artbuc

Hi folks! I'm usually over on the RX forum but I am helping out a friend.

How much Type IV do I need for a simple drain/fill? Thanks.

JSM1284

3.3 quarts for drain and fill

artbuc

Thank-you!

artbuc

Two more questions, please:

1. Does the transaxle have a separate drain plug? I know my 99 Avalon does.

2. Do you have to remove the engine undershield (aka splashshield) to access the drain plugs?

Thanks.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

What do you mean by the transaxle? Are you referring to the differential?

Not sure about the splashshield, there is another member on here who just recently did a drain and fill on a 4ES. Just so you know, he was able to remove 4 quarts and refilled with 3.5

artbuc

Some folks call it a differential-the nomenclature is confusing, at least to me.

Edit: Yes, I definitely meant differential.

Power6

Transmission = Transmission
Differential = Differential
Transaxle = Transmission and Differential in same case sharing same fluid

artbuc

Right. Do you know the answers to my questions? Thanks.

Power6

Sorry you said you were confused by the terminology so I took you didn't know what a transaxle is.
Instead of replying to me maybe you could go look for the answers and share with the rest? OK let me do that for you.

5 min over at ToyotaNation looks like the newer Camrys with 5-spd auto all have one drain plug and shared fluid. 99-01 ES300 have transaxle with one drain plug. As you know the ES is just a fancy Camry so pretty safe bet the later ES300 with 5-spd has shared fluid and one plug too.

Your 99 Avalon actually had a transaxle with shared fluid, some of them had two drain plugs some not. The earlier years and many 4 cyl Camry had seperate transmission and differential fluids. Amazing what you can learn in a few minutes...

artbuc

Thanks, I guess...

I am active on several forums and I often notice people who ask a question that has been asked many times, eg what causes P0171? I wonder why they just don't search. However, instead of being a smart-a$$ , I either don't respond if I don't know the answer or do respond if I do know the answer and have the time.

I didn't ask you search out any info for me nor did I expect you to. I was simply hoping someone knew the answer because they had done a d/f on a 2003 ES and could answer my questions in about 2 seconds.

MikeLex

My 98 ES also has a separate drain plug for the differential and it's easily accessible once the car is on a lift. If your 03 has one it will look similar to this: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...g-picture.html

Also, both trans and diff are filled through the trans dipstick tube.

artbuc

Thanks. Your ES and my 99 Avy probably have the same transaxle. From my research some of the late 90's vintage Camrys also had differential fill plugs although it was much easier to fill through the dipstick. My 99 RX300 AWD also had a separate differential drain plug. I always thought the ATF from the differential was dirtier although it could have been my imagination. I think it is highly desirable to drain the differential if you can. I don't think there is a clear-cut transition on the differential drain plug. I bet some 2003 ES might have one and some may not. I'll find out tomorrow. For my Avy and RX, I had to grind down a 10 mm hex to fit it between the drain plug and frame.

Power6

Sure, I was just helping to clarify some terminology, not adding any smart-a$$ comments, in fact it was you who started with the "do you know the answers to my question?" snark...so if you didn't get your answers in 2 seconds why didn't you search? Why did you say "the terminology is confusing" only to then imply you know all about what transaxle is and you don't need my help. Oh well questions for the ages I guess, I'll just make sure to steer clear of helping you out in the future it is quite a thankless job!

I know we are way off topic now into message board social dynamics, but I think we got it sorted the newer cars only seem to have the single drain plug and shared oil for sure, i.e. a transaxle...

hypervish

I'll take a look at my 2002 ES, and let you know if there is a separate drain plug for the differential like there is on our RX'es.

artbuc

I said the terminology was confusing because it is. Quite often people incorrectly call transfer cases differentials and transmissions trans axles , etc, etc. Sorry if I offended you...guess I took your comments the wrong way.