Although Toyota generally has a reputation for reliability, even cars that are well maintained sometimes break down. According to Samarins.com, a vehicle's transmission is high on the list of "easy-to-break" car components, and is also one of the most expensive to fix.
A worn-out transmission in your Toyota Avalon may experience gears that slip. Gears slip when they are shifted and immediately reverted back to the previous gear. Once a transmission begins to experience slipping gears, it usually needs service from a trained mechanic who specializes in transmission work.
Transmission fluid for your Toyota Avalon should be flushed and replaced every 30,000 miles. Transmission fluid must be checked while the engine is running at normal operating temperatures. If the fluid is low, attach a funnel to the dipstick line and add more automatic transmission fluid. If the fluid smells like burnt toast or barbecue sauce, it needs to be replaced.
Turn on your Toyota Avalon and shift between the different gears while the vehicle's emergency brake is on. If the transmission makes any big jerks or if it takes longer than a second between gears, that is another sign that the transmission needs to be serviced.
