2000 V6 Camry Transmission fluid change

[ddagsyn]

I am planning to replace the transmission fluid in my V6 2000 LE Camry. My question is when I drain the transmission does the differential also drain or do I need to worry about separately draining and filling the differential like the V4's.
Thanks

[71Corolla]

Even though the transmission shares fluid with the differential, you still need to drain and fill the diff separately. This is for two reasons, one, to get all the fluid out, and two, so that there is sufficient fluid in the differential when you drive right after he fluid change.

Toyota put a drain and fill on the diff for a reason.

[fenixus]

there is no separate fill plug on A541E differential. you fill it together with transmission (still need to be drained separately).

[71Corolla]

True I stand corrected. But draining the diff is only really useful if you do a complete flush, otherwise more than half the fluid will still be in the transmission anyway.

[ddagsyn]

Originally Posted by fenixus

there is no separate fill plug on A541E differential. you fill it together with transmission (still need to be drained separately).

Thanks for the replies.... So fenixus ---
1. If I only drain the transmission since the differential and transmission are one will the differential also drain (partially) or is it absolutely necessary to unbolt the differential. I understand that this will not replace all the fluid. I guess you confirmed that the differential and transmission fills thru the dipstick.

2. Since I have to use Dexron III. Planning on using Valvoline Maxlife. How's the fluid?
http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...ssion-fluid/37

Thanks

[pmesfun]

Valvoline Maxlife is fine, I'm using it in the power steering and no problems. Using it in the transmission next service.

[fenixus]

I would drain the differential too, not much more will come out, but it would be better if you can drain it completely too.

as above Maxlife is good fluid, other nice option is Castrol IMV unless you want to go fully synthetic with Mobil1 ATF. Maxlife used to be fully synthetic (it said so on old label) but I think no more so it's probably now a blend, just like Castrol IMV.

However MaxLife has High Mileage additives, so it might be actually better over Castrol IMV.

[cf99]

ddagsyn, on my '01 the pan gasket was starting to deteriorate and was seeping a bit. I guess that's normal after 10 years. Have you considered replacing that gasket as well?

The nice thing about dropping the pan is you can see if there's a sludge built up in the pan bottom as well as if there are metal shavings on the magnet. I was glad to find out mine looked very clean and no shavings.

PS what's you fluid look/smell like? If it's even slightly dark, the advice I got (for a drain and refill as opposed to a flush) was to do the drain and refill again in about 1000 miles since, as others mentioned, you only can drain part of the contents.

Also, I looked up the diff fluid capacity and it is 1.7 quarts, though I'm not sure if you can drain all of that via the drain plug. Every extra bit of old fluid you can get out helps.

[ddagsyn]

cf99, thanks for the reply. I am just starting to work on the car so planning to do just a drain and refill at this time. I will be doing another drain and refill in about 1000 miles as well in an attempt to try and get more fluid exhanged.

[JohnGD]

+1 with draining the differential. Tight access to the drain plug that faces the firewall can be a problem. A 10mm allen wrench with a small cheater pipe or a hex bit and a crescent wrench on the hex bit can help.

The newest formulation of Maxlife is thinner and fully synthetic. Now it's compatible with the thin Dexron VI (6) and WS. So I'd rather use the thicker Mobil-1, Castrol Import Multi-vehicle ATF, or Walmart's SuperTech Mercon-V (suitable for D-III too). Mobil-1 kept the thicker formulation (7.4 cSt @ 100 deg C) for a reason. (Mobil Dexron VI is at 5.83 cSt).

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...hetic_ATF.aspx

I used to stay away from these high mileage oils/atfs with seal conditioners. Maybe I shouldn't do that any more??

Originally Posted by fenixus

I would drain the differential too, not much more will come out, but it would be better if you can drain it completely too.

as above Maxlife is good fluid, other nice option is Castrol IMV unless you want to go fully synthetic with Mobil1 ATF. Maxlife used to be fully synthetic (it said so on old label) but I think no more so it's probably now a blend, just like Castrol IMV.

However MaxLife has High Mileage additives, so it might be actually better over Castrol IMV.

[pmesfun]

Vavoline states Maxlife " 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."

It says its a blend. Or is it synthetic? I'm confused.

[JohnGD]

The new is fully synthetic:

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Maxlife_ATF.pdf

The only "unique blend" I read is of "viscosity modifier" and "base oils". I don't think they mean dino+synthetic oils when they say blend. See,

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

Same with the Mobil-1 ATF. It used be only Dexron-III types compatible, then it's Honda Z-1 and T-IV compatible. Now it's back to only Dexron-III types. That's why we should always read the label on the back when picking them up.

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Vavoline states Maxlife " 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."

It says its a blend. Or is it synthetic? I'm confused.

[fenixus]

yeah, I'm having my doubts about Maxlife here as well. Perhaps it's all good I dunno. where does it say it's fully synthetic? I couldn't find that sentence on their website anywhere. just as pmesfun I only found "a blend of oils" which sounds like a synthetic blend (that's what Castrol IMV label used to say but not anymore now?) ... labels on IMV and Maxlife are confusing on new bottles vs old ones - more compatibility (per manuf specs) and missing statements about type of oil (blend vs synthetic) ...

Personally I will be switching both cars to M1 ATF at next drain & refill. I don't quite like the idea of having thinner fluid in transmission, especially in traffic conditions here (considered severe for transmission). will cost me a bit more, but surely should be better and fully synthetic with no doubts.

IMHO if Maxlife is thinner now then probably it needs to carry HM conditioners to prevent gasket/seals leaking on some High Mileage (all of ours here haha) cars. I think they just labeled it HM, because their formula could be problematic if conditioners were not there. just my opinion.

Originally Posted by JohnGD

The newest formulation of Maxlife is thinner and fully synthetic. Now it's compatible with the thin Dexron VI (6) and WS. So I'd rather use the thicker Mobil-1, Castrol Import Multi-vehicle ATF, or Walmart's SuperTech Mercon-V (suitable for D-III too). Mobil-1 kept the thicker formulation (7.4 cSt @ 100 deg C) for a reason. (Mobil Dexron VI is at 5.83 cSt).

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...hetic_ATF.aspx

I used to stay away from these high mileage oils/atfs with seal conditioners. Maybe I shouldn't do that any more??

[pmesfun]

M1 ATF is too expensive for me to use. I wish Wal-mart sold their ATF too.
I guess I will just use dino Dex III, until I find something else.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

M1 ATF is too expensive for me to use. I wish Wal-mart sold their ATF too.
I guess I will just use dino Dex III, until I find something else.

well it depends. new transmission may cost me hundreds of times more than cheaper fluid could save LOL
well it's my area, forcing me to use full synthetics everywhere. dino fluids really need to be changed out very often here (rush hour traffic jams, hills, lots of city driving ... even on highways haha, then Winter frost, Summer heat and humid).

I am still trying to locate best price for this fluid. Autozone price doesn't look too good ... $8.49+tax per qt. I'm sure somewhere else it can get better than that hehe...