I am the first owner of a 2017 Subaru Outback 2.5L with 88,000 miles on a CVT transmission. It is my understanding that the CVT is a closed system with a 100,000 mile warranty, and opening the system (to do a fluid change) voids the warranty. I’ve heard lots of varying opinions. What is your take on this? Do I wait for the warranty to expire and then do a fluid change, or do the fluid change and risk the warranty? Would I flush the system, or just drain and fill? Thanks
You should have a fluid changed by now, … to prolong the life of your CVT. But, since you are leery that warranty may be voided, … than just go to your dealer and tell them to do the change for you, … but make sure that they do, in fact - physically, change it! (Beware of "wall jobs", those are more often performed than you may think!)
Than, just pay them for the service and drive off, …
F.S.
It’s up to you, but realize it can void the warranty. Manufactures usually look for ways to get out of a warranty claim, and why give them an opening? If you do change the ATF anyways, a simple drain and fill should be fine.
If it were my car and planning to keep for a while, I would change the ATF - in fact I would have changed the fluid a while back.