Transmission Fluid

[ghost111]

Is the spec for a 1999 Camry LE V6 auto trans Dex 111/ Or has Toyota updated the spec to something new. I'm thinkin Castrol Multi Import Blend Dex111. Unless there's a new twist somewhere. Thanks for suggestions.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by ghost111

Is the spec for a 1999 Camry LE V6 auto trans Dex 111/ Or has Toyota updated the spec to something new. I'm thinkin Castrol Multi Import Blend Dex111. Unless there's a new twist somewhere. Thanks for suggestions.

Gen 4:

Fluid type: ATF D–II or DEXRON®III (DEXRON®II)
Capacity: 2.5 liters (2.6 US qts, 2.1 Imp. qts)

[ghost111]

Thanks. I am going to pull the pan and replace the filter and drain the diff. at the same time. I'm guessing that is 4.2 quarts of fluid. Does anyone know the total capacity of transmission and diff combined? Because I am thinking of draining both again in about a week as they share the fluid. What I don't know is , do they share the fluid all the time or is one drain of the diff. sufficient????

[Silent Runner]

I'm not going to quote anything so lets just say this one was thrashed to death in a resent thread, check page two or three of the recent ones or do a search. Just be carefull when you refill the trans to get it to the right level. It's a pretty involved operation. Also you could consider full synthetic equivalent rated fluids from redline or royal purple. They are a couple of the gurus of superior lubrication for everything. I'm using lower case lettering for their names cause I I don't want to advertise for them, but generally they seem to make stuff that is a bit of a cut better.

[fenixus]

go with either Castrol IMV ATF (synthetic blend) or Valvoline Maxlife ATF (fullyu synthetic). both have similar price, while Valvoline is better (may be even cheaper at local Walmart $4/qt).

other full synthetic ATFs like M1 or Royal Purple will cost you a fortune (around $8-13 per quart!)

[Silent Runner]

Originally Posted by fenixus

go with either Castrol IMV ATF (synthetic blend) or Valvoline Maxlife ATF (fullyu synthetic). both have similar price, while Valvoline is better (may be even cheaper at local Walmart $4/qt).

other full synthetic ATFs like M1 or Royal Purple will cost you a fortune (around $8-13 per quart!)

I'm going to do a trans. fluid change myself in a couple of weeks. Good tip on Walmart, Valvoline (synthetic). My experience: Good/Better/Best, best has always = full synthetic lubricants. They last longer, work better in temperature extremes, and protect against wear and failure longer in all as well as high performance demand extremes.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by Silent Runner

I'm going to do a trans. fluid change myself in a couple of weeks. Good tip on Walmart, Valvoline (synthetic). My experience: Good/Better/Best, best has always = full synthetic lubricants. They last longer, work better in temperature extremes, and protect against wear and failure longer in all as well as high performance demand extremes.

same experience here fully synthetic oils/fluids are always best

good luck with ATF flush. do the power steering ATF flush too, same fluid.

[JohnGD]

Another thing you can do is to drive the car warm and check the fluid level. Also measure what you drain and fill that amount back in.

Or you can start with 4 qts, lower and warm up the car until the fan comes on once or twice and check the level. Add 8 oz at a time and recheck.

They share the same dipstick tube for fills, but drain independently. Unlike the newer U-series.

Originally Posted by ghost111

Thanks. I am going to pull the pan and replace the filter and drain the diff. at the same time. I'm guessing that is 4.2 quarts of fluid. Does anyone know the total capacity of transmission and diff combined? Because I am thinking of draining both again in about a week as they share the fluid. What I don't know is , do they share the fluid all the time or is one drain of the diff. sufficient????

[ghost111]

Originally Posted by Silent Runner

I'm going to do a trans. fluid change myself in a couple of weeks. Good tip on Walmart, Valvoline (synthetic). My experience: Good/Better/Best, best has always = full synthetic lubricants. They last longer, work better in temperature extremes, and protect against wear and failure longer in all as well as high performance demand extremes.

Since this is a drain and fill and not a full flush....is the Valvoline Syn compatable with the old stuff that's currently in the tranny? [I guess it must be but thought I should double check] Thanks

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by ghost111

Since this is a drain and fill and not a full flush....is the Valvoline Syn compatable with the old stuff that's currently in the tranny? [I guess it must be but thought I should double check] Thanks

yes it is. you can mix synthetic and dino oils as you like. hence how synthetic blends are made.

[JohnGD]

Is this Valvoline synthetic ATF you mentioned the Dexron VI? Because the other fully-synthetic ATF from Valvoline is commonly referred to as MaxLife. Both of these are formulated to be thinner than the older Dexron III type fluids. The newest MaxLife was reformulated to be similar to D-VI and Toyota WS. IMO a great replacement for WS.

I know many like the MaxLife, but I personally would avoid using the thinner fluid in older transmissions. Mobil-1 had a fully-syn multi-vehicle ATF but they reformulated again for Dex-III type applications only.

I'd recommend Mobil-1 in the differential, even if you use other fluids in the transmission, such as the Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V, Valvoline Mercon-V, synthetic-blend Castrol Import Multivehicles ATF. These are all D-III suitable. Of course all these are fine in the differential too.

Valvoline or Castrol Dex/Merc and other dino oils are cheaper. But I just use SuperTech Mercon-V in place of these. Mercon-V is a licensed specification oil blenders must meet, and more shear stable than the dino D-III fluids out there. I'll leave the Dex-VI and MaxLife for others to comment.

Just make sure the label says suitable for Dexron III type applications.

Originally Posted by ghost111

Since this is a drain and fill and not a full flush....is the Valvoline Syn compatable with the old stuff that's currently in the tranny? [I guess it must be but thought I should double check] Thanks

[ghost111]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Is this Valvoline synthetic ATF you mentioned the Dexron VI? Because the other fully-synthetic ATF from Valvoline is commonly referred to as MaxLife. Both of these are formulated to be thinner than the older Dexron III type fluids. The newest MaxLife was reformulated to be similar to D-VI and Toyota WS. IMO a great replacement for WS.

I know many like the MaxLife, but I personally would avoid using the thinner fluid in older transmissions. Mobil-1 had a fully-syn multi-vehicle ATF but they reformulated again for Dex-III type applications only.

I'd recommend Mobil-1 in the differential, even if you use other fluids in the transmission, such as the Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V, Valvoline Mercon-V, synthetic-blend Castrol Import Multivehicles ATF. These are all D-III suitable. Of course all these are fine in the differential too.

Valvoline or Castrol Dex/Merc and other dino oils are cheaper. But I just use SuperTech Mercon-V in place of these. Mercon-V is a licensed specification oil blenders must meet, and more shear stable than the dino D-III fluids out there. I'll leave the Dex-VI and MaxLife for others to comment.

Just make sure the label says suitable for Dexron III type applications.

I thought Mercon V was for Fords. Are you using Mercon V in a Camry Gen 4 auto trans. I am interested in this direction because I just flushed the trans in one of my other cars [a 1996 Lincoln mark Viii LSC] and the results were spectacular! It went from frequent trans shudder on upshifts to Zero shudder and smooth as silk.

[fenixus]

wait, so Valvoline MaxLife is no longer good for old Dex-III transmissions? when did they change the formula to be as thin as Dex-VI ?

M1 ATF is a tad expensive, like $8/qt while MaxLife was half the price or so... Right now I have Castrol IMV everywhere, was wondering if that is a good idea to go with MaxLife since this year ... maybe not anymore ...

[ghost111]

What is the total capacity of the diff and tranny combined?

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

wait, so Valvoline MaxLife is no longer good for old Dex-III transmissions? when did they change the formula to be as thin as Dex-VI ?

M1 ATF is a tad expensive, like $8/qt while MaxLife was half the price or so... Right now I have Castrol IMV everywhere, was wondering if that is a good idea to go with MaxLife since this year ... maybe not anymore ...

I'm confused also, I would run M1 if Walmart carried their transmission fluid. If MaxLife isn't an option, I might look at Amsoil or Redline.
edit:
wait
"MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF contains a blend of superior base oils and a unique additive package to help extend the life of transmissions with over 75,000 miles. It is formulated to maximize transmission performance, reduce transmission wear, and improve and maintain smooth shifting longer than conventional fluids. MaxLife DEX/MERC ATF is compatible with new and rebuilt transmissions and will not void new car warranties."

http://www.valvoline.com/products/co...ssion-fluid/37

No where is it stated that Maxlife Dex/Merc is a fully sythetic fluid?