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Old 09-14-2020, 07:59 PM   #1
pedrosenedesi
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Question CVT Oil Change

Hey guys, what would be the recomended oil change interval by mileage and date of the CVT from a '15 WRX? I've seen people say 60k, 100k, 30k, and the list goes on. Anybody has an idea of what would be a good interval? Thanks!
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Old 09-15-2020, 08:43 AM   #2
Samurai Jack
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Forget what " people say ".

What does your User's Manual say?
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Old 09-15-2020, 03:24 PM   #3
Max Capacity
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Wow, what a great idea, look in the owners manual...it is listed there.

Amazing how people don't understand what info the car comes with.
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Old 09-16-2020, 12:06 PM   #4
pedrosenedesi
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Originally Posted by Max Capacity View Post
Wow, what a great idea, look in the owners manual...it is listed there.

Amazing how people don't understand what info the car comes with.
amazing that you're such a ****ing moron to not understand that I know it's in the manual. I'm asking if anybody does it different, or knows if its better to do it before than the manual says. subaru once said it was a life time fluid, that you didn't need to ever change it. now they say 100k miles. how TF I'm supposed to trust that, you dip****?
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Old 09-16-2020, 09:17 PM   #5
ronemus
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Given the 10-year/100k mile extended warranty on Subaru's CVTs, you may want to wait until the warranty expires before doing anything to it; if you or a 3rd party work on it the warranty is probably voided. You could have a Subaru dealer do the work, but the expense is high for service that has no demonstrated benefit. I intend to flush mine myself at 100k and probably every 50k after that.
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Old 09-17-2020, 08:46 AM   #6
Elbert Bass
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A CVT does not have as many clutch packs as a traditional "Geared" automatic. That means 80% to 90% less friction material to shed and contaminate fluid. I have drained Suby CVTs with 180,000 miles and the fluid still smell fresh and barely be discolored.
Do you tow? Do you drive hard? Maybe a drain and fill (about half the fluid) around 80,000 or 100,000 miles.
Me personally? I have serviced enough of them that I let my nose and eyes decide...
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Old 09-17-2020, 12:26 PM   #7
Kickinbeatz
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I change mine every 1000 miles, which is about weekly or maybe twice a week if I am driving a lot and I am currently at almost 30K miles. I have not heard one strange noise from my transmission since owning the car. People say that's crazy and a waste of money considering I have the dealership do it every time. I always say I'd rather be safe than sorry. I live in New England where you know the weather changes all the time and in the salt belt. I run 2 sets of wheels & tires for winter and all other seasons of the year.




But then again, I have a manual transmission like most of us.
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Old 09-18-2020, 08:22 AM   #8
Elbert Bass
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Somebody needs to use their turn signal when making that left turn...
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Old 10-05-2020, 01:32 PM   #9
Angelus911
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Severe driving is
> Constant repeated short trips, stop-and-go, extensive idling
> Rough, muddy, dusty, wet, humid, cold, mountainous, salty conditions (basically any coast, country, or winter driving)
> Frequently towing a trailer.
> Racing

Re-CVT
#4 under severe driving or if towing replace the CVT oil should be replaced under severe driving at 24,855 miles

Subaru says it is a lifetime fluid. It does not mean it lasts forever, it means it lasts the lifetime of the car. For most people if the CVT goes so goes the car, since it is $$$ to replace.

Source: http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2018.html
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Old 10-05-2020, 01:40 PM   #10
Nahoward
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I'm not buying the 100k mile thing, as that policy smells too much like planned obsolescence, especially on a WRX which a lot of us are going to be pushing anyways. It might be best to look internationally and see what the Subarus (like the one in Japan) are saying and ignore Subaru of America on this point.
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Old 10-05-2020, 03:02 PM   #11
Samurai Jack
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If you don't like what the Manufacturer recommended interval change is, there is nothing that says you can't change at any interval you desire.

What it comes down to if
1. It makes you happier to change at a different interval
2. If you don't mind the extra expense
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Old 10-05-2020, 03:03 PM   #12
Samurai Jack
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelus911 View Post
Severe driving is
> Constant repeated short trips, stop-and-go, extensive idling
> Rough, muddy, dusty, wet, humid, cold, mountainous, salty conditions (basically any coast, country, or winter driving)
In other words, normal daily driving for most people
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Old 10-06-2020, 10:12 AM   #13
Angelus911
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Jack View Post
In other words, normal daily driving for most people
Yep, which is why it fills me with rage the pushback I've gotten at dealers about changing the CVT fluid. Last time at the dealer they even had to check if they would even do a drain and fill of the CVT. Oh and they had the wrong procedure for checking the fluid level in the CVT
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Old 02-01-2021, 08:34 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Angelus911 View Post
Yep, which is why it fills me with rage the pushback I've gotten at dealers about changing the CVT fluid. Last time at the dealer they even had to check if they would even do a drain and fill of the CVT. Oh and they had the wrong procedure for checking the fluid level in the CVT
I was told by numerous dealers that it was "lifetime" fluid - that never needs changing. I explained I drove 40-50k a year and wanted it done. "No, we don't offer that service." Some even went to ask the service manager.



Crosstrek ate a deer at about 140K mi, so now I have a '16 manual Impreza.


Mike B
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Old 02-07-2021, 01:10 PM   #15
Elbert Bass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeet6 View Post
I was told by numerous dealers that it was "lifetime" fluid - that never needs changing. I explained I drove 40-50k a year and wanted it done. "No, we don't offer that service." Some even went to ask the service manager.



Crosstrek ate a deer at about 140K mi, so now I have a '16 manual Impreza.


Mike B
Those dealers were idiots. If the customer wants it, then perform the service. Any chance to sell $12.00 a quart fluid...
Enjoy that DINA engine.
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