I know Subaru says that their transmission fluid is lifetime fluid, but I’d still like to change our fluid. Anyone had any luck getting a dealership to do it? I feel their lifetime fluid is like my buddy’s Chrysler minivans and the lifetime is like 130,000 miles. We’ve got a '19 Outback.
It’ll vary dealer to dealer, just call and ask.
madisonwilson said:
It’ll vary dealer to dealer, just call and ask.
None of the ones around here will do it.
madisonwilson said:
It’ll vary dealer to dealer, just call and ask.
None of the ones around here will do it.
Where is here? I’m in a Subaru triangle. 3 dealers around me will do a drain and fill for about $350. Chicago suburbs is here to me.
@Justice
Rural western PA.
@Justice
Me too. Every dealer I called would have changed my fluid no questions asked. It was a matter of finding the cheapest dealer to do the job.
madisonwilson said:
It’ll vary dealer to dealer, just call and ask.
None of the ones around here will do it.
Got a hitch?
Sparrow said:
madisonwilson said:
It’ll vary dealer to dealer, just call and ask.
None of the ones around here will do it.
Got a hitch?
No.
US market? Subaru does not say lifetime. Some dealers might erroneously say this. Random dealers saying wild stuff is nothing new.
Some dealers recommend 30k miles, some 60k miles. Some don’t want to touch it even though Subaru publishes clear instructions.
If you check your manual, it probably says severe service 24k change interval. And inspection every 40k miles. Something like that. Use your manual.
Unless you fall under severe… I recommend friends and family to turn Inspect into Replace.
@Chambers
Every dealer within a reasonable drive has said the same thing. Yes, US.
If none of the Subaru dealers around you will do it, see if there’s a reputable mechanic near you. It’s not rocket surgery for them.
RuthMitchell said:
If none of the Subaru dealers around you will do it, see if there’s a reputable mechanic near you. It’s not rocket surgery for them.
Not many around I trust
RuthMitchell said:
If none of the Subaru dealers around you will do it, see if there’s a reputable mechanic near you. It’s not rocket surgery for them.
Not many around I trust
You comfortable doing it yourself with some instructions?
The main question.
At about what mileage mark would you opt for CVT fluid change versus a flush, where a vigorous flush may cause seal leaks or parts failure in vehicles that are still running original transmission fluid.
I had this discussion with a master mechanic buddy who maintained our agency vehicle fleet, about a decade ago when I was debating flush versus change in a 20-year-old Volvo with 160k mi, 1 prior flush at 100K, 2 changes at 50K and 130k.
He firmly advised against another flush and told me to just do a gentle change, after pulling a sample of transmission oil and looking it over for debris. He thought the seals were old enough that they might be damaged by another flush.
I found this website advice on when to flush out debris rather than just drain and fill, Transmission Fluid Change vs Flush: The 8 Differences
but I would appreciate feedback from Master Chippy and experienced gearhead others regarding Subie CVTs, which are more complex than my previous automatic transmission daily drivers.