High Torque, Low Viscosity Multi Vehicle CVT Fluid Tech Discussion

[D60]

I myself am revisiting this for a '15 Outback 3.6 which should have the TR690. I find Subaru's chart maddening because it would seem we have TWO orange fluids with different names, and TWO fluids named "High Torque" or HT with different colors.

Yep, clear as mud.

ANYWAY, now that I released some pent up rant, I'm leaning heavily toward using the universal Maxlife or Transmax.

Also I will say -- more ranting -- the delay from P to R and R to D is super annoying IMO. I poked around online and just fell into fan boi forums saying "it's totally normal because Subaru says so" and "I actually like it." Really? You enjoy that delay going into Drive when you're trying to exit a parking space and people around you are thinking Brandon musta stolen the keys and escaped???

Subaru's so big on safety -- what if you're a woman trying to escape an attacker? 1.5 seconds (apparently Subaru's spec for "normal") is A LOT in an emergency.

I'll try resetting the adaptations......and cook up more rants

 

[martinq]

I don't remember all the details of this case but have you verified any relevant TSBs or firmware updates?

Modern CVT / engine combos are basically software emulated torque converters. Their life, durability and behaviour is so completely dependent on their controllers that any update could resolve or introduce issues.

What fun, ask me how I know.

I would definitely give MaxLife or Valvoline Restore and Protect ATF a try. I haven't seen Valvoline Restore and Protect in my area yet (just the engine oil) but I am so pleased with Valvoline performance and value over the last 20 yrs that I don't hesitate to recommend.

 

[BobUser]

The new 690 stinks anyway, so fluid type ain't gonna matter. There is a huge amount of recalls on the HT 690 and a class action suit. My 2019 ascent got a new transmission when it failed the recall test at 68k. Subaru covered it, but will not touch anything with any cvt's in Huntsville AL. They keep saying that it is a lifetime cvt. They are correct in their opinion cause it will crap out and that's the lifetime. My first and last Subaru, I wouldn't take anything they have. They are the most overrated vehicles on the market. The engines will definitely outlast the car around it. So I am saying that you could put oily water in the cvt and it will be as good as SOA oem bull crap, highway robbery to charge $40 a quart for special fluid. I've been using Castrol transmax universal for 170k just drain and fill every 40k.

So, no issues with the Ascent CVT using Castrol Transmax Universal?

Would be great to see you post on the ascentforums.com site.