Hey Scotty,
Can you be the final answer to this question for me? 2016 2.5L Subaru Legacy approx 70k miles with a CVT tranny. Change the transmission fluid or believe the lifetime fluid warranty hype?? Thank you!
Change it. "Lifetime" transmission fluid is a big fat lie.
Change it before it gets too late. Just drain and refill though.
If it is like the prius CVT, the nice thing is, it is just like changing differential fluid in most cars. Drain it, fill it, and you have completely changed the fluid. I did my prius at 80k with amsoil fuel efficient atf and it worked great. Sold the car at 180k running like a top!
The procedure for changing fluid in a Subaru CVT is pretty involved, and includes the transmission being at a specific temperature when filling. Use only the proper Subaru-branded fluid for your car. There are videos on youtube with details.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4k4KtUG0dI
just spoke with Subaru here in Colorado and they recommend a full flush at 105k miles. Thoughts??
Don't do it, you will regret it.
Why’s that? Is it the mileage or the flush that is the issue?
It's the flush that's the issue, just change the fluid.
Drain and fill, heard thank you
Drain and fill it now. I wouldn't wait to 100k miles on a CVT, especially a Subaru, to change out the fluid. I certainly wouldn't recommend flushing it.
Why would you advise against flushing it?
When you get up in mileage, some vehicles shed a considerable amount of clutch material into the transmission fluid. When you flush the system, you run the risk of dislodging those pieces and they may gunk up the transmission. While this is most common on American vehicles, Subarus have a long history of CVT issues and I would not roll the dice myself.
I thought that became an issue after 100k miles?
I wouldn't flush it based on my experience. Yes, the longer the interval, the more the risk increases. You said they advised a flush at 105k miles, which I would not recommend. Just a drain and fill would be fine and get the job done.
Okay that makes sense, would it be a bad idea to flush it now with 70k miles?
I always just drain and fill to be safe.
Okay sweet thank you