tranny filter? OEM or aftermarket

[sundarpn]

2002 Camry XLE. I have to get the PITA tranny pan dropped, filter changed and refilled.

Should I buy the filter kit from the dealer? or is there a good aftermarket brand?

Getting to 100K... did drain & fill via drain plug back at 50K. Fluid of couse I have to pay $$$ at the dealer for type-4

[JohnGD]

There are online Toyota dealers that sell for about 20-30% less. Gary here is a TN member seller. You can check with him on prices.

Otherwise your local NAPA store should carry Wix filter kit (filter+gasket). Rockauto.com also has it plus ATP and Beck Arnley. All under $20, plus shipping. (I don't know if Fram comes with a gasket any more. They used to).

Castrol Import Multi-vehicle ATF is a suitable substitute for T-IV (dino Mobil 3309). At Walmart the price is right. Valvoline MaxLife ATF is also suitable for T-IV and WS. However, this fully-synthetic ATF is a thinner fluid formulated to match GM's Dexron VI (6) type fluids. Some like this fluid, but I personally stay away from the thinner fluid unless you have a 2007+. Of course Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V is also suitable for T-IV, but it's only slightly less than Castrol.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7028224

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

Originally Posted by sundarpn

2002 Camry XLE. I have to get the PITA tranny pan dropped, filter changed and refilled.

Should I buy the filter kit from the dealer? or is there a good aftermarket brand?

Getting to 100K... did drain & fill via drain plug back at 50K. Fluid of couse I have to pay $$$ at the dealer for type-4

[sundarpn]

Thx.

I won't be changing all the tranny fluid with a pan drop.

So is it ok if the castrol multi-vehicle atf mixes with Toyota type-IV. Years back toyota type IV was about 6 bucks at the dealer.

[JohnGD]

Yes, it's ok because most of us can only drain about 1/3-1/2 of it out anyways. I'd do a drain/refill every 20K miles or so on these transmissions and change the filter with every, or every-other, ATF drain/refill.

Some feel better using OEM parts, so YMMV. Takes about 4 qts, so it's like $6-8 difference if dealer (still) sells them at $6.

Originally Posted by sundarpn

Thx.

I won't be changing all the tranny fluid with a pan drop.

So is it ok if the castrol multi-vehicle atf mixes with Toyota type-IV. Years back toyota type IV was about 6 bucks at the dealer.