Automatic Transmission Fluid type
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 20
From: St. Thomas, Ontario
Double check both with a couple of dealers & your owners manual bean......your generation ES is the same as mine (I have an 01) & require the Toyota type IV, but I know they made many enhancements between those years (including the powertrain) so I can't say for sure if you need it or not. 
ok thanks guys. for the dex III is there a preferred brand?. my car did not come with the manual 
. and i did not want to create multiple posts on a covered topic. so...back from the dead 
according to lexusk8 over here
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...5&pagenumber=2
i need +/- 4 qts of Type-IV.....man if i had hair i'd be pulling it outta my head
the dipstick doesnt specify what kind of ATF and the car didnt come with a manual.
. and i did not want to create multiple posts on a covered topic. so...back from the dead according to lexusk8 over here
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...5&pagenumber=2
i need +/- 4 qts of Type-IV.....man if i had hair i'd be pulling it outta my head
the dipstick doesnt specify what kind of ATF and the car didnt come with a manual.
Last edited by Vic Nyce; Nov 19, 2004 at 09:42 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
The ES used Dextron III from 1990-1998. They switch to Type-T in 1999 along with the new VVT-i engine. The easiest way to tell what type of ATF is by check on the dip stick or if your ES got the new VVT-i engine then it will take Type-T.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,781
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
I just found one of my tranning book back in 1998 when I had to go to the new model class. I don't know you will be able read it or not, because I have to scan it and then resized the image so I can post on CL.
The 97-98 ES used the A541E transmission which is used Dextron III. The 99-2003 used the U140E(same as on the RX300 2WD) which is used Type-T. They used the new 5 speed transmission in 04, but still used Type-T.
In Vic's car he owned a 1997 ES, so he need to stay with Dextron III. I hope this will clear up a lot of confusion about this topic.
The 97-98 ES used the A541E transmission which is used Dextron III. The 99-2003 used the U140E(same as on the RX300 2WD) which is used Type-T. They used the new 5 speed transmission in 04, but still used Type-T.
In Vic's car he owned a 1997 ES, so he need to stay with Dextron III. I hope this will clear up a lot of confusion about this topic.
Last edited by VVT-i; Nov 19, 2004 at 03:11 PM.
SOLID much thanks for the scan. cant argue with black and white.
update. i did the first "phase" if you will of the drain and refill routine this morning. she took almost 3 quarts of Dex III and cost me $34 bucks.. the guy who did it couldnt understand why i didnt just do the flush. i wanted to reply back what i read here but i didnt want to mix it up and sound like i made it up.
anyway. the trans feels better already. 
i will go back next week and do a drain and refill again. i should keep doing this until it drains red right?
much thanks for the scan. cant argue with black and white. update. i did the first "phase" if you will of the drain and refill routine this morning. she took almost 3 quarts of Dex III and cost me $34 bucks.. the guy who did it couldnt understand why i didnt just do the flush. i wanted to reply back what i read here but i didnt want to mix it up and sound like i made it up.
anyway. the trans feels better already. i will go back next week and do a drain and refill again. i should keep doing this until it drains red right?
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