🔧 Camry - eCVT Transaxle Fluid Drain & Fill

On your Camry hybrid, the “transmission” is an eCVT transaxle. The service is a simple drain-and-refill (there’s no dipstick), which helps refresh the fluid that lubricates the gears and electric motor components inside.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

Assumption: eCVT uses drain/fill plugs; level is set at fill hole.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the transaxle cool first; fluid can be hot.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Hybrid safety: keep ignition OFF (not READY) and keep hands/tools away from orange high-voltage cables.
• ⚠️ Keep the car level while filling, or the fluid level will be wrong.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for a drain & fill, but keep the key fob away so it can’t wake up.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet (3/8" drive)
• Trim clip removal tool
• 10mm hex bit socket (Allen)
• Torque wrench (10–100 Nm range)
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Brake cleaner spray

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Toyota ATF WS automatic transmission fluid - Qty: 4 quarts
• Transaxle drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• Transaxle fill plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Make sure the car is fully OFF (no READY light) and keep the key fob 10+ feet away.
• Lift the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands. For best accuracy, keep the car level (raise rear too if needed).
• Remove the lower engine splash shield/under cover using a 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the fill and drain plugs

• Slide under the front and find the transaxle case (driver side area).
• Identify the FILL plug on the side of the case and the DRAIN plug on the bottom.
• Both typically use a 10mm hex bit socket (Allen).
• Always loosen fill plug first.

Step 2: Loosen the fill plug first

• Place the drain pan under the transaxle (in case of drips).
• Use a 10mm hex bit socket (Allen) with a ratchet to loosen the fill plug.
• Do not fully remove it yet—just confirm it will come out.

Step 3: Drain the old transaxle fluid

• Move the drain pan directly under the drain plug.
• Use a 10mm hex bit socket (Allen) and ratchet to remove the drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 10–20 minutes).
• Clean the drain plug with shop rags and a light spray of brake cleaner.

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new washer

• Install a new drain plug crush washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Fill with Toyota ATF WS

• Remove the fill plug fully using the 10mm hex bit socket (Allen).
• Install the fluid transfer pump (hand pump) onto a quart of Toyota ATF WS. (A fluid transfer pump is a hand-operated pump that pushes fluid up into a side fill hole.)
• Pump fluid into the fill hole until fluid just begins to dribble back out of the fill hole.
• Wait 30–60 seconds, then pump a little more until it dribbles again.
• Car must be level for correct fill.

Step 6: Reinstall the fill plug with a new washer

• Install a new fill plug crush washer on the fill plug.
• Thread the fill plug in by hand.
• Tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop rags.

Step 7: Reinstall the under cover and lower the car

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 10mm socket and trim clip removal tool.
• Lower the car safely using the floor jack and remove the jack stands.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the car normally and confirm no warning lights.
• With your foot on the brake, shift through P-R-N-D and back to P (pause 2 seconds in each).
• Test drive 5–10 minutes. Park on clean pavement and check for leaks under the transaxle.
• Dispose of used ATF properly (most parts stores accept waste fluid).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $180-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.