Which Generation is the Camry 6AT Transmission?
2 Answers
The seventh generation Camry was the first to use the Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission. Established in 1969, Aisin is a world-renowned professional developer and manufacturer of automotive automatic transmissions, holding the highest market share in the automotive automatic transmission sector. The 6AT transmission is a mature and widely used technology. The manual-automatic transmission is essentially a traditional AT or CVT transmission with added manual shifting capabilities, designed to enhance the driving pleasure of automatic vehicles. Also known as a torque converter transmission, it connects to the engine via a torque converter, which contributes to its smooth gear shifting. When using the Camry's transmission daily, pay attention to the following points: Do not delay transmission fluid changes for too long. Prolonged neglect can damage internal components such as bearings and the housing. Avoid coasting in neutral for extended periods. While manual drivers often coast in neutral, doing so in an automatic can cause overheating and jerky shifts when re-engaging Drive (D). Never shift into Drive (D) or Reverse (R) before the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Premature shifting can severely damage transmission gears, leading to grinding and other failures over time. Avoid frequent steep hill climbs in Drive (D). High loads can cause overheating or premature upshifting, reducing climbing power. Use manual mode to lock in lower gears or switch to sport mode to protect the transmission. Do not tow long distances. If the automatic vehicle breaks down, use a flatbed tow truck with the transmission in Neutral (N). Never tow directly with a rope or similar method.
I remember when driving the Toyota Camry, especially around the 2007 model which started using the 6AT transmission. This was Toyota's first-generation 6AT, internally coded as the U660E model—reliable and smooth. The older models still had the 4AT, but after the upgrade to 6AT, long-distance driving became much more fuel-efficient, with steadier RPMs. If you drive a Camry from 2006 to 2011, it’s mostly equipped with this transmission. When buying a used car now, pay attention to checking the transmission fluid—if it’s changed too late, it can cause jerking and affect the driving experience, something I’ve personally encountered. However, it does have a minor drawback: acceleration isn’t as fast as newer 8AT models, but it’s more than sufficient for daily use. I often advise friends to maintain it regularly—it can easily last 200,000 km without major issues, making it one of Toyota’s classic designs.
