Lexus began in 1983 with a team of Japanese engineers. Along with both designers and technicians, they were all assigned to a secret project to create a new luxury automobile. After creating specific standards of production, the Lexus was born.

Focusing on using the spirit of Omotenashi, each vehicle is created and designed around the consumer. By anticipating needs and creating something truly electric, Lexus is made as a quality luxury vehicle.

When it comes to transmission, all Lexus vehicles were manual or an automatic six-speed until 2006. At this time, Lexus incorporated the first production eight-speed automatic transmission in an automobile. This was done with the LS 460, and then the gearbox was later adapted for the GS 460 and IS F models.

What Does a Transmission Do?

Your car’s transmission is one of the most essential parts of your vehicle. It is what moves the power from the wheels to the engine. There are many types of transmissions, automatic and manual are the two main varieties. Manual transmissions are also known as stick-shift cars and require the driver to use an extra pedal to drive.

Overall, the transmission enables the gear ratio between the drive wheels and the engine. It allows you to adjust the car as it speeds up and slows down. Once you stop your vehicle the transmission will disconnect the engine from the drive wheels. This ensures that the engine will stay on and the wheels will not continue to stay on. Transmissions also allow your car to quickly accelerate and also reduce wear and tear.

Manual Transmissions

Manual transmissions are different from automatic transmissions because they have a clutch pedal and a shifter. In this case, as the driver, you will need to manually change gears. They are set up as a set of gears along shafts, which are called the input and output shafts.

As a driver of a manual transmission, you need to select the proper gear, and shift gears continuously. It may also use a flywheel, as well as a pressure plate and clutch to engage and disengage the engine. You must push the clutch pedal in order to release the pressure plate, which disengages the clutch from the engine. Every time you make a shift, you have to push in the clutch first.

Types of Manual Transmissions

• Dual-Clutch: In this type of transmission there are two clutches. They can be wet or dry. One work on the even gears, and one on the odd. Dual-clutch transmissions were common in older cars but still are still found in modern race cars. There are also some dual-clutch automated manual transmissions as well. This is sometimes called a twin-clutch transmission as well.
• Unsynchronized: The first manual transmissions were considered unsynchronized. This is because drivers would grind the gears together trying to get them to mesh.

Automatic Transmissions

The main difference between an automatic vs. manual transmission is that with an automatic transmission, the entire process is automated. The process that powers a manual transmission happens within the transmission while automatic transmissions do not use clutches, and instead rely on a torque converter to change gears.

The first automatic transmission was actually part manual and part automatic. It still had a clutch. Most large SUVs and trucks have traditional automatic transmissions, as well as the entire hybrid line of Lexus models.

Parts of an Automatic Transmission

• Direct-shift gearbox: This is also called a DSG, and it has two clutches that disengage in changing gears. They are smooth and fast.
• Tiptronic: This allows an automatic to be shifted manually either through a shifter or steering wheel controls. Despite this, the computer will override manual mode if the transmission is outside the set parameters.
• Hydraulic: This is the pressure fluid inside of the automatic transmission.

Signs of a Bad Lexus Transmission

There are several signs of Lexus transmission problems, but it also depends on your type of transmission.

Lexus Manual Transmission Problems

Because manual transmissions work to disengage the engine from the drivetrain to change gears, it often has many issues. Oftentimes it only needs an adjustment, but sometimes you will need to replace it. If there is no issue with the clutch, then it may be your gearbox. Common warning signs are:

• Difficulty switching gears
• Not able to switch gears
• Grinding or crunching
• Slipping clutch
• Burning smell

Lexus Automatic Transmission Problems

Automatic transmission issues are more complex than manual transmission problems. This is because they have twice as many parts. There are four different categories of automatic transmission:

• Car is slow after putting into drive
• No movement after putting into a forward-moving gear
• Bucking and kicking when driving
• Slowing down although pressing harder on the gas pedal

Common Transmission Problems in Lexus

Lexus transmission problems range from internal transmission wear. This is common on high mileage vehicles and is usually found on the valve body and through electronics failure. Common transmission problems in Lexus include:

• Vehicle being stuck in gear
• Rough or delayed shifting
• Transmission unable to shift gears
• Loss of power
• No acceleration
• Delayed or harsh shifting
• Hesitation
• Jerking when changing gears
• Check engine may come on
• Vehicle gets stuck in gear, known as limp mode

Low Transmission Fluid Level

One of the most common problems with a Lexus transmission is a leak. Because transmission fluid is usually red it is easy to distinguish it from oil and other fluids in your car. If you believe this fluid is leaking, you must take your Lexus into the shop. Although this is not dangerous, it is still not something you want to drive with for long. Small leaks eventually become bigger and lead to problems down the road.

Be sure to check the fluid level as soon as possible and be sure that it does not smell burnt. This can mean you have more serious issues at hand.

Shift Flare

It is also very common that Lexus cars suffer from occasional shift flare. These show up as a pause between 3rd to 4th gear. During this pause, the speed will increase in the engine, as if the transmission is slipping.

Incorrect Shifting

This also occurs as staying in the gear for too long. At a high mileage, this is common, and can even cause a lack of downshifts when trying to accelerate. This can be constant or intermittent. It may occur because of the throttle position sensor that is faulty or out of adjustment. It may also occur because the shift solenoids are faulty or clogged. It may trigger the check engine light.

Grinding or Rattling Noise

If your car is in drive and there is a grinding noise then you may have an issue with your transmission. Sometimes this can happen when starting cold, and go away as the car warms. Other times it may always happen regardless of temperature. The frequency of the noise follows the engine speed.

This can occur because the torque converter is damaged or worn out. It can also be due to poor maintenance and can create noticeable vibrations during accelerations. If you think this is a problem, check the transmission fluid level or top it off.

Burnt Transmission Fluid

Sometimes, especially during long drives or under heavy loads, you may notice a strong smell of burnt oil inside the car. It can be accompanied by transmission issues and is seen as hesitation or gear slipping. If this is the case, your transmission may be overheating. It should not be overlooked as it may cause irreversible damage.

Most automatic transmissions have coolers that help to keep them in homeostasis. This is within the engine radiator. When it becomes clogged or lines are broken, then it will not be able to cool and therefore overheat. pipes are broken, there will be no sufficient cooling.

One way to fix this is to make sure that the fluid type that is in your transmission matches the manufacturer’s specifications. Most cars use something called ATF (for an automatic) but manual cars use Pentosin as well. Top it off especially if you do not know the last time it was changed.

Hesitation and Harsh shifting

Although many transmission problems usually occur in older vehicles, there is a problem that affects new Lexus cars as well. Those that specifically have an 8-speed automatic gearbox suffer from both hesitation and harsh shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and vice-versa.

You may notice this when attempting to accelerate after slowing down. As you make it to an almost complete stop, the transmission may not be able to decide which gear to go into. This can cause a lag and also an obviously harsh gearshift.

Be sure to contact your dealer first to see if there are problems, but otherwise, you can change your driving style. Apply less throttle in situations to avoid going into 1st gear.

Limp-Mode

Known as a common problem for many 2014-2017 Lexus models, the CVT transmission can go into the ‘limp-home mode. In this case, the check engine light will be on, and you will only be able to drive as fast as 37 mph.

This can occur due to an error in the transmission software. When this happens, it is because solenoid valves are experiencing unnecessarily cycling, which can lead to excessive wear. If your car is going into limp mode, solenoid valves are most likely irreversibly damaged. This means that you must replace them.

Diagnosing Your Lexus Transmission

Lexus transmissions are complex but most can be detected by the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Usually, a fault code will be stored in that module. Be aware that transmission problems won't always trigger the check engine light, and a generic scanner may not even show the fault code. This is essential to realize.

Average Cost of Lexus Transmission Repairs

If you are wondering what a transmission repair cost for my Lexus, it depends. If your Lexus needs transmission repair, then the best part is that you do not need a transmission replacement. Despite this, it is still going to be quite expensive. Your repair costs vary widely, too, and are due to various factors:

• Style of your car
• Amount of damage
• Manual vs. automatic transmission
• Dealership vs. independent shop
• Your location

Typical Lexus Transmission Repairs & Automated Costs

• Transmission Leak: If you have fluid leaking from your transmission, this will typically cost anywhere from $150 and $200. If you are required to have the entire transmission removed, it will become a lot more expensive. For the amount of $150-$200, you will have the pan bolts replaced, as well as drain plugs, seals, gasket, fluid lines. The cause of this can be anything from a cracked fluid line to a faulty transmission pan.
• Transmission Fluid Flush: When a transmission fluid replacement is necessary, it is called a transmission fluid flush. This involves draining all existing fluid and replacing it with brand new fluid. The average cost is between $241 and $293.

Is Fixing Your Lexus with Transmission Problems Possible?

When it comes to fixing your Lexus it will depend on both the model and the year. There are various things that can go wrong, but commonly the following repairs occur.

• Transmission Leak: Due to cracked fluid lines, leaky seals, a bad gasket, a broken drain plug, a damaged torque converter pump, or a faulty transmission pan.
• Transmission Fluid Flush: Replaces old transmission fluid with new fluid.
• Transmission Solenoid Replacement: Solenoids control the fluid in the transmission. They work through electricity from your transmission’s computer.
• Transmission Linkage: Your linkage can loosen over time so you may need to have it tightened, or simply replaced.

Replacing Your Lexus Transmission

If your transmission is too damaged you may not be able to repair it. In this case, you can have a rebuilt or remanufactured transmission put in. Both of these are expensive and will cost you between $1,800 to $3,400. If you choose to purchase a used transmission, it will be anywhere from $800 to $1,500. If you decide to purchase a rebuilt transmission, it will run between $1,300 and $3,400.