Car/Transmission jerks going from Reverse to Drive and vice versa

[agalinski]

Car/Transmission jerks going from Reverse to Drive and vice versa.

Dealer told me this is normal and is because the transmission was not warmed up yet. The jerk is substantial - requires me to firmly hold the brake down when shifting from reverse to drive after pulling out in the morning. Never seen anything like this in any other car I've owned.

This does seem to occur only after the car has been sitting for a while; less distinct after driving a while. Condition is the same during winter or summer. Is this really normal? Could it be due to insufficient tranny fluid???

Thank you.

2002 Camry XLE (5th Gen)

[Mistabullet]

You just have to push the brakes in a little harder.

Try going from reverse (or even park/neutral) to drive without pressing the brakes at all and you will notice an even harsher jerk. I'm pretty sure this is normal because I've noticed this in many cars (including our 2002 and 2007 camry's).

[MrSo0h0o]

what are your rpms when you put the car in P or D?? when u first start your car and its a bit cold, the engine will run at a higher rpm(ie: 1500-2000rpm).. if u try and put the car in gear at such high rpms, you are putting a load on the engine while trying to put it in gear= bad for tranny.. wait until the car is down to normal rpms(800-1000rpms) and u should be fine.. if u still get it, that meants motor mounts are shot and either a.deal with the jump or b. get them fixed

[Super Kaioken]

dang my car doesn't get till to 1000 RPMS for awhile! that'll take like 5 whole minutes! I give it a minute for when i start my car, then it goes low idle like it's about to die, then computer kicks it up to high rpms usually down to a steady 1500

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by Mistabullet

You just have to push the brakes in a little harder.

Try going from reverse (or even park/neutral) to drive without pressing the brakes at all and you will notice an even harsher jerk. I'm pretty sure this is normal because I've noticed this in many cars (including our 2002 and 2007 camry's).

I didn't get what you were saying at first but I re-read it and you're right. I don't think he's pressing the brake down enough to negate that shift feeling. My aunt was saying the same thing about her Accord and going from P to D in the morning. She said the car lurches forward.. I told her to let her car warm up a bit, and make sure you're pressing on the brakes firmly.

My mom starts her car in the mornings, the RPMs are just under 2K [I noticed older Toyotas cold idle more toward 2K, unlike newer ones which cold idle more toward 1.5K] and after 2 seconds she's shifting into drive. . Now she waits a bit after I told her not to do that.. Her poor Camry!

[BlackCamSe]

my 05 does that... its normal. as mentioned, the engines auto choke is on. wait for the idle to drop before u shift it. Or apply your foot to the break more firmly.

[agalinski]

MrSo0h0o described exactly what I'm encountering - the car starts around 2000 rpm in the morning and once it warms up, it is under 1000 rpm... and based on all the other posts, it looks like this jerk/lurch is normal. I just have to hold the brake down more firmly when shifting, as suggested by Mistabullet.

The reason I posted this is because I've never seen this before. Our other car is a 1997 Nissan Maxima which I've had since day one; 175,000 miles and original tranny. I can even switch from drive to reverse (or vice versa) from netural, and the car simply engages and slowly moves in the intended direction... even in cold weather.

Thanks again for all the help!