3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Hi all, I am new here and I found this forum so informative.
I have a couple of questions about my new old 97 camry.
1: I did not find the transmission dipstick under the hood? Also it is not mentioned in the manual either. I was told once I should change trans oil, so should I change half or flush? Thanks.
2: Is the power steering fluid using transmission fluid too? And the color is transparent yellow. Is it dirty that I should change it too? Thanks again.
Hi all, I am new here and I found this forum so informative.
I have a couple of questions about my new old 97 camry.
1: I did not find the transmission dipstick under the hood? Also it is not mentioned in the manual either. I was told once I should change trans oil, so should I change half or flush? Thanks.
2: Is the power steering fluid using transmission fluid too? And the color is transparent yellow. Is it dirty that I should change it too? Thanks again.
The trans dipstick has an orange top, should be clear as day under the hood. Keep in mind manual transmissions don't have dipsticks.
not to thread jack but why dont manual cars have dipsticks?
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2009 Camry SE V6 loaded
Mods: Borla Dual Exhaust with no resonator, K&N Intake, 5k HID headlights and 5k HID foglights, LED Tail lights, Complete interior leds, Ultra Racing Front Strut Bar, Ultra Racing 19mm rear sway bar, 20% tint, Rosen navigation system, 19 inch ASA GT1 wheels
Well anyway, hope you found the dipstick now. I know people have said that transmission fluid should only be changed by mileage intervals and not by color. If you know how many miles you've put on it since it's last transmission fluid change, then just wait until you're at the right interval. Check the manual for details. If all else fails, call Toyota and they'll tell you.
If you don't know when the fluid was changed/flushed last and there is no way for you to find out for sure, check the color of the fluid. Pink is good. The darker the color, the older the fluid. Almost black fluid means CHANGE IT ASAP! Like, yesterday. Just to be on the safe side, if the color is way too dark, or it's been a long time since it's last change, do a flush. Get a new filter and gasket too. Why not? Let a mechanic do this if you don't know how to do it yourself. During a flush you can get globs of stuff stuck there and if not removed properly, it can get stuck in the gears and ruin your transmission.
If the fluid is a pink, just watch out for any leaks and keep an eye on the color. Like I said, tranny fluid change should be determined by miles and not color but unless you know the mileage for sure, what can you do? It's your call dude.
I believe power steering fluid should be power steering fluid. I don't ever recall seeing it in a clear yellow color. Maybe someone else can chime in here? If nothing else find a mechanic to help you out. Don't go to Toyota for work. They'll rip you off. Find a good Japanese car specialist to do the work for you. They're not as expensive as they sound.
I believe power steering fluid should be power steering fluid. I don't ever recall seeing it in a clear yellow color. Maybe someone else can chime in here? If nothing else find a mechanic to help you out. Don't go to Toyota for work. They'll rip you off. Find a good Japanese car specialist to do the work for you. They're not as expensive as they sound.
No no no...Toyota power steering uses Dexron III ATF. If the stuff is yellow, it's the fluid from the factory. It's yellow because it doesn't have the red dye that you normally find in ATF. I'm fairly certain that it states Dexron III on the container or the cap.
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2007 Camry 2.4L 5M
Last edited by touringcamry; 10-15-2007 at 01:47 AM.
not to thread jack but why dont manual cars have dipsticks?
Not really sure, but to check it, you just lift the car, take off the fill plug and stick your finger in the hole. The level should be right at, or very close to, the bottom of the fill hole.
Well anyway, hope you found the dipstick now. I know people have said that transmission fluid should only be changed by mileage intervals and not by color. If you know how many miles you've put on it since it's last transmission fluid change, then just wait until you're at the right interval. Check the manual for details. If all else fails, call Toyota and they'll tell you.
If you don't know when the fluid was changed/flushed last and there is no way for you to find out for sure, check the color of the fluid. Pink is good. The darker the color, the older the fluid. Almost black fluid means CHANGE IT ASAP! Like, yesterday. Just to be on the safe side, if the color is way too dark, or it's been a long time since it's last change, do a flush. Get a new filter and gasket too. Why not? Let a mechanic do this if you don't know how to do it yourself. During a flush you can get globs of stuff stuck there and if not removed properly, it can get stuck in the gears and ruin your transmission.
If the fluid is a pink, just watch out for any leaks and keep an eye on the color. Like I said, tranny fluid change should be determined by miles and not color but unless you know the mileage for sure, what can you do? It's your call dude.
I really appreciate your advice. I would locate the tranny fluid dipstick and check. I am not sure, but I think it was probably more than 20K miles since the previous owner changed the fluid.
I found the dipstick. Thanks all. The tranny fluid still look quite red-ish. A quick follow-up question: if I am to fill the power steering wheel, and the old fluid is from original factory, can I just add new trans fluid or I need to drain the oil in the box first?
Take heed of what touringcamry said, do not use power steering fluid in the power steering reservoir! Use Dexron III automatic transmission fluid. Read your manual to verify this. Power steering fluid is not compatible with the Camry's steering system.
If you have under 100,000 miles, just adding the fluid to your power steering system should be fine. Over 100,000 miles you may want to consider using a baster to suck out the fluid from the reservoir and then topping off with new fluid. Do that 3 or 4 times in a month and you will have, essentially, new fluid.
If you decide to replace the transmission fluid, don't forget that there are two (separate) reservoirs that you need to change the oil in.
If you have under 100,000 miles, just adding the fluid to your power steering system should be fine. Over 100,000 miles you may want to consider using a baster to suck out the fluid from the reservoir and then topping off with new fluid. Do that 3 or 4 times in a month and you will have, essentially, new fluid.
Kep
The fluid should not be low unless there is a leak somewhere. If the level is fine, use something to remove the fluid from the reservoir and then fill with new fluid. Ensure that you do not remove so much fluid that you expose the hoses to air. You don't want air in the system.
not to thread jack but why dont manual cars have dipsticks?
Thats a good question, wish i knew the real answer but i have a couple guesses. It doesnt have a dipstick for the same reason the rear axle on a rear wheel drive car doesnt have one either, not really necessary and shouldnt use any fluid under normal use (or even most kinds of abuse) for thousands of miles.
Also it would be an excellent feature to have a dipstick for your manual trans ( i wish i had one on my 4 speed Nissan truck, for instance) but the automakers apparently all figure that it is possible to get by without one, so they do - and they get to save a buck or two on every car they make (by no means a small consideration when you are a company selling 500,000 cars a year).
If you check your manual trans fluid by sticking your finger in the hole and the level is low, it means you have a leak, and thats that. The fluid level doesnt vary with the temperature of the transmission, like it does on an auto.
No no no...Toyota power steering uses Dexron III ATF. If the stuff is yellow, it's the fluid from the factory. It's yellow because it doesn't have the red dye that you normally find in ATF. I'm fairly certain that it states Dexron III on the container or the cap.
just to clarify ... i posted this on a thread a few month ago:
look at that JDM writing on my caps
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If nothing else find a mechanic to help you out. Don't go to Toyota for work. They'll rip you off. Find a good Japanese car specialist to do the work for you. They're not as expensive as they sound.
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