maintenance
100K Service
for 2012 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 · FWD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
5.0 h
Tools
16
Steps
15
Complete 100,000 mile maintenance service including engine oil change, air filter replacement, cabin air filter replacement, coolant flush, transmission fluid drain and fill, spark plug replacement, and full inspection of critical systems.
Warnings
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
⚠️Engine and coolant must be completely cool before draining coolant system. Hot coolant can cause severe burns.
⚠Used engine oil and coolant are hazardous materials. Dispose of properly at a recycling facility.
⚠Do not mix different types of coolant. Only use Toyota Super Long Life Pink coolant for this vehicle.
⚠WS transmission fluid is specific to Toyota. Do not substitute with other ATF types.
ℹ️This service requires the vehicle to be cold for coolant work and warm for transmission fluid drain. Plan workflow accordingly.
Tools required
Floor jack and jack standsEssential
Wheel chocksEssential
Socket set (10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 21mm)Essential
Torque wrench (10-150 Nm range)Essential
Oil drain pan (minimum 6 quart capacity)Essential
Coolant drain pan (minimum 12 quart capacity)Essential
FunnelEssential
16mm spark plug socket with rubber insertEssential
Extension bars (6 inch and 12 inch)Essential
Ratchet wrenchEssential
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Pliers
Shop towelsEssential
Nitrile gloves
Antifreeze hydrometer or refractometer
Parts
- Engine oil filter × 1 — 04152-YZZA6 or equivalent
- Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031
- Engine air filter × 1 — 17801-0V020 or equivalent
- Cabin air filter × 1 — 87139-06050 or equivalent
- Spark plugs (Iridium) × 4 — 90919-01253 (Denso SK20R11)
- Radiator drain plug O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
Fluids
- Toyota Genuine 0W-20 Engine Oil — 5 qt
- Toyota Super Long Life Coolant (Pink) — 10 qt
- Toyota WS ATF — 3.5 qt
- DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt
Preparation
- Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
- Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
- Ensure engine is completely cold (at least 2 hours after last operation) before beginning coolant work
- Gather all tools, parts, and fluids before beginning
- Have waste oil and coolant containers ready for proper disposal
Procedure
- 1Raise vehicle and remove wheelsLoosen all wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point. Install jack stands under frame rails behind front wheels. Lower vehicle onto jack stands. Remove front wheels completely.
- 2Drain engine oilLocate oil drain plug on bottom of oil pan toward rear of engine. Position drain pan underneath. Remove drain plug with 14mm socket and allow oil to drain completely (approximately 10 minutes). Inspect drain plug threads and oil pan threads for damage. Remove old crush washer from drain plug and discard.⚠Oil may be warm even if engine is cold. Wear gloves to avoid skin contact.
- 3Replace oil filter and reinstall drain plugRemove oil filter located on front driver side of engine block using oil filter wrench if needed. Clean oil filter mounting surface on engine. Apply thin coat of fresh oil to new filter gasket. Install new oil filter hand-tight until gasket contacts engine, then turn additional 3/4 turn. Install new crush washer on drain plug. Install drain plug and torque to specification.
- 4Drain engine coolantRemove radiator cap slowly to release any residual pressure. Locate radiator drain plug on bottom driver side of radiator. Position coolant drain pan underneath. Remove drain plug and allow coolant to drain completely. Also open engine block drain plug located on rear of engine block if accessible for complete drainage. Remove and inspect drain plug O-ring, replace if damaged.⚠️Verify engine is completely cold before opening cooling system. Check radiator and hoses are cool to touch.
- 5Drain transmission fluid (partial drain)Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission pan. Position drain pan underneath. Remove drain plug with 10mm hex socket and allow fluid to drain completely (approximately 3-3.5 quarts will drain). Clean drain plug and inspect sealing washer condition. Reinstall drain plug and torque to specification if listed, otherwise tighten firmly (approximately 29 ft-lb).ℹ️This is a drain and fill procedure, not a complete flush. Approximately 3.5 quarts will drain from pan.
- 6Replace engine air filterOpen hood and locate air filter housing on driver side of engine bay. Release air box clips securing top cover. Remove top cover of air box. Remove old air filter element. Clean inside of air box with damp cloth, removing any debris. Install new air filter element ensuring proper orientation (ribbed side typically faces down). Replace air box cover and secure clips.
- 7Replace cabin air filterOpen glove box and remove contents. Press inward on both sides of glove box to release stoppers and lower glove box completely. Remove cabin air filter cover by pressing release tabs. Slide out old cabin air filter, noting airflow direction arrow. Clean filter housing area with vacuum or damp cloth. Install new cabin air filter with airflow arrow pointing in correct direction (typically toward rear of vehicle). Reinstall filter cover and glove box.
- 8Replace spark plugsRemove engine cover by pulling upward on cover (uses rubber grommets). Locate four ignition coils on top of engine. Disconnect electrical connector from each coil. Remove coil mounting bolt from each coil. Pull coils straight up out of spark plug wells. Use compressed air to clean debris from spark plug wells if available. Remove old spark plugs using 16mm spark plug socket with 6-inch extension. Inspect old plugs for unusual wear or deposits. Check new spark plug gaps (should be pre-gapped to 0.043 inches). Install new spark plugs hand-tight, then torque to 18 ft-lbs (or 1/4 turn past hand-tight if torque wrench doesn't fit). Reinstall ignition coils, torque coil bolts to specification, and reconnect electrical connectors.⚠Do not drop spark plugs. Ceramic insulator damage will cause misfires. Use socket with rubber insert to prevent dropping.
- 9Refill coolant systemReinstall radiator drain plug with new O-ring if needed. Close engine block drain if opened. Pour Toyota Super Long Life Pink coolant into radiator filler neck until full. Fill coolant reservoir to FULL cold line. Leave radiator cap off. Start engine and allow to warm to operating temperature with heater on maximum heat. Watch coolant level and add as needed as system burps air. Once engine reaches operating temperature and upper radiator hose is hot, turn off engine. Allow to cool slightly, then top off radiator and verify reservoir at FULL line. Install radiator cap.⚠Monitor engine temperature gauge during burping process. Do not allow engine to overheat.
- 10Refill transmission fluidLocate transmission fill plug on side of transmission case. Remove fill plug. Using fluid pump or funnel with hose, add 3.5 quarts of Toyota WS ATF through fill hole. Reinstall fill plug. Start engine and shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-L-D-N-R-P) holding each for 5 seconds. Check fluid level with engine running in Park on level ground. Fluid should be at appropriate mark on dipstick (if equipped) or just beginning to drip from fill hole when opened.
- 11Fill engine oilRemove oil filler cap on top of engine. Using funnel, pour 4.5 quarts of Toyota Genuine 0W-20 oil into engine. Install oil filler cap. Start engine and allow to run for 30 seconds, then shut off. Wait 5 minutes for oil to drain into pan. Check oil level on dipstick. Add additional oil to bring level to full mark (total capacity 5.0 quarts including filter). Recheck for leaks around drain plug and oil filter.
- 12Inspect brake system and top off fluidCheck brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir. If low, top off with DOT 3 brake fluid to MAX line. Visually inspect brake fluid color (should be clear amber; dark fluid indicates contamination). Inspect all four corners for brake pad thickness through wheel spokes or by removing wheels. Pads should have minimum 3mm thickness remaining. Check brake lines and hoses for damage, leaks, or excessive wear.⚠Do not overfill brake fluid reservoir. Use only clean DOT 3 fluid from sealed container.
- 13Perform additional inspectionsInspect drive belts for cracks, glazing, or excessive wear. Check belt tension. Inspect all accessible hoses for cracks, bulges, or soft spots. Check battery terminals for corrosion and tightness. Inspect suspension components and CV boots for damage or leaks. Check tire tread depth (minimum 2/32 inch). Inspect exhaust system for damage or excessive rust. Check wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
- 14Reinstall wheels and lower vehicleClean wheel mounting surfaces on hub. Install wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Using tire iron, snug lug nuts in star pattern. Raise vehicle slightly with jack to remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to ground. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern (top, bottom-right, top-left, bottom-left, top-right).
- 15Reset maintenance reminderTurn ignition to ON position without starting engine. Ensure odometer reading is displayed (not Trip A or B). Turn ignition OFF. Press and hold trip meter reset button while turning ignition back to ON position. Continue holding button until maintenance light begins flashing and then turns off (approximately 10-15 seconds). Release button. Turn ignition OFF then start engine to verify maintenance light is reset.
Reassembly
- Ensure engine cover is properly seated on all mounting grommets
- Verify all electrical connectors are fully engaged with audible clicks
- Double-check that all drain plugs are tight and no tools are left in engine bay
- Verify coolant reservoir is at FULL cold line and radiator cap is properly installed
Verification
- Start engine and verify no warning lights are illuminated on dash
- Check for leaks under vehicle around oil drain plug, oil filter, and transmission drain plug
- Verify engine idles smoothly with no misfires (all spark plugs firing properly)
- Check coolant level in reservoir after engine cools - should remain at FULL line
- Test drive vehicle for 10-15 minutes, verify smooth operation and proper transmission shifting
- After test drive, recheck all fluid levels including engine oil, coolant, transmission, and brake fluid
- Verify no new warning lights appear after test drive
- Re-torque wheel lug nuts after first 50-100 miles of driving