won't shift into 5th gear when cold outside

[m85476585]

It was 19 degrees F when I left work this afternoon, and mine shifted into 5th as soon as I got over about 40mph (about 2 minutes after starting).

 

[kacper]

Last time I drove 80 mph on 4th gear after everything gets warm up tranny shifted to 5th. 2nd drain and fill doesn't help

 

[VladCZ]

Here might be why

I know it's 6 months old thread but here is what I learned:
I had same "issue" with my 00 Pathfinder. It drove me crazy, causing me almost selling the Finder. Even dealer couldn't tell me what's "wrong". They put in on computer, drove it cold, everything seemed to be working fine.
Then, I digged up an info, that every Pathfinder is doing this (not locking convertor) until engine and tranny has correct temperature for "higher shift" thus protecting cold engine from working too hard in low RPMs.
I noticed on my wife's 01 Accord, that it hesitates to upshift when cold. Takes higher RPM & speed to get it to higher gear.
I noticed same on my 04 & 07 4Runners.
So my assumption is that this is simply design to allow cold engine work efficiently until it warms up to proper temperature.
I might be wrong though ;-)

 

[ua330]

I just started experiencing this on and off but more often now thats a little colder - but I'm in south Texas where its not that cold (mid 40's) and the tranny would still act up like this. I guess I will keep an eye on the temp

 

[chitown40]

I just started experiencing this on and off but more often now thats a little colder - but I'm in south Texas where its not that cold (mid 40's) and the tranny would still act up like this. I guess I will keep an eye on the temp

The transmission needs to reach a certain temp (usually normal operating temp) prior to being allowed to shift into overdrive or top gear. This actually helps the transmission get up to temperature faster.