Good aftermarket brand for 2018 Subaru XV Lineartronic CVT Fluid

[Dr.Kamiya]

Even known "Master Mechanics" who specialize in a particular brand most of them only do drain and refill. Check out M539 restoration's channel. The guy is a BMW wizard. He picked up a very cheap (and known for problems) E60 M5 which he fixed up, and even with internal damage to the engine he's only doing frequent drain and refill oil changes until metal shavings stop showing up in the drained oil.

[kevindd992002]

Ended up buying 7 x 1 quart of Amsoil CVT fluid as I really can't find any good references in the Internet about people using Mitasu aside from the Philippine/Asian market. The total price from Oil Shack (Lazada) was very very good last 7.7 sale.

[Egan101]

Ended up buying 7 x 1 quart of Amsoil CVT fluid as I really can't find any good references in the Internet about people using Mitasu aside from the Philippine/Asian market. The total price from Oil Shack (Lazada) was very very good last 7.7 sale.

I used Mitasu as suggested by FusionR a few years back. I guess the rest of the folks in SFX community also have the same experience as me.

Somehow, dumadami na rin gumagamit ng Amsoil CVTF. I might use that on my next CVTF change.


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[kevindd992002]

I used Mitasu as suggested by FusionR a few years back. I guess the rest of the folks in SFX community also have the same experience as me.

Somehow, dumadami na rin gumagamit ng Amsoil CVTF. I might use that on my next CVTF change.


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Mukhang sikat naman nga yung Mitasu dito. Both 2211 Works and FusionR told me that they never had problems with the brand. I just know that they just repack their CVTF and I'm not sure which OEM fluid they use.

On the same note, I also didn't find any negative reviews against Amsoil CVTF.

[ChrisDan]

Why do the third-party auto shops recommend only CVTF drain and refill for the for the first 40K Km while the casa suggests the full dialysis method? After the first drain and refill, when is the dialysis process done?

Hi. I just got my 2018 FXT and this is my first Subaru. I am excited to be part of this discussion. I was of the impression that Subaru does not recommend replacing the CVTF because they say it is maintenance free. So does the casa now change the CVTF if you ask it to be changed?

[Egan101]

Hi. I just got my 2018 FXT and this is my first Subaru. I am excited to be part of this discussion. I was of the impression that Subaru does not recommend replacing the CVTF because they say it is maintenance free. So does the casa now change the CVTF if you ask it to be changed?

Nope, it is not maintenance-free. Subaru requires replacing CVTF every 40k km. They can do it at the casa (dealership) but they will have to replace everything. That’s 13L via dialysis method. It would cost you around 18k.

If you go to the aftermarket shops that specialize in Subaru, they can do drain-and-refill method which needs around 6L.

By the way, the XT/WRX/Levorg/Outback/Legacy uses a different type of CVTF compared to the non-turbo Subaru (Forester/XV/Impreza).


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[ChrisDan]

Thank you, Sir. By the way, my odo is still at 30k, but the previous owner already had it serviced until the 50k pms. CVTF was not replaced at the 40k pms. Is it too early for me to have the CVTF replaced?

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[Egan101]

Thank you, Sir. By the way, my odo is still at 30k, but the previous owner already had it serviced until the 50k pms. CVTF was not replaced at the 40k pms. Is it too early for me to have the CVTF replaced?

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Subaru requires actual mileage so have the CVTF replaced at 40k km. You can bring it to FusionR and also include changing the gear oil (front and rear). I guess that would cost you around 10k for the CVTF and gear oil change.

Once a year na lang ako change oil with my XT. Di man ako umaabot ng 10k km in a year. Just make sure to use 5w30 FS oil (API SN, ILSAC GF5).The XT requires around 5.5L of FS oil. I use Amsoil FS oils, by the way.


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[ChrisDan]

Thank you for this info, Sir.

By the way, is there any disadvantage if I have the CVTF changed in full versus just the drain and refill, apart from the higher cost?

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[Egan101]

Thank you for this info, Sir.

By the way, is there any disadvantage if I have the CVTF changed in full versus just the drain and refill, apart from the higher cost?

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Wala naman reported difference. It still runs as spirited as it is.

Piece of advise - bring your XT on an open highway and stretch it legs once in a while. Rev it hard and let it loose.


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[ChrisDan]

I plan to do just that pag makauwi na ng Baguio. [emoji106]

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[Walter]

Thank you, Sir. By the way, my odo is still at 30k, but the previous owner already had it serviced until the 50k pms. CVTF was not replaced at the 40k pms. Is it too early for me to have the CVTF replaced? Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Previous owner hoodwinked you as s/he knows it will cost close to 40T to have CVT serviced at dealer ...

[travajante]

By the way, is there any disadvantage if I have the CVTF changed in full versus just the drain and refill, apart from the higher cost?

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Aim & key here are to extract the most of the old fluid out & get the correct amount of new in. Note that volume or level check must be done at factory-recommended fluid temperature range(varies w/ make & model).
What bothers the OCD in me w/ 'dialysis' equipments is the high likelihood of having some other type of fluid mixing w/ your new CVTF. This I won't do unless I'm sure the equipment is totally clean. CVTF & ATF SHOULD NOT MIX.
You can drain/fill multiple times w/ some driving in between. This method dilutes the old fluid w/ new. The more times the better.
The cooler/heat exchange line method, as done in the video, would be more ideal. More old out & new in w/ lesser contamination/dilution. To add, I'd probably drop the pan & change the filter/strainer every 2nd or 3rd fluid change intervals...for units applicable. Some trannies are sealed type.
Subaru CVT Transmission Fluid Change & Flush Procedure | 2015 Forester Replacement-Fill-Level Check - YouTube
Tedious, yes...but peace of mind of having something done right is priceless.[emoji4]

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[Wh1stl3r]

i'd only do the tranny fluid flush if I was sure the previous owner did regular fluid changes religiously. If in doubt I'd do a drain and fill with the pan dropped just to see how the fluid looks. If it's clean and not much dirt in the pan I'd do the flush next time. The passages in the valve body of these things are so tiny that flushing super old fluid which may have solidified particles in it might result in a blockage.

[travajante]

i'd only do the tranny fluid flush if I was sure the previous owner did regular fluid changes religiously. If in doubt I'd do a drain and fill with the pan dropped just to see how the fluid looks. If it's clean and not much dirt in the pan I'd do the flush next time. The passages in the valve body of these things are so tiny that flushing super old fluid which may have solidified particles in it might result in a blockage.

CVTs are best enjoyed new. If planned for longterm keeping, care & regular flushes are needed more than traditional ATs....If not, wish the next owner luck.[emoji849] When(not IF) CVT troubles pop, chances are high for tranny replacement.

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[Wh1stl3r]

CVTs are best enjoyed new. If planned for longterm keeping, care & regular flushes are needed more than traditional ATs....If not, wish the next owner luck.[emoji849] When(not IF) CVT troubles pop, chances are high for tranny replacement.

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Hope you get to like the advent of electrics then bro. Not much maintenance or parts that may break with those. But then there's the issue of battery degradation...

[travajante]

Hope you get to like the advent of electrics then bro. Not much maintenance or parts that may break with those. But then there's the issue of battery degradation...

Electrics are an easier proposition than the current messy platforms of complex modern electronics running, nannying & choking the ancient combustion engine. Efficiency at the expense of reliability. Then you have regulations dictating to clean the fossil fuels we burn? Hybrids, CVTs, DPFs....Messy, messy, messy.[emoji13]



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[babkalakal]

Electrics are an easier proposition than the current messy platforms of complex modern electronics running, nannying & choking the ancient combustion engine. Efficiency at the expense of reliability. Then you have regulations dictating to clean the fossil fuels we burn? Hybrids, CVTs, DPFs....Messy, messy, messy.[emoji13]



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reminds me for my disdain of electronic oil dipstick hehe.

[travajante]

reminds me for my disdain of electronic oil dipstick hehe.

Haha...manufacturers might as well make the engine bay inaccessible to owners.[emoji13]

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