Toyota is recognized with selling the first Japanese car—the Crown—in America. Its American presence expanded significantly during the 1980s with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. But it was the Toyota Camry sedan that distinguished it the most. This refined cruiser offered a comfortable interior and earned a reputation for practicality and value. Its reliability and low cost of ownership helped it win U.S. News' 2009 Best Car for the Money award in the midsize car class.

Toyota also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. And today, the company’s lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

In the fall of 1989, Toyota launched the Lexus line to represent the company's effort to introduce a world-class luxury-car brand. The Lexus hallmark features a quiet, well-crafted cabin, a plush ride and commendable performance from powerful, nearly silent engines. And in the 2000s, Lexus proved itself a trendsetter with the launch of many hybrid-powered versions of its vehicles such as the RX 400h and the GS 450h.

Although Toyotas are mostly sturdy and dependable, one commonly reported transmission related problem is engine sludging or gelling with Toyota 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Timely service will greatly extend their life. And you don’t even have to look it up in your owner’s manual. The service interval is printed right on the transmission dip stick.

Another reported issue related to the Lexus RX 300 is that the filter becomes clogged with transmission fluid that is similar to sludge. This clogs the filter and starves the transmission from receiving its cooling, lubricating oil. To prevent this from happening and reducing the life of your vehicle’s transmission, we recommend servicing your transmission before the manufacturer’s recommendation.

We suggest the first service at 30,000 miles with a new filter, and then servicing every 15,000 to 20,000 miles after that as preventive maintenance. Only complete fluid exchanges will help prevent an early transmission failure. Depending on the circumstance, it includes pulling the pan, cleaning it, and replacing the screen filter at the pick up tube. Otherwise the filter stays clogged, which starves the transmission, causes overheating, and leads to an early failure.

If you’re experiencing transmission problems in any Toyota or Lexus vehicle, you should only trust it with experienced specialists. Of course we work on all makes and models of cars—foreign and domestic. We do so with expert skill and yet we can still save you money over replacing your transmission. So when you need expert transmission care for your car, call Westside Transmission at 310-235-2754.