This started happening this week in the freezing northeast temps, so I'm thinking it's not warmed up and that's the problem.

I warm up my '02 XLE 4-cylinder with the heat on for 10 minutes on cold mornings. No problem driving to work on and off highway. However, leaving work at night and merging onto the highway, the gears stick at above 3,000 rpm for a good long time, like over 10 seconds, at around 55+ mph. I ease off the gas and back on, but it still hasn't warmed up after a few more seconds.

Had it in for a new water pump and serp belt this summer and my guy said everything looked great when I asked about my upcoming 90,000 maintenance.

Any thoughts? Should I just warm it up in the afternoon like I do in the morning? I will try that tomorrow and see what happens.

 

It sounds like the car is just acting funny because it is cold. Sounds like the computer is in kind of a 'warm up' mode. The computer will keep the RPM's higher to get the oil flowing and temperature up. Id say it isn't a serious problem if it goes away after warming up.

 

The engine coolant temp may need to above a certain temp before the trans will shift into O/D.

Determine if the trans shifts OK when the coolant is at normal operating temp.

If the trans fluid has never been changed in 90K miles suggest changing it all.