ENEOS Import Model S CVT Fluid

[Adkcedarman]

Hard data is hard to come by either way. Historically OEM fluids provide adequate performance while balancing price, fuel economy, cost of ownership etc. For some companies it’s all about performance.

My Jeep is a good example, gear oil recommendation is 75W-85 while Dana recommends 75W-90. Jeep says the transmission has lifetime fluid. ZF recommends 60k intervals.

Very fair assessment. Thanks, and I agree in part!

 

[fdcg27]

Hard data is hard to come by either way. Historically OEM fluids provide adequate performance while balancing price, fuel economy, cost of ownership etc. For some companies it’s all about performance with no restraints.(Amsoil HPL come to mind)

My Jeep is a good example, gear oil recommendation is 75W-85 while Dana recommends 75W-90. Jeep says the transmission has lifetime fluid. ZF recommends 60k intervals.

IOW, you generalize about OEM fluids without any verifiable information and then present a gear oil case for your Jeep with no data backup either.
None of what you've posted has any relevance to Subaru CVT fluids.

 

[GW.]

IOW, you generalize about OEM fluids without any verifiable information and then present a gear oil case for your Jeep with no data backup either.
None of what you've posted has any relevance to Subaru CVT fluids.

Guess I’ll go to the Subaru forums for now on….

 

[Adkcedarman]

Guess I’ll go to the Subaru forums for now on….

Somehow, it’s more toxic there, lol

 

[GW.]

Somehow, it’s more toxic there, lol

Oh I know. They’re still arguing about “tolerances” being too tight.

 

[fdcg27]

Guess I’ll go to the Subaru forums for now on….

For real information about what works in a Subaru CVT from real owners with real experience who do their own work, maybe you should.

 

[Adkcedarman]

For real information about what works in a Subaru CVT from real owners with real experience who do their own work, maybe you should.

I find the group there is largely under informed - but they’re just my assessment. There’s a lot of nice folks there though.

 

[GW.]

For real information about what works in a Subaru CVT from real owners with real experience who do their own work, maybe you should.

. I guess I don’t qualify….

 

[martinq]

This seems a bold statement.
Have any data to back it up?

Have a look at the application lists in the PDS for the respective fluids. Does Nissan stand behind their NS2 & NS3 fluids for use in Subaru, Ford, Honda, Toyota, GM, VW/Audi CVT applications?

Would YOU feel confident using Nissan NS2/3 in YOUR application after paying a markup ABOVE Amsoil CVTF?

I'm absolutely confident in using Amsoil or Valvoline CVTF in any of their recommended applications but there's no way I'd pay a premium for anything from Nissan or Subaru. I WOULD consider using an OEM fluid if it was significantly cheaper that the aftermarket. I'm sure the Nissan & Subaru fluids are effectively comparable (CVT fluid is generic at this stage) but I'm not going to pay their premiums without a premium promise and test results to back it up.

I'll take the easy and/or cheap way out and so far that is Amsoil, Valvoline, Castrol or store band CVTF. Keep your CVTF clean and cool and the CVT will easily outlast the vehicle unless there are firmware issues. I've never had a single regret using aftermarket transmission fluid in the appropriate application. This has been going on for decades.

 

[Adkcedarman]

Have a look at the application lists in the PDS for the respective fluids. Does Nissan stand behind their NS2 & NS3 fluids for use in Subaru, Ford, Honda, Toyota, GM, VW/Audi CVT applications?

Would YOU feel confident using Nissan NS2/3 your application after paying a markup ABOVE Amsoil CVTF?

I'm absolutely confident in using Amsoil or Valvoline CVTF in any of their recommended applications but there's no way I'd pay a premium for anything from Nissan or Subaru. I WOULD consider using an OEM fluid if it was significantly cheaper that the aftermarket. I'm sure the Nissan & Subaru fluids are effectively comparable (CVT fluid is generic at this stage) but I'm not going to pay their premiums without a premium promise and test results to back it up.

I'll take the easy and/or cheap way out and so far that is Amsoil, Valvoline, Castrol or store band CVTF. Keep your CVTF clean and cool and the CVT will easily outlast the vehicle unless there are firmware issues. I've never had a single regret using aftermarket transmission fluid in the appropriate application. This has been going on for decades.

How do you figure Amsoil is cheap? If it were comparable to Eneos at $9/qt I would be nearly convinced to use it.

 

[fdcg27]

. I guess I don’t qualify….

No, you don't.
Not funny, just sad.

 

[GW.]

No, you don't.
Not funny, just sad.

If you only knew how much your barking up the wrong tree….

 

[martinq]

How do you figure Amsoil is cheap? If it were comparable to Eneos at $9/qt I would be nearly convinced to use it.

I can only speak from my understanding and experience (in Canada) but the last time I changed CVTF in the Nissan I was under duress and had to make a decision. I could pay ~$20/qt for Amsoil or ~$30/qt for Nissan. At that time Valvoline MaxLife was ATF only and most of the aftermarket was similar in price to Amsoil.

I know Amsoil is a premium product with premium performance, which is not what I NEEDED at the time, but I was happy to have it, delivered, for much less than Nissan and similar in price to everyone else. I now have a stash of store brand CVTF and have also used Valvoline MaxLife in the CVT and It's all very good.

I'm not snubbing Nissan or Subaru, I know there fluid will deliver acceptable results but I do need more than that.

 

[Adkcedarman]

I can only speak from my understanding and experience (in Canada) but the last time I changed CVTF in the Nissan I was under duress and had to make a decision. I could pay ~$20/qt for Amsoil or ~$30/qt for Nissan. At that time Valvoline MaxLife was ATF only and most of the aftermarket was similar in price to Amsoil.

I know Amsoil is a premium product with premium performance, which is not what I NEEDED at the time, but I was happy to have it, delivered, for much less than Nissan and similar in price to everyone else. I now have a stash of store brand CVTF and have also used Valvoline MaxLife in the CVT and It's all very good.

I'm not snubbing Nissan or Subaru, I know there fluid will deliver acceptable results but I do need more than that.

Oh wow! Here the OEM in the USA for Subaru CVTF-iii is $18-20 a quart and Amsoil is over $20 from what I’m seeing. If I could get it half off I would.

 

[4wd]

I've never had a single regret using aftermarket transmission fluid in the appropriate application. This has been going on for decades.

Yup - as far back as 454 powered GM’s cooking the early dexron stuff.
Solution was Mobil 1 ATF …

 

[fdcg27]

If you only knew how much your barking up the wrong tree….

Feel free to explain this then.

 

[MolaKule]

For anyone who may also be wondering - i hope this helps.

I’ve been searching since purchase of my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, for a compatible third party CVT Fluid that specifically states compatibility with Subaru’s CVTF-iii, as some TR580 transmissions spec for CVTF-ii and others spec CVTF-iii.

Sure, there are broad application fluids like Amsoil, Redline, Valvoline etc that claim compatibility. I have been seeking something more OEM spec oriented however, like Idemitsu SB2 for CVTF-ii, but they do not have a CVTF-iii variant.

I found while digging that ENEOS (Japan’s largest lubrication manufacturer and primary supplier of Japanese vehicle OEM fluids) has an Import line specifically made to meet OEM spec of Asian import vehicles, like Nissan, Subaru, Honda, etc. Their Model S line is for Subaru, and the product data sheet specifically states it is compatible with CVTF-ii and CVTF-iii. The bottle labels and packaging as well as main product page do not say this however, which led to some uncertainty.

I finally received a response from the company, and am pleased to make it clear for anyone else who has been searching for a better than “broad multivehicle CVTF” fluid for their Subaru CVT, that ENEOS Import Model S is fully compatible with Subaru CVTF-ii and iii. Please see the ENEOS response i received today. I’m sure this will be helpful when folks like myself over the years, search the web looking for something like Idemitsu SB2 provided for CVTF-ii when for so long there has been no specific CVTF-iii OEM Spec fluid available.

The PDS is available here: https://www.eneos.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PDS-of-ENEOS-Import-Series-Ver.05192026.pdf


“AdkCedarMan,
Thank you for your patience. We apologize that we didn't get back you sooner.

Regarding your inquiry about the compatibility, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We appreciate you taking the time to point this out.

We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused by the outdated documentation.

The formulation of Import CVT Fluid Model S has not changed. The product has always been formulated to be compatible with Subaru CVTF-III (Lineartronic III), and we have been selling the same formulation throughout.

The recent update was made to the Product Data Sheet only. The documentation had not been updated to reflect the full compatibility of the product, and the revised PDS now clarifies compatibility with Subaru CVTF-III.

Likewise, the bottle label has not yet been updated and therefore still references CVTF-II only.

Since there has been no formulation change, there is no manufacturing date or batch code that distinguishes a "CVTF-III-compatible" version from earlier production. All production of Import CVT Fluid Model S has been manufactured using the same formulation and is compatible with Subaru CVTF-III.

Regarding part numbers 3074-300 and 3074-301, they contain the same formulation. The difference between these part numbers is related to the SKU, -300 represents 1 qt bottle, while -301 represents 1 case (1qt*12).

Thank you for your understanding. Please let me know if you have any questions.


Shunsuke “Shun” Kuniyuki
General Manager of ENEOS Aftermarket, ENEOS USA Inc.
20 N. Martingale Rd. Suite 325, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Email: [email protected]”

The emphasis in bold shows no new formulation change was made specifically for the Lineartronic-iii, that is, it is still the same formulation as for -ii.

What this infers is that I can safely use this Idemitsu SB2 product as well for the Lineartronic-iii:

https://www.idemitsulubricants.com/consumer-product/cvtf-type-sb2

So your comments about the Eneos Type S being specifically designed for the type Lineartronic-iii transmission fails.

 

[Adkcedarman]

The emphasis in bold shows no new formulation change was made specifically for -iii, that is, it is still the same formulation as for -ii.

What this infers is that I can safely use this Idemitsu SB2 product:

https://www.idemitsulubricants.com/consumer-product/cvtf-type-sb2

So your comments about the Eneos Type S being specifically designed for the type -iii transmission fails.

I get your attempted logic but it’s not that linear.

If idemitsu was confident SB2 could meet CVTF-iii properly they would slap it on the label ASAP rather than lose years worth of thousands of customers who need CVTF-iii compatible fluid.

Eneos likely had a robust formulation that turned out to meet the changes made between CVTF-ii and iii, and simply did not need to reformulate. I trust this fluid to meet two very similar albeit different fluid specs much more than a 30+ vehicle fluid.

 

[GW.]

Feel free to explain this then.

I’m not going to argue with you about Subaru experience or professional technician experience. Those that know me here know my contributions about Subarus and my dealership experience. My first Subaru was purchased in 1979 and I’ve never looked back. Have owned at least one ever since, usually multiple.

 

[MolaKule]

I get your attempted logic but it’s not that linear.

If idemitsu was confident SB2 could meet CVTF-iii properly they would slap it on the label ASAP rather than lose years worth of thousands of customers who need CVTF-iii compatible fluid.

And it could be that Idemitsu has simply not updated their labelling as well.

Eneos likely had a robust formulation that turned out to meet the changes made between CVTF-ii and iii, and simply did not need to reformulate. I trust this fluid to meet two very similar albeit different fluid specs much more than a 30+ vehicle fluid.

Eneos did not state they retested type S to warrant the inclusion of the -iii transmission.

Anytime a multivehicle ATF blender has added another transmission to their list is because the additive maker has tested this fluid in the additional hardware and has passed on the new compatibility to the blender.