New CVT oil ??

[DadTim@No1]

Called the local tire/oil/brake shop for a price on a CVT oil change for a 2015 Subaru Crosstrex. He asked if it was the " high torgue " version which takes a different oil.. Obviously, the Crosstrex has noting to do with high torque but was curious what he was talking about. Is there any Subaru that takes a so called high torque oil ? Normally this place is pretty knowlegeable. Perhaps I spoke to the wrong person ? I did a drain and fill at around 10k to get the early debris but let it go since then.. Now 72k, no issues but time to do it. One local Subaru dealer won't do it unless there's something wrong, still sticking to the " lifetime " oil nonsense.. I asked the service manager why they still are sticking to that, said " that's what we are supposed to say ".. Two other Subaru dealers are more than willing to do it... for a hefty price of course.

 

[Nessism1]

Find a new mechanic.

Use the OEM Subaru fluid. There are quite a lot of videos on Youtube and similar, describing the process.

 

[Highboy]

Called the local tire/oil/brake shop for a price on a CVT oil change for a 2015 Subaru Crosstrex. He asked if it was the " high torgue " version which takes a different oil.. Obviously, the Crosstrex has noting to do with high torque but was curious what he was talking about. Is there any Subaru that takes a so called high torque oil ? Normally this place is pretty knowlegeable. Perhaps I spoke to the wrong person ? I did a drain and fill at around 10k to get the early debris but let it go since then.. Now 72k, no issues but time to do it. One local Subaru dealer won't do it unless there's something wrong, still sticking to the " lifetime " oil nonsense.. I asked the service manager why they still are sticking to that, said " that's what we are supposed to say ".. Two other Subaru dealers are more than willing to do it... for a hefty price of course.

The Subaru high torque CVT fluid is for the turbo cars like the WRX CVT’s. I believe the CVT is a TR690??

 

[Rand]

There is a chart for the cvt fluid.. let me go find it.
IIRC hi-torque is orange and for h6 and turbos.
but not the newest turbos.

Here is a chart to 2020

2020-2024 is the same for outbacks and ascents not sure for 2025 and newer.


Looks like yours takes the CVTF-II Green.
I would use OEM.. or oem aftermarket fluid that only replaces cvtf-II green.. not a universal fluid.

 

[martinq]

I would use Amsoil or Red Line over dealer fluids unless the dealer fluid is a much better value. CVT fluid is not that special but the transmission must be kept clean.

Do you know if the transmission has a removable pan, magnets, filter? Keeping the pan and magnets clean is much more important than which fluid you use. Clean and cool son.

 

[BISCUT]

I would use Amsoil or Red Line over dealer fluids unless the dealer fluid is a much better value. CVT fluid is not that special but the transmission must be kept clean.

Do you know if the transmission has a removable pan, magnets, filter? Keeping the pan and magnets clean is much more important than which fluid you use. Clean and cool son.

I used Amsoil successfully with a not so good 08 Maxima. I have a 17 3.6 I'vechanged out fluid on 3x in 192k that requires the high torque fluid and a 19 2.5 that does not. I'm not one to shy from a fluid that meets spec but I would not use anything for the Subaru's but OEM on this one.

 

[Rand]

I would use Amsoil or Red Line over dealer fluids unless the dealer fluid is a much better value. CVT fluid is not that special but the transmission must be kept clean.

Do you know if the transmission has a removable pan, magnets, filter? Keeping the pan and magnets clean is much more important than which fluid you use. Clean and cool son.

if its not that special why do they stock 4 different cvt fluids? Some aftermarket fluids claim to meet 3 of the 4 if not all 4.

 

[factorytuned2012]

Called the local tire/oil/brake shop for a price on a CVT oil change for a 2015 Subaru Crosstrex. He asked if it was the " high torgue " version which takes a different oil.. Obviously, the Crosstrex has noting to do with high torque but was curious what he was talking about. Is there any Subaru that takes a so called high torque oil ? Normally this place is pretty knowlegeable. Perhaps I spoke to the wrong person ? I did a drain and fill at around 10k to get the early debris but let it go since then.. Now 72k, no issues but time to do it. One local Subaru dealer won't do it unless there's something wrong, still sticking to the " lifetime " oil nonsense.. I asked the service manager why they still are sticking to that, said " that's what we are supposed to say ".. Two other Subaru dealers are more than willing to do it... for a hefty price of course.

the 2015 Crosstrek uses Subaru High Torque CVT Fluid (CVTF-II or CVTF-HP)

I wouldn't discredit your mechanic for asking.

 

[martinq]

if its not that special why do they stock 4 different cvt fluids? Some aftermarket fluids claim to meet 3 of the 4 if not all 4.

Yes, exactly why? It's an old story that gets told over and over again.

Just have a look at the list of CVT fluids (or ATF for that matter) on the Volvoline Maxlife PDS, it's ridiculous. I suppose I should say to look at the PDS for the respective fluid to see if it is recommended.

... just had a peek at Amsoil and... why am I not surprised? OEMs just love making that sweet markup on fearful customers.

"Subaru e-CVTF, i-CVTF, Lineartronic® CVTF, K0425Y0710, CV-30, “Certified CVTF-II (SOA427V1660), High Torque CVTF"

https://www.amsoil.ca/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-cvt-fluid-cvt/

 

[Rand]

Just have a look at the list of CVT fluids (or ATF for that matter) on the Volvoline Maxlife PDS, it's ridiculous. I suppose I should say to look at the PDS for the respective fluid to see if it is recommended.

... just had a peek at Amsoil and... why am I not surprised? OEMs just love making that sweet markup on fearful customers.

"Subaru e-CVTF, i-CVTF, Lineartronic® CVTF, K0425Y0710, CV-30, “Certified CVTF-II (SOA427V1660), High Torque CVTF"

https://www.amsoil.ca/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-cvt-fluid-cvt/

my opinion:
not buying what you are selling there. CVT is $10000
if they could use one fluid I dont think they would stock 4 with different viscosities too.

now an aftermarket fluid such as idemitsu that only replaces a minimal amount of different fluids... maybe.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/AIC30041113750?gQT=1

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The turbo Subarus use High Torque CVT fluid (WRC, Forester/Outback XT, etc)

I don't think there's a Crosstrek XT, so yours should use the green CVT fluid.

The Subaru high torque CVT fluid is for the turbo cars like the WRX CVT’s. I believe the CVT is a TR690??

Yes, the high torque turbo CVT is the TR690.

The other one is the TR580

 

[Nessism1]

I would use Amsoil or Red Line over dealer fluids unless the dealer fluid is a much better value. CVT fluid is not that special but the transmission must be kept clean.

Do you know if the transmission has a removable pan, magnets, filter? Keeping the pan and magnets clean is much more important than which fluid you use. Clean and cool son.

I'm opposite. No way I'm using aftermarket fluid in ANY AT. CVT or otherwise.

The transmissions valve body software is tuned to work with the friction and viscosity characteristics of the OEM fluid. Even if aftermarket fluid meets the so called spec, that doesn't mean it's exactly the same.

 

[Rand]

The turbo Subarus use High Torque CVT fluid (WRC, Forester/Outback XT, etc)

sorta: new ones use different HT fluid. HT-LV

 

[martinq]

my opinion:
not buying what you are selling there. CVT is $10000
if they could use one fluid I dont think they would stock 4 with different viscosities too.

Yes, this story has been told many times before. I can vividly remember the days of Dexron VI, Mercon LV, ATF+4, DCT, ULV, etc, etc, etc.

Of course there are real reasons why Nissan stocks two or three different CVT fluids just like many other OEMs, but the truth doesn't help them profit.

What you want for any transmission, of any type, is a fluid that is clean (check your magnets), "cool" (check the temperature) and better than the OE requirements. Thankfully, Amsoil is easy for me to get and much cheaper than OEM price. Win win!

If you'd like to pay more for less there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

 

[martinq]

I'm opposite. No way I'm using aftermarket fluid in ANY AT. CVT or otherwise.

The transmissions valve body software is tuned to work with the friction and viscosity characteristics of the OEM fluid. Even if aftermarket fluid meets the so called spec, that doesn't mean it's exactly the same.

Absolutely, suit yourself. Just know that it is not necessary nor necessarily beneficial.

 

[Nessism1]

Absolutely, suit yourself. Just know that it is not necessary nor necessarily beneficial.

Just know that in my experience, using after market fluid in my old Nissan Sentra transmission, cause it to never shift correctly again.

 

[IndyIan]

Yes, exactly why? It's an old story that gets told over and over again.

Just have a look at the list of CVT fluids (or ATF for that matter) on the Volvoline Maxlife PDS, it's ridiculous. I suppose I should say to look at the PDS for the respective fluid to see if it is recommended.

... just had a peek at Amsoil and... why am I not surprised? OEMs just love making that sweet markup on fearful customers.

"Subaru e-CVTF, i-CVTF, Lineartronic® CVTF, K0425Y0710, CV-30, “Certified CVTF-II (SOA427V1660), High Torque CVTF"

https://www.amsoil.ca/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-cvt-fluid-cvt/

My general impression is Subaru engineers have a bit of OCD with some of their design decisions, and may be chasing something like only 3% better wear numbers with spec'ing different fluid for the 2 CVT's.... But maybe there is more differences in the fluids with friction modifiers and other things?
But I know amsoil sure isn't testing the CVT's as much as Subaru does, so I'm going to go with the OCD Subaru engineers on this one.

 

[IndyIan]

my opinion:
not buying what you are selling there. CVT is $10000
if they could use one fluid I dont think they would stock 4 with different viscosities too.

now an aftermarket fluid such as idemitsu that only replaces a minimal amount of different fluids... maybe.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/AIC30041113750?gQT=1

These transmissions are pretty decent so a low mile used one is below $2k and its not a whole lot of hours to swap it out.

 

[martinq]

Another option I'd recommend above any OEM fluid would be from Red Line. Here's what they have to say:

https://www.redlineoil.com/non-slip-cvt

• Designed specifically for use in metal belt-type Continuously Variable Transmissions including Mini, Nissan and Subaru

Suitable replacement for:
Subaru High Torque CVT Fluid SOA748V0200
Subaru Lineartronic® CVTF
Subaru Lineartronic CVTF-III
Subaru Lineartronic® II
Subaru K0425Y0711
Subaru K0425Y0710
Subaru CV-30
Subaru TF690
Subaru TR580
Subaru TR690
Subaru e CVFT
Subaru i- CVT FG
Subaru SOA427V1600
Subaru SOA427V1610
Subaru SOA427V1660
Subaru SOA868V9245

... and there's plenty more options available out there.

 

[martinq]

Just know that in my experience, using after market fluid in my old Nissan Sentra transmission, cause it to never shift correctly again.

If the fluid was the problem (it wasn't if you were using a recommended fluid) then you could confirm this by changing fluids.

People often blame damage from neglect and poor maintenance on the fluid, this is incorrect but easy to understand why they think or believe it.