Decent report on the current Amsoil CVT fluid and I've also attached the reports from when I got the car. The 59k change would have been Subaru fluid, then Amsoil until now. Any guesses on the silicon in the current sample? Pretty cool dataset to get out there, especially for anyone on the fence about aftermarket fluids. When I took this sample I did do two consecutive drain/fills with HPL. To be honest, the Amsoil felt awesome when warmed up, however, the trans always had a slight shudder when cold, under about 35-40F. Nitpicky I know, just my observations.
2014 Subaru outback Amsoil CVT 149k Odo, 29k OCI
- Thread starter thetricky
- Start date
Thanks! What interval do you plan on with the Amsoil?
You mean the HPL? I think 40k to start, maybe up to 60k.
I don't know what new fluid has for silicon, however, I did see higher amounts in VOAs of other CVT fluid on here.
I don't know what new fluid has for silicon, however, I did see higher amounts in VOAs of other CVT fluid on here.
I definitely get that, I had the 100k cvt warranty too. I honestly don’t care though. 100k is just too long for CVT juice to be in there, especially when I’m looking to drive the wheels off of this car, that’s why I changed it when I got it. I wasn’t worried about it blowing up before 100k, but lasting damage later by leaving fluid in. I’ve also owned Subarus my whole life and have high confidence in them.
I've owned/worked on 5/6
why I dont trust the CVT
3 were Manuals.
I'd much prefer a zf 8 speed style auto.. in fact if the mazda cx-90 came with that instead of their inhouse garbage I would have brought a cx-90 or cx-70 despite the slightly larger than I wanted size.
That being said I don't exactly hate the cvt feeling they are much improved.. however I distrust the durability.
I’d be curious to know how many of yours and others bad experiences are/were rooted in the “lifetime fill” BS?I've owned/worked on 5/6
why I dont trust the CVT
3 were Manuals.
I'd much prefer a zf 8 speed style auto.. in fact if the mazda cx-90 came with that instead of their inhouse garbage I would have brought a cx-90 or cx-70 despite the slightly larger than I wanted size.
That being said I don't exactly hate the cvt feeling they are much improved.. however I distrust the durability.
Oh I for sure hate the feeling of the cvt, it is quite strange! That doesn’t matter though because what it does is now gets subaru decent mpg’s, which is what I care about in a 3700lb family hauler. Mine, and others’ complaints about Subarus has always been the lack of decent mileage and the adoption of the cvt has really helped that. As far as reliability, Subaru seems to have gotten it right more than others.
Last edited:
If you follow the severe service schedule your cvt warranty will remain intact. For me it’s mountainous terrain.
I would be more concerned with maintaining the transmission than the warranty. Keep the fluid from overheating and keep it clean, which means keep the pan and magnets clean.
Exactly why I follow the Subaru severe service cvt schedule. Service every 25k miles.