How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry's one distinguishing maintenance characteristic is that you may use a specific automatic transmission fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir, which for many vehicles isn't recommended. These steps apply specifically to the 1996 and onward models of the Toyota Camry, and are a general reference for other model years.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• DOT 3 brake fluid
• DEXRON II or DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid
• 5W30 engine oil
• Toyota Long Life Engine Coolant
• Distilled water
• SAE 75W90 gear oil

1. • 1

     Top off your brake fluid levels with only SAE J1703 or FMVSS No 116 DOT 3 brake fluid. Using non-recommended brake fluids may damage your Camry's braking systems or lead to brake failure. You can use the same DOT 3 brake fluid in your hydraulic clutch system.

   • 2

     Refill your power steering fluid reservoir with DEXRON II or DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid as necessary.

   • 3

     Change your engine oil regularly, using an API certified, grade SJ engine oil, either "Energy Conserving" or ILSAC multigrade. 5W30 is the preferred viscosity for all weather protection, but you may use 10W30 if temperatures are expected to stay above 0 degrees Fahrenheit until your next oil change. 10W30 may also be appropriate if your Camry has high mileage or extreme engine wear.

   • 4

     Mix Toyota Long Life Engine Coolant or an equivalent with demineralized or distilled water to fill your Toyota Camry engine cooling system. Make sure that, if you're using an equivalent antifreeze fluid, it has an ethylene glycol base to provide the proper corrosion protection for aluminum engine components.

   • 5

     Maintain the health of your Toyota transmission with API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, SAE 75W90 viscosity for the manual transaxle. An automatic transaxle requires DEXRON II or DEXRON III automatic transmission fluid.