1999 Lexus RX300 - hear there are alot of trani problems...too bad I already bought one. 6 months later I notice that the 1st - 2nd gear change happens at 3100 rpm for the first run through. After it goes through the gears, the shifts occurr at the usual 2100rpm. My assumption that the trani is on it way? Any preventative procedure, to save me a $4000 bill? (Vehical has 105K)

Hello, Here is a link to a great discussion about this problem: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28020 You should be able to find some help (and fellow sympathetic owners!) there. Best of luck! I hope it all works out. CarGrrl

We have a '99 that we bought Certified Pre-Owned with 35k miles on it. Fortunately, our transmission failed at 80k mile while still under the 100k mile warranty. Anyway, it was not a $4k bill just so you know. I'd have to go back and look but it's probably closer to to lowe $2k, though, not cheap but not that crazy. For us, it was $0. :) You should have the transmission oil changed and filter changed. The change is recommended every 30k miles.

My Lexus does the same thing, the ECM controls transmission shift points and the shift points are high until the engine reaches a predetermined temperature then the ECM will change the shift points to a more normal setting, you will also notice that the overdrive part will not operate until the engine is warmed up. This doesn't mean that your tranny is going bad. If you still have a concern about the tranny just drop the tranny oil pan and check for any metal particulates in the bottom of the pan, if there aren't any large amounts just change out the filter, add some Lubeguard for Toyota automatics and refill the tranny.

our 1999 Lexus does the same thing, dealer service said it was normal until the trans warms up. we try to let ours idle for about 5 min on first start in the morning and we don't seem to have the issue anymore