bad transmission kick

[fatngs]

i hav an 06 camry 4 banger auto with about 62k miles; i've had the car since 33k miles

when the car is cold, when i 1st shift into reverse of drive it lurches into gear..... it then lurches between 1-2 and sometimes 2-3; however when once the car warms up it smoothes out

lately, since its been cold, if the car downshifts into 1st gear at low speeds, say in a parking lot, but i give it even a tiny bit of gas the trans gives a nasty kick that is quite violent

i checked the service history and fluid change was done before i had it which i think the pan was probly dropped then refilled; i also did the same thing not too long ago and also added a bottle of lucas transmission fix.... the lucas has helped with shift quality but not in the cold

i was thinking of taking it to the shop and have them drop the pan and change the filter then flush all the fluid out..... alotho i dont know how much good that would do

what do you guys think??

[JohnGD]

Has the transmission control module ever gotten programming updates?

[fatngs]

not that i know of.....

[fatngs]

do u think computer updates would really help?

[arabianobsession]

^I've never updated the trans control module in any automatic car I've owned....no issues....

[fatngs]

i will say though, my mom owns a pos 03 town & country and it would kick whenever it downshifted from 3rd when coming to a stop; she took it to the dealer and they reprogrammed it and flushed the fluid and its been much better......

[AlmightyCamry777]

It's probably normal! is there a tachometer on your instrument panel? If not, you should know the engine always idles at higher rpms when cold - its supposed to do that. (My V6 idles about 1200 rpm when cold then drops to 700-800 when warm, the computer tells it to do that).
This is what might be happening: engine is started, you put car into gear, meanwhikle engine is turning over about 1100-1200 rpm - BAM! Same thing for when the engine is trying to shift between gears, the idle is dropping to cold idle speed not normal idle speed, this may be affecting the shifting.
Also cold ATF fluid is sluggish ATF fluid so that could be a factor also. The problem goes away when warm perhaps because the idle has dropped to normal warm idle speed, and the ATF is warmer, and thinner at that point.

the explanation may be as simple as that. Try warming the car up for several minutes before you next cold start and see if you notice a difference. If you do, problem solved.

Having your trans fluid changed is something i do about once or twice a year. I just change it myself, mine has a drain plug on the bottm (10mm male hex socket), my 2002 camry 1FMZE V6 takes exactly 3 qts for just a simple drain and refill. naturally your refill capacity is probably different then mine.

If you have your fluid changed or change it yourself, look in the dipstick or owners manual and make sure you are changing it to the type toyota says to use. It could be Dexron 3, dexron 4, or type IV toyota ATF but make sure to use exactly what they say.

[GT-R]

My car is a little rough on the edges when cold, feels like riding a wild horse.