I need to decide if I put $3k (exhaust, timing belt, misc) into this car or not. It has 260k km and no rust. Owned by me for 20+ years, serviced regularly.
The issue is I noticed the transmission does not lock up at highway speeds until its good and warm. Somewhere I read this is normal to help warm up engine/tranny. Or is tranny getting to its end of life?, I don't push the car and it was used a lot on highway trips 1.5hours typically out and back. Otherwise drives nice. Opinions? Facts?

 

I think its normal. Its normal on my 04' RL at least and it has a similar architecture to the transmission used in the Vigor/2.5. The 04 doesn't engage the converter till the temp gauge is at a quarter.

 

Thanks for the reply. I was reading the manual, the computer controls lockup 100% by a solenoid. Since that seams to work properly I will assume tranny is still good. I may get my service guy to drop the tranny pan and check the screen and put new fluid. Not a flush, just new fluid.