Reduced gas mileage after transmission replacement

Asked by rhonda Jan 22, 2023 at 04:39 PM about the 2002 Lexus RX 300 AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2002 Lexus Rx300 AWD, 80,000 miles.  Purchased with 37,000.  Now has 80,000. Transmission failed.  Had it replaced.  Gas mileage reduced from 22 plus mpg to 15 plus mpg.  Had it tuned up.  No change.  Mechanics say transmission has nothing to do with gas mileage.  They, don't know what to tell me,  check engine light is not on,  blah, blah blah.  My understanding is that the AWD system is FWD all the time and sends power to whatever wheel is experiencing slippage.  If the AWD system has not been put back properly and it's running on AWD all the time, it WOULD effect the gas mileage.  I'm I thinking about this correctly?  

2 Answers

310,265

If the AWD was on all the time believe me you would feel it, it would want to buck on parking maneuvers. The only thing I can think of would be different gearing inside the transmission. Have you noticed a RPM difference from the old transmission to this one? Like do the RPMs seem higher when in top gear? Other things could be no overdrive, no torque converter lock up.

3 people found this helpful.
157,625

A malfunctioning transmission will absolutely effect gas mileage! As G A said, if you're not shifting into overdrive your gas mileage will suffer! Hope that helps! Jim

2 people found this helpful.

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