Description

Toyota Camry, RAV4, Avalon, Es300, Sienna 1999 Repair Manual – Factory Specs on Your Bench

You’ve got a 1999 Toyota Camry or a RAV4 in the bay with a transmission that shifts hard. The aftermarket manual says “use Dexron III” but doesn’t tell you the RAV4 takes Type T-IV. That’s the difference between a job that holds up and a comeback. This factory Toyota Camry, RAV4, Avalon, Es300, Sienna 1999 Repair Manual (102 pages) gives you the real data – the same sheets Toyota techs got. No guesswork, no reprints.

Page 1 lays out the transmission application table. You’ll see exactly which A-540E, A-540H, or A-541E transaxle goes in your car. The Avalon and V6 Camry use A-541E. The Sienna uses A-540E. RAV4 4WD gets A-540H with a transfer case. Lexus ES300? Also A-541E, but note the 1999 ES300 switched to a U140E transaxle – this manual covers year-appropriate data. That note on page 1 saves you from ordering the wrong rebuild kit.

Transmission Application Table: Which Transaxle Fits Your Car

The table on page 1 lists every vehicle and its transmission model. Avalon: A-541E. Camry V6 LE, SE, XLE: A-541E. Camry Solara V6: A-541E. RAV4 4WD: A-540H. Sienna: A-540E. Lexus ES300: A-541E (1997-98). If you’re working on a 1999 ES300, the manual warns you to look at the separate Lexus U140E & U140F Overhaul article. That’s the kind of detail aftermarket PDFs leave out. You get the full application table, not a generic list.

Lubrication: D-II, DEXRON-III, or Type T-IV?

Page 2 covers lubrication. On all models except RAV4 4WD, use D-II or DEXRON-III. RAV4 4WD requires Type T or Type T-IV – and only that. Mix them up and you’ll get shift flaring or torque converter shudder. The manual lists refill capacities by model and year. 1997 Avalon and Camry: 3.7 quarts drain and refill. 1998-99: 4.1 quarts. Dry refill? 7.1 quarts. Those numbers come straight from Toyota engineering, not a third-party guess.

Gear Ratios and Refill Capacities

The gear ratio chart is on page 2. 1st: 2.810, 2nd: 1.549, 3rd: 1.000, OD: 0.734, Reverse: 2.296. If you’re swapping a transaxle, those ratios tell you if the unit matches your final drive. The capacities table shows exact quarts (Liters) for each application. 1997 ES300: 3.7 quarts drain and refill, 7.1 dry. 1998: 4.1 quarts. That’s the difference between a transmission that’s full and one that’s a quart low and burns up on the test drive.

SRS Caution: Avoid Accidental Air Bag Deployment

The manual hits the safety hard. Page 1 has a CAUTION box about the Supplemental Restraint System. All SRS wiring is covered in yellow insulation. DO NOT use electrical test equipment on those circuits. The components are in the steering column, center console, instrument panel, and lower panel. If you need to service anything around those areas, deactivate the SRS first. See the Air Bag Deactivation Procedures article. I’ve seen guys pop an airbag because they skipped this step. This manual makes sure you don’t.

Identification: Using the VIN for Correct Parts

Every section starts with identification. The VIN is stamped on the plate at the top left of the dash and on the certification label on the driver’s door jamb. You use the VIN to get the right component parts and assemblies. If you’re ordering a valve body or shift solenoids, you need that number. The manual doesn’t assume you know – it tells you exactly where to look.

One more thing: the A-540H 4WD transaxle has a center differential and electronic transfer case. Internal components are similar to the A-540E and A-541E, but the torque distribution to front and rear is different. If you’re rebuilding a RAV4 transaxle, this manual covers it.

Type T-IV fluid only. Don’t substitute.

Aftermarket manuals copy Toyota data and mess up the specs. I’ve seen torque values off by 15 ft-lbs in reprint PDFs. This is an original OEM print – the actual factory repair manual published by Toyota. No third-party touches. 102 pages, 1999 publication, covering Camry, RAV4, Avalon, ES300, Sienna. You need the real thing when a customer is waiting and the transmission is on the bench.

Related manuals that pair well with this one:

• Toyota Camry 2007 Wiring Diagram
• Toyota Camry Celica Corolla Engine Performance Wiring Diagram
• TOYOTA CAMRY Body Repair Manual

For background on Toyota’s transmission engineering, check the Automotive Industry Overview.

Does this manual cover the 1999 Lexus ES300?

Yes, but with a catch. The 1999 Lexus ES300 is equipped with a U140E automatic transaxle, which is a newer design than the A-541E covered in this manual. This manual covers the A-541E for ES300 models through 1998. For 1999, you need the separate Lexus U140E & U140F Overhaul article. The manual tells you that explicitly on page 1. So it’s useful for the ES300, but you’ll need the supplement for the latest transaxle. The rest of the vehicle – drivetrain, brakes, body – is still covered by this manual.

Can I use this manual for a 1997 Camry?

Yes. The manual covers 1997-99 models. The 1997 Camry V6 uses A-541E, and the capacities are on page 2.

Stop chasing aftermarket PDFs that leave you guessing. Get the factory data straight from the source. Access the Factory Manual and have the specs in your hands before you turn a bolt.