brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

My OM says nothing about putting in Toyota fluids. It specifies Dexron.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

So dumb question, but...

When does this fluid have to ba changed?

I am at 108xxx miles on a 2001 and to my knowledge haven't been done yet...

03 ES

I use M1 and it says on the bottle that it is type T-IV compatable, so i dont know why everyone is under the impression that its not...T-IV is reccomended by toyota but you can use another brand of ATF as long as it is T-IV compatable...trust me i am a toyota tech and at our dealer we use bulk mobil 1 ATF that is just T-IV/III/dexron compatable for the cars we service...if we didnt it would cost much more to have all 3 in bottles..we have the oem toyota ATF world standard (07+ toyotas) in bottles because that is the ATF that has no compatable aftermarket ATF.

i switched over not too long ago and it is definitly shifting better and smoother with the M1.

sbmonkey

If it's never been done, do it ASAP (I would like to hope that it was done at least once). When you get home, check the ATF dipstick. The fluid is probably dark orange or brown at this point, which means it's almost burnt and your transmission has been suffering for new fluid. New ATF is bright red. Should consider drain and fill when it starts to no longer be pink. I did a drain and fill on my 98 yesterday and it was a brown color. Nasty. Plan to do 2 more drain and fills in 500 mi intervals to try and blend in as much new fluid as I can, then extend the intervals out further after that. I would've done a flush but couldn't get the oil cooler hoses off.

Ariyanna

I have type IV in my 2000 right now I changed it 6k miles ago and the old fluid was dark red and refilled it with Type IV again, I want to switch to Mobil 1 ATF and want to know can I just drain and refill with Mobil 1 ATF?

Lexmex

Yes, but I recommend doing 3 drain and fills over the course of 3 weeks.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

So much contradicting info in this thread?!

So how does this work, i never do work, the mechanic does. lol

Can't i just get a flush done and put in the mobil 1 syntehtoc atf [i decided on this one since so many of you had success with it] and be done with it?

Why over three weeks?

This kills me. I want to know, as the car is going in very soon for its oil change, etc. So i want to check all the fluids while there.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Start by doing a drain and fill. It is cheap and easy.

Then you can decide about future action. Personally, I like the 3 change process. Whether you go synthetic or not is less critical IMHO.

Gets some clean fluid in there. Forget the flush. Follow your manual for which fluid to use. If it specifies Type 4 use it.

See, solved.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Thank You. It is a 2001, so it said Dexron 2/3 and since Mobil 1 seems to be the popular choice here i will do that.

Thanks for the help people of the internet.

I will get rid of all the fluid and put some Mobil 1 in and leave it. Can't go wrong with a more efficient Transmission.

Ariyanna

OK I went out today and bought Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and will let you know if I notice a smoother shifting transmission, even though its shift smooth to begin with.

Lexmex

Mobil 1 ATF also makes a great Power Steering Fluid, it's what I have been using for years.

ohiois350

iTrader: (13)

Lexmex, my camry manual recommend the tranny fluid Dexron 2/3, but look like some people swap out with Mobil 1 ATF, is it ok to use mobil instead of dexron?

Lexmex

Yes, you can use it.

ohiois350

iTrader: (13)

Thanks Lemex

hoonami

i haven't noticed anything different yet after drain/refill past weekend, old fluid was dirty(medium-dark brown) and just checked it yesterday and new fluids got dirty quick. planning on doing another drain/refill this weekend and hopefully it will drain out old dirty fluid.