Does the Camry Need to Replace the Filter When Changing Transmission Fluid?
2 Answers
In general, changing the transmission fluid requires replacing the filter. Reasons are as follows: During the use of a car, friction between mechanical metal components inside the transmission can generate some impurities and metal debris. The function of the transmission fluid filter is to filter out iron filings, sediment, and other impurities from the transmission fluid, supplying clean fluid to various components to provide lubrication and cleaning. However, over time, the transmission fluid accumulates more and more impurities, causing the filter to become clogged and reducing its filtering effectiveness. These impurities can then directly enter the transmission, accelerating wear and significantly shortening its lifespan. Methods for changing transmission fluid: Loosen the drain screw at the bottom of the transmission to drain the old fluid before refilling, or remove the transmission oil pan directly for more thorough drainage and refilling. This method removes impurities from the bottom of the oil pan more effectively than the previous one. Alternatively, an intelligent circulation machine can be used for dynamic fluid replacement, which filters and cleans sludge and impurities inside the automatic transmission.
My friend just took his Camry to the 4S dealership for transmission maintenance, and the technician insisted on replacing the filter as well. The filter is like the kidneys of the transmission—if you don’t replace it by 60,000 km, it gets clogged with metal shavings and sludge. Last time he skipped the filter to save money, and three months later, the gear shifts started jerking. Think about it—new transmission fluid flowing through a dirty filter only achieves 30% of the intended filtration, completely defeating the purpose of maintenance. Although removing the oil pan adds 300 yuan in labor costs, it’s still much cheaper than repairing the transmission later. For Japanese cars, this filter is inside the oil pan, and you can’t clean it properly without taking it apart—this is tried-and-true advice.
