Which type of Transmission Oil?
#1
Which type of Transmission Oil?
I'm about to change the fluid in my 98 ES300.
Called the dealer and they recommend Type 4.
Looking in the Haynes manual it states Dextron III.
So I wanted to check and see which ones people are using.
Also the Differential uses Dextron III as well.
If I can use Type 4, can I use it in the Diff as well?
Called the dealer and they recommend Type 4.
Looking in the Haynes manual it states Dextron III.
So I wanted to check and see which ones people are using.
Also the Differential uses Dextron III as well.
If I can use Type 4, can I use it in the Diff as well?
#2
Lexus Champion
At some point Lexus changed from Dexron III to Toyota Type IV. Make sure that you use the right fluid. It should say which one is right for your car on the dipstick, as well as in the owners manual
Last edited by PFB; 01-12-11 at 03:40 PM.
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Always look in your owners manual!
But your transmission takes DextronIII, and so does the differential. Do not use T-IV that is the wrong fluid.
But your transmission takes DextronIII, and so does the differential. Do not use T-IV that is the wrong fluid.
#4
Lead Lap
iTrader: (10)
My 2001 calls for T-IV, so i run OEM toyota T-IV
Where is the drain plug for the diff? I didn't notice one last year when i changed the trans. fluid... Is it a separate component? I've seen different answers to this question with each varying year.
I drained the trans, close to empty as it was on the lift for over 1.5 hours, and then topped it up. I didn't see a 'diff' plug though or any filler.
Where is the drain plug for the diff? I didn't notice one last year when i changed the trans. fluid... Is it a separate component? I've seen different answers to this question with each varying year.
I drained the trans, close to empty as it was on the lift for over 1.5 hours, and then topped it up. I didn't see a 'diff' plug though or any filler.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
For clarity, this is what the ES300's have.
1994-1998 Lexus ES 300 - A541E
Differential and Transmission are SEPARATE. Drain and fill them independently.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF D-II or DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
Dry fill: 6.75 liters (7.10 US qts, 5.94 Imp.qts)
Drain and refill: 2.5 liters (2.6 US qts, 2.2 Imp.qts)
Differential Fluid: DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
0.85 liters (0.89 US qts, 0.75 Imp.qts)
_______________________________________________
1999-2003 Lexus ES 300 - U140E
Transmission and differential share fluid and are not drained and filled separately.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF TYPE T-IV or equivalent
Dry fill: 8.25 liters (8.72 US qts, 7.26 Imp. qts
Drain and refill: 3.5 liters (3.7 US qts, 3.1 Imp. qts)
Someone can clarify the starting year of the A541E, I'll check into it also to make sure it's correct.
1994-1998 Lexus ES 300 - A541E
Differential and Transmission are SEPARATE. Drain and fill them independently.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF D-II or DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
Dry fill: 6.75 liters (7.10 US qts, 5.94 Imp.qts)
Drain and refill: 2.5 liters (2.6 US qts, 2.2 Imp.qts)
Differential Fluid: DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
0.85 liters (0.89 US qts, 0.75 Imp.qts)
_______________________________________________
1999-2003 Lexus ES 300 - U140E
Transmission and differential share fluid and are not drained and filled separately.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF TYPE T-IV or equivalent
Dry fill: 8.25 liters (8.72 US qts, 7.26 Imp. qts
Drain and refill: 3.5 liters (3.7 US qts, 3.1 Imp. qts)
Someone can clarify the starting year of the A541E, I'll check into it also to make sure it's correct.
#6
For clarity, this is what the ES300's have.
1994-1998 Lexus ES 300 - A541E
Differential and Transmission are SEPARATE. Drain and fill them independently.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF D-II or DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
Dry fill: 6.75 liters (7.10 US qts, 5.94 Imp.qts)
Drain and refill: 2.5 liters (2.6 US qts, 2.2 Imp.qts)
Differential Fluid: DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
0.85 liters (0.89 US qts, 0.75 Imp.qts)
_______________________________________________
1999-2003 Lexus ES 300 - U140E
Transmission and differential share fluid and are not drained and filled separately.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF TYPE T-IV or equivalent
Dry fill: 8.25 liters (8.72 US qts, 7.26 Imp. qts
Drain and refill: 3.5 liters (3.7 US qts, 3.1 Imp. qts)
Someone can clarify the starting year of the A541E, I'll check into it also to make sure it's correct.
1994-1998 Lexus ES 300 - A541E
Differential and Transmission are SEPARATE. Drain and fill them independently.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF D-II or DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
Dry fill: 6.75 liters (7.10 US qts, 5.94 Imp.qts)
Drain and refill: 2.5 liters (2.6 US qts, 2.2 Imp.qts)
Differential Fluid: DEXRON® III (DEXRON® II)
0.85 liters (0.89 US qts, 0.75 Imp.qts)
_______________________________________________
1999-2003 Lexus ES 300 - U140E
Transmission and differential share fluid and are not drained and filled separately.
Automatic transaxle fluid: ATF TYPE T-IV or equivalent
Dry fill: 8.25 liters (8.72 US qts, 7.26 Imp. qts
Drain and refill: 3.5 liters (3.7 US qts, 3.1 Imp. qts)
Someone can clarify the starting year of the A541E, I'll check into it also to make sure it's correct.
I'm getting conflicting info on this.
Someone else said the fluid is shared between the trans & diff.
#7
Lexus Fanatic
No actually. I'm not sure if the A540E has separate chambers either. I do know the A540E has separate drain and fill plugs. Someone with an A541E please post if you have a drain and fill, or just a drain for the differential.
When I get the verified info I'll update my post. But I did read the A541E is essentially a 540 that was updated to mate with the 1MZ-FE engine.
edit - but keep in mind the A541E service manual lists separate fluid capacities for the transmission and the differential.
When I get the verified info I'll update my post. But I did read the A541E is essentially a 540 that was updated to mate with the 1MZ-FE engine.
edit - but keep in mind the A541E service manual lists separate fluid capacities for the transmission and the differential.
Last edited by LeX2K; 01-13-11 at 12:53 AM.
Trending Topics
#9
#10
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
About a week of everyday driving.
As for the diff "chamber", you drain the transmission and diff separately and when you fill through the dip stick you will fill the transmission and diff.
As for the diff "chamber", you drain the transmission and diff separately and when you fill through the dip stick you will fill the transmission and diff.
#12
Driver School Candidate
Exact same problem
I also have the 05A/U140E and my manual says Dexron III but the dipstick T-IV. Thanks to everyone in this forum for clearing up what could have been a huge mistake. Does anyone have any transmission filter recommendations?
#13
You don't have to change the filter. Toyota recommends to just clean and re-use the filter if you drop the pan.
If not dropping the pan, just drain/refill couple of times should be good.
If not dropping the pan, just drain/refill couple of times should be good.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
That will work on a 1998 and older just give it enough time to dry. 1999+ ES has a felt filter element that does need replacing. There was a member here that had it clog on them replacing it restored the transmission to proper function.