[sheldon]

yeah, I was thinking that too could be a possibility.

Well 2.0l's and 2.5l's CVTs have different parts #s. Both different variations of the TR580, but they list for the same price.


This Fits Your 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0L CVT Premium
Part Number: 31000AK390
Transmission AY/TR580DDSBA.
TR580DDSBA.
Automatic Transmission Assembly.


This Fits Your 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5L CVT Limited w/EyeSight
Part Number: 31000AK290
Transmission AY/TR580DHGAA.
TR580DHGAA.
Automatic Transmission Assembly.

 

[sheldon]

Glad I ordered the CVTF-II before seeing this. I might be rebottling the SOA427V2600 and selling the extra. Besides the color and price (+33%) what is the difference?
My dealers website (which tends to mean nothing) shows I can use the CVTF-II and CFTF-III. It shows the II is correct. The III is 17.75/qt in the five gallon pail after discount. Quarts will be around 22.00 list price.

Using the CVTF-II sounds like a risk to me. New CVT lists for about $7k

 

[JRHAWK9]

I want to call Idemitsu and ask what the difference is in the two fluids. They make both of them, so they should know. Whether they disclose that to me is another story though.

 

[JRHAWK9]

From the service manual for my '21:
View attachment 312625

Glad I ordered the CVTF-II before seeing this. I might be rebottling the SOA427V2600 and selling the extra. Besides the color and price (+33%) what is the difference?
My dealers website (which tends to mean nothing) shows I can use the CVTF-II and CVTF-III. It shows the II is correct. The III is 17.75/qt in the five gallon pail after discount. Quarts will be around 22.00 list price.

Unless they changed something for '22......above is what the service manual says for my '21.

I'm also not sure you'd want to mix CVTF-II with CVTF-III if you are just doing a drain and re-fill. So whatever comes out you should fill it back up with, regardless if it's CVTF-II or CVTF-III. This is why I asked above it anyone with a '20 or newer has did a drain and refill and if so, what color it was. Light green is CVTF-II and light blue is CVTF-III.

 

[kr_xv]

Cvtf III is recommended for 2.5 model and cvt ii for 2.0 model, so seems cvtf iii is more robust one. For me i dont like cvtf ii because too many slippage, so since 20k i have converted to Redline Non slip cvt. Maybe if cvtf iii proven good, I will try. Whatever cvtf you use, when change brand just drain and refill 2-3 times after driven about 500 km each time.

 

[Panelhead]

Big shout out to the ones observant enough to spot the change in fluid. Spoke to Gillman Subaru as recommended in my owners manual.
The gentleman in parts was offline for five minutes. He asked where this info was at. Told him 2021 Service Manual. Came back and said all 2020+ Crosstrek use CVTF-III fluid. And options are buy a five gallon bucket for 350.00 or get a dealer to service. They have the fluid in stock. But no quarts.
Will take in for oil change soon, will return the five quarts of CVTF-II.
Maybe the CVTF III will be available in quarts by the time I am ready to perform the CVT drain. Good to hear the new fluid might be tougher than the old. May lead to increased longevity.

 

[JRHAWK9]

According to the PDF someone posted above, it is available in QTS.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10165499-0001.pdf

Cvtf Iii SOA635319 | Subaru Parts Deals

Cvtf Iii - soa635319. Genuine Subaru® Parts & Accessories. Manufacturer Warranty. From the Dealership to your Door.

www.subarupartsdeals.com

 

[JRHAWK9]

Just got off the phone with Alec Wolffe of Idemitsu. Funny, he used to work for Motul, where I called and spoke with him regarding Motul fluids as well a handful of years ago.


Within Idemitsu there are two branches, one dealing with OEM fluids and one with aftermarket. Due to contracts, the OEM branch is not allowed to share the chemistry of this OEM fluid with the aftermarket till after three years. After those three years pass, they can then "unlock" the formulation and then the aftermarket side can develop an aftermarket fluid to meet the spec. So, the only option we 2020+ users have at this point is Subaru's Type III fluid, which is made my Idemitsu's OEM branch. He says in a couple years Idemitsu should have a fluid compatible with the OEM Type III fluid. He does not even know if the two fluids are compatible or even the differences. When asked if it could be simply for fuel economy, he said it could very well be, but we don't know. He said -if- the two fluids are different viscosities, there may be a difference in the CVT transmission itself. Therefore putting the wrong fluid in may cause issues with the "shifting".

Anyway, those with 2020+ CVT's....USE TYPE III.

 

[ribal]

Unless they changed something for '22......above is what the service manual says for my '21.

I'm also not sure you'd want to mix CVTF-II with CVTF-III if you are just doing a drain and re-fill. So whatever comes out you should fill it back up with, regardless if it's CVTF-II or CVTF-III. This is why I asked above it anyone with a '20 or newer has did a drain and refill and if so, what color it was. Light green is CVTF-II and light blue is CVTF-III.

Hi. Are you willing to share the Service manual for the 21 Crosstrek? 🙏 All I can see to find is the Owners manual.

 

[gudentyte]

Hi. Are you willing to share the Service manual for the 21 Crosstrek? 🙏 All I can see to find is the Owners manual.

Help yourself. Over 18,000 pages.

2021 SUBARU CROSSTREK REPAIR MANUAL

 

[butchhallfat]

I had a 2014 Subaru xv @ 60000 mi intervals changed cvt oil w/caster oil transmax , everything ran smoothly. It was two drain and fills.

 

[Panelhead]

You are both brave and lucky. I use Castrol Transmax for power steering fluid in my XJR. It is a Dextron II substitute.