1999 Camry. Not about money.

[Drew1987]

Hey all,

I have a 1999 Camry I still drive. I don't care what it costs to maintain it. I like the car which is why I dont buy a 2026 Camry instead. So this isnt about cost. I also dont mind stocking specific fluids for all of my cars, so this isnt about convenience

I have a true 50/50 split set of reasons why this car should switch to MaxLife and why it should stay T-IV.

So I am asking you guys - chemists, toyota techs of old etc. what you would do. This week it's getting a new filter and cooler line replacement of fluid. I'd like to pick T-IV or MaxLife and not look back.

Thanks!

 

[JeffKeryk]

I use MaxLife in my '01 Tundra. Regardless, just service that bad-boy. Both are fine. Keep 'em alive!

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife is good stuff. I used it in an even older Camry with no problem. Also, the Maxlife is full synthetic, while the T-IV is not.

 

[GR_CoB]

Pick MaxLife and don't look back. Over the past 15 years I've used it in 10+ personal Toyota/Lexus vehicles of that era, and always had great results. And being synthetic - it handles the cold, as well as high temp breakdown, much better than a mineral T-IV.
I still use MaxLife in all my cars: Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Chevrolet, etc. Only exception was a 2012 Toyota Prius C, where I used E-Valvoline Hybrid ATF.

 

[GSCJR]

Maxlife is full synthetic, while the T-IV is not.

+1

 

[SilentType]

Here's a bottle of T-IV I got from the Toyota dealer at the end of 2024. According to the last line of Espanol it IS synthetic.

 

[GSCJR]

Plus a best before date, but only if you can read Spanish. @SilentType

 

[bdc101]

I heard that 1999 Camries don't even need oil, they'll just run forever no matter what.

 

[Oliveoil2]

What engine and how many miles on your 99?

 

[skaughtz]

Toyota transmissions might as well have been designed for MaxLife because it works exceptionally well in them. My 2007 Camry has been running it for over 100k miles and the transmission runs as good as when I got her. Do a cooler line flush and drain it every 30k miles and the transmission should outlast the car.

 

[drtyler]

Dexron-III was the fluid specified by Toyota for the ‘99 Camry, not T-IV.

Hey all,

I have a 1999 Camry I still drive. I don't care what it costs to maintain it. I like the car which is why I dont buy a 2026 Camry instead. So this isnt about cost. I also dont mind stocking specific fluids for all of my cars, so this isnt about convenience

I have a true 50/50 split set of reasons why this car should switch to MaxLife and why it should stay T-IV.

So I am asking you guys - chemists, toyota techs of old etc. what you would do. This week it's getting a new filter and cooler line replacement of fluid. I'd like to pick T-IV or MaxLife and not look back.

Thanks!

 

[michaelluscher]

My U151E didn't shift right with anything except T-IV
Maxlife, IMV, Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

It's not terribly expensive, I'd stick with it

 

[daves87rs]

Maxlife will work….

 

[djkurious]

03 V8 4runner spec'd for T-IV. Using Maxlife since 242k. Currently at 365k no issues.

 

[Drew1987]

Thanks all

Please keep your experiences coming - i love the actual mileage records they help. I've always run genuine fluids but I think Maxlife is better fluid. weatrher or not its better for this transmission is the questoin....


Its the 5SFE 2.2 and its got 244,600ish on it

 

[GSCJR]

Ok, Ok, U660F. VML ATF since 75k kms and now @ 245k kms with not even a pan drop; just regular fluid changes. I did a fluid changes every 25k kms and then stopped when the fluid came out looking like what was going in.

Furthermore, a 1-2 harsh up shift when cold, disappeared after the first fluid change with VML ATF.

 

[Drew1987]

I was going to do a cooler line exhange and get all of the old stuff out

 

[GSCJR]

I suggest not doing a full fluid exchange (but that's just me). Replace the line, drop the pan/filter, refill and forget about it. You can always do another drain and fill at 260k miles if you want and go from there.