Toyota Camry ATF (Transmission Fluid) Flush - Replacement

The Toyota Maintenance Guide for the Camry 5SFE engine calls for the inspection of the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles... just an inspection. There is nothing on fluid replacement. As a general rule, a simple 'drain & fill' every 30,000 miles is advised to keep your transmission in top working condition. To extend the drain interval beyond 30,000 miles and to perhaps increase the longevity of your transmission, consider using Synthetic ATF fluid such as Mobil I or the new General Motors Dexron VI Synthetic Blend ATF fluid. 1990 to 2001 Camry's require Dexron III. The Dexron VI is backward compatible to Dexron III and will not harm your transmission.

An indication of ATF fluid break down occurs when the ATF color has turned from bright red to brown or black accompanied with a burning smell. Since ATF is a thin viscosity lubricant, under high heat situations such as towing and stop and go summer driving, the fluid will 'cook' or oxidize resulting in varnish and sludge buildup. It's detergent and lubrication properties may have either broken down or become depleted. The color change is a standard indicator used to determine it's condition along with a burning smell.

An ATF drain and fill is similar to a motor oil change except there is no paper element filter to replace and not all the fluid is drained. There is an internal metal mesh filter within the transmission drain cover, but does not filter as fine as a engine oil filter and rarely requires replacement. The drain plug is a 14 mm indented hex bolt requiring a hex socket. Refilling of the fluid is accomplish by removing the fluid level dip stick using a narrow mouth funnel positioned on to the dip stick tube.

Approximately 2.6 quarts of fluid can be drained from the transmission oil pan. The rest will remain in the transmission's torque converter, transmission oil lines and the radiator. If the fluid is dark red and has not yet turn brown, the mixing of new fluid with the old is acceptable. If brown or darker, a complete flush of the system would be in order. This would require approximately 4 additional quarts of oil.

Before considering doing a flush, perform a drain and fill and drive the car for a few days. The new fluid's detergent additive package will help dissolves and remove harmful deposits from transmission components. When these deposits have been broken down and become suspended in the oil, a flush should then be performed.

The purpose of a 'flush' is to cycle out as much of the old oxidized ATF fluid out of your transmission and transmission fluid lines since more than half of the old oil is trapped in the transmission's torque converter after a drain and fill. To accomplish this, the ATF in the transmission's pan is first drained. New ATF is then filled to the manufacturer's specified capacity of 2.6 quarts with 1 extra quart. The transmission fluid return line from the radiator to the transmission is disconnected and piped into a 5 quart see-through container. Have 3 extra quarts of ATF on hand with a fluid feed funnel mounted in the transmission dip stick tube. Start the engine and observe the ATF being pumped out of the fluid return line into the container. When the 2 quart mark has been reached, shut the engine off and add another 2 quarts of ATF. Restart the engine and allow another 2 quarts of ATF to be pumped out. Finally, add only 1 quart of ATF to allow 2.6 quarts to remain in the oil pan. When using this technique, the new oil has pumped or 'pushed' out the old via hydraulic pressure.

* Start the car and observe the ATF the oil being pumped into the container. Stop the engine when the 2 quart mark has been reached.

* Add another 2 quarts of oil through the transmission dip stick tube.

* Start the car again and observe the ATF oil being pumped into the container. Stop the engine when the 4 quart mark has been reached.

* Add only 1 more quart of oil. This should provide a total of 2.5 quarts of oil in your oil pan. Reconnect the ATF return line to your transmission and secure the hose clamp.

* Start your car and let to reach its normal operating temperature. While the engine is running, check the ATF fluid level. Add more oil if not at the high mark.