- Hello! I have an AWD 2015 Subaru Legacy with the 2.5 liter engine. I’ve owned it since brand new and have been keeping up with oil changes every 6 months. The car only has 40,000 miles, primarily local street city miles (I live in New York City), with highway miles being about 10,000 of those. The car has been very reliable has a CVT transmission which with my understanding is a weak point according to Scotty.
I have not changed the brake fluid (have had the pads replaced once), and I have replaced the engine coolant once without a flush due to the age. So far the car has never had any leaks, so I do not see any reason to change these again for the foreseeable future.
However, when I asked the dealer when should I consider changing the CVT fluid, they told me it’s good for the lifetime of the transmission. However, obviously replacing the fluid will prolong this life. After about 6 years and 40,000 miles should I change the fluid now? Or should I wait until 60,000 miles? What is a good interval for someone who doesn’t drive a lot on the highway?
Additionally, I also would like to know if I should replace any other fluids such as the differential fluid, since I have an AWD drive system.
Thank you!
Well, that has a Jatco CVT. My car does as well and under severe service Mitsu recommends the fluid changed every 30,000 miles. Figure that may be overkill but if you change it yourself it's relatively inexpensive to drain out a few quarts and refill it. Way cheaper than a new cvt, that's for sure.
Subaru manufactures its own manual and CVT transmissions.
Since the 1970s, all Subaru conventional automatic transmissions have been Jatco designs adapted to Subaru specifications.
You're doing the right thing with regular servicing.
My brother had a 2009 Legacy (just sold it) and changed the oil and filter every 4000 miles and then the usual maintenance. Nothing went wrong and he drove that thing everywhere, everyday and that was an auto.
With the CVT, Subaru Japan states the oil change should be every 30'000 miles.
Subaru USA states it's a sealed lifetime unit. CRAP! Don't believe the dealer!
Change the fluid every 30'000, but if you want to be cautious sooner than that.
For the differential oil, it's recommend every 15-30,000 miles. That depends on your driving style. If you are casual then the 30,000 miles mark is good, but if you are heavy footed then look at the 15,000.
There is nothing wrong with being cautious and if you want to do everything early, by all means. It's your car and should be looked after.
This web site will give you a good indication of Servicing schedules. It's for a Legacy 2011 but again, it will give you a good idea what needs to be done and at what mileage.
https://www.driverside.com/service-schedule/complete/subaru-legacy-2011-30250-51063-0
Hope that helps
