DIFFERENTIAL fluid

[brian59]

Have a 2000 Camry with a 4 cylinder engine. My question is this. Does the differential fluid shared the fluid from the automatic transmission? I would like to change the transmission and differential fluid this weekend. Just need to know if I need to fill both areas or just the automatic transmission.

[71Corolla]

Search! Using the exact terms of your thread title gives you all the answers you need.

[fenixus]

this topic has been covered many times. so please use search, but since forums search sucks, then use google search including "toyotanation" keyword with no quotes

to answer your question in case you don't know what we are talking about.
The differential chamber is SEPARATE on your transmission. drain and refill every 60k miles in normal conditions or every 30k miles under severe conditions (e.g. lots of city driving).

use the best fluid you can get, at least synthetic blend, fully synthetic preferably.

[JohnGD]

Check this DIY for differential ATF change:
DIY : Differental Fluid Change

Since the OP is in Ohio, I'd change out the differential oil with a synthetic ATF, like Mobil-1. This should be good for 30/60K miles but if the car is a keeper I'd 15/30K for severe and normal service.

It used to be that Castrol Import Multi-vehicle ATF and Walmart's SuperTech Mercon-V (both suitable for Dexron II/III applications) advertised as synthetic-blends, but for some reason no longer. The newer Mercon-V labeling still has the same Ford license number however.

I wouldn't use Dexron VI (6), which is a thin fluid designed for the new and excellent Hydramatic clutch-to-clutch 6L/T transmissions.

[JohnGD]

I'd check the ATF level before the job, make sure it's in the HOT range, then refill what you drained out (transmission side) - or slightly less and then add more. If you have never dropped the pan, clean the magnets and change the strainer, I'd do that too.

You can get an ATF strainer/gasket kit for about $20 in local parts stores. Fram used to include the gasket, but they no longer show that in the pictures. If you have a local NAPA store get a Wix kit there. It typically has a rubber gasket with slightly undersized holes to help hold the bolts.

Originally Posted by brian59

Have a 2000 Camry with a 4 cylinder engine. My question is this. Does the differential fluid shared the fluid from the automatic transmission? I would like to change the transmission and differential fluid this weekend. Just need to know if I need to fill both areas or just the automatic transmission.