1991 Camry Differential Fluid/Grease?

I would suggest to change it every 50,000 miles.  I change mine every
time I have the transmission fluid changed.  But, my cars are mostly
rear-wheel drive cars.  I don't see any reason why FWD cars can't
follow the same maintenance schedule.

Viperkiller wrote:

Some auto transaxles share the same ATF supply with the transmission while
others have separate reservoirs.  To complicate matters, some auto
transaxles have separate oil supply for the differential BUT ... the
lubricant may also be ATF or .... it may be hypoid oil.
--

   ~Philip.

On Mon, 17 Jan 2005 06:27:34 GMT, "Philip"


I did know that.  I suppose I should have clarified my last sentence
on my previous response with, "if the fluid is separated."

I guess that in my car the fluid is shared with the transmission, that's
why I couldn't find any information about it in the user manual.

Thank you for replying so quickly and for the information you provided.

I guess that in my car the fluid is shared with the transmission
-----
Wouldn't count on it.
On the 1994 - 4 cylinder, the fluid is separate - can become degraded
without affecting the transmission fluid.
Would recommend changing the differential fluid separately.
The later models (and V-6 ?) went to shared fluid.
Pure conjecture here, but could be design was altered to avoid
differential failure from failing to check/ change periodically.
The oft repeated story here, first time I checked mine - even with
receipts for labor and material from the prior owner documenting
differential service - fluid was badly discolored.
Since then, switching to synthetic ATF, has always come out clean as it
went in.
The trick for re filling seems to be a funnel with a two foot length of
tubing routed from above. Have to try that next time in place of the
messier suction pump had been using.
In any event, you'll have to lift the car to reach the fill plug on the
back of the housing.
Personally, seems like the separate differential fluid has some
engineering design advantages. There is a magnetic drain plug to
capture any small filings, the the fluid is isolated from the
transmission where friction material wear can enter the fluid - so the
differential is isolated from that source of contamination. Still,
doesn't hurt to change with transmission change intervals,  only takes
1.7 quarts on mine.
On a related topic, I prefer to drain engine oil and transmission
fluid, and differential fluid over night. You'll get nearly a quart
extra out of the transmission, and the engine oil will stay cleaner
longer because you're removing slightly more of the last dregs.
Obviously, if more than one person drives the car, you want to take
absolute measures to insure no one jumps in and drives off with empty
fluids.

Daniel wrote:
SNIP

A) you CAN start an engine with no oil in it and run it until it seizes.
Some cars do have a pressure safety circuit that will kill the ignition if
oil pressure is not established in 20 seconds or thereabouts.

B) no automatic transmission will engage any gear when there is no oil in
the pan.  An automatic is a hydraulic device.  No oil pressure ... no go.

C) always a smart thing to do when you anticipate leaving a car without
lubricants:  PULL the small wire off the starter solenoid (easy to reach on
fours and some V6s).
--

   ~Philip.

A 91 4 cil takes ATF in a separate sealed resivour than the trans, It is
difficult to fill as a bottle must be used higher up, a lift is needed
at a shop. Many shops do not know this and the manual is not clear at
all on this. Change it now, I use Mobil Synthetic ATF. Also Power
steering takes ATF, a good time to change both, use a meat baister to
remove the power steering fluid.