2005 Camry Automatic Trans Fluid Change Interval - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lucian688 · 07-25-2005, 05:35 PM

Hi, for my 3rd Camry (2005 XLE V6), I noticed that Toyota is against changing the auto trans fluid until it is absolutely necessary... For my 2 previous camries (94 4cyl & 02 Solara SLE), I have been changing the trans flud w/ Mobile 1 every 40K or so, the trans runs smoother than the day I baught these cars...

Any suggestions on the new Type I-V fluid change, Mobil 30, Amsoil or equivalent? Interval? Or should I just leave it alone as the manual suggested. How about drain & fill of Type I-V at 30K as suggested by some...

Any recommendation is appreciated.

Thanks in advance- Lucian

kenny1773 · 07-26-2005, 02:04 PM

I have the same question, I thought it was odd Toyota recommends not changing this fluid in the 5spd auto.

One thing about this transmission that bothers me is how it downshifts on it's own when you are braking downhill. I would rather just eat up the brakes and not wear the trans more. This 'feature' makes me want to change the fluid even more

Daffunda · 07-26-2005, 08:17 PM

As an engineer who designs auto trans, I have to say that it is not necessary to change the ATF on these newer cars. This is because the newer transmissions now have better hardware and shift control. It would not hurt the transmissions to do a fluid drain and fill, however, do not do a flush.

You'll be amazed to what sort of meticulous engineering goes into these automatics nowadays.

kenny1773 · 07-26-2005, 08:23 PM

Daffunda

Thanks for the info, but I was always taught that heat degrades transfluid over time.

Is it that the trans does not get hot enough to degrade the fluid in 'most' conditions?

What if I tow?

Is the Type I-V fluid synthetic or something?

Daffunda · 07-26-2005, 08:48 PM

From hardware and software improvements, the trans fluid does not need to be changed as the trans normally does not get hot enough to deteriorate the fluid. Also trans nowadays are built and engineered for higher heat and stress tolerances.

If you tow and if something were to go wrong, usually the engine will overheat first before the trans overheats.

If the car is being towed, it may damage the transmission if the drive wheels are on the ground, even if you put the gear in neutral. Depends on the car.

What could be a bullet to the heart is constantly flooring your car to get out when you are stuck in mud or snow with no traction control for excessive periods. This is hell for the transmission.

kenny1773 · 08-04-2005, 10:47 PM

Daffunda - how are you with manual transmissions?

Conan555 · 03-11-2007, 02:06 PM

I'd like to ressurect this thread.

I'm w/ Daffunda, and it does make alot of sense. At around 60k, the fluid was still bright purple, and I thought, "wow, they've really improved these things!"

Now, at 80k, however, I checked the fluid today, and it is pretty dark.. still a shade of purple, but kind of brown at the same time. There is no burnt smell or anything, but I'm a little concerned about the color.

Is it normal to change color like this? Does the color change indicate the fluid has gone bad even w/ these newer trannies and fluids?

I think I'm gonna go drain/refill it today just for peace of mind, but still, what's going on here?

Does the sticker on the dip stick "No Need to change ATF under normal driving conditions" still apply when the fluid is noticeably getting darker?

CamrySExxx · 03-11-2007, 04:10 PM

^ours is really dark and smells like crap! we went to the dealer and they said you can change it if we want , it doesnt matter and doesnt have to be changed.....but once it gets nicer out we will change it

RICO8458 · 03-11-2007, 04:11 PM

I changed mine at 35K and will do it each year. I will do a drain and refill transmission fluid at the toyota dearship. this will keep it running smooth for the life of the car. this is my opinion. no flush, just drain and refill once a year...

Conan555 · 03-12-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

...we went to the dealer and they said you can change it if we want , it doesnt matter and doesnt have to be changed.....

Really? The dealer said this to you? I'm quite surprised, as the dealer is always pushing for unnecessary "preventative" things.

I think alot of the confusion comes from old timers who've been told you always change the tranny fluid at x,y,z interval -- and who don't account for new technological advances.

Anyhow, I did drain and refill my fluid today just to be on the safe side (80k miles), but it just doesn't make sense to me.

1) why would they put that "No need to change" sticker on the dipstick AND the owners manual, when you indeed need to change it?

2) Why is the color of the fluid turning slightly brown if you don't need to change it? Does Toyota type IV fluid turn brown anyway, but is still able to do its job perfectly fine?

(I'd love to hear from Daffunda about this one since he seems to know his stuff)

RICO8458 · 03-12-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conan555

Really? The dealer said this to you? I'm quite surprised, as the dealer is always pushing for unnecessary "preventative" things.

I think alot of the confusion comes from old timers who've been told you always change the tranny fluid at x,y,z interval -- and who don't account for new technological advances.

Anyhow, I did drain and refill my fluid today just to be on the safe side (80k miles), but it just doesn't make sense to me.

1) why would they put that "No need to change" sticker on the dipstick AND the owners manual, when you indeed need to change it?

2) Why is the color of the fluid turning slightly brown if you don't need to change it? Does Toyota type IV fluid turn brown anyway, but is still able to do its job perfectly fine?

(I'd love to hear from Daffunda about this one since he seems to know his stuff)

here in NYC, the staten island Toyota Service Center charges market price to do the drain and refill of the transmission fluid. they will use the toyota oem tranny fluid, and do the job very fast and neat. for under one hundred bucks, and youre done. keep the tranny running smooth and clean, that and the egnine oil, will make the car last a life time.

agalinski · 03-31-2007, 12:01 AM

What I don't understand is that the label on the dipstick states no need to change 'under normal driving conditions'. What the heck is that!? For something that is highly engineered, I'd expect a quantifiable preventive maintenance plan, not something apparently written by the marketing department.

I would assume that at the first sign of color change, the tranny fluid is changing/degrading and should be replaced. Color change is not normal. I would have even settled for a reference to color change on the dipstick label...

2002 Camry V6 XLE.

Conan555 · 03-31-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agalinski

What I don't understand is that the label on the dipstick states no need to change 'under normal driving conditions'. What the heck is that!? For something that is highly engineered, I'd expect a quantifiable preventive maintenance plan, not something apparently written by the marketing department.

I would assume that at the first sign of color change, the tranny fluid is changing/degrading and should be replaced. Color change is not normal. I would have even settled for a reference to color change on the dipstick label...

2002 Camry V6 XLE.

Nah, I doubt it's put there by the marketing dept. If anything, the marketing guys want you NOT to know about it so you spend more money for service. If anything, I'd think the engineers pushed for that there. Anyway, all speculation. It's also in the owner's manual by the way. There, it gives you a whole sentence or two more.

I mean, wouldn't they be opening themselves up to potential lawsuits if they put that there, and it weren't true? (People have sued [AND WON] over hot coffee not having a "HOT" warning -- surely this would be a slam dunk if it were false)

touringcamry · 03-31-2007, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICO8458

here in NYC, the staten island Toyota Service Center charges market price to do the drain and refill of the transmission fluid. they will use the toyota oem tranny fluid, and do the job very fast and neat. for under one hundred bucks, and youre done. keep the tranny running smooth and clean, that and the egnine oil, will make the car last a life time.

Not specifically directed at you, but a transmission drain and refill is about as difficult as an oil change...why does it cost so much more?

w203 · 03-31-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringcamry

Not specifically directed at you, but a transmission drain and refill is about as difficult as an oil change...why does it cost so much more?

Same concept but different positions. Engine oil is as basic as you can get while for the transmission your gonna have to get a funnel with the hose on the end attached and its just more messy.

Don't use synthetic oil on the tranny, get the OEM fluids.