Transmission slow to engage when cold

[Navy Doc]

I have a 2020 with 1305 miles.

There have been two instances when the transmission was slow to engage after a cold start. I started the car, and after idling for about a minute, I shifted it into reverse and out of the driveway. As soon as I shifted to drive, the transmission was slow to engage. I thought it had engaged after I shifted, but when I gave it some gas, the vehicle didn’t move. About a second later it engages with a grinding sound and the yellow traction control light comes on. I let off the gas and it fully engages.

When I let it idle for about 3 minutes after starting, it doesn’t happen. All my previous cars didn’t need warming beyond 30 seconds before things started working. Is this behavior in the land cruiser normal? I’ll just let it idle a bit longer before going if that’s the case.

 

[04UZJ100]

Reverse to drive shift speed specification is within a second. This typically is exacerbated when cold. Has occurred on my 100, 4Runner V8, and both 200s I own.

Deliberately give it a second to engage before hitting the gas.

 

[coleAK]

Are you rolling backwards when you put it in drive? Sounds like you are still slightly rolling backwards when you shift. On the rare event my wife drives my dinosaur of LX she does this, doesn’t come to a complete stop after reverse and shifts to drive, then the “hill start assist” kicks in and pulses the ABS. She tends to do this since her primary car for the last 6 years has been Tesla, with no transmission.

 

[Navy Doc]

Are you rolling backwards when you put it in drive? Sounds like you are still slightly rolling backwards when you shift. On the rare event my wife drives my dinosaur of LX she does this, doesn’t come to a complete stop after reverse and shifts to drive, then the “hill start assist” kicks in and pulses the ABS. She tends to do this since her primary car for the last 6 years has been Tesla, with no transmission.

Hmm I don’t think so but then again sometimes I am pressing on the brakes when rolling forward to a complete stop and it still rolls unless I really press on the brake pedal. Still getting used to the brakes on this vehicle. I’ll pay more attention to this and see if that’s the case.

 

[Weedhopper]

How cold? Sub zero winter everything is slower. Summer cold shouldn't affect the fluid.

 

[Navy Doc]

How cold? Sub zero winter everything is slower. Summer cold shouldn't affect the fluid.

Cold as in cold start. Temperature wise not cold at all. 60 F here.

 

[Sandroad]

My '17 8 speed does not need any "warming up" before it will immediately engage D from R. It gets cold here and I use the R to D shift every time I back out of my garage. A grinding noise and dash lights do not sound normal unless you're getting what's described by @coleAK . My son gets after me once in a while for doing the R to D shift before completely stopping. Even so, I've never had a grinding noise, dash lights, or delayed shift.

 

[Navy Doc]

I just tried it again this morning and made sure I went to a complete stop in reverse before shifting to drive. The traction control light came on and I could hear the brakes buzzing before the vehicle started to move. Guess I’ll take it to the dealer to have it looked at.

 

[HGB]

Are you rolling backwards when you put it in drive? Sounds like you are still slightly rolling backwards when you shift. On the rare event my wife drives my dinosaur of LX she does this, doesn’t come to a complete stop after reverse and shifts to drive, then the “hill start assist” kicks in and pulses the ABS. She tends to do this since her primary car for the last 6 years has been Tesla, with no transmission.

I’m convinced all of them do this. They must have had a different drivers ed curriculum, lol.

 

[Aifer]

My 200 with 185K miles on it.
When cold and I put it in R it engages immediately. After reversing, when I put it back to D, it takes few seconds to engage.
Trans fluid ws replaced 35K miles ago,I was suggested to use

Automatic Transmission Conditioner - Justice Brothers

Part No. ATC/55 (15 Fl. OZ. Metal Can)SHARE THIS POSTAutomatic Transmission ConditionerSmooths & speeds shifting in hot & cold weather. Reduces transmission & rear-end heat up to 30°F. Prevents varnish & sludge formation. Approved & tested for posi-traction & limited slip rear-ends. Contains JB...

justicebrothers.com

Any suggestions?
Thx,
Aifer

 

[gaijin]

I have a 2020 with 1305 miles.

There have been two instances when the transmission was slow to engage after a cold start. I started the car, and after idling for about a minute, I shifted it into reverse and out of the driveway. As soon as I shifted to drive, the transmission was slow to engage. I thought it had engaged after I shifted, but when I gave it some gas, the vehicle didn’t move. About a second later it engages with a grinding sound and the yellow traction control light comes on. I let off the gas and it fully engages.

When I let it idle for about 3 minutes after starting, it doesn’t happen. All my previous cars didn’t need warming beyond 30 seconds before things started working. Is this behavior in the land cruiser normal? I’ll just let it idle a bit longer before going if that’s the case.

Something is wrong. A 2020 with only 1,305 miles should not exhibit this behavior - in fact, it should not do this regardless of mileage.

Time to take it to the dealer and determine the cause.

HTH

 

[32cls6speedmt]

My 200 with 185K miles on it.
When cold and I put it in R it engages immediately. After reversing, when I put it back to D, it takes few seconds to engage.
Trans fluid ws replaced 35K miles ago,I was suggested to use

Automatic Transmission Conditioner - Justice Brothers

Part No. ATC/55 (15 Fl. OZ. Metal Can)SHARE THIS POSTAutomatic Transmission ConditionerSmooths & speeds shifting in hot & cold weather. Reduces transmission & rear-end heat up to 30°F. Prevents varnish & sludge formation. Approved & tested for posi-traction & limited slip rear-ends. Contains JB...

justicebrothers.com

Any suggestions?
Thx,
Aifer

I would make sure the transmission fluid is at the correct level. I had similar symptoms and my fluid was too low after adding Toyota atf ws. Never had an issue.

 

[Aifer]

I would make sure the transmission fluid is at the correct level. I had similar symptoms and my fluid was too low after adding Toyota atf ws. Never had an issue.

How do you check ATF fluid level?

 

[NKP Garage]

Replace your transmission fluid and filter with new OEM fluid.

 

[Aifer]

Replace your transmission fluid and filter with new OEM fluid.

done when buying the car. fluid and filter with Toyota ATF fluid

 

[Aifer]

UPDATE:
Treated the transmission with
Justice Brothers
At first I felt smoother shifts when cold. After few weeks the car didn't go into Drive ('D') at all , even after warming up.
It will be towed to the shop on Monday (they suspect the ATF brain is faulty since the gear shifts to R without a problem),
Any thoughts?

 

[Aifer]

UPDATE:
Went into a full transmission rebuild. Feels like new. Got 6 months warranty.
Hopefully its behind us.
Thanks for your support.