How to Change Transmission Fluid on a 2013 Toyota Camry (Drain & Fill + Level Check)
Step-by-step guide with Toyota WS fluid, required tools, safety tips, and the overflow plug level-setting procedure
How to Change Transmission Fluid on a 2013 Toyota Camry (Drain & Fill + Level Check)
Step-by-step guide with Toyota WS fluid, required tools, safety tips, and the overflow plug level-setting procedure


đź”§ Camry - Transmission Fluid Change
This service can be a simple drain-and-refill, or a pan drop (with strainer/filter) depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. On your Camry, the fluid level is checked using a specific “overflow/level check” method, so plug style and level-check method matter.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- 🛑 Work on a level surface; the car must be level to set fluid level correctly.
- 🛑 Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
- 🛑 Transmission and exhaust parts can be hot; let it cool before touching.
- 🛑 Keep fluid off tires/brakes; clean spills immediately.
đź”§ 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
- Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
- Trim clip tool
- 10mm socket
- Ratchet
- Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
- Fluid transfer pump (hand pump) (specialty)
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Automatic transmission fluid (Toyota WS-spec equivalent) - Qty: Varies (typically 4–6 quarts for drain/fill)
- Transmission drain plug gasket/crush washer - Qty: 1
- Transmission overflow/level plug gasket - Qty: 1
đź“‹ Before You Begin
- đźš— Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
- 📸 Please answer these 2 quick questions so I can give the exact plug tools + level-check steps for your A/T (there are a couple OEM variants):
- 1) Are you doing a drain-and-refill only, or a pan drop + strainer/filter?
- 2) Can you upload a clear photo of the transmission pan/drain area (show the drain plug)?
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Pause here to confirm your exact plug style
- Use your phone camera and take a photo from under the front of the car showing the transmission pan and drain plug area.
- This lets me specify the exact socket/hex sizes and the correct Toyota level-check procedure for your A/T.
âś… After Repair
- Once I confirm your plug style, I’ll include the correct fluid level set procedure and a short test drive checklist.
đź’° DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)
DIY Cost: $45-$120 (parts only)
You Save: $130-$405 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.
🎯 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.

















