Drain and refill transmission fluid on 2012-2017 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 to maintain proper automatic transmission function and longevity.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — 90430-12031 or equivalent

Fluids

• Toyota WS ATF — 4.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow engine and transmission to cool if recently driven (minimum 30 minutes)
4. Start engine and let idle for 2 minutes, then shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D-L-D-N-R-P) pausing 3 seconds in each
5. Return to Park and shut off engine
6. Gather all required fluids, tools, and new crush washer before beginning

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and secure vehicle
   Loosen wheel lug nuts on front wheels. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking points. Secure vehicle on jack stands at recommended support points. Remove front wheels completely.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Locate transmission drain plug
   Position yourself under the vehicle with flashlight. Locate the transmission oil pan on the driver's side of the engine. The drain plug is a 14mm hex bolt on the bottom of the transmission pan, not the engine oil drain plug which is further back. Clean area around drain plug with shop towel.
   ⚠Ensure you have identified the correct drain plug. The transmission drain plug is on the transmission pan toward the front of the vehicle, not the engine oil pan drain plug.
3. 3

   Drain transmission fluid
   Position drain pan directly beneath transmission drain plug. Using 14mm socket, slowly loosen drain plug. Remove plug by hand for final turns, pulling away quickly to avoid fluid contact. Allow fluid to drain completely until dripping stops (approximately 10-15 minutes). Inspect drained fluid for metal particles or burning smell which may indicate transmission damage.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Install drain plug with new washer
   Remove old crush washer from drain plug and discard. Install new crush washer onto drain plug. Ensure washer seats properly against plug shoulder. Thread drain plug into transmission pan by hand until seated, then torque to specification using torque wrench.
   ⚠Always use a new crush washer. Reusing old washer will result in leaks.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
   Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle from jack stands to ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in star pattern using torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Add transmission fluid
   Open hood and locate transmission dipstick tube on driver's side of engine bay (red or yellow handle near firewall). Remove dipstick. Insert long-neck funnel into dipstick tube. Add 4.0 quarts of Toyota WS ATF slowly to avoid overflow. Wait 2 minutes for fluid to settle.
   ℹ️Do not overfill. Initial fill should be approximately 4.0 quarts. Additional fluid will be added after checking level.
7. 7

   Check fluid level cold
   With engine still off, reinsert dipstick fully and remove. Check fluid level on COLD marks. Fluid should register between cold min and max marks. Add additional fluid in 0.25 quart increments if needed to reach middle of cold range.
8. 8

   Warm up transmission and recheck level
   Start engine and let idle in Park. With foot on brake, shift through all gears (P-R-N-D-L-D-N-R-P) pausing 3 seconds in each position. Return to Park and let idle for 5 minutes to warm transmission. Transmission is at operating temperature when fluid reaches 155-175°F. Keep engine running for level check.
   ⚠Keep foot firmly on brake pedal when shifting through gears. Vehicle may creep when in Drive or Reverse.
9. 9

   Final fluid level check
   With engine still running at idle and transmission in Park on level ground, remove dipstick and wipe clean. Reinsert fully, then remove and check level on HOT marks. Fluid should be between hot min and max marks. Add fluid in small increments (0.25 quart) as needed to reach middle of hot range. Do not overfill.
   ⚠Overfilling transmission can cause foaming, erratic shifting, and transmission damage. Only fill to middle of hot range.

Reassembly

1. Ensure dipstick is fully seated in tube
2. Close hood and remove wheel chocks
3. Dispose of used transmission fluid properly at recycling center or parts store

Verification

• Check under vehicle for any transmission fluid leaks around drain plug
• With engine running, verify transmission fluid level is in middle of HOT range on dipstick
• Test drive vehicle through all gears to ensure smooth shifting with no slipping or delayed engagement
• Recheck fluid level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Inspect drain plug area again after test drive for any seepage

More procedures for this vehicle