Performed the service today. 2021 Outback 2.5L. I used about 4.5 quarts total. My CVT has phrase “CVT-3” embossed onto the housing. However, the fluid was green color when drained. Anyone else have a similar experience? I’m assuming the blue fluid over time with oxidation/ heat will fade in color. I find it hard to believe the factory used CVT-2 green fluid. Anyways the car was butter smooth after test ride so I’m not too worried about it. It’s always shifted fine however lately it would notice some slight hesitation or slightly firm shifting behavior. It has 37k miles now. I’ll prob stick to 25-30k drainage and fills. A fluid sample was retrieved for possible old and virgin sample. New fluid has Idemitsu logo.
Subaru CVT-3 Blue Fluid
- Thread starter Nuclear_42
- Start date
Either oxidation like you mention, or possibly a mid-year change 
You should've taken a picture of the blue fluid
You should've taken a picture of the blue fluid
The CVt-3 was as blue as a Subaru logo. The old fluid I’d say was a green/ turquoise.Either oxidation like you mention, or possibly a mid-year change
You should've taken a picture of the blue fluid
I’m glad you changed.Its
definitely is not a lifetime fluid.
I agree! Not really a fan of dirty fluids on a chain system.
MolaKule
Staff member
Oil dyes are used to differentiate lubricants as to product type or viscosity and has no other useful property.
Dyes do fade and the fluid color will change over time.
I found this post about a shop doing a CVT-3. Confirms in pics the fluid tuns teal after use.
https://carbankin.com/case/atf-cvtf/forester2211/
Went to do the CVT 100K Km/60K mile maintenance in our nelwy acquired 2021 X-trek. Called the local Subaru stealership, who said they only sell the apparenlty platinum-infused, Mars procured, ultra-grade, Subby-only CVT3 fluid in 20L/5gal pails in Canada. How much? ALL OF IT. $795.00, for me.
So I said OK, how much to have you do it? $500 he said. So I told 'em: I didn't want MY fluid changed, I wanted the cars fluid changed.
So he pulls me aside and wispered (as if we were trading state secrets) that I could TRY buying Subaru CVT fluid in the qt online, or that (looking around to see if anyone was listening), there might be "off-brands' that could work. But I didn't hear that from him.
SO, after much research, including calling and emailing the TECH departments at both Subby Canada and AMSIOIL (715) 399-8324 (TECH), I dit it myself....and you'll NEVER guess how much it cost - and how long it took me.
Take a gander at this - and learn ALL the SECRETS.
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So I said OK, how much to have you do it? $500 he said. So I told 'em: I didn't want MY fluid changed, I wanted the cars fluid changed.
So he pulls me aside and wispered (as if we were trading state secrets) that I could TRY buying Subaru CVT fluid in the qt online, or that (looking around to see if anyone was listening), there might be "off-brands' that could work. But I didn't hear that from him.
SO, after much research, including calling and emailing the TECH departments at both Subby Canada and AMSIOIL (715) 399-8324 (TECH), I dit it myself....and you'll NEVER guess how much it cost - and how long it took me.
Take a gander at this - and learn ALL the SECRETS.
Like
Reactions:gudentyte
I am reviving this old thread to say THANK YOU! I just completed a drain and fill on a ‘24 Outback with a TR580. I noticed the exact same anomaly. CVTF-3 on the housing, yet what drained seemed green! I filled with the CVTF-III which is electric blue but had a pit in my stomach about how the old stuff looked green! Thanks for this theead!
For reference. Exactly 5 quarts drained out cold, and about 5 quarts went back in when following the FSM procedure, no funny business. 53,000 miles on factory fluid. Appeared black, with lighting a black-green (see arrow).
For reference. Exactly 5 quarts drained out cold, and about 5 quarts went back in when following the FSM procedure, no funny business. 53,000 miles on factory fluid. Appeared black, with lighting a black-green (see arrow).
I’m glad it helped you! I recently did another drain/ fill again and got 4.5 quarts this time. I guess it really depends how well leveled the car is when jacked up.
I'd it's gonna help any, I did ATF service on a Mazda with FZ, and factory fluid that came out wasn't blue but more of a green too.