Automatic Transmission Fluid

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How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid in a Toyota Camry

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Most Toyota’s Camry cars suggest that you service or inspect the transmission fluid at least every 15,000 miles or 12 months depending on the model of the car. There is no harm in checking it more often to ensure that there is still a clear, red color. Check the manual to confirm that the recommended maintenance schedule.

Remove the Old Transmission Fluid, Strainer and Gasket

Step 1

Clean the outside of the fluid pan and the surrounding areas thoroughly to remove all dirt and grease and prevent contamination when you remove the pan. Remove the dipstick from the filler tube and replace it with a funnel. Place a drain pan beneath the transmission fluid pan, remove the drain plug with a socket wrench and allow the fluid to drain. Set the drain plug aside where it won’t get dirty.

Step 2

Loosen all but two of the fluid pan retaining bolts in a crisscross fashion with a socket wrench. When only two bolts are left, hold the transmission fluid pan with one hand while you remove the remaining bolts with the other. Be very careful when removing the pan, as some fluid will remain and may spill. Place the pan on a clean surface.

Step 3

Detach any wires connected to the side of the valve body. Remove the strainer by taking off the retaining bolts. Pay attention if some of these bolts are different lengths, so that you can replace them in their correct locations. Remove the strainer and discard the gasket. Be prepared because some fluid will likely drain from the valve body. You may need to scrape remaining pieces of the gasket from the valve body.

Step 4

Find the magnets on the bottom of the pan. Depending on the year of your vehicle, there may be one, two or three magnets. Remove and clean these. Don’t be alarmed if you find metal shavings attached to the magnets. The magnets are there to collect this debris so that it doesn’t clog up the delicate workings of the transmission.

Step 5

Drain the rest of the transmission fluid from the pan and wipe the pan with a clean rag. Remove the old gasket from the pan and the transmission. You may have to scrape off some of the material. In addition, remove the drain plug gasket. Clean the fluid pan and allow it to air dry.
Replace the New Strainer, Gaskets and Transmission Fluid

Step 1

Install a new fluid strainer assembly. Replace the retaining bolts in their original places. Replace the magnets where they were originally, making sure that they don’t interfere with any oil tubes. Put a new gasket on the fluid pan, making sure that all holes line up.

Step 2

Hold the oil pan and gasket in position and hand tighten the retaining bolts in a crisscross fashion. Tighten them to 43 inch pounds with the torque wrench. Replace the drain plug with a new gasket and tighten it to 36 foot pounds. If you had to remove any wires in Section 1, replace them now.

Step 3

Find the type of fluid you should use written on the dipstick. You can also find this information in the vehicle’s owners manual. You will likely find that the recommended fluid is Dexron II or its superseding type.

Step 4

Add the new automatic transmission fluid through the dipstick tube. Some fluid will remain in the transmission, so add about half of the recommended dry refill amount and check the fluid level. Add a little more if needed and check again until the fluid reaches the correct level on the dipstick.

Step 5

Replace the dipstick, start the engine and let it idle for a few minutes. Don’t press the gas pedal. After the engine has idled for a few minutes, shift your car through the gears and then back to Park.

Step 6

Check the fluid level on the dipstick while the car is idling. If the dipstick indicates that the transmission needs more fluid, add a little more until the level reaches the full mark on the dipstick.

Tips & Warnings

The automatic transmission fluid needs to be hot before you drain it, so drive the car for about 20 minutes before the project.

Don’t overfill the transmission with too much fluid, as this can cause serious problems with the transmission. Don’t overfill your transmission with too much fluid. When checking the level of transmission fluid, pay careful attention to the cold and hot markings on the dipstick. When the engine and transmission are cold, the fluid level should fall in the “Cool” indicator range. Likewise, when the engine and transmission are hot, the fluid level should fall in the “Hot” indicator range.