I recently purchased a 2012 Camry with 100k miles on it. I took the car into the dealership shortly after purchasing it to have the fluid changed. This was done because I wanted it changed, not because they suggested it. When I scheduled the appointment over the phone they told me it was a drain and fill, and the guy I talked to when I got there also confirmed it was a drain and fill.

This was a couple months ago but I recently found the receipt they gave me and looked at it more closely. Part of the charge was 12 quarts of transmission fluid. It looks like they dropped the pan since they charged me for a new pan gasket, too. But 12 quarts? Does it even hold 12 quarts? And they explicitly told me it was a drain and fill, not a flush. So I'm wondering how they could have possibly used 12 quarts of fluid. I'm suspecting they ripped me off.

Anyone else have the fluid changed, and if so, how many quarts of fluid were you charged for? Also I was trying to find the service manual to see if it notes anywhere how much fluid is used but I can't seem to find anything. Does Toyota state anywhere the fluid capacity of the transmission?

 

Most of the trans fluid is in the torque converter. This fluid is contained and will not drain out via the pan drain port. Draining the pan removes under 3 quarts.

Depending on the trans model it may hold around 8 quarts. There should be is a sticker on the side of the drivers door having the trans model number. If you have the model you can research the trans capacity. The first letter of the model number should be an A or U depending on model.

Using 12 quarts is in line with a complete transmission fluid change. Shops have machines that will replace the old fluid with new. New fluid is moved through the trans and out of the area of the removed trans pan until the fluid is clear. It may take few extra quarts to flush out all of the old fluid.

Using 12 quarts on a drain an refill is too much.

Make sure it was a drain and refill of the pan and not a total fluid change.

 

Sorry for taking so long to reply.

I couldn't find the trans number. I believe it is the U760E though. It's the LE 2.5L model if that helps.

I originally called the dealer and asked if it was the drain and fill and they told me yes. When I was at the dealer and asked them they told me it was a drain and fill. It also says drain and fill on the invoice.

 

Also I took it in for the free oil change and they put in 5w-20 synthetic blend. Fantastic.

 

The total trans fluid capacity is around 7 quarts. A drain and refill would remove say 2 to 3 quarts max.

If the dealer charged for 12 quarts then you appear to be over charged for the number of quarts.