I always wondered why the manufacturer specs different fluids but aftermarket says 1 is ok.
2017 Subaru Outback 2.5L & CVT
- Thread starter THORROMIG
- Start date
My 2012 took about 7 1/2 quarts. Drain, fill to overflow (About 5 1/2 quarts) start it and shift through the gears, and fill it again to overflow while running….About 2 additional quarts while running.
Mr. Subaru (who oddly is in South Carolina, not Colorado or New England) has regularly roasted Subaru of America for claiming CVT fluid change is not required. He says they are doing this to minimize projected cost of ownership.
Traditionally, more Subaru owners paid with cash than any other brand, and kept them forever. I can remember the OUTRAGE on the Ultimate Subaru forum when it was discovered the 2.5’s did not last 300,000 miles. We had one 2.5 tha t had head gaskets at 140,000 miles but was traded in by a relative (in Vermont of course) with 289,000 miles.
So they were ignoring their base. He points out that in other markets, Subaru recommends service.
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I haven't found a copy of the japanese service schedule myself, but it allegedly suggests 40k km (~25k mi) service intervals for CVT fluid with severe service. The subaru CVT warranty in canada is only honored if you had it serviced before 60k (source needed) and even in the US you're supposed to have it "inspected" every 30k. Changing out the drivetrain fluids every 30k seems like a pretty smart idea long-term.
edit: subaru CA page here:
https://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282&WebPageID=21809
(for 2010-2018 cars)
This is hilariously contradictory to the subaru USA schedule.
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The H6 (3.0R and 3.6R) used the 5EAT through 2014, which was the end of the 4th gen Outback. It drove the VTD drive system on those models.
There is a high torque version of the CVT, not sure which models use it.
This website has details of Subarus by model and year from the ‘90’s.
https://cars101.com/
Sorry to hear that, hope it failed while under warranty.
Glad to hear you got the longevity out of your 2012 and I really liked your maint. plan. You know, the years I have been a member on this site --- pretty much anything affiliated with Valvoline motor oil with members feedback being decent to excellent. I would imagine there CVT fluid would fit in that mold also.
We figured that out a few posts back, my car has it too..but it now specs a different fluid.
I've seen Subaru recommend CVT fluid changes as often as 24k km under severe service.
I believe it's 24.8k miles (40k km)
For this particular maintenance item only towing qualifies as severe service.
Even though I don't tow @The Critic, I'm still going to replace it at that mark in my case. A used tranny with a universal red CVT fluid doesn't inspire confidence, but that's just me.
The original fluid was green maybe with a bluish tinge. Yeah the color was still obvious when drained at about 40k. The Valvoline fluid is a non descript tan color like undyed motor oil, but thicker. The Valvoline smells very similar to the OEM fluid. Red fluid would concern me as well. A lot of common ATF is red and CVTs don’t do well at all on ATF.
@4wheeldog , it's definitely CVT fluid but I'll feel better with an non-universal fluid in it. Right now I'm looking at Aisin ATF-SCV for the upcoming change @285k kms.
I have a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek and I have 180k miles on it great car, I use Triax CVT fluid in mine no problems at all smooth as silk .My Friend who works at Subaru told me that's what the dealer uses which kinda shocked me and seems shady to me. I am sure they are billing for the Subaru Cvt Oem brand cause it costs like 400 bucks to get mine drained and filled up there. I don't go there of course , I have a guy who does it with my oil change for 50 bucks.
I have a '16 Forester. 93K on it. Starting at around 50k, I change the CVT fluid every 2 years or so. At first I used Valvoline CVT fluid from Walmart. When I discovered that Rock Auto sells Idemitso CVT fluid, I started using that. No problems so far.
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