How to Check Your Fluids on a 1998-2003 Toyota Camry
Created on: 2016-06-10
Learn how to check and add engine oil and coolant, and brake, transmission, power steering, and windshield washer fluid on the 98-03 Toyota Camry
-
step 1 :Checking the Brake Fluid
- Remove the cap from the master cylinder
- Use a light to check the condition of the fluid
- The brake fluid should look like green tea
- Milkiness or dark discoloration indicate contaminants
- Let the fluid drop to the MIN line, change the brake pads, and top the fluid off
-
step 2 :Transmission Fluid
- Start the engine
- Make sure the engine has reached operation temp
- Drive the car for a bit to heat up the fluid
- Find level ground
- Remove the transmission dipstick
- Make sure the fluid level is between the two hash marks
-
step 3 :Checking the Engine Oil
- With the engine off for a few seconds, remove the dipstick
- Wipe the dipstick off
- Dip the dipstick back in
- Remove the dipstick
- Make sure you level meets the second dot
- Remove the oil fill cap and add oil as needed
-
step 4 :Checking the Washer Fluid
- Open the cap and fill to the FILL line
-
step 5 :Checking the Engine Coolant
- With the engine cold, release the radiator cap
- See how much coolant is in the tube
- Check the Min and Max fill lines on the coolant tank
- If you are replacing fluid, make sure the vehicle is cooled
- Push down and make a 1/4 turn with the radiator cap
- Let it rest to bleed pressure from the system
- Push down and remove the cap the rest of the way
- Turn the cap two 1/4 turns to fit the cap nicely
- Open the tank cap and pour coolant into the tank
-
step 6 :Checking the Power Steering Fluid
- Check the full line
- Make sure the fluid is not dark or smells burnt
Tools needed
-
Brake Fluid
Flashlight
Anti-Freeze
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
Checking the levels and conditions of your under hood fluids is a very important part of vehicle maintenance. We recommend you do it at least every oil change, if not a few times in between. This is a 1998 Toyota Camry with the 2.2-liter, inline-4, automatic. Here you can find your brake master cylinder, your automatic transmission dipstick, oil fill cap, oil dipstick, your power steering fluid, coolant, washer fluid, and radiator cap.
Pop the cap off your master cylinder with a little light and see the condition of the fluid and the minimum and maximum line on either side. You want your fluid to look kind of like green tea. Any kind of milkiness or dark discolorations indicate contaminants in the fluids, and they should be flushed and replaced immediately. So as long as your fluid is in the cylinder and above the minimum line, you don't top it off unless you've just replaced your brake pads.
As brake pads wear, the fluid has to fill the voids left by the pistons in the brake calipers, so this level will drop almost all the way to the midline before you change your brake pads. Once they've been changed, if it's below the max, you can top it off then.
With the vehicle running and in park, remove your transmission dipstick. Make sure that the engine and transmission are at operating temp. Reinstall the dipstick fully and check your level. It should be between these notches when it's hot. Our fluid looks good, so we'll reinstall.
Another important thing to check with your transmission fluid is that it isn't dark, gritty, or smells burnt in any way. If your fluid level's low, remove the dipstick, install a funnel, and pour the transmission fluid in through that neck. After the engine's been sitting for a few seconds to allow the oil to drain down, remove your dipstick, wipe it off, reinstall, take it back out, check.
Our oil should be between these two lines here. You can see we have low and full. In between these two marks designates a quart. You can see our oil is just above the low mark, so we need to add about 3/4 of a quart. To top it off, unscrew your fill cap, put a funnel in, add and re-check the fluid level until it's on the full line. Screw your cap back on tight.
Check your add and full lines on the washer fluid reservoir. Open the cap and fill it up. If there's no coolant in your reservoir, you'll want to check that there is in your radiator. Make sure that the vehicle is cooled off. As pressure builds up, push down and make one quarter-turn. Allow it to rest. If there's any pressure in the system, it'll bleed off now.
Push down and remove the rest of the way. We have coolant in the reservoir, so we'll move on to the expansion tank. Three quarter-turns. Make sure that your cap is fitted tightly. Open the cap. You'll see your MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir. Use a funnel and top it off.
Check the marks on your power steering reservoir. They should be between the min and max line, either hot or cold, depending on whether you've been running the engine or not. Open the top and inspect the condition of the fluid. Make sure that the fluid is not dark, burned, or smells burned in any way. The level's all right. Reinstall your cap. Checking that these fluids are filled up and in good condition ensures the longevity of the parts that use them and your vehicle as a whole.
Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helped you out. Next time you need parts for your car, please visit 1AAuto.com. Also check out our other helpful how-to and diagnosis videos.
Why is the Check Engine Light On in My Car Truck Is it Safe to Drive
Andy demystifies the check engine light, talks about some common causes, and why you should stop driving as soon as possible if the light is blinking!
