So I drained and Filled the transmission - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

hardtopte72 · 01-29-2012, 08:36 PM

And let me tell you I already feel the difference

Back story is I bought my 09 Camry with 80K on it. It now has 85K on it. It had a little bit of jumpiness/notchiness in its shifting especially when slowing down and reaccelerating without coming to a complete stop.

So since WS is expensive I saved up and got 12 Qts of WS and 2 Gallons of Super long life for 100 bucks from a buddy of mine (employee discount FTW!)

Well I drained the pan initially and as expected the fluid was black (WS is extrememly dark by default as it is so I wasn't too worried). I filled it up with 4 qts and went for a test drive. The transmission shifts like butter again. It feels completely brand new again and everything works seamless.

I am going to do another drain and fill tonight and a 3rd one in about a week. And from now on I am going to do once a year drain and fills (10-15K) since I get the fluid so cheap and 12 qts will last me 3 years.

I also replaced the engine coolant which was a waste. The coolant was brand new looking coming out and I have no leaks to speak of.

All in all this Camry is great (and yes I am a die hard Toyota fan boy even though their supposed "quality" has gone down). Doesn't burn an fluids except for gas, rides like a Caddy, looks good, gets great gas mileage, and is comfortable.

If anyone needs a DIY let me know soon so I can take some pics.

nuchieboy · 01-29-2012, 10:48 PM

Do you have the 2gr-fe? If so I would absolutley like to see pics

hardtopte72 · 01-30-2012, 01:04 AM

Sorry 2AZFE. I actually have a dipstick.

kenny1773 · 01-30-2012, 09:20 AM

2005 SE 2.4l auto here and I do a drain bolt fluid change on the trans every 30k. I do not beleive the hype in the extended drain interval of the Type T IV fluid either (I think the manual says 100k) My trans also shifts smoother and became quieter after each 30k drain and fill I performed. The difference was surprising.

Although it would be nice to have a 100k mile trans fluid or a lifetime trans fluid, I realize that will probably never happen (speaking as someone who keeps a car for 10 + years), everything where heat and friction are involved wears out eventually.

william m dowd · 01-30-2012, 01:43 PM

speaking of 100,000 mile trans fluid such as WS I have talked to several trans techs and they all say the same thing change the WS every 40,000 miles the trans will last longer as far as the 2005 2.4 I change mine every 20k using mobil one synthetic fluid dropping it 3-4 time till I have changed almost 90% percent of the trans fluid over kill yes but my last toyota went 529,000 using mobil synthetic fluid everything was original motor, trans, power steering, rear end 1986 Cressida and my last camry went over 200k and is still on the road.

El Loco VG · 01-30-2012, 09:41 PM

I'm the only owner of my 07 SE 2.4 4 banger and I now have about 40K on her. I've never changed the tranny fluid but I just did my oil for the first time and surprisingly the area around the drain plug for my tranny was greasy. I checked the fluid and even though the color is now a darkish red almost burgundy as opposed to the new candy red color it's not low on fluid so it must be a real slow leak. I'm going to do a few AMSOIL ATF drain plug drain and fills. is it as simple as just open and close like a oil change? Is there a washer to replace on the drain screw like the oil pan, and is the torque 14lbs as well? Thanks and one last question was 4 quarts enough? Thanks again.

leakyseals · 01-30-2012, 10:02 PM

I found out you cant go by how the long life (Red) or super long life (pink) coolant looks. I bought a tester and even though it looks fine, a radiator drain with red is needed every 40k (3 years) to keep readings perfect on my 02 xle I4. Really think it helps keep idle smooth, gas mileage is better, overall car runs better with this method. I drain the Tranny at the plug with T-IV every other year, have no problems. FWIW I think the T-IV is good fluid and reasonably priced. I have taken the advice of the Toyota techs who say these transmissions are very fussy, want T-IV or shift bad/slip so I'm staying with it. These are the only 2 dealer fluids I use, think its worth every penny, not as expensive as thought. At 192k I have org tstat, water pump, and can't feel the car shift, no clunks.

i 1a 05 Camry · 01-31-2012, 08:02 AM

is it okay to put 4quarts? I asked toyota parts department and they said it needs to be 3.7quarts.

leakyseals · 01-31-2012, 08:20 AM

What they said is correct. For some reason 4 qts comes out for me. If your ATF level is perfect prior to drain, measure what comes out, put that amount back in. Also remember initial readings will be off until the fluid circulates, will seem overfilled. Next day or so will settle down, measure again. Mine is a little over the full mark at hot. Like it that way because there is less air bubbles, and shifts are better. Not recommending that, just stating that you don't have to be too anal about the level like you do with motor oil.

punkgen6driver · 01-31-2012, 09:09 AM

If you are doing a "pan" drain, could you switch to a Amsoil, or Royal Purple-type fluid?

leakyseals · 01-31-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punkgen6driver

If you are doing a "pan" drain, could you switch to a Amsoil, or Royal Purple-type fluid?

Transmissions aren't like engines where you can swap brands, weights etc. . Wrong weight, chemistry, the transmission can turn to junk over the course of a year. Beware of "universal fluids". Nothing wrong with T-IV, good cheap fluid made for that transmission. Am I saying don't do it? no. Buy why? risks outweigh the rewards that you wont notice.

william m dowd · 01-31-2012, 10:44 AM

I agree with leakseals about mixing trans fluids Camrys from 2002 to 2006 use type 4 I use mobil one synthetic because I was told it was ok to use my 2006 camry. It has only 54,000 miles so far so good you can also use Ams oil according to them and royal purple is supposed to be ok. BUT ON THE 2007 AND NEWER CAMRYS you must use the new ws fluid from Toyota or you will have problems if you use anything else at this time. The WS fluid is a full snythetic according to Toyota I also recommend having Toyota changing it at 50,000 miles not 100,000 miles

punkgen6driver · 01-31-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by william m dowd

I agree with leakseals about mixing trans fluids Camrys from 2002 to 2006 use type 4 I use mobil one synthetic because I was told it was ok to use my 2006 camry. It has only 54,000 miles so far so good you can also use Ams oil according to them and royal purple is supposed to be ok. BUT ON THE 2007 AND NEWER CAMRYS you must use the new ws fluid from Toyota or you will have problems if you use anything else at this time. The WS fluid is a full snythetic according to Toyota I also recommend having Toyota changing it at 50,000 miles not 100,000 miles

Mine is an 09 V6 SE...I will have them change it at 50k. Thanks

Equatis · 02-01-2012, 11:45 PM

Awesome post, been looking for something like this. I know the post is old, but I would love to see some DIY pictures.

I have the 2AZFE that has a dipstick and drain bolt. I'm about a month away from reaching 60k and have wondered what the outcome of a fluid change could* be like for me. My engine shifts smoothly, in my opinion. I've only noticed recently she seems to vibrate more at a stop. Not sure if this will help that, but looking for it.

Again, please post some DIY pictures. I don't need any captions.

midnitevil · 02-02-2012, 03:32 AM

I first changed mine at 50k. Did a drain, fill, then run for 10 mins slowly shifting the gears, three times. I was working at a jiffy lube at the time, and had access to all the tools and equipment I needed. I'm gonna do it again this weekend, and maybe take a few pictures while I'm at it.