Will they come to court with me when Subaru tells me to piss off when my CVT fails? Just having fun with you man. I'm sure I can find "comparable", but there is no way in hell I'm dicking around with Subaru while under warranty.
Subaru cvt maintenance
- Thread starter Joeescape63
- Start date
Here is Subaru's abortion chart of transmission fluids.
https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/xt-cvt-fluid.534731/
https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/xt-cvt-fluid.534731/
You're correct, I just looked at the leftover bottle.
Which tranny do you have @Kozman011 , 580 or 690?
I have the Touring model (2.5) with the 580.
Yeah, I get and am mindful about your point about warranty. But there are a couple things I’d like you to consider too.
1. Regarding warranty, there’s no guarantee that Subaru won’t blame you for a DIY fluid change even if you have receipt of OEM fluid. They can say you didn’t do it properly, or even if the dealer does they can say they told you it was a lifetime fluid…
2. Regarding the HPL, it’s been discussed before that they are nearly entirely dependent on word of mouth of actually doing what they promise, and any negative press is much more impactful to them compared to an issue by the majors. Besides that, I’ve got personal and professional experience with Dave and the HPL team and can tell you that whether it’s the performance of their oils or how they treat their customers, “good enough” does not exist in their vocabulary. While not an official (or putting words in anyone’s mouth) endorsement by any means, you can find that several moderators here have used and have given favorable comments to their products. HPL’s motto is “when results matter” and all the data so far supports that IMHO.
So sure, if OEM is what makes you feel safer, by all means use that. There have been a few times where I’ve used OEM fluids as well so no issues there. But if I’m going “off the reservation” it’s going to be with a company I can trust, based on their results. Thanks for the good conversation!
I wouldn't worry about the filter too much. Most are basically "rock catchers". My old Fusion with the 6F35 had to have the transaxle split for a filter change. You can guess how often that happened...
It doesn't look like it covers any of the Subaru CVT fluids, at least according to the PDS for their ATF fluids. But I don't think the ATF PDS includes the CVT fluid.
I've sent an email to HPL, asking for info on which Subaru CVT specs (CVTF-II, CVTF-III, CVT-HP) that the HPL CVT fluid meets. When I get a response, I'll share it.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because the xF35s “have rock catchers” that they don’t care about dirty fluid.
That family is definitely one that needs 30k or less fluid changes for all the solenoids and functions to work properly for the long haul.
Correct. I changed with Meron LV every 35k or so. I sold it around 150k miles without issues.
So I have a question.
Why does the OEM need/stock 6 fluids when 1 can replace them all?
And yes subaru's chart of ATF/CVT fluids ... ugh.
And why does the outback and legacy CVT with the same FB25 take cvt III blue and the forester CVT II green? /barf.
Why does the OEM need/stock 6 fluids when 1 can replace them all?
And yes subaru's chart of ATF/CVT fluids ... ugh.
And why does the outback and legacy CVT with the same FB25 take cvt III blue and the forester CVT II green? /barf.
A bit off the topic but about CVT, I looked up my car on the Royal Purple website and severe operation is 25,000 miles. I have no idea what makes those requirements but I can say that seems right. As much as I like some of the Subaru cars, the pain it is compared to my Honda to do the service or have it done makes me glad I have the cars I do when it comes to a cvt.
Great information to have thank you. Really wish I didn’t just service mine….
Ive got 58k on my ‘19 Ascent (about 2500 miles is mine) and as soon as the weather quits being schizophrenic I will be putting the HPL CVT fluid in it and will start a thread on that. I understand the people that are sketchy about a “non-approved” fluid in this instance, but IMO Subaru doesn’t really have clean hands with the CVT issues- sure, they extended the warranty on some (but not mine
) to 100k, but after that, since a failed CVT essentially can’t be rebuilt, and Subaru is the only place to buy a new CVT, they know one of their dealers is essentially certain to get rhe ~$7k CVT replacement job.OTOH, HPL has a proven record of delivering great performance regardless of the application, and since I’ve trusted HPL with about $70k of equipment so far, they’ve never let me down. If Dave says it’s been formulated to meet or exceed the needs of the Subaru CVTs, I feel that’s a safe bet. For me. Others will have to make the decision on their own.
How many miles since you switched?
After some perusing of data this afternoon and evening, I feel like a dedicated LV fluid such as a Nissan NS-3 variant (I used Idemitsu in my Jatco) would fit the bill for your CVT, the only problem is, NS-3 is dyed green. I may give it a shot in my TR690 somewhere in the future, right now it has a red CVT fluid from when the tranny was replaced by the transmission shop 18k Kms. ago back in 2021.
Last edited:
Rockauto sells Idemitso SB 2 fluid in 5 quart jugs. I've used it. It's color is green. I'm thinking this is the same as Subaru OEM fluid.
I agree. I trust HPL 100%. I had the dealer do a complete fluid change(around 13 quarts)with Subaru fluid this round. In 50-60k I’ll use HPL next!!Ive got 58k on my ‘19 Ascent (about 2500 miles is mine) and as soon as the weather quits being schizophrenic I will be putting the HPL CVT fluid in it and will start a thread on that. I understand the people that are sketchy about a “non-approved” fluid in this instance, but IMO Subaru doesn’t really have clean hands with the CVT issues- sure, they extended the warranty on some (but not mine
OTOH, HPL has a proven record of delivering great performance regardless of the application, and since I’ve trusted HPL with about $70k of equipment so far, they’ve never let me down. If Dave says it’s been formulated to meet or exceed the needs of the Subaru CVTs, I feel that’s a safe bet. For me. Others will have to make the decision on their own.
