Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

1999 ES300 Coach Edition

Just started doing the 60K mile service on our ES 300.

I already did the oil change, replaced oil filter, rotate tires & pressure check, and inspected the following: air cabin filters, air engine filter, serpentine belt, spark plugs (iridiums good till 90k), ... etc, etc...
Remaining is the raditator and transmisson, drain & re-fill.

But, I found some conflicting information on the transmission service.

The Owners Manual states the transmission takes 5.1 Qts of Dextron II or III on a drain and refill.
I found the drain plug on the tranny pan and the drain plug on the differential side.
There are about 6 inches apart from each other...

The problem I have is that the transmisson dipstick states to fill with Toyota Type IV fluid only???
I also found a thread here that states they only used about 3.5 / 4 Qts of oil in a 2002.

So between the owners manual and the dipstick, I am not sure what to put in there...

I acutally don't even know what oil is in there currently since we bought the car used with 56k Miles from a private owner who had there car normally serviced at Lexus of Glendale in CA..

Any suggestions, or comments??

BTW - I haven't bought the tranny fluid yet......

I also did a search on this and couldn't find anyone with the same issue.

Thanks
Joe Z

Pheonix

Post October '97(i.e. '98 model) ES / v6 Camry platform uses the U151 transmission. All U151 transmissions use TT-IV.
No conflict. You should be using TT-IV.

Tammy

Toyota Type IV available at the local Toyota dealer parts counter. Cost is about $5.00 a quart; you'll need to purchase four quarts. Expect to use about 3.8 quarts, draining both plugs..

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

So this information would apply to the 1999 as well.. correct?

This was the first time I was servicing the car my self, and researching all the info..

I now understand what to use...

It still doesn't change the conflicting information in the 1999 ES 300 Owners Manual that states to use 5.1 Qts of Dextron II or III... vs the dipstick which states to use the Toyota Type IV Fluid.

Thanks for all the help so far!!

I will be picking up those 4 qts this week...

Joe

Tammy

Remember you'll need to remove 10mm hex plugs. You should be able to reuse the aluminum plug seals.

I torque my plugs to 30 Ft Lbs tight on the pan and 20 Ft Lbs tight on the transaxle differential. Check for any weeping after a couple of days and snug a little more if needed.

Pheonix

Ya, you got it.
It doesn't even have to be Toyota's TT-IV fluid. Just as long as whatever you use meets the TT-IV specification.
Mis-label by me. You have the U140E transmission (4 speed). The U151E is the 5 speed. Doesn't matter. It's still 100% TT-IV fluid. Anything pre-end of the year '97 has a transmission out of the A540 family & is Dexron II/III equivilant.

Lexmex

Amsoil ATF is the one that comes to mind that meets the Type-IV specification, and I plan to use this in my RX when I get back to the U.S. on a permanent basis.

abrarcool

I have a 99 es 300 and where the transmission oil is described in the manual they have put a sticker on it stating toyota type iv transmission fluid so they have changed it recntly and forgot to put a sticker on ur manual .I just recently did my fluid change and it took four quarts of type4 toyota transmission fuild