2003 avalon cold shift 2-3

stevenb1 said:

Hi,
I have a 2003 avalon, when cold the 1-2 shift is fine but 2-3 upshift is
delayed until temp gauge starts to raise. I believe this is cause for much lower gas mileage. Has anyone else noticed this??

Thanks, Steven

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"Designed to do this" was the response from the toyota dealers I checked with. I went to synthetic ATF and the issue was less noticeable but still there. As long as the trans shifts right when you see it come up to temp you should be OK.

ChiTDI, What brand of synthetic transmission fluid did you use? I will be doing a transmission fluid drain and fill at my oil change and was thinking of going with synthetic.

How much transmission fluid usually comes out from the pan drain plug?

Embarrassed to say, but...

hughesar said:

ChiTDI, What brand of synthetic transmission fluid did you use? I will be doing a transmission fluid drain and fill at my oil change and was thinking of going with synthetic.

Schaeffer's 204 and Amsoil. Both T-IV and seem to work well.


How much transmission fluid usually comes out from the pan drain plug?

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Unfortunately 2 to 2 1/2 quarts because like a dumb s**t I neglected to drain the differential, which would be close to another quart! Look for another drain plug toward the back of the trans pan. Look for a fill plug too, lots of different configurations with these. Some have separate fill, some fill from overflow from trans and are filled from the dipstick.

Mine is an '02.