1997 ES300 Transmission Fluid Drain Plug
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1997 ES300 Transmission Fluid Drain Plug
Where is the transmission fluid drain plug and how do I change the transmission fluid? Never did this and cannot figure it out.
#2
Well, there's a 10mm hex plug in the transmission pan on the underside of the car (driver side. Passenger side is the engine oil pan). Make sure to replace the soft aluminum washer each time or it may leak. There is also a drain plug on the back for the differential (replace washer/gasket on this as well), so you can get out about 0.75-1 quart more.
Get the transmission up to operating temp first, that way particles will be suspended in the fluid and you'll get more nastiness out. Might get out 3-4 quarts.
Refill with a Dexron-III or Dex-VI compliant fluid of your choice...I like Valvoline MaxLife (Dex-VI, so backwards compatible with Dex-III), but you can use others. Toyota T-IV (slightly modified Dexron-III), there's even a guy on Toyota Nation that uses Walmart SuperTech Mercon V (thicker, older transmissions play better with these).
You funnel in new fluid through the dipstick tube. Keep the car running so the fluid pump circulates the new fluid. Fill to the COLD MAX mark on the dipstick, then drive around to warm up the fluid and recheck. You should be at the HOT MAX mark...if not, add until you are. Transmissions don't like it if you overfill, but I recently read that up to half a quart over is fine. If you see frothing, it's overfilled and you need to remove some.
Get the transmission up to operating temp first, that way particles will be suspended in the fluid and you'll get more nastiness out. Might get out 3-4 quarts.
Refill with a Dexron-III or Dex-VI compliant fluid of your choice...I like Valvoline MaxLife (Dex-VI, so backwards compatible with Dex-III), but you can use others. Toyota T-IV (slightly modified Dexron-III), there's even a guy on Toyota Nation that uses Walmart SuperTech Mercon V (thicker, older transmissions play better with these).
You funnel in new fluid through the dipstick tube. Keep the car running so the fluid pump circulates the new fluid. Fill to the COLD MAX mark on the dipstick, then drive around to warm up the fluid and recheck. You should be at the HOT MAX mark...if not, add until you are. Transmissions don't like it if you overfill, but I recently read that up to half a quart over is fine. If you see frothing, it's overfilled and you need to remove some.
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msdelexus
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
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05-31-10 02:04 AM