IS300 sport cross transmission help needed

Gldnandy · August 19, 2016

So last night I pulled away around 3/4 throttle. Revs shot up as if clutch was slipping and certainly smelt like it. But after that seems fine again. Having never owned an auto I know next to nothing about them. Garage have told me it doesn't have a clutch but a power transfer box.

Any my way I can test if it is indeed going and does anyone know how much I would be looking at to get it changed. Cars done just over 100k

hope one of you can help

gdh300 · August 20, 2016

I don't think you would notice any clutch like smell with a torque converter. Was the friction smell, immediately after the revs went up and then dissipated? Not a coincidental brake smell during - ahem - spirited driving? AlI I can only think it was a sudden kickdown; may be it had already changed up before it responded to your 3/4 throttle? [That said, I don't know if this box will actually kickdown to first, I suspect not.] If you were traction-off, it could just have been wheel spin! I suspect (not that I've got any experience of it, touch wood) if the TC was going, it would be slipping all over the rev and gear range. Perhaps find a bit of hill or ramp nearby, see if there is any slip from a standing start. If it feels like it is driving alright otherwise, and there's no excessive heat and the oil level is good in the box, I'd say see how it goes. May be track down an auto transmission specialist in your area, just for peace of mind. These boxes will eat 100k, assuming it hasn't been abused.

Gldnandy · August 21, 2016

Thanks for the reply. Was definitly not brake smell (I know that one all too well 😂) and on this occasion couldn't put it down to my 'enthusiastic' driving style as had been stuck in slow post work traffic.

on a plus I went to my nearest Lexus dealer and spoke to the mechs he said nothing to worry about but just get the box oil changed if I'm concerned.

gdh300 · August 21, 2016

These boxes are old school and need a bit of learning I've found. Things like always have a bit of throttle on when using the buttons to change down, avoiding booting it out of 30mph zones in third as all you get is a clumsy, noisy and as it turns out time wasting kickdown to second, fifth won't engage from a cold start until it has warmed-up, etc.