1998 - 2003 Transmission Fluid and Filter Change

I took some pictures while changing the fluid and filter in my 2003 Sienna.
You will need a fluid (ATF) that meets the Dexron III specification.
I used Redline D4 fluid.
I removed the pan, changed the filter, and also did a cooler line fluid exchange.

FIRST, there are 2 drain plugs on the 1st Gen (1998 - 2003) Sienna.
One drains the pan, and the other drains more fluid from the differential.
When you fill the transmission through the dip stick tube, you will be filling BOTH the transmission AND the attached differential.
I bought a case of 12 quarts of new fluid.
You will need a 10mm hex drive to remove the 2 drain plugs

www.flickr.com/photos/41574862@N08/8255336542/in/album-72157632197781661

When you remove the drain plugs and drain the fluid........and then remove the 17 bolts (10mm socket) for the pan......measure the amount of fluid that comes out.....so that you can replace it with the same volume of new fluid once you put everything back together.

This is a picture of the Beck Arnley filter kit that I bought.....which included a improved rubber type of pan gasket vs the OEM cork.

www.flickr.com/photos/41574862@N08/8255327148/in/album-72157632197781661

The actual filter "media" inside the OEM and the replacement filter is just a nylon screen.

This picture shows the 3 10mm bolts that hold the filter in place.

www.flickr.com/photos/41574862@N08/8254265547/in/album-72157632197781661

The torque specification for the 3 bolts that hold the filter in place is 8ft/lbs.

This is the pan with the new gasket set in place.....it has been wiped down and is ready to install.
Note the 3 square-ish magnets.

www.flickr.com/photos/41574862@N08/8254267309/in/album-72157632197781661

Torque specification for the 17 pan bolts is 69 IN/lbs..... NOTE INCH pounds.

Torque specification for the 2 drain plugs is 36 ft/lbs

With the filter, pan, and drain plugs in place......and all the bolts tightened.....you are now ready to fill the unit with new ATF through the dipstick tube.
Add the same amount of fluid that you removed.

With new fluid in the pan (about 4 quarts of fresh fluid), you have replaced roughly half of the total amount of fluid in the system.
The rest of the fluid is in the torque converter and cooler, etc.
To change nearly all the fluid, you can disconnect 1 end of a cooler hose and direct it into a container.
This picture shows the cooler lines.....NOTE, I have installed a auxillary cooler and a Magnefine (3/8" size) in the cooler line that goes back INTO the transmission.
If you disconnect the cooler hose from the metal line on the transmission that is more to the driver's side of the 2 lines (The right-hand one in the picture), and direct the end into a container......you are ready to start the cooler line fluid exchange.

www.flickr.com/photos/41574862@N08/8255335876/in/album-72157632197781661

With the line that returns the fluid to the transmission from the cooler (has the magnefine filter on it in the picture) directed into a container.....Start the motor (leave in PARK) and let the motor idle until the flow of fluid into the container SLOWS......then turn the motor OFF.
Measure the amount of fluid that came out.....and replace with the same volume of fluid that came out.
Then place the line into a container......and repeat (start, run until flow slows....shut off).
Doing this about 3 times should give you a good exchange of fluid.

Then, check the fluid level......vehicle on LEVEL ground......motor at idle in PARK.......remove dipstick and check fluid level........add/remove as needed to have the fluid level near the top of the full range (when motor is warm).

The Power Steering will use the SAME fluid as the transmission.....Dexron III rating.
A EASY way to change the power steering fluid is (with the motor NOT running) to release the metal clip that holds the resivoir to the inner fender.......then simply tilt and dump the fluid into a shallow pan.....refill the resivoir with new fluid......start and run the vehicle....turning the steering wheel from side to side and back to the middle......and then drain and fill the resivoir again.
No hoses need to be disconnected.

Thank you for the great details on how to change the transmision fluid!!

i see the album .thx

great pictures, thanks so much for the detailed instructions!!