Learning to drive a car is not constantly unproblematic, and sometimes it may seem like a good solution to choose an automatic Lexus IS, if it’s for simple comfort or ease of use, this type of transmission is becoming more and more common. However, while they may seem like an excellent choice, there may as well be problems with the automatic gearboxes of your Lexus IS . This is precisely the theme of our article. First, we’ll briefly describe the different types of automatic gearboxes, then, in a second step, which problems you may come across with the gearbox of your Lexus IS , and, finally, how to resolve them.

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The different types of automatic gearbox of a Lexus IS

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Gearboxes have the benefit of being known to be trustworthy, as you don’t need to use your clutch pedal and everything is electronically and mechanically controlled there will be no early wear of your clutch or other elements that could be put to the test by misuse on your component.
However, based on the type of automatic transmission your Lexus IS is equipped with you will have more or less reliability, we will expose them to you now:

  • Common automatic gearbox: It will use a torque converter, which will control the gear changes, it’s the oldest technology, it has evolved quite a lot in the last decades (more gears and a better management of the gear changes).
  • Robotized automatic gearbox: This is a manual gearbox with a robotized system that will change the driver’s action. This type of gearbox is less and less common because they are considered very slow. We as well generally feel a coupling during deceleration.
  • Dual-clutch automatic transmission: This is the greatest automatic transmission, it functions on similar concept as the robotic transmission, but thanks to its dual clutch, you won’t have any more problems with slow speeds or increased fuel consumption. They are often fitted on luxury models.
  • Continuously variable automatic box: It is similar concept as on a scooter, a variator will come to control the differences between acceleration and motor speed, they are really slow and often be unresponsive during the acceleration phases of your Lexus IS.

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I’m having problems with the automatic transmission on my Lexus IS

We now begin the component that definitely attracts you the most in this article, what are the problems you may come across with the automatic transmission of your Lexus IS? As described above, in general they are more reliable than manual transmissions, nevertheless, here are the most important problems you may come across:

  • As described earlier, no matter what type of automatic gearbox, they are generally known to be slow and have inertia when accelerating. However, this phenomenon is designed to occur just when the vehicle is started, not when it is launched. If it feels like it comes about constantly, the clutch or converter is likely dead.
  • I have the feeling that a gear in the automatic transmission of my Lexus IS no longer shifts or jumps: If you have the feeling that your gears no longer shift or often jump on your Lexus IS, there is a component that is most likely responsible for this failure. In fact, the solenoid that acts as a “switch” to engage the gears must not be functioning effectively, second option, a speed or engine unit speed sensor may be defective and send the wrong information to your gearbox.
  • If you experience drops caused by the automatic gearbox of your Lexus IS: If you experience a clutch when you go up or when you slow down, it is either your oil which is too old and which does not lubricate any more adequately all the mechanisms of your gearbox, or else a sensor which gives bad information
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  • My Lexus IS’s automatic transmission is leaking: At last, if your Lexus IS’s automatic transmission is leaking, it’s most probably one of your spy seals is too worn.

How do I fix automatic transmission problems on a Lexus IS?

And finally, we’re going to try to give you the strategies to fix the automatic transmission problems on your Lexus IS . Find them down below:

  • Oil leak on the automatic gearbox of a Lexus IS: Locate the source of the leak, and change the concerned gasket, get it conducted by a professional, opening a gearbox is not easy. It will cost you a few hundred euros, especially for the labour. Do not think twice to read our article on gearbox oil leaks on Lexus IS.
  • Sensor issue: No matter which sensor is concerned, a replacement is the just remedy, sensors do not repair themselves, you should count from 100 to a few hundred euros depending on the difficulty of access to the one that concerns you.
  • Couplings: If you have problems with the couplings on your Lexus IS, you will only need to do a whole gearbox replace to gain comfort and preserve your gears.
  • The automatic gearbox of my Lexus IS slips: In this instance, you certainly have a dead clutch disc, you will have to replace the clutch, and on some models you won’t have the ability to replace it without doing a standard exchange of the gearbox, be prepared to spend more than a thousand euros.

There are other automatic transmission problems on Lexus IS, such as electronic problems or pressure problems, but this list lists the most important ones, no matter the reason, for such difficult mechanisms. When you feel a problem on this level, we suggest you to go quickly to your mechanic.

If you want more tutorials on the Lexus IS, go to our Lexus IS category.