If you’re not experienced, I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. It’s more complicated than an oil change, and if you mess it up, you could damage your transmission.
Pippin said:
If you’re not experienced, I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. It’s more complicated than an oil change, and if you mess it up, you could damage your transmission.
There are plenty of videos online that show how to change CVT fluid. It’s not that hard if you take your time. You’ll need to get under the car and might get dirty, but it’s doable.
- Open the lower nut to drain the fluid.
- Close it back up.
- Open the upper nut to fill it.
- Fill it with new fluid.
- Replace the nut.
Check out MrSubaru’s channel on YouTube for a guide.
@Hollis
You forgot step 0 – make sure you can open the filler nut before draining the fluid. If you drain it and can’t refill it, you’re in trouble.
Clayton said:
@Hollis
You forgot step 0 – make sure you can open the filler nut before draining the fluid. If you drain it and can’t refill it, you’re in trouble.
Good point! That’s an important step.
@Hollis
I thought you had to check the temperature while filling it up. Isn’t that part of the process?
Pippin said:
If you’re not experienced, I wouldn’t recommend doing it yourself. It’s more complicated than an oil change, and if you mess it up, you could damage your transmission.
You’re right. Changing CVT fluid on Subarus is more complicated than on most cars. You need an advanced scan tool, and you have to make sure you’re filling from the correct port. A lot of people confuse the front differential port with the CVT fill port.
My 2003 Honda Accord is way easier – just drain and fill through the dipstick port. But with a Subaru CVT, you really need to know what you’re doing.
Why do dealerships say not to change it? They check it, but they don’t recommend changing it until much later. What’s the deal with that?
Vern said:
Why do dealerships say not to change it? They check it, but they don’t recommend changing it until much later. What’s the deal with that?
My manual actually says not to change it, just to inspect it. It’s kind of weird.
@Zain
Yeah, my dealership said they check it at 90k miles. I guess we’ll see what happens as the car gets older.
Vern said:
@Zain
Yeah, my dealership said they check it at 90k miles. I guess we’ll see what happens as the car gets older.
I’m changing mine anyway. I’ve read that manuals from other countries recommend changing it every 30-60k miles. Plus, my last car, a 2012 Outback, said the transmission fluid was good for the ‘lifetime’ of the car, which was defined as 200k miles. I’m not okay with that, so I’m going to over-maintain it.
Any fluid can be a lifetime fluid if your lifetime is short enough. This glass of water could be my lifetime glass of water if I only plan to live for four more days.
@Zain
Exactly. I have an extended warranty for five more years, and I won’t hit 80k miles by then. After that, it’s up to me. 