00' Camry - 40k Maintenance?

[ZzBloopzZ]

I have just reached the 40, 000 mile mark. Was wondering what general maintenance I should do? I am planning a small road trip for spring break in two weeks.

Things I have recently done:
35k - Changed front brake pads + resurfaced rotars (They weren't too badly worn)
39k - Brand new tires + alignment
40k - Oil change + oil filter

I have also replaced a few light bulbs and refilled windshield wiper fluid. Air filter seems to be fine.

Do you ever have to flush out fluids? Come to think of it I have never flushed the brake, radiator coolent and power steering fluids. How necessary are these to flush and at what mileage should one typically flush them? Think I might change my wind shield wipers as well, can't even remember replacing them. Don't think I have ever replaced spark plugs either... should I do those too?

Would appreciate any feedback!

[ASG14]

For the fluids, I would say to do the Coolant at that mileage/age. Use the Toyota red coolant. Save the money and do it yourself. It;s actually quite easy. Just remember to use DISTILLED water, not tap water.

For the wipers, if they are more then say 3 years old, just change them. It's cheap. For the spark plugs, no need to change them yet. They are fine.

Also, check your tire pressure. Under inflated tires KILL the gas mileage. Most people do not realize that.

Maybe use a fuel system cleaner. Chevron is the best of the cheap ones. BG44K is a lot better from what I hear from all the major car guys I know. It's around $20 a bottle I think, but it does a great job. May as well pick up a can of Seafoam as well, and cleant he intake system (suck into the engine via the Brake Booster line).


I'm int he same boat as you. I'm planning a road trip for spring break next week. 2k miles of driving will own me. Just got car runing after sitting in the garage for a month too. :X Need to check it over WELL.

[toyomoho]

If original plugs, they should last 100K.

If automatic trans, think about changing the fluid when you get some spare time. Drain and refill. This gets out 2/3rds of the fluid but if done on a schedule will result in having decent fluid in the trans. This goes a long way to extend transmission life! If you can get to it, also change out the differential fluid at this time, assuming it has a separate fluid housing. I would change the trans fluid every 30K. Fluid overheating such as in stop and go traffic kills transmission fluid, and in turn this kills transmissions.

You can use a turkey baster to remove the fluid from the PS reservoir and refill. Do this a few times over time and the fluid will be clear. If the fluid gets dirty again in 10-15K miles do the job again.

If you have ABS, flushing out the old fluid for new will go a long way toward preventing system problems. If not it still prevents corrosion. Have a friend help or pickup a bleeder kit. Use only fresh fluid from a new, sealed container. The experts state every few years, the fluid in the reservoir should be clear not dark.

As suggested drain and flush the coolant system when you get an opportunity. I would suggest every 30K.

Changing fluids goes a long way to prevent problems! It is very cheap insurance and all of these things are DIY jobs.

Click on the link below to find the service manuals for Camry.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[touringcamry]

The coolant and the transmission fluid are due for a flush if it has not been done before.

It's not absolutely necessary to use Toyota red coolant. You can use Zerex G-05 or "regular" green coolant if those are easier to obtain. You can flush with tap water, just try to displace as much of it as possible with distilled or de-ionized water though.

For transmission fluid, use Dexron III. I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF, but Castrol or another brand will be fine too, in my Camry before I wrecked it. The power steering uses the same fluid. The original fluid is DEX3 without red dye. I say every time you change your oil, use a pump or baster (not one you'll use for food) to remove the fluid from the power steering reservoir and replace with fresh fluid.

Spark plugs are good to at least 60,000 miles. You can replace them or inspect them at that point.

Brake fluid you can change if you like. You'll need 1 quart of fluid to bleed all four brakes. If you leave the fluid in the fluid will absorb moisture and your brakes won't work very well.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

If you can get to it, also change out the differential fluid at this time, assuming it has a separate fluid housing.

The 00 Camry I4 automatic transmission does not share fluid with the differential so the differential fluid should be changed also. Ensure you can get the fill bolt out before you drain it.

[ZzBloopzZ]

Awesome!

Things to do:
Flush transmission, power steering and coolent fluid

I don't have ABS. I will flush brake fluid later down the future. I just checked windshield wipers and they seem to be fine. Plus I think pops replaced them last year.

Question, where do I dispose the fluids? I assume its not good for environment to have it flushed down to the gutter. :c)

[touringcamry]

Check with the auto parts stores and local garages. Here in San Francisco, I have to take the stuff to HazMat at the city dump.

For the coolant, you only need to collect the stuff that comes out initially when you drain it. The water that comes out when you drain it can just go down the drain - that's what I usually do at least.