Brisvegas

My 2019 Legacy is at 184,200 miles on original fluid. My driving is 95% freeway

I am no CVT transmission expert, but in my opinion if your 95% freeway estimation is accurate, then you probably have a lot less to worry about than those owners who do 95% "stop start" driving. Heat is apparently the big enemy of all transmissions, and from what I have read, "stop start" driving creates a lot more heat than freeway driving. I think the jury is still out as to whether changing your fluid at 184,000 miles would be harmful ... so considering your stated driving habits, I think I'd probably pass on the fluid change just to be on the side of caution.

I'm in a different case to you ... whilst I don't rack up a lot of miles annually, my driving percentages are probably only 25% freeway, so I will be changing my CVT fluid at 60,000 miles (or in my case 100,000 kms)

It’s an earthing point where those wires are bonded together & connected to the body at that bolt. There are probably a number of earthing points like this throughout the vehicle, another one like that is on the inner guard behind the 12V battery.

 

The white/cream/brown paste on the connection protects the wires from moisture (direct or in the air) that can cause galvanic corrosion & moisture wicking along the wires under the insulation. The short bit of bare wire shouldn't be a concern, but it would be a good idea to make sure it has some coating still on it. If it doesn’t just put a bit of protection on the wire – something like Lanoline grease or Dielectric grease would be fine.

Hi mate, we are both familiar with this aren't we ... we discussed this privately several months ago when I had a query concerning the very same component on my vehicle. The advice you gave me at that time was 100% correct, and your diagnosis was confirmed by my well informed mechanic when I went for a subsequent service at the dealer. At the time the brown paste had me worried because it looked a lot like corrosion ... but as you suggested at the time, it was apparently only the strange coloured anti corrosion application that Subaru applied at the factory. My mechanic added an extra application for added protection (and for my peace of mind.)

Just like the stupid news..."Is this common household thing killing your children!? Tune in at 7 to find out!!!" I'm not sure you know what the word 'context' means.Also, your link is broken...

How about calming down mate. I think there is more to worry about in the world at the moment than this. I apologised for posting without what you called "a lack of context." As I said, I thought the clip was self explanatory. Perhaps I should have initially added " Here is an interesting clip on a simple repair or replacement of a PCV valve without taking it to the dealer" ... but at the time I didn't, so you can either accept my honest misjudgement, or continue to berate me ... it's your decision.

P.S. I just clicked on the initial link and it is working fine,

about:blank context helps when you post a random link...

I'm sorry, I just figured the title was self explanatory, but if not, then I hope this helps ..

Context .... this is about Subaru PCV valves

Ok,

 

As of recent every single Outback driver I have encountered has been a real Asshole. .

I have "a bit of an answer" to your "bit of a question: ........

RIDICULOUS

The quiescent voltage for a fully-charged (i.e. state of charge = 100%) flooded-cell automotive battery is 12.6 volts./QUOTE]

 

Correct !!

 

https://www.autobatteries.com/en-us/battery-testing-and-maintenance/car-battery-voltage-and-testing

I haven't considered changing the CVT fluid, it seems like a good idea as I'd like to keep the car for another 100K miles. I'd like to hear others' thoughts.

I'm sure you will be re-directed to previous threads where there has been numerous posts by the various "believers" and "non believers" on CVT fluid replacement.

I happen to be "a believer," because like you, I intend keeping my car for well over another 100k miles, and to me it defies logic that changing CVT fluid would not help me achieve that aim.

Just briefly, let me say that I have searched pretty extensively on the subject, and I have yet to find a "qualified professional transmission expert" who believes that there is such a thing as "lifetime" tranny fluid.

It might well be "lifetime" for the period of the warranty, or even for some period passed the warranty ... but for those like you and me who intend keeping their vehicles for 200K-300K miles, to me it is a no brainer.

I think "lifetime fluid" is a marketing ploy by manufacturers which has a twofold aim ...

(1) It can allow them (via the dealers) to claim their vehicles have lower maintenance service costs, which is important to some prospective buyers.

(2) It stops owners from "messing" with the transmissions and perhaps making warranty claims if something goes wrong.

the car gets very little use, and although I was going to sell it and get a new one or something else, I have decided to keep it. The car has been maintained really well, I know what I have, and it's paid off, so no good reason to get rid of it.

 

Should I just leave it as stock? I am older an not looking to supe it up but I am thinking about upgrading the suspension for a better ride.

 

I also need to change the CVT oil, even though the dealer still suggests that I do not do it.

Hi TEH, I kinda felt I was looking in the mirror when I read your post because so much of it applied to me . I am very happy with my stock 2016 3.6R, but I find myself at times "lusting" after a new BRZ ( I think they look great) ... but then I repeat the exact same words that you used in your post " The car has been maintained really well, I know what I have, and it's paid off, so no good reason to get rid of it." I am also "older," so mine is, and will remain, stock, but I have always have just one reservation about the car, and that is a small complaint about the ride qualities, and that is due mainly to my thoughts that the seats are not overly comfortable. I have remedied that to some extent by adding a good quality lambswool seat cover, and by also lining it with extra memory foam on the base, which has helped a lot. My next move will be to change the noisy OEM Dunlop Sport tyres for Michelin Primacy 4's and that will be it.

I also agree 100% with your thoughts on changing the CVT fluid, and I have endured the same "discouragement mantra" from the dealer (with the exception of one particular "younger" service writer who has encouraged me to do it at between approx 60-100,000 miles)

Because this is not purely 6th Gen specific, our hard working moderator might move it (that's OK) ... I just think the general information in the video has some relevance to all us Subaru owners who currently might feel the dealership is their only option for repairs.

As the weather is getting colder outside, I have noticed my exhaust in my side mirrors more than usual or seemingly more than the cars around me.... I haven't noticed the car overheating at all... But, last week I did get a low oil level warning light.. It was the first time I had that light come on, I'm about 1,500 miles past due for an oil change... I added about 3/4 quart to bring it back up to the full mark... I also remember adding a 1/2 quart about 2 months ago... I haven't checked my coolant level... A bit of recent work history... 4 months ago, passenger balljoint was replaced along with sway bar and end link bushings.. 3 days after that repair, car was mis-firing horribly with no check engine or codes.. Took it back and they had thought it was an exhaust valve issue and ended up replacing all 6 coils again.. This would be the 3rd time the coils have been replaced. I dunno after my 4th gen blew up I get worried when I see clouds of exhaust in my mirrors... Any thoughts?

My thoughts ....

Don't look in your side mirrors

Change the oil when it is due

Check your coolant level occasionally

Buy some shares in a coil manufacturer

The only other thing I would check is the head gasket assuming it’s a four cylinder. Good luck!

I am a little intrigued as to why you mentioned "head gasket" in relation to the OP's 2015 Legacy. According to what I have read, there is no inherent weakness in that model year, or in any Subaru model upward from then.

I think "head gasket problems" were pretty much only restricted to certain year models, and that was over a decade ago.

Mate, I was wondering if the Subaru SA718 Fuel Additive has been added to a full tank of fuel in your Liberty at every 6mth service. While it doesn’t say this on the bottle, I believe it is designed to help keep the injectors clean.

I have no doubt that it was added .... it was invoiced as being done, and specifically mentioned by the service writer.

Had this accident with fully functioning eyesight about a year ago..

Bloody Hell .... that kinda shoots down my point about EyeSight saving the day.

I'd really appreciate some more info on the actual collision details, in an attempt to work out why EyeSight didn't save you. For example, if someone smashed into you, rather than you colliding with the other person.

2017 legacy premium. Dealership said everything checked out. No codes. Latest updates already done. No lights on dash. Something is not quite right but....who knows. It's not a bad shaking maybe better description would be a slight vibration. Idle is not smoothe as in I can feel it. Purchased certified used 34,000 miles one owner... so I'm going keep on driving.

Thanks.

 

Sounds very similar to a problem I had ... and at almost the same mileage.

 

My idle was not quite as smooth as it was previously. I mentioned it to the dealership when they were performing a regulation service, and the dealer rang me and said they found no obvious faults or codes, but said they did notice some slight discolouration on one of the plugs, and so they suggested that might mean one of the injectors might be dirty and they suggested an injector clean. I actually got a little annoyed with the service writer and virtually told him that I didn't appreciate them trying to "upsell me" an unwanted service. To his credit he remained calm and said "If you don't want to do that is OK, it was only a suggestion." When the next service was due (and the slight rough idle was still noticable to me) I had a good talk with the same service writer, and I said I'd give the injector cleaning a try. They did it, and the idle is now smooth.

Despite the rocky start to my relationship with the service writer, he has now become a trusted person, and he tells me a lot of stuff that is not taken out of the "standard Subaru Dealer playbook" ... and I will continue with that dealership as long as that guy remains there.

I was getting on the highway and the guy in front of me was going into the on ramp and I turned to look left for oncoming cars and saw I had a window so I started going and turned my head back just in time to see the guy in front of me who was going on the on ramp had stopped and I rear ended him. I'm definitely gonna need a new grill, maybe bumper, maybe hood. Drove to work and after work I got in the car, turned it on and the check engine light came on. Today hasn't been my best day.

Does your vehicle have "EyeSight"?? ... if so, I'm surprised it didn't prevent the impact.

Biggest mistake I did was sell my 2008 3.0R about ten years back. Thankfully I got it back a few months later for a reduced price as the dealer could not sell it and it was about to go to auction.

Unusual story there. I'd be interested in hearing more about how that came about, and also how long you kept it in it's "second life."

Unfortunately this forum is all about what wheels someone put on.... even people hardly can change their own oil. If somebody offers some help they try to put him down with unnecessary comments.

I don't want to start a "flame war" with you ... (and I have found some of your posts interesting) ... but can I respectfully say that if you are being honest, then you might have to agree that you have been on several occasions, the one who has made "unnecessary comments." This forum is for anyone who is interested in 6th Gen Legacy's ... it doesn't matter if you are a hardcore DIY-er or not ( but I would dare to suggest that there are many members who change their own oil ... so your comment that " people hardly can change their own oil " is pretty ridiculous) ... but that is not my point. My point is that people come onto this forum for answers on many subjects, not to be subject to even the slightest abuse or jokes ... so I would humbly suggest that you continue contributing interesting posts, but try a bit harder to be less confrontational.

2015 Legacy Limited, 2.5 Ironically, only when it is extremely hot it out and most necessary the AC goes intermittent. It will run for a few minutes then blow warm air, then cold again. It does this many times, but I've noticed on longer trips it eventually just runs consistently after 20 minutes or so.

It sounds like that with the help of ammcinnis and others you have the problem covered ... but coincidentally I just watched the following Youtube clip ...

My Dealers is only charging me $399.95 to do the 60k. They were saying they also sometimes do a fuel injection cleaning $189. But I think I will do that at 72k when they replace the fuel filter.. What do you guys think?

I do agree with ammcinnis' reply above ... but I will tell you of my very recent experience. And let me say firstly, that I have learn't to trust 100% the service writer at the dealership that I use.

At my 54 month service ( which was the first time I met this new service writer) I told him that I felt there was an ever so slight "stumble" when idling.

This "stumble" was so slight, that I wasn't totally sure that it could be diagnosed by anyone other than me, being the regular driver. (no trouble codes were showing on my diagnostic tool).

While I was waiting for the service to be completed, the service writer informed me that the technician working on the car had removed the spark plugs and found that one of them was a little discoloured, and that he (the technician) suggested that a fuel injector service was recommended. He said the car was completely normal apart from that.

I got a bit annoyed, and actually said that I felt this was a case of dealership "upselling." To his great credit, the service writer listened quietly to my "annoyance" and then proceeded to talk me through the suggested procedure, and that it was just a suggestion to try and find the supposed "stumble" that I reported.

Bottom line was that I still didn't get the fuel injector service, but at least I came away with a new respect for the honesty of the service writer (who also at the time also discussed CVT information that was not out of the "normal dealership playbook." )

6 months later at my next regular service (60 month) I still thought I felt the mystery stumble, so with the confidence previously established with the service writer, I agreed to get the injector cleaning ... and the fuel filter changed (which was a normal procedure on this particular 125,000 km service).

The result was that I believe the "stumble" has gone.

Again can I say that I agree with ammcinnis' comments, ... and so perhaps in my case, even though I buy "higher quality" fuel ... there is still always a chance that there could have been a "dirt" problem with one fill up.

I realise this may not be relevant to your individual situation.

Sir, I respect your input. Maybe manicure pedicure or cooking is more up your ally Sir.

aki, Your posts are interesting .... but with great respect, I'm not sure that the above particular comment is deserved.

P.S. just to show that we are not all perfect ... I think you meant "alley"

- suggestions were to replace battery - replaced it with 850 cca group 65 (with small fabrications) - that did not fix it ...

- red some TSBs about this situation where Subaru was replacing alternators on foresters, so I decided to replace my alternator.

- replaced the alternator and no more shaking, engine is nice and smooth. The ultra gauge reads 14.25-14.33 V all the time. I never see voltage in 12V ranges.

For what it is worth .. Fully charged automotive batteries should measure at 12.6 volts or above.

When the engine is running, this measurement should be 13.7 to 14.7 volts.

If you don’t have a multimeter to tell you the voltage of your battery, you can do a test of your electrical system by starting the car and turning on the headlights. If they are dim, that indicates the lights are running off the battery and that little or no charge is being produced by the alternator. If the lights get brighter as you rev the engine, it means the alternator is producing some current, but may not be producing enough at idle to keep the battery properly charged. If the lights have normal brightness and don’t change intensity as the engine is revved, your charging system is probably functioning normally

I have a 15’ Legacy 3.6r. Is the 60k mile service worth the cost or is it a waste of money? The dealer here wants over $900 to do it.QUOTE]

 

I respect those forum members who have the facilities and the know-how to perform their own servicing ... but not everyone has that luxury. I also understand the natural reluctance to go to a dealer for servicing because of the poor reputation of the so called "stealerships."

 

My suggestion to you if you are not in a position to do the work yourself, and you can't find a proven reputable local private Subaru workshop, is to try not to stress about going to a dealer for recommended servicing.

 

BUT I WOULD ADD THIS CAVEAT .. not all dealers are created equal ... in my humble opinion some are better than others.

 

I am fortunate that my local dealer is one of the better ones. During the first year or so of vehicle ownership, I was like you, and I questioned the pricing and the necessity of some of the listed procedures, and I did not have the same confidence that I had with my previously used local mechanic. Then all that changed after one particular service visit. On this occasion there was a different service writer, and he was younger than the others that I had previously encountered, and he changed my perspective on the whole "'dealership experience." This new guy spoke to me as a fellow car owner, not like a prospective revenue source, and he would say things like, " If it was my car I would get this done for sure, but I wouldn't really worry too much about those other things." (I had some great conversations about "lifetime CVT transmission fluid" where he didn't just rattle off the usual Subaru mantra, but offered a different perspective.)

 

My dealership gives me the choice of choosing this particular service writer every time, and they also try and make sure that the same technician works on my car because he then knows the history of the car.

 

So long story short ... ask around, look at reviews, and when you are at your local dealership, talk to them and see if you are comfortable with their attitude and answers, then you can make up your mind as to whether you think it is worth passing over your hard earned coin to keep your big financial investment on the road