I'd:
1) order 6 qt's just in case
2) have the car raised, level
3)Fill as much as possible into the geabox(then install the fill plug), then idle the engine to raise the temp to 95-113F, operate between gears(P-R-N-D, repeat).
4) when at temp, pull the fill plug to check the level(when gear is in P) and or fill to set the level with factory cvt fluid
Sorry to hear. Don't sweat it , stuff happens. And yes, these are a real pain to service. Our BMW and Porsche have a similar set where the level is set at a specific temp or range. Ugh. I'd stick with the factory fluid as these gearboxes(and others) seem to be moderately finicky.

 

OK. So I did get the car level up in the air and install about three and a half quarts in the proper plug on the side. I replaced the plug, started and warmed until the transmission itself was up to about 115 degrees and run through the gears as mentioned. I then shut down, removed the plug again and pumped in another half quart until it started pissing it out. I reinstalled the plug and took it back to my 81 year old momma. We did just all drive a round trip in a fully loaded car almost 3000 miles without issue.
What I am wondering (the whole trip almost) is that after the second check does the fluid, which seems pretty thin rapidly settle back to level at the plug. I imagined that it would. I still got it up in the air right before we were to leave and after leveling once more, popped the plug. It did start pissing out again without me entirely removing the plug. In your opinion, am I good now, or should I check one more time?
Also wanted to state that when it dawned on me initially that I was draining the tranny instead of the motor oil, I popped that plug in pretty quickly, thus the possible reason it took only four quarts.
I just thought to ask all this as the Subaru forum here just popped up in my email again. Thanks to you and all that responded, even those that weren't as helpful! Thanks!

 

Get with someone who knows what they are doing. You are heading into dangerous territory

 

Nah, it turned out fine. Not that difficult, but it was a little scary for a minute or a month. 3000 miles since and all good. I did go to UTI in the early 1980s but went into a different field of work...

 

In my opinion, it's worth it to flatbed tow it to a dealership and have them fill it up. Less chance of another mistake and less chance of a warranty issue later on. If you can afford the time to call a few tow places to compare, my last tow was less than $200 for across town.bi think it's cheaper when you can schedule it ahead of time.

I sure wouldn't mix in aftermarket CVT fluid during the warranty period. This isn't an old fashioned automatic, CVTs are assembled in clean rooms because they are very sensitive to contaminates.

 

Notes from my recent experience on 2014 CVT:
- Rigged up funnel with hose to run down to fill hole from right side ( viewed from front) of engine
- After pouring in about 4 quarts it started running out of hole
- Reinstalled drain plug
- Cranked and shifted between gears for a couple of minutes
- Removed plug again
- Added 4 1/2 quarts before fluid started running out

You could also phone a Subaru service department. They'd probably be glad to tell you.

 

Are you saying that you added 4 1/2 quarts in total or 8 1/2? Mine took 4 quarts flat and then was driven about 3000 miles Wyoming to California and back without issue.

 

Since no one here was standing around watching you drain xmission fluid, did you drain fluid into a clean container and throw it away or still have it to pour it back into the xmission?

 

No. it wasn't reusable...Got the right stuff and seems good now. Thanks

 

If you replace it with exactly the amount you drained out, you should be OK.

 

Was too difficult to measure as it got mixed with oil...seems good now though. Thanks

 

Honestly, if you want to make sure now that you drove it for a bit, is to warm up the vehicle, get under it and check the fill plug/hole level?? You can always top it off now. Whether it's 4oz or four more quarts, it will be a more accurate fill now that you drove it for a while Just my two cents.

 

I am going to check it again. I did buy one more quart. Thanks