first trans fluid change in '12 Camry

[Lloyd_Hanning]

I need some guidance from the experts.
Have a 2012 Camry AT with 17,000 mi. From reading a lot of the posts, I should and want to change the AT fluid and filter. What I’m looking at doing is draining the trans, removing the pan and replacing the filter. I read that’s a very important step with the original fluid change. Replace the filter, pan and add fluid until it comes out the add plug. I also read that the fluid needs to be at the proper temperature when adding it. WHAT IS the “Proper temperature?” Do I add room temp fluid until it’s at the top of the add hole?.....I would think you want to be a little less than that to take care of the fluid when it gets to operating temperature
Is there a better way or getting more of the fluid out of the trans than just by draining it?
What’s the best gasket cement to use?


Thanks
Lloyd

 

[LeakySeals]

ATF? Book says "forever", but 50k is good. Nothing like a engine FF, transmission is completely different. Especially the new ones. Completely sealed from air, advanced design, advanced fluid. At 50k, its a 2 drainbolt overflow/fill from down below.

 

[ddtmoto]

Most/all trans pan gaskets go on dry...?

 

[LeakySeals]

Read my posts, I'm a 20 year Toyota guy, tough critique on the engines. The transmissions are the least of your worries. 50k on transmissions. Its all about the oil selection and coolant drains.

 

[901Memphis]

If you're draining it from only the pan you don't really worry about the exact amount. You use It as a baseline then fine tune from the dipstick.

Example. If you drain out 6.3 quarts put back 6 and keep adding a pint til you're on the money. Easier to add than to redrain. I would use a bucket with graduation marks on the side or a pan that has the same. I found a nice car wash bucket that has quart markers inside it helps with coolant drains. Also my numbers are just examples. I don't know how big your pan is.

If you measure how much you take out It should be about equal though. It's going to come out at ambient temp and go back at ambient temp if you keep the quarts in the trunk.

I don't think transmission fluid expands a lot anyways at temp. It varies between type.

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Thanks, my concern was do I top it off?....On the trans with dipsticks there's a cold and a hot level.....the '12 Camry just has a fill hole.

Lloyd

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Hey Leaky: thanks for the feedback. When you say "coolant drains" are you talking about the antifreeze?

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Leaky: One more question: Isn't the initial filter change an important item?....

 

[tommygunn]

I thought these transmissions still had drain plugs and dipsticks even though Toyota calls them "sealed." If so, you can simply drain through the plug.

A drain-and-fill every 30k is probably sufficient. I recommend Mag 1 Low-Vis Synthetic ATF; you can get 6 quarts for under $30.

Replacing the transmission filter is never necessary.

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Tommy: they have the fill and drain plugs, but no dipstick. So you're saying I don't have to worry about the filter, just drain and refill every 30k?.....

Thanks
Lloyd

 

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted By: Lloyd_Hanning
Tommy: they have the fill and drain plugs, but no dipstick. So you're saying I don't have to worry about the filter, just drain and refill every 30k?.....

Thanks
Lloyd


Yes. That is correct.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Lloyd_Hanning
Leaky: One more question: Isn't the initial filter change an important item?....

There is no topping off on a transmission unless its leaking which yours wont be at that mileage. They usually don't leak, but keep an eye on it. There are bolts underneath for drain and fill. No measuring, its full when fluid pours out the top bolt. Toyota uses a fine screen filter. I never replace them. If you wanted to anyways 100k is a good milestone.

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: Lloyd_Hanning
Leaky: One more question: Isn't the initial filter change an important item?....

There is no topping off on a transmission unless its leaking which yours wont be at that mileage. They usually don't leak, but keep an eye on it. There are bolts underneath for drain and fill. No measuring, its full when fluid pours out the top bolt. Toyota uses a fine screen filter. I never replace them. If you wanted to anyways 100k is a good milestone.


GREAT!....This is turning into an easy deal..
One more question....Do the drain & fill bolts use those metallic washers?....Do I need to get them at the Toyota dealer?
If not a metallic washer, what procedure should I use?

Thanks guys, you made this whole deal soooo much easier!

Lloyd

 

[2oldtommy]

Is there some reason the ATF needs to be changed at this low mileage? Perhaps I missed the reasoning for this??? --Oldtommy

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Lloyd_Hanning
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: Lloyd_Hanning
Leaky: One more question: Isn't the initial filter change an important item?....

There is no topping off on a transmission unless its leaking which yours wont be at that mileage. They usually don't leak, but keep an eye on it. There are bolts underneath for drain and fill. No measuring, its full when fluid pours out the top bolt. Toyota uses a fine screen filter. I never replace them. If you wanted to anyways 100k is a good milestone.


GREAT!....This is turning into an easy deal..
One more question....Do the drain & fill bolts use those metallic washers?....Do I need to get them at the Toyota dealer?
If not a metallic washer, what procedure should I use?

Thanks guys, you made this whole deal soooo much easier!

Lloyd

Not sure what the material is. I wouldn't use anything else. Just ask when your there getting fluid. Sometimes they give them for free, other times $.50c

 

[doitmyself]

Respected member Jim Allen provided data in a thread here stating that the majority of new transmission particulate production is in the first 10 - 20 thousand miles (can't remember the number) and the most important fluid change is done at this low mileage (again, can't remember the number).

Leaky Seals, you are contradicting this data and saying that today's transmissions run cleaner from the start and don't require an early change.

What are we to believe?? Maybe Jim will pipe in here??

 

[901Memphis]

As long as your using the right fluid and get the right amount in there your only helping by getting old stuff out. You might be ahead of the game but fresh fluid I better than fluid with 30,000 miles and who knows how many heat cycles.

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Originally Posted By: 2oldtommy
Is there some reason the ATF needs to be changed at this low mileage? Perhaps I missed the reasoning for this??? --Oldtommy


Tommy: The ONLY reason being that I recall reading that the first change should be done around 15 -20 K...And the filter needs to be changed too, since that will have all the machined grit and such.
Believe me, I'm no expert, that's why I'm asking you guys.
If the filter doesn't have to be changed that's fine. If it needs to be changed so be it. I'll do that.
Oh, one other question:I know I'm not going to get all the fluid out by just draining it, so how much (%) of the fluid will remain in the trans?.


Thanks
Lloyd

 

[Lloyd_Hanning]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
As long as your using the right fluid and get the right amount in there your only helping by getting old stuff out. You might be ahead of the game but fresh fluid I better than fluid with 30,000 miles and who knows how many heat cycles.


Yeah, that's what I think too....Changing some of the fluid is better than not changing any of it...As I asked earlier, what % of the fluid remains in the trans when you only use the drain plugs?

Thanks
Lloyd

 

[901Memphis]

Is it the 4 cylinder engine? It should have a total system capacity of 6.9 quarts and you will get up to 2.9 quarts from the drain. If its the 6 cylinder model you should get about 3 quarts out of the pan with the same total capacity.

So you get about 42% of the fluid out of the drain. I am not sure if this is the exact figure though because it doesn't seem right. I would still measure how much you get out to get a ballpark.


Referenced from Amsoil.

http://www.amsoil.com/mygarage/vehiclelookuppage.aspx?url2=2012+TOYOTA+CAMRY+A