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.

 

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/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid/37

Thanks

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

+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/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-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.

 

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 :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...

 

True, thats what my teacher said, but idk maybe I will take my chances with MaxLife. I don't see how it could be so bad to use. If I ever get this transmission surge thing fixed for sure I will use M1 ATF, and change the filter/clean the pan etc. M1 should be good for at least 20k right?

 

I really hope it can do much more than 20k even in severe conditions... (15k severe OCI, is for dino Dex-III).

I am still planning to install Magnafine on ATF return line on V6 but clearance of things over there is ... well ... tight 5s-fe was way easier in this matter... Magnefine can easily extend the OCI by next 10k miles, even with dino ATF.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e.../ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260414674611&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

EDIT:
wow, I just found out there is 1 more new Walmart nearby (less than 2 miles away) and another one a few miles further away which actually has also the Auto Center. need to pay them a visit, maybe they carry Mobil1 ATF

worst case, i will get that fluid from Autozone and use $20 off reward I earned from past purchases (Autozone Rewards, $20 bonus for every $100 you spend).
Advance Auto Parts has M1 ATF at $8.99+tax and online coupons do not apply to those ... pity.
Need to check Pep Boys and local Strauss Auto soon too hehe :lol:

 

OMFG god damn!

Advance Auto parts actually DOES allow to use coupons on transmission ATF
just used 20% off and it worked. what didn't work was using online coupons against motor oils hehe :thumbsup:

Mobil1 ATF $7.19 + tax per quart, doesn't get any better so far, maybe it will if I apply $20 off $50 or maybe $25 off $60 (they have many different coupons)

EDIT:

ahaha LMAO :lol:

Mobil1 ATF @ $5.65/qt + tax in Advance Auto LOL :lol:
coupon code A123 ($20 off $50), at least $50 total order and it works hahahaha... there are also other coupons for different totals, I like the way AA parts allows messing with prices online

EDIT2:

sorry missed the question. yes I replaced (on 5s-fe) the ATF hoses as well with NAPA bulk transmission oil cooler hose 3/8''. I cut them to my taste placing the filter in a way so hoses do not get collapsed on bends or banging things around. I also replaced the other cooler hose (with no filter). I had to get hose clamps from them too (3/8'' worm gear type, 6 of them).

I have already hose for V6 and clamp and Magnefine waiting for install. just need some spare time to remove fans to get access to that area.

 

Thats a steal, sucks that there aren't any local to me and they don't ship the M1 ATF.
How many quarts did you order lol?
Sweet, just remember we have this shelf of various types of hoses, so I can use those.:thumbsup:

 

I have an Advance Auto nearby and will go with the Full Synthetic for that price. Just want to verify and double check that if fulfils the Dexron III requirement. How many quarts should I get for just a drain and refill for a V6 2000 camry?
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx

 

Also, check the ATF level before you do the work and make sure when warm the fluid level is between the hot marks. Then measure what you drain out using an empty atf bottle.

The $1.79 funnel set works well:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-funnel-set-744.html

 

The info I have, from Mitchell-1, is 5.0 qts for a change, and 8.5 qts for a dry fill.

I recently had a drain and refill including the differential and also pan gasket replacement, and they charged me for 5 quarts. If anything I imagine dropping the pan requires slightly more to refill than if you just use the pan drain, so 5 qts seems like the amount to get since you're not going to remove the pan.

I'd wait for others to confirm this though, since I didn't do it myself.

 

haha, right at $5.65 per quart this Mobil1 ATF finally started making sense

yeah, 5qts is about what you can drain out from both trans pan and diff. last time I did that I think it was like 4.8qts actually IIRC.
when dropping the pan and replacing strainer it gets to like 5.3qts or so. would need to find my old thread where I posted my own numbers.

I think I will buy 12qts and do that V6 trans flush finally on some weekend should be no more than $68+tax.

with 12qts, would be first 5qts drain and refill on trans+diff, then another 5qts for a cooler line flush and last 2qts for power steering flush

Before Winter I drained and refilled it twice with Castrol IMV (second time with pan drop and strainer replacement), so I assume almost all fluid was replaced already, it was only 1-1.5k miles ago, but in harsh Winter city conditions.

AAparts coupons:
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/38690

EDIT:
seems that each AAp store carries only 7-8qts of M1 ATF, so would need to divide order into 2 pickup from different stores to have best price. anyways, I decided after second thoughts to go with drain & refill on transmission and p/s tank drain & refill after all, so 6qts should do the trick

UPDATE:

better deal alert

Mobil1 ATF 7qts with coupon code BIG25, price per quart after discount is $5.42 :thumbsup:

 

I'm pretty sure it goes on the return hose. I'm not sure if its serviceable, could be.:dunno:

I don't mind making a DIY if I install this at home.

 

I just changed my transmission fluid over to Royal Purple. It has made a noticable difference in how the shifts, smoother, quicker, and I also think I just picked up about 10% better milage. The change was from 325km/60L tank to 370km. I'm being conservative because I don't whant to make any silly claims, but the car also seems to put more power to the road at the same time. Any one willing to "risk" another $20-40, to check this out and try a really top of the line (100% synthetic) transmission fluid and see if they get the same results?

 

Any one willing to "risk" another $20-40, to check this out and try a really top of the line (100% synthetic) transmission fluid and see if they get the same results?

I will, where did you get the stuff?

 

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

Does it have a drain plug?