Old thread, but still current problem. We have a 13 Crosstrek that had the first CVT fail at 53k miles, replaced by Subaru under the powertrain warranty. Well, just about 2 months ago, we got the Christmas tree of lights on the dash at 155k miles. No, I've never had the fluid changed. It was the lockup solenoid, which is very common and requires a complete control solenoid module ($800) replaced. I had our trusted mechanic do this and he changed the fluid and "serviced" the transmission which means....I don't know....replace a screen or filter or something. I'm happy to have the car continue to keep on keepin' on. One of my son's drives the car and puts over 20k miles a year on it.

 

i've gotten recall notices those are mandatory but all the nice to have notices that subaru sends out are MIA.

 

What MY of Forester? My 2020 has a updated amplifier unit for the HK stereo TSB.

 

Don't see a link to the TSB yet...

 

i find it funny that subaru has our addresses and sends us recall notices. but they don't send us letters when they change the maintenance intervals or when they offer extended warranties on CVT trans. I changed CVT fluid for the first time at around 270000km because I had an TCC solenoid issue and I figured I would try the fluid too. had the dealer replace the valvebody and fluid and filter after so I figured more of the fluid would get changed out. I kept the old valve body. I will perform autopsy when I have time. If anyone knows of a source for the solenoid I could replace it and have a spare valve body ready to go when I get to 500000km.

 

i find it funny that subaru has our addresses and sends us recall notices. but they don't send us letters when they change the maintenance intervals or when they offer extended warranties on CVT trans.

For my Forester I've gotten several letters from SOA advising of extended warranties for the CVT, power steering gear box and rear gate stays.

 

Just replaced the TC lock up solenoid @ 120K. I changed CVT juice @ 100K using valvoline. If their stuff meets the manufacturer's specs, then there shouldn't be a problem. SOA's real hard on the 100K so anything goes after that as you're on your own.

 

Yes, please post a link to the TSB. My warranty manual also says "I" for inspect for the CVT fluid all the way up to 130K except for extreme driving conditions, towing, etc.

 

2017 Owner manual listed CVT as “I” at 90k. I am not aware ”other official” schedule put out by SOA but will love to see one if you can point me to the right direction. My local dealership is cool and help me out but my Subies almost always came back over-filled, over-torqued and last time I have to come in three times to get the rear bearing done correctly according to the TSB. If I did not scrutinize the repair order, I would have the same premature failure again because the backing plate was not replaced at first visit. And the wheel was of course over-torqued after that. So I am just naturally skeptical that dealership tech has secret magic power than what an OCD that reads directions and take notes can do. That’s all.

 

I'm not here to make judgements about anyone's specific level of expertise, but after my years here I can say pretty definitively that a fair number of Subaru CVTs have been destroyed by backyard mechanics thought they knew what they were doing when they changed the fluid, but really didn't. My generalized advice is to find an experienced, trustworthy mechanic to do that particular job (not necessarily a dealer, for sure), or at least avoid the ambiguity by waiting until the car hits 100,001 miles if you insist on doing it yourself.

 

Just keep in mind there are tens of millions of Toyotas and Hondas that are taken care of by their owners all over the world. Since Subaru presents its products as go anywhere adventure vehicles, Having the need to have it serviced by a dealer every 60K seems a bit BMW, Mercedes territory where they just don't expect the owners to even know where all the service points are. I believe the reason to read the temperature is with the expansion of the fluid due to temperature, the fluid will start to drip indicating a correct amount of fluid is inside the CVT body. There is no black magic code reader that make your CVT work better if you do the exact the same thing. Again, if Subaru CTV is so delicate than I guess I got suckered by the sale pitch that it is a fun and rugged alternative to Toyota's boring and reliable which leading to the beginning of the post when I leaned about the 10Y/100K extended warranty and no recommendation for service in owner's manual but AD said it needs to be serviced within the dealer network but discourage DIY maintenance. The unspoken words were deafening.

 

If you're asking for help here then you're not quite sure about what you're doing...

 

I am not buying a code reader to find out the temperature of the CVT. If I put in the same amount of the CVTF that was drained out, what is the difference than what happened on the assembly line?

 

If I put in the same amount of the CVTF that was drained out, what is the difference than what happened on the assembly line?

Make sure that the CVTF that you drain is the EXACT same temperature as the CVTF that you are adding, which means that you're going to have to drain the CVTF cold.
That being said I've DIYed ATF changes for decades but I don't dare do a CVTF change.

 

No 100 % answer here. Hard for them to prove. If you don't mind lying go for it. No problem for me

 

Be sure to have two "yutes" help you with the drain and fill.

 

In short, I'd change the fluids and do the basic maintenance that is commonly done. I would not trust SOA , let alone back us up(they have not in the past) 10 years down the road. Hence, why they have so many class action law suits against them.
I changed both our front and rear diff fluids recently which improved the car(less noise, smoother). Our dealer recommended against this. The rear diff fluid was quite dark and needed replacement. In the spring when the temps get a tad warmer, I'm changing out the cvt fluid(probably 5-6 qt.s), installing fresh factory coolant and t-stat. This will set the car up for the long term(reduce chances of trans issues and HG issues).
regards

 

Seems if a dealer said that the CVT was overfilled, or filled with the wrong fluid, they could void your warranty without dealing with the question of whether you did it or another mechanic did it. You would have to make another mechanic responsible if he or she did the repair. Subaru would just walk away. Keep a sample of the suspect fluid though if the issue comes up.
As far as "Vinny" and legal arguments go:

"Judge Chamberlain Haller: I don't like your attitude.
Vinny Gambini: So what else is new?
Judge Chamberlain Haller: I'm holding you in contempt of court.
Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Now there's a [freaking] surprise.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: What did you say? What did you just say?
Vinny Gambini: Huh? What did I say? "

Yes, I know "bird law" just ask Charlie in "It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia"

 

As far as "Vinny" and legal arguments go:

"Judge Chamberlain Haller: I don't like your attitude.
Vinny Gambini: So what else is new?
Judge Chamberlain Haller: I'm holding you in contempt of court.
Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Now there's a [freaking] surprise.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: What did you say? What did you just say?
Vinny Gambini: Huh? What did I say? "

Yes, I know "bird law" just ask Charlie in "It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia"

My favorite line from that movie: Oh, yeah, you blend...

 

My wife's '17 Trek is on the above honor roll for the 10/100K CVT warranty offered by SOA. I am fully aware of the service interval controversy. lifetime vs 60K vs whatever arbitrary mileage.

I had the following conversation with an SA today while on another business for another Subie: Gust: I was wondering what you recommend to do the CVT service? SA: We at XYZ Subaru recommends 60K miles. Gust: OK, sounds good. I watch the MeTub a lot and I think I want to try my hands on changing it myself. Drain and fill, what can possibly goes wrong (famous last word before calling a tow truck) SA: Unfortunately that can void the super duper 10/100K extreme extra extended warranty (I add-lipped a little).

Now: Given my extensive legal training which consists of watching My Cousin Vinny 30 years ago and listening to a weekly radio attorney call-in show where he calls the callers idiots plus my thorough reading of the announcement put out by SOA. If I followed the CVT service procedures to a t's and using Subaru CTVF with receipt saved. Am I restricted from servicing my own vehicle or risk getting my potential claim rejected? How is that different from changing oil and other maintenance?

Let's say I went ahead and did the fluid and the CVT blows up a year or two down the road. How can SOA/dealership prove that a. ) I had worked on it, and b.) my work directly contributed to the failure of the CVT therefore I am not entitled to the 10/100K repair or replacement.

I am looking forward to your wisdom or real world experience when claiming the CVT warranty. Was the dealer service department looking for ways to deny the coverage? I can play safe and not even change the fluid for 100K but that seems counterintuitive. Again, your thoughts.

It would be up to Subaru to prove that your DIY work caused the problem. They can't prevent you from doing your own maintenance. However if you use the wrong fluid, or you don't drain and fill properly and end up with too little or too much fluid in there, that could be cause for them to reject the claim.

My Cousin Vinny is one of my all time favorite movies!

 

Thanks,
My plan of actions for replacing CTV fluid:

Go to my authorized dealer and buy CTVF-II which specified by TSB, save receipts.
Level the vehicle using a 4' smart level by angling the rear wheel on a ramp.
Pop the fill valve to see if I can fill before I pop the drain valve
Pop the drain valve that makes so many people butch a simple oil change at the bottom.
Catch all fluid and measure it with a measuring cup and make notes, torque the drain plug to spec with a new washer.
Using a clean gear lube pump to put in the same amount of fluid drained out from the drain,
Running through all the gears several times while on jacks with brakes on,
top off CTVF up to the limit that was taken out. Torque fill valve to spec.
If I want to be extra careful, get a IR themometer and read the outside temp of the CTV wall for the point the fluid should start to drip out. Torque to spec.

It is slightly more steps for changing diff oil but not by much, I can't really screw it up. Huh?

The costs is almost 50% of an independent shop charges and I also have a Forester which for all it is worth is the same engine with the trek (same filter, same amount of oil....). The SA conversation seems like a sales plot to run up CVT service business for car owners on the 10/100K list to come in for some expensive services at dealership price for fear of void the warranty. My dealership tech over-fill, over-torque, over-charge, over-evething. I basically have to double check everything after serviced by them. I had to use a 1/2" impact wrench to lose an oil drain because they torqued the **** out of that plug (put in a Fumoto since).

 

My wife's '17 Trek is on the above honor roll for the 10/100K CVT warranty offered by SOA. I am fully aware of the service interval controversy. lifetime vs 60K vs whatever arbitrary mileage.

I had the following conversation with an SA today while on another business for another Subie: Gust: I was wondering what you recommend to do the CVT service? SA: We at XYZ Subaru recommends 60K miles. Gust: OK, sounds good. I watch the MeTub a lot and I think I want to try my hands on changing it myself. Drain and fill, what can possibly goes wrong (famous last word before calling a tow truck) SA: Unfortunately that can void the super duper 10/100K extreme extra extended warranty (I add-lipped a little).

Now: Given my extensive legal training which consists of watching My Cousin Vinny 30 years ago and listening to a weekly radio attorney call-in show where he calls the callers idiots plus my thorough reading of the announcement put out by SOA. If I followed the CVT service procedures to a t's and using Subaru CTVF with receipt saved. Am I restricted from servicing my own vehicle or risk getting my potential claim rejected? How is that different from changing oil and other maintenance?

Let's say I went ahead and did the fluid and the CVT blows up a year or two down the road. How can SOA/dealership prove that a. ) I had worked on it, and b.) my work directly contributed to the failure of the CVT therefore I am not entitled to the 10/100K repair or replacement.

I am looking forward to your wisdom or real world experience when claiming the CVT warranty. Was the dealer service department looking for ways to deny the coverage? I can play safe and not even change the fluid for 100K but that seems counterintuitive. Again, your thoughts.

you'd be fine. that said i'd have the CVT serviced by a shop