CVT fluid for 2015 Subaru Forester

[Donald]

Was reading that one should not mix a different product with Subaru CVT fluid. You can do a full exchange with Amsoil CVT (example) but not just a drain and fill.

Anyone read this?

Is the Subaru CVT fluid synthetic or just expensive.

 

[Pelican]

Not a good idea to mix ATF even if matching specs, better stick to one brand.

CVT is expensive I watched an australian program where they said that it cost way over $100 a litre over there.

 

[T-Stick]

I have a 2016 Crosstrek that I put a lot of miles on ... at 55k I had a dealership drain/refill the CVT fluid for $250 when the CVT temp had lowered to the proper fill temperature. Based on that experience I would highly recommend going to a good dealership. The CVT was noticeably quieter in operation and had smoother and more precise shift patterns. Getting that breakin fluid out is a good idea, but I would not recommend using a universal fluid--stick to a fluid formulated with the precise lubricity for that application.

I share this because people will change to a non-oem fluid and say "wow what a difference it made" ... yes well it can make a difference changing with oem fluid also ... without risking long term problems with not having the right lubricity spec.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Valvoline and Castrol CVT fluid will be fine in your Subaru CVT. You do not have to do a complete flush. A single drain and fill is sufficient

 

[benjy]

scare tactics are typical manufacturers-sellers moves to get you to overpay for said rebranded products they sell, with aftermarket being BETTER in many cases!! match the specs + keep records + receipts to protect the warranty. that said a CVT can cost as much as an engine + although getting better many CVT's will NOT go the distance for those keeping a vehicle over a 100 thou as i DO. a manual transmission is the CURE!!!

 

[Donald]

This and a few other Subaru CVT had some kind of issue and the factory upped the warranty to 100k. Maybe I should stick with Subaru while in warranty?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted by Donald
This and a few other Subaru CVT had some kind of issue and the factory upped the warranty to 100k. Maybe I should stick with Subaru while in warranty?


The CVT will still last longer than the head gaskets

 

[vssjim]

Really don't see any brad differences in the CVT fluids, I think the big deal for them is just to service it. We have used OE fluids and many others and seen no difference as we all know the OE's just sell who ever made the product to sell based on price/ bidding contracts.

 

[maxdustington]

Originally Posted by T-Stick
I have a 2016 Crosstrek that I put a lot of miles on ... at 55k I had a dealership drain/refill the CVT fluid for $250 when the CVT temp had lowered to the proper fill temperature. Based on that experience I would highly recommend going to a good dealership. The CVT was noticeably quieter in operation and had smoother and more precise shift patterns. Getting that breakin fluid out is a good idea, but I would not recommend using a universal fluid--stick to a fluid formulated with the precise lubricity for that application.

I share this because people will change to a non-oem fluid and say "wow what a difference it made" ... yes well it can make a difference changing with oem fluid also ... without risking long term problems with not having the right lubricity spec.
I think I would rather run a good fluid I could trust like Amsoil or something. OEM fluids are way overrated most of the time.

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted by Donald
This and a few other Subaru CVT had some kind of issue and the factory upped the warranty to 100k. Maybe I should stick with Subaru while in warranty?


The CVT will still last longer than the head gaskets

 

[Revving2Redline]

Agreed. Ran Castrol Transmax CVT fluid a couple times before switching to Redline CVT. No issues and both were better performing fluids over the HCF2 fluid.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted by Marco620
Agreed. Ran Castrol Transmax CVT fluid a couple times before switching to Redline CVT. No issues and both were better performing fluids over the HCF2 fluid.


Define "better."

 

[T-Stick]

Originally Posted by maxdustington
Originally Posted by T-Stick
I have a 2016 Crosstrek that I put a lot of miles on ... at 55k I had a dealership drain/refill the CVT fluid for $250 when the CVT temp had lowered to the proper fill temperature. Based on that experience I would highly recommend going to a good dealership. The CVT was noticeably quieter in operation and had smoother and more precise shift patterns. Getting that breakin fluid out is a good idea, but I would not recommend using a universal fluid--stick to a fluid formulated with the precise lubricity for that application.

I share this because people will change to a non-oem fluid and say "wow what a difference it made" ... yes well it can make a difference changing with oem fluid also ... without risking long term problems with not having the right lubricity spec.
I think I would rather run a good fluid I could trust like Amsoil or something. OEM fluids are way overrated most of the time.

Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted by Donald
This and a few other Subaru CVT had some kind of issue and the factory upped the warranty to 100k. Maybe I should stick with Subaru while in warranty?


The CVT will still last longer than the head gaskets

How do you know Amsoil is better? How can it have universal CVT application and be specifically better than OEM for a Subaru lineatronic application? Not all CVTs are designed the same. The only way I would consider non oem is if a CVT fluid was designed specifically for the Lineartronic CVT and had a methodology to prove it. Right now Amsoil has no way of proving any claim to have a better lubricity spec than the Subaru fluid. If you want to go aftermarket, Idemitsu is most likely the one who developed the fluid spec and should be cheaper. I used to be an Amsoil salesman and know their talking points. They make good products for some applications but they are not the best product for all applications as they would like you to believe.

 

[cronk]

I am running the Amsoil CVT fluid in our Nissan Quest.
I do pan fills and was concerned about mixing and conpatibility.
I emailed Amsoil and they said the Amsoil fluid is compatible and ok to mix with the oem fluid.
Obviously it is alway best to do a full change if you can to get the most new fluid in.
I did 2 drain and fills back to back with Amsoil fluid and do 1 drain and fill annually.

The Amsoil fluid is working well in the Nissan, shifts like new and cost is less than oem fluid with PC or dealer pricing.