Toyota Repair: Camry transmission, 4 quarts, long periods of time

Question
Hi Paul,

This question is about the automatic transmission in my 97 Camry, but probably could apply to any transmission in any car.  

Heres the problem.  My car sometimes sits for long periods of time.  I also drive a pickup that I use for work and running errands, but I drive my Camry on weekends and for vacations and other trips.  

Well, sometimes when I start it up after it has been sitting for awhile, I put it in gear, and the transmission seems to "slip" a little bit before it takes ahold and starts moving. It doesn't do it every time, but it did it today and it had been sitting since Saturday, which was the last time I drove it (today is Tuesday).  

I should also mention that the car only has 49,000 miles on it and I've never had the pan dropped, or the fluid or filter changed.  It has never been wrecked and has been well maintained since I bought it new in 97.  In your opinion would changing the fluid and filter help, or does it need some serious work?  I don't want to be on a trip this summer and lose the transmission in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks,
Gary in WV

Answer
MY ADVISE IS TO GO TO A DEALER AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED W/CHEMICAL. THIS IS RECOMMENDED EVERY 2 YRS OR 30,000 MILES.
AND JUST SO YOU KNOW. DRAINING AND REFILLING THE TRANNY DOES NO GOOD. YOUR TRANNY HOLDS 16 QTS OF FLUID. DRAIN AND FILL ONLY REMOVES 2-4 QUARTS. PAUL P.