2000 Camry V6 Differential

I dont know but I have a 91 and for 90000 miles 2 dealers and 1 mechanic said No, then I read the manual real good and changed it. If it does need it be sure you put in the right fluid mine takes ATF.

I have a Haynes manual on Camry's '97 through 2001 (I have a '99 4 cyl. myself).

First - Yes, you do have a separate housing for your differential. I mention this because it is my understanding that Toyota combined the transmission & differential housings in later models (or, at least, so I've read).

Second - According to Haynes, you should be checking the differential fuild level every 15k miles and changing it every 30k miles (for reference, you should replace your transmission fluid every 30k miles as well).

The differential drain plug is located about a foot or so behind the transmission drain plug. The check/fill plug is above it. Because this is a "check" plug as well, guess what? There is no dip-stick! You'll need to remove the check/fill plug and use your finger as a dip stick to ensure that the fluid is level with the bottom of the plug hole (make sure it's not hot!).

Unfortunately, both plugs are next to the driver's side tire, so they are rather hard to get to. You'll likely have to lift the car or put it on jack stands (so be careful if you decide to do this yourself).

According to Haynes, your V6 differential takes about 1.7 quarts of DEXRON III Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).

Third and final - Your dealer should list all the things that they've promised to do during your regularly-scheduled vists. This should also be listed in a service manual that came with your car. Check these out and make sure that the dealer has done his job, both as he promised and as he was supposed to do. I'm certain he's charged you a king's ransom.

Good luck...

Mine is a 2000 V6 also. I've asked my dealer about this. He told me that the differential fluid was also replaced during an auto transmission service.

Unless I am greatly misinformed, on the Camry and Avalon V-6, the automatic transmission and differential share the same fluid reservoir, so it is not possible to service (change the fluid in) one without also servicing the other.

Merritt

While this may be true, if there are two 10mm hex drain plugs, you probably want to drain out the diff oil too - draining only the tranny might not drain out all the gunk in the diff.

I just bought a 4-cylinder '99 camry (67k miles), took it to Pep Boys to have diff service done ($35, brought my own ATF). Apparently it's never had a diff change - it was black coming out. Nice red stuff going in... fwiw, I stayed to watch the tech change the diff. Made a world of difference. He almost changed my tranny fluid instead - no, I want the diff fluid changed, not tranny... he also wasn't sure what size the hex drain plug was. I made sure to tell him 10mm, because I used a 3/8" one on my tranny once, and badly damaged the nut (could not tighten) to the point where I had to buy a new one from the dealer for about $5 (with metal gasket/washer)...

Thanks to those who offered suggestions. I checked with the dealer, and they did indeed change the differential fluid for me when I had the transmission serviced last month. They did suggest that I make sure I ask to have it done next time as they usually don't change the differential fluid when someone asks to have the transmission serviced. I also bought myself a Haynes manual. Thanks again everyone.

John

In the 2000 V-6, the Transmission and Differential fluid reservoirs are connected. There is a drain for each, but only one fill for the both of them. Earlier models had a separate fill plug for the Diff. E.G. my '98

4-Cyl has a Diff. fill plug. Remember, when you drain the units, you are still leaving a bunch of fluid in the torque converter, so you really have not done a complete drain. This is not a problem is you drain and refill on a regular basis.

Dick