2012 Camry ATF change- now or later?

[TmanP]

So the 2012 Camry (~42,000 miles) has "lifetime" transmission fluid but I want to change it out at some point in the future. My plan was to do it soon (~45,000 miles) then at 100k, 150k, etc.
Does that sound reasonable? Is it what you all would do? The process is quite involved but I found a shop that will do it for $120ish. The capacity seems quite low, though (I've seen about 3 quarts on drain/refill)- is changing that quantity out every ~50k enough to make a difference? Or do I need to do to more frequently than ~50k?

The transmission shifts well, save for a strange 2-3 or 3-4 shift lurch when first starting out with a cool transmission. Other than that, it seems very good.

 

[Donald]

I would go to 60K or 75K. Your current 42K seems too early.

Magnefine filter is always a good idea.

If your current ATF is not synthetic then that would be a reason to change change it early.

Front diff. if it has one/

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Every 60k with Maxlife or Castrol Synthetic. Autozone has Castrol Full Synthetic ATF on sale right now for $5/qt

 

[Dino01]

I did a 14qt exchange with WS in my RX at 50k, seems like a good round number so I'll be doing it every 50k from here on out. It may be AWD and a lot heavier than the Camry, but 45-50k would be a good interval on yours as well IMO

 

[RW1]

It's all depends on your comfort level. I had the fluid changed in my 2011 Tundra a few months ago for the first time. I had 70K miles on it at the time. I trust my local dealer and I asked the tech if the fluid looked good. He said it looked fine and as expected. I asked him if I should have changed sooner and he said, "No, it wasn't necessary yet but if it makes you feel better, why not?"

If you trust your local dealership, check out their prices. My dealer replaced the transmission fluid and the two differentials for $150.

 

[CT8]

Drain the oil.It has the break in wear

 

[diyjake]

If I remember correctly 2010 and newer Camry's don't have a dipstick, a scan tool that is capable of reading transmission temps is required to fill it correctly.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted by diyjake
If I remember correctly 2010 and newer Camry's don't have a dipstick, a scan tool that is capable of reading transmission temps is required to fill it correctly.


There is no dipstick, but there is still a tube, and there is still a drain plug, too. You can still change the ATF by draining from the drain plug, measuring, then filling with the same amount you drained

It's the DCT's that require the scan tool to read the temp

 

[The_Jeff]

Do it now, and your coolant too.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I would service your transmission. I am not sure of the proper process on a 2012, but it cannot be that hard.
I am about to service our GS; I am going to use Idemitsu WS equivalent and try for 3 iterations of drain/fill to get most of the old fluid out.

Youtube is your friend.

 

[HangFire]

The first drain is to get out the break-in metal particles. Successive drains are to replace sheared or burnt fluid. So don't delay on the first one.

 

[stockrex]

I drain and fill my hondas at the end of peak summer once the temps near freezing, every year, it costs me $25 each time, my rational is simple, after summer driving at 105F, I drain the cooked fluid and add some fresh fluid.

My ford 6r80 trans does not have a drain plug, I was planing on vacuuming out some fluid at the end of summer too.

So my suggestion, change it,

 

[The Critic]

I haven't done that particular model, but the newer Toyota 6-speeds hold very little fluid in the pan - usually less than 2 quarts.

If this one does not have cooler lines and has the self-contained heat exchanger, you need to find someone with a BG flush machine that has the correct adapters.

Setting the fluid level is also a pain; the fluid level needs to be set when the temp is barely lukewarm. So, this will require for the car to sit at least 4 hours before starting the job.

In other words, leave it alone.