Drain and refill transmission fluid on 2018-2024 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 to maintain proper transmission function and longevity.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

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

Fluids

• Toyota WS ATF — 4 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Allow engine and transmission to cool to safe working temperature if recently driven
4. Gather all tools, new crush washer, and Toyota WS ATF before starting
5. Lift front of vehicle using jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-recommended lift points
6. Verify vehicle is stable before working underneath

Procedure

1. 1

   Locate transmission drain plug
   From underneath the vehicle, locate the transmission oil pan. The drain plug is located at the bottom rear of the pan, facing rearward. It is a 10mm hex head plug. Clean area around drain plug with rag to prevent contamination.
2. 2

   Position drain pan and remove drain plug
   Position drain pan directly under transmission drain plug. Using 10mm socket, carefully loosen drain plug counterclockwise. Once loose, quickly remove by hand and allow fluid to drain completely. Fluid will initially drain quickly then slow to a trickle. Wait until flow stops completely, approximately 5-10 minutes.
   ⚠Fluid may still be warm. Drain plug will drop once fully unscrewed, so maintain control to avoid dropping into drain pan.
3. 3

   Inspect and replace drain plug washer
   Remove old crush washer from drain plug and discard. Inspect drain plug threads for damage. Clean drain plug with clean rag. Install new crush washer onto drain plug, ensuring it seats properly in the plug groove.
4. 4

   Reinstall drain plug
   Wipe transmission pan drain area clean with rag. Thread drain plug in by hand clockwise until seated, then torque to specification using torque wrench. Do not overtighten as this can damage pan threads.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Locate transmission fill plug
   The fill plug is located on the driver's side of the transmission case, accessible from underneath. It is an overflow-style fill plug approximately halfway up the transmission case. Clean area around fill plug thoroughly before removal.
6. 6

   Remove fill plug
   Using 10mm socket, remove the fill plug by turning counterclockwise. A small amount of residual fluid may drain out. Keep fill plug and its sealing washer in a clean location.
   ℹ️The fill plug doubles as an overflow. Proper fluid level is achieved when fluid just begins to drip from fill hole with vehicle level.
7. 7

   Add transmission fluid
   Using funnel and fluid pump or long-neck funnel inserted into fill hole, slowly add Toyota WS ATF. Add approximately 3.5-4.0 quarts, pausing periodically. Fluid is at correct level when it begins to drip steadily from fill hole. This indicates overflow level has been reached.
   ⚠Add fluid slowly to avoid overfilling. Excess fluid will drain from overflow hole, but this wastes fluid.
8. 8

   Reinstall fill plug
   Once fluid begins dripping from fill hole indicating proper level, allow excess to drain for 30 seconds. Clean fill plug and inspect sealing washer condition. Install fill plug with washer and torque to specification.
   Torque spec

   Fill Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and check for leaks
   Carefully lower vehicle from jack stands to ground. Start engine and allow to idle for 2-3 minutes. With engine running and parking brake applied, shift transmission through all gear positions, pausing 2 seconds in each position. Return to Park. Raise vehicle again and inspect drain and fill plugs for any leaks.

Reassembly

1. Lower vehicle completely to ground and remove jack stands
2. Dispose of used transmission fluid properly at recycling center or auto parts store
3. Clean any spilled fluid from undercarriage or garage floor

Verification

• Start engine and verify no warning lights are illuminated on instrument cluster
• Test drive vehicle for 5-10 minutes, verifying smooth shifts through all gears
• After test drive, re-check fill and drain plugs for any signs of leakage with vehicle on level ground
• Verify transmission fluid is clean red/pink color when checked through fill hole
• Record mileage and date of service for maintenance tracking

More procedures for this vehicle