Drain and Fill CVT

[JeffKeryk]

Why not just do it properly at the correct temp? It really isn't hard! It may just take 15 more minutes. Good luck!
Mike B

It can be hard. How will you read the temp? Is the vehicle level enough? Some cars, like a Corolla, are easy enough. Our GS350 is a pain without a lift. And at 72 you don't pop up off the cement floor like you used to...

IMO, this is a poor design. Error prone. And if it is not "easy" it may be neglected.

But I agree; do it correctly.

 

[Charmet37]

Drain and fill are super easy on my Mitsubishi Outlander, I also replace my filters when I perform a full service CVT fluid replacement.

 

[Dborch41]

On the Subaru there is a fill plug further up you use for refill after overhaul. I think you could add back as much as you want through this plug during a drain and fill. When i overhauled mine I followed this process.

Here is the excerpt from the factory service manual.

View attachment 320213

Am I the only one seeing the rather significant error with the fluid quantity requirements? That's quite the typo.

 

[CarbonToast]

Am I the only one seeing the rather significant error with the fluid quantity requirements? That's quite the typo.

Nice catch, says 2.6 qts, I assume they mean gallons!

 

[Skeet6]

It can be hard. How will you read the temp? Is the vehicle level enough? Some cars, like a Corolla, are easy enough. Our GS350 is a pain without a lift. And at 72 you don't pop up off the cement floor like you used to...

IMO, this is a poor design. Error prone. And if it is not "easy" it may be neglected.

But I agree; do it correctly.

Ha! I don't "pop up" off the floor at 56, I get it. Honestly, leveling a car is pretty easy if you have a somewhat level area to work - you can use a $3 bubble level from HF. Transmission temp can be read with a decent OBD reader, I have seen videos where people even use a temp gun on the pan, though surely not as accurate. Not trying to be argumentative, but the amount of folks that think draining and filling is too difficult is what keeps dealership techs in business, I guess.
Mike B

 

[CarbonToast]

Just my 2c. The manufacturer specifies level and a temperature not because of inherently tight design specifications but to be unambiguous.

Level - doesn't need to be +-1 deg. Just dont try to do it on a hill. If it looks level you're good.

Temperature - needs to be at operating temp. They give a specific temperature becuase that is the only way to communicate this. Dont do it with the fluid at 32 degrees or 302 degrees. 20 degrees +- isn't going to make a difference.

A small % of cars make it to 200k miles. So you're talking 4 fluid changes in your ownership. I dont know how much easier it needs to be considering you would do it 4 times.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Ha! I don't "pop up" off the floor at 56, I get it. Honestly, leveling a car is pretty easy if you have a somewhat level area to work - you can use a $3 bubble level from HF. Transmission temp can be read with a decent OBD reader, I have seen videos where people even use a temp gun on the pan, though surely not as accurate. Not trying to be argumentative, but the amount of folks that think draining and filling is too difficult is what keeps dealership techs in business, I guess.
Mike B

All good.
I have 3, or is it 4, floor jacks and lotsa quality jack stands. So yeah, level ain't that hard.
I use a temp gun pointed at various spots on the pan. I use the lower point on the range.
It could be easier, but it is what it is.