2004 Camry auto trans fluid change

[mulepacker]

My (current) wife's 2004 Camry now has 60,000 miles on it and the ATF is starting to turn brown. I'm considering a trans flush and would apprecate the boards opinion on type of ATF to replace (Synthetic?) and/or it it is even necessary. As you can tell based on the mileage, the car is predominatly driven in the city.

Thanks

 

[unDummy]

It needs a full ATF exchange at this point.

If you simply use the drain plug, you could drain/refill it once a year and not worry about 'flushes'.

Plenty of good ATF's that you can use: Mobil1, Amalie, Redline, Royalpurple, Castrol, Pennzoil, Amsoil.....

 

[Donald]

UnDummy is of course correct that it needs a full ATF exchange.

A cooler line flush is pretty easy and more cost effective than multiple drain & refills ESPECIALLY if you are considering synthetic ATF at $8 or $9 a QT.

 

[ravenchris]

Consider an oil extraction pump.

 

[Quest]

Just finished AutoRx on my wifey's 04 camry (2AZ-FE) with 6 rounds of drain-n-fill with Castrol imported ATF in gallon jugs (must met JWS 3309 spec). Works like a charm.

Q.

 

[ZZman]

Take it to the dealer and have them do it. Right fluid and right procedure.

 

[tomcat27]

I agree that since the fluid turned color you wanna get it all outa there, but given the mileage, you also wanna change the filter. at least once. after that, you may not need to change it again. I am partial to Amsoil... but I have used Toyota's 3309 fluid also. in the future, unless you use synthetic, you should do a partial change every 30k. IMHO

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
Take it to the dealer and have them do it. Right fluid and right procedure.

+1
I would change it every 30K miles.

 

[unDummy]

Don't assume the dealer refills with 'quart' bottle of genuine T-IV. I've seen too many using bulk multivehicle or universal ATF. Too funny. I've also seen plenty of wannabe technicians working the 'quicklube' department of the dealerships. Many were hacks and the only work the service manager would give them is the oil changes, and other flushes!

Other then recalls, TSBs, and factory defects, I avoid the dealership.

 

[nthach]

Most dealers are suckers to the MOC or BG man. Changing the ATF and filter ain't too bad on those - the filter is a SPX Microfelt similar to what Detroit uses. The dealer has the filter, pan gasket and O-ring. MAKE SURE THE O-RING IS PRESENT ON THE FILTER PICKUP TUBE, or the transmission will slip!

 

[AzFireGuy79]

Do the cooler line flush yourself. Its easy and as others have stated will cost you less with an expensive synthetic atf. T-IV is garbage. Been there before, never again.