Subaru Automatics...the Good, Bad, Ugly?

[Titan]

I have two of these autos mounted to 2.5 naturally aspirated engines. I went to the dealership to buy some Auto transmission fluid, they looked at me like I was nuts. I told them I was just going to drain and fill them at about every 15,000 miles. Both the Service manager and a mechanic at the desk said I was wasting fluid, wait until at least 30,000 mile intervals. Anyone had enough experience with these transmissions to weigh in if this is sufficient? I'm driving over 50000 miles per year, and I'm confident the engines will make 250000 miles, but, I don't know about the auto transmissions. Thanks for any help!

 

[unDummy]

Which transmission?
You can just buy the fluid at the local autoparts stores if it uses a Dexron. If it a newer vehicle using 'J' fluid, then use the OEM fluid from Nissan or Subaru, or a multivehicle fluid.

The transmission will last long if maintained and if not abused. Feel free to drain/refill as often as you want. I maintain a few JATCO boxes(Mazda/Nissan) that get 2-3 drain/refills a year. I don't see it as a waste of fluid. Fluid is cheap compared to a failure.

 

[Titan]

I don't know the model transmissions. 4 speed 2006 Forester and 4 speed with the bump-shift option on the 2007 Legacy.

Like you, I figured drain and fill is just cheap insurance. They agreed, but, said I was paying too much for the insurance by draining at only 15000 miles.

 

[Sparkman]

I have a '99 4EAT at something like 210k miles, never a problem with the transmission. I've done 30k drains and spin-on filter changes with Dexron and OEM filters. I think I would do it twice a year for a couple of years then go to once a year.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

We've owned a 99 and a 03 Legacy. For both, a routine 30K ATF change with Dexron III has kept them running well.

 

[Titan]

Quote:

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I have a '99 4EAT at something like 210k miles, never a problem with the transmission. I've done 30k drains and spin-on filter changes with Dexron and OEM filters. I think I would do it twice a year for a couple of years then go to once a year.

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Nice...that's the kind of advice I was hoping for. I'm waiting until 30K (about 8-9 months of driving for me), and drain/fill/change the filter. Sounds like these are fairly tough transmissions....

 

[Norm Olt]

Changing the ATF &/or adding an external filter or cooler can only help your Subaru last longer. There is a very inexpensive external filter kit from Subaru for the SVX that includes the filter, a bracket, clamps & hoses for about $20-30 that you ught to be able to plumb into the ATF cooler line going to the radiator.

Cheers! (from the original owner of a '92 SVX with 135K+ and one warranty transmission replacement)

 

[Titan]

Thanks, Norm. Good idea...

 

[Sparkman]

I can't speak for all subaru transmissions, but our '99 4EAT has a spin-on filter on the left hand side right above the pan. It's pricey from the dealer but oh so easy to change compared to in-pan filters. I hope that they kept this on the newer models.

 

[Eddie]

My 2000 Forester S with AT gets an ATF change every 30,000 miles. In addition: a pan drain get 4 quarts out of the AT which holds 9.8 quarts. If you want to change most all the AT fluid (~96%) then you need to do 3X plug & fills driving 50 miles or more between refills. I changed my external AT filter at ~100,000 miles and it looked as new on the inside(cut open) so when Subaru says no need to change unless damaged they mean it. If I had to start over with a new 4EAT I would do a 1X plug drain & refil every 25-30,000 miles and never change the external filter unless leaking or damaged. O-Yes my Forester has 113,000 trouble free miles on it.

 

[Titan]

BTW guys, Wix Oil filter is also recommended as the ATF filter, 51365, I believe...check to make sure. I think I won't change that, but, just do the drain and fills every 25000. Thanks, everyone!

 

[The Critic]

You should definitely change the filter on a regular basis...it's inexpensive...why skip it?

 

[unDummy]

Yep, its a standard 20mm filter that is too cheap not to change every so often. Avoid the dealer price and buy an equivalent filter from Wix, Purolator, Fram,....
You can also improve its effectiveness by adding a few magnets to it(homemade Filtermag).

Whats great about the 20mm mount, if equipped, is that you can add any additional filtering or cooling, by remotely mounting to that OEM filter mount, without touching the cooler lines.

Cutting open a filter and looking at it doesn't tell you anything. Just change it! If you want to test the effectiveness of a filter, UOA with particle counts, your old ATF. That UOA will give you the info you need to determine your flush or drain/refill frequency, which really depends on driving conditions, not by the mileage or fluid used!