

Holy toledo that's gotta be one of the most debated topics on this web page! For an hour's worth of reading on the subject, just do a search on "transmission fluid change".

The recommended Toyota ATF fluid will cost you from $22 to $40 a can, and you need 2 or 3 cans for a full change, so there is a lot of interest in suitable alternatives. There have been a few postings from owners that have tried other types of ATF, and they initially report that the car shifts fine. Then a flurry of posts appear telling him he's gonna ruin his tranny if he keeps the non-Toyota stuff in there. Then the original poster collapses like a house of cards and puts in the Toyota Type T ATF.

Seen that happen at least twice on the SC forum, and it's probably occurred in the GS and LS forums, too.

 

 

PerryinLA

Exactly right!

I do believe that because of all the talk of additives to keep the tranny running it's smoothest etc.. I'll stick with Totoyta Type IV. A shop once out dexron 2 in my tranny w/ a mix of toyota fluid. The car shifted a *little* harder than with the Type IV I have in there now. I also had a complete 'running' flush and used 8 or so cans of type IV.

Stick with Type IV!

 

thanks for the info guys.

I will replace it this weekend

 

For automatic transmissions, I always stick with the manufacturers' fluid...they all have different additive packages based on their design specs.

I always use Mobil 1 engine oil though.

 

Everyone knows that changing this fluid completely is either a hassle or expensive ($140 at the Lexus Dealership, or $110 at Toyota). Here's what I do. At every ENGINE oil change, 5,000 miles, I also drain the transmission fluid in the pan, which is exactly 2 quarts. Cost is $9.00 for 2 quarts of the Type-IV fluid. At this rate, doing partial changes, you can effectively flush out a lot of the old fluid (albeit with some new stuff) over a period of time. Now, at every 5,000 miles, if you change 2 quarts, you can change the oil 15 times before it costs you $140. At this time, you have also put 75,000 miles on your car. Ordinarily, the dealership will tell you to change your fluid every 30,000 miles or so, so you are looking at 2.5 x 140 = $350 for 75,000 miles. So now you see, with the partial mehtod, you don't get a full oil change, but you continually add new fluid, continually delete residue and particulates, get the satisfaction of a job well done, save a lot of money, and keep loving your Lexus. My fluid has turned from brown to mostly clear red in about 5 changes, and of course it is improving. Cheers.

 

Good tip.

It seems most people overlook the transmission fluid. My friend has a 1998 corolla which prety much has only had the oil changes done - even then it's sometimes been in 7-10K mile intervals.

He's never even thought about changing the transmission fluid. ?!

 

And how often do you change the filter?

Joe