Car does not move up properly on the incline.

[96AvalonOwner]

Hi,

During the first start in this cold weather (outside temp is 22F) the car moves very slowly even if the engine rpm is around 2500-3000. I am trying to get the car go up on a gentle slope. After I drive it for about 0.1mile and come back to the same position as before and put the car in "D", it seems to pick up better on the same slope. Is this sign of a transmission problem? I put the car in "2" and in "L" also and the same response was observed during the first start and drive up the gentle slope.

Thanks
96AvalonOwner

[toyomoho]

Could be a sticky valve in the shift body or a problem with the torque converter.

What condition is the trans fluid in. If black or never changed in the last 60K miles change it. The trans pan holds 1/3 of the fluid the rest is in the torque converter thus you will need to do 3-4 drain and refills over time to get most of it changed.

[96AvalonOwner]

I replaced the ATrans fluid about 3K miles back and before that it was replaced about 50K miles back. If there is a problem in the torque converter, it should be there all the time and not just the first time when I try to drive it up the slope. As I mentioned after I have driven it for as low as 0.1 miles, it behaves much better.

If it is the sticky valve in the shift body, how do you replace it? Also could the valve be sticky because of the extreme cold weather: 22F?

Originally Posted by toyomoho

Could be a sticky valve in the shift body or a problem with the torque converter.

What condition is the trans fluid in. If black or never changed in the last 60K miles change it. The trans pan holds 1/3 of the fluid the rest is in the torque converter thus you will need to do 3-4 drain and refills over time to get most of it changed.

[greeksoccerboy]

This is kind of a newbish suggestion, but, are you letting the car warm up? You said its during cold weather and its before you drive very far, are you allowing enough time for the car to fully warm up? my car idles at like 2k rpm on cold starts and even drives at those rpms while cold. (I know i shouldn't let it, oh well im in a rush =/ ) but at times the car is very sluggish and slow until half a mile or so for me. Sometimes problems don't require much thought? idk, I may be wrong but worth a shot =P