Transmission Help - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

sleep_deprived129 · 06-29-2011, 08:03 PM

I have an '88 Camry with a manual transmission. I am thinking of replacing the oil in the transmission with some synthetic to possibly help with less than great third and reverse gear perfoamances. What kind of fluid does it take? I have a repair manual and it has a couple different types listed, ATF Dexron II and 75W-90/80W-90. I would bet the gear oil is correct and the other is incorrect but I wanted to be sure. Thanks for any help.

71Corolla · 06-29-2011, 10:55 PM

3S-FE equipped car takes Dexron-III or equivalent, 2VZ-FE takes 75W-90 gear oil.

white90dx · 06-30-2011, 10:58 AM

Factory fluid on the 3s-fe 5-speed is Dexron ATF (originally II, now III). Many people have had good luck swapping over to a standard gear lube despite that fact.

I would suggest one quart GM Syncromesh with the rest a standard gear oil (GL4 rated or a GL5 rated oil that is also rated safe for 'yellow metals').

You shouldn't need to go to a synthetic oil to reduce syncro problems, in fact, you want to avoid synthetic oils as it will make it harder for the syncros to work.

-Charlie