On our "new" '98 GT with 4EAT automatic transmission, I notice when I'm driving on 25- 30 MPH roads, the transmissions lingers in 2nd until I rev it up to about 2500 RPM, then left off the gas a bit, hen shifts smoothly into 3rd. It shifts normally when accelerating up to highway speed, and it seems to do this more when I've just started it up. In comparison, I've never noticed this on our other '98 Legacy.

 

Being unsure of any previous maintenance, I'm going to do a drain and refill of transmission fluid at the least. Any other ideas, new filter, or anything else it might need?

 

 

 

Being unsure of any previous maintenance, I'm going to do a drain and refill of transmission fluid at the least. 

x 3.

Yep. Fresh fluid is a good starting point. Check the levels too to know if it's been overfilled/low for a while. Do a search on here as it takes a bout 3 drain and fills with driving in between to get 90%+ fluid changed.

 

Check the drain plug for metal shavings and inspect the color/sniff test the old fluid to get an idea if there's any issues.

 

Fresh gear oil for the front diff is usually good too.

what they said ^^^^^

 

plus, you probably know but, ATF is the only fluid you check with the engine idling.

 

if the fresh fluid doesn't help (give it a week or 2) some folks find a bottle of Trans-X helps, but may only last a year or 2 before another bottle is needed.