Andro

Hey all, just hoping for a little advice. My 2001 rx300 is acting a little weird. The past few days have suddenly been really cold, like in the 30's. And all the sudden if I don't let the car warm up completely, the transmission starts slipping and i hear a weird noise comming from the engine. Its kinda suddle, i really have to listen for it, it almost sounds like a car dying, (I dont know any other way to describe it), but once it warms up completely, it doesnt slip or make any noise, I checked the tranny fluid today while it was warm, and it was all the way down at the cold end. And I'm a little unsure of how to even read the stick, I'm guessing the fluid should be in between the two notched out parts on the stick? If so, how many quarts do you all think i would need to put in it, if its all the way down to the cold end?

salimshah

Just do a drain from two spots and fill. The needed volume is listed in the DIY.

Salim

Andro

Isn't that for AWD though?

EDIT: Also, is there a fluid I can buy at orylies or something, so I can just get the fluid topped off for now? I really dont have the money or time to do a drain and refill for a couple of weeks. Just anything to get me by for a little while.

salimshah

I would suggest only add Toyota transmission fluid .. available through Toyota/Lexus and maybe other.

Salim

Bill Dowd

I bought a 2001 RX 300 the planetary gears were noisy and I was told that the trans was on it's last legs, I went ahead and bought 16 quarts of synthetic trans fluid MAXLIFE and dropped the pan and changed the filter.
I then refilled the trans with Maxlife and then drove it for 20 minutes and drained it. I did this 3 more times costing about $115.00 dollars. I bought the 4 quarts bottles at Auto Zone for about $20.00 each. Here is one thing
I cannot explain a few months ago all of a sudden when I started up the engine a loud roar came from the transmission I think it was the front pump or bearing but after a few weeks it went away figure that one out. what I can't
figure out is how I was able to drive 38,000 miles since I bought the 300 and the tranny is still working just fine but for how long that is anyone's guess. In the past I have always used all synthetic oils in all my cars since 1984 my 1986 Toyota Cressida went over
529,000 miles nothing wore out 1991 Lexus LS400 400k nothing wore out and now I wait for the rx300 to throw the trans I will rebuild the trans and have the planetary bearing caps welded the weak point in the early RX300 trans.