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Hello Camry forum.
As you will know, the transmission dipstick on a 2.2L 1995 Camry says to use Dexron 11 but it's no longer available.
I have hardly ever in many years have had to top off the fluid and when I did I used the Dex / Merc shown on the right in my 'photo below, and it has not caused any issues. I am almost out of that Dex/Mec so went to Auto Zone today.
Auto Zone couldn't locate that same Dex/ Merc fluid that I've had sitting around for several years so they checked online telling me that the Valvoline (on the left in my 'photo) is the equivalent.
Both fluids shown in the 'photo state on the label they are for use in GM and Ford vehicles.
I have been checking all your earlier forum answers Toyamoho regarding Camry Trans fluids and the great help they provide.
Also a google search today said that Dexron V1 is the equivalent to Dexron 11 and should be used on a 1995 Camry, so I'm a bit confused.
Last week when I posted here, I had drained some trans fluid as I had topped it off too much earlier, ..and it was thick and dark brown. One person on this forum on an earlier such post suggested not to change all the dark brown old oil from an old vehicle but to just top off as needed. Maybe I can once in a great while just pump out a quart from the dipstick reservoir and add some fresh.
The Camry has 224.000 miles and I actually just located the invoice from when a 'used tran with 60k' was installed in 2013 along 'with automatic ATF transmission fluid', that was 2 1/2 years after I purchased the Camry and since then no transmission fluid change.
Would the differential fluid have needed to be changed when replacing the transmission in 2013?
Please let me know about the type of fluid to keep on hand and if the Valvoline is safe or I should return it.
I read that Mercon and Dexron are quite different and should not be used interchangeably or mixed.
Besides that, the power steering fluid has never been changed since I have had the vehicle but has presented no problems. I read that some vehicles never need PS fluid replaced, but should I remove a little with a turkey baster and add some fresh anyway or leave it alone?
Sorry for the questions I just don't want to make things worse. Thank you very much.
Mercon is a Ford licensed product while Dexron is a GM licensed product.Toyota used Dexron III in the 1995. GM withdrew the Dexron III licensing.
If you want a product suggest using Dexron V or VI.
There are lots of replacements for Dexron III. Some have the words “ATF” in the name. One product I use is Chevron MD-3.
The life of the fluid depends on its type as in synthetic or not plus how hot the fluid gets when driving. The higher the operating temp the shorter the fluid life. One can inspect the fluid color to get an indication of its condition. Take a fluid sample and place in on a paper towel. The internet has videos of how to inspect trans fluid.
Synthetic fluid last longer as it doesn’t break down as fast with heat. If the fluid never got too hot it would last a LONG time.
This stated consider changing non-synthetic every 50K and synthetic will before 100K.
One can do a drain and refill of the trans pan or change all the fluid.
The trans may have a separate fluid reservoir for the differential. Look on the bottom and side facing the firewall of the differential (where the axles go into the trans) for a fill and drain plug. The diff uses the same fluid as the trans.
The power steering also used Dexron III. The fluid changing color means it is deteriorating. One can draw out the fluid in the reservoir and replace with new. Do this between drives a few times and the fluid will become clear again.
Oh great information, thank you. Sorry for the long messages but I wanted to present as much detail as I knew.
I will return the Mercon V for Dexron V or VI and make sure it's synthetic too and get some Dexron III for the power steering which has never been changed. I don't drive the Camry on many long distances, maybe the two - three hours to the Oregon coast a couple times a year from Portland and back or up to Seattle, I have a 1996 Bronco that I use for long distances despite costing more in gas.
The operating temp on the Camry always seems to have been in the middle of the dial, slightly above, so maybe it's not been driven too hot. I will do a drain and fill of the trans fluid this week as surely doing that is helpful rather than doing nothing and have the tran shake (if that's the reason) which surely could loosen 'something or eventually cause damage.
I appreciate your replies to my questions as I wanted to be more certain especially about the type of trans fluid.
The life of the fluid depends on its type as in synthetic or not plus how hot the fluid gets when driving. The higher the operating temp the shorter the fluid life. One can inspect the fluid color to get an indication of its condition. Take a fluid sample and place in on a paper towel. The internet has videos of how to inspect trans fluid.
The life of the fluid depends on its type as in synthetic or not plus how hot the fluid gets when driving. The higher the operating temp the shorter the fluid life. One can inspect the fluid color to get an indication of its condition. Take a fluid sample and place in on a paper towel. The internet has videos of how to inspect trans fluid.
Hello again. Could someone kindly let me know the name of tool and size I need to purchase for the transmission drain plug on my 1995 Camry LE wagon.
Thank you for any help. Kevin.
Mercon V for a 1995 Transmission?
