Transmission quick question

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

I know on my old car they were prone to do this but are DSMs, 420a and 4g63 trannys, prone to shift like shit when cold? Today it actually got really cold and I drove the 420a to class and it shifted wierd til it got to operating temp, then it was fine.. My GST has never done it but my friend said his does. I figured it shifts shitty until the TCU is warmed up right?

I know these are 2 different trannys but I'd like to know for both.. I assume I dont have the problem with my GST because its manual.

By wierd shifts I mean it takes longer to go into gear and the rev is kicked enough to notice a difference from a normal shift

 

[98GSXtreme07]

I know when i start mine up for the first time of the day it hesitates to shift and the transmission seems to "stumble" a bit but once it warms up it shifts just fine. Oh btw i assume your talking about A/T, right? Because I am. It also doesnt matter if its 41 or 81 degrees outside, it does it regardless of how hot or cold it is.

 

[qiklitltsi]

Yea my tranny in my old 95 always grinded for the first couple of minutes of driving. My friend suggested channing the fluid in it, didnt try it but it might help. I dont know about the auto trannys but its worth a shot.

 

[IIv SHaDoW vII]

Yea I am talking about the AT, Thanks for the quick replies, my old car had the same problem until it warmed up.. I have the exact same symptoms as you Xtreme

 

[nismojones]

Well theres a cold fill and a warm fill mark. The fluid expands, and if your low on fluid to begin with its going to shift like crap- and get better once its warmed up. Double check to make sure you fluid is up to the cold mark just when you start it up. It should be shifting fine cold or hot.

 

[tbonitz301]

The cold (thicker)tranny fluid will make your car shift harder, and possibly cause a delayed shift like you were saying.The thicker fluid provides more of a push on the converter fins

 

[FORMONTOYA]

My Eclipse is a manual...no issue there. However, my DD is a KIA (auto) and it does as you describe when it's cold outside, but not above...say ~60* (in Houston, below 60* is cold).

 

[knochgoon24]

When I'm easy on the gas, I hit 4k before it shifts out of 1st when it's cold (below 20°F). 2nd and 3rd are a bit better. It doesn't help that my torque converter is just about shot.

 

[TunaTalon]

ATF should be replaced every 40K to 50K miles. More often if you like to power brake when pulling out on the county road. Cough cough.

The fluid should be red not brown, and should not smell bad.

If you have deep pockets refill with the recommended ATF+4. Or use a good synthetic and add eight ounces of Lubegard black.

If your ATF is full and fresh then add a bottle of Lubegard in the black bottle before trying anything expensive.