v8volvo Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Tried searching for this but couldn't come up with something that answered the question. We just picked up a really nice 2006 Outback 2.5i with the 4EAT trans. It has about 75k miles, almost all highway commuting, and was maintained to some degree but definitely not "by the book" (just a pile of Jiffy Lube records in the glovebox). We got it for a great price so I figured I would just do all the work to bring the maintenance up to date myself. Only thing I cannot decide about is the trans fluid. Maintenance chart doesn't ever seem to suggest changing it. However, having owned another car (VW Passat) that has a "lifetime sealed" transmission with no recommendation to change the fluid, I'm skeptical... the VWs and Audis with those autoboxes really DO need the fluid changed and last longer if you do. Is the same true of the Sube? What's the common wisdom on here for when the trans should be flushed, if ever? Is a fluid and filter change a DIY-possible job on the Subaru or do you need special tools etc to fill and check it, as was the case on the Passat? Recommendations for fluids? This is my first time dealing with a Subaru automatic, our old '97 Outback is a stick. Thanks in advance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 The wisdom is a flush or at least a drain is never a bad idea. I would definitely do it on a used car but you're the best to judge that based on color of the ATF, smell, etc. The consensus here is that we change the ATF, especially those of us that get "the most" out of our cars/trannies. Modded ones, the number you'll see thrown around here is people doing a drain every 15-20K miles. I would stick with OEM ATF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8volvo Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Thanks for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTTuner Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 A drain and refill with the proper fluid is what most car makers recomend at 60K. The pan has a drain plug, and the filter is located in the LF fender behind the battery. It's a screw-on cartridge type just like your engine oil filter. Remove the battery to get at it. Get the filter from a dealer, Purolator makes one but no stores stock them. Make sure you fill/prime the filter before putting it on. You will need four quarts of ATF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8volvo Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 Thanks for the info. I talked to the local independent Subie shop, Smart Service (Seattle, very good shop), and they recommended a drain-and-refill every 15k. Sound excessive? They also said the filter on these is "lifetime" and doesn't get changed. Any thoughts on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishbone Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 It's true about the filter, although some of us opted to have it replaced at 30k anyways. Figured it can't hurt to remove some particles accumulated during break-in. 15K is a bit often for a 2.5i imho. Do it at around 20K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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