Subaru Ascent CVT Transmission Service DIY

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Some info from the website for the people wondering if this fluid is applicable with the subaru high torque cvt: AMSOIL Synthetic CVT Fluid is recommended for belt- and chain-type continuously variable transmissions requiring the following: Subaru e-CVTF, i-CVTF, Lineartronic® CVTF, K0425Y0710, CV-30, “Certified CVTF-II (SOA427V1660), High Torque CVTF.

[@PianoTuningArtist]

Amsoil is certainly superior to OEM (1st.Choice), but “Valvoline” CVT fluid is also another viable alternative superior to OEM!

[@dyu18]

@BuiltForSpeed, is this fluid compatible for the 2016 Subaru outback 3.6r ?

[@SilverSerenity520]

Love the commentary man. I have a 2021 Ascent Limited. Just put 265/50R 20 on new 8.5" wide wheels with 40 offset. Now I want to upgrade the fluids for the rest of the drivetrain; CVT, differentials, etc. Put Penzoil Ultra Platinum 0-W40 in the engine for the warmer months. (People don't realize 0-W20 has an upper limit of 75° ambient. Part of the reason why Subaru owners report oil consumption issues.)

[@chasesantos4353]

0w30 probably won't be an issue but 0w40? Bearing clearances though? Keep us updated lol

[@BuiltForSpeed]

I usually dont recommend upgrading the hot temp weight unless your car is consuming oil because oil passages is designed for the weight recommended. You can probably run 5w20 instead of 0w20. I just say use the weight recommended just use high quality oil dont cheap out. Unless you have oil consumption issues then you can put thicker oil.

[@sgcole111]

Where did you learn that 0W20 has an upper limit of 75 degrees Farenheit? Have you considered the effect of impacting the variable valve timing with heavier oil? This is precise mechanism controlled by oil hydraulic pressure acting on cam phasers. I'm sure oil weight has a role to play in hydraulic pressure.

[@alisond.zipperer3312]

Is this a different style tire than what’s originally on the Ascent?? How big is that

[@georgestephenson356]

Nonsense. 0-20 handles normal operating ranges. Where did you find that 0-20 has 75F ambient? Sheesh - I have trucks with 6.2 L engines in had use that are spec'd 0-20.

[@somebody3398]

Changed the CVT fluid on my 2020 Subaru Forester and I ended using 6 quarts of CVT fluid, which was juuuuust enough. To air on the side of caution I would suggest 7 quarts, but if you are confident you are not going to spill too much fluid during the change then 6 quarts will do. This is without changing the filter and dropping the pan. Just a drain and a refill.

[@chrisryan8863]

Hi. Did you drain and fill once, or do it twice using 6 quarts? How did the Forester drive afterwards? Did it feel smoother or different in any way?

[@somebody3398]

@@chrisryan8863 I only did one drain and filled it back up with 6 quarts. My foresters had 90,000 km on it when I did the change and the fluid still looked good from what I saw. Was still that green colour and not too dark. I live in Alberta Canada and haven’t done much off-roading just lots of highway and city miles. Don’t really notice a difference in driving when I changed the CVT fluid, so I will push my next change to when I pass 200,000 km on the forester. Hope that helps.

[@JL-fly7]

@@somebody3398 Just curious what brand of oil did you go? Thanks.

[@somebody3398]

@@JL-fly7 Amsoil

[@PianoTuningArtist]

@@somebody3398 CVT transmission fluid temperature (not radiator coolant) needs to be about 100 degrees Fahrenheit (WHILE RUNNING) in order to achieve proper fill level… otherwise it will be off. Don’t rely on the amount that was drained … "trust but verify" as you don’t know what was done, or left undone.

[@Life2race]

Surprisingly if you look at the. Subaru book that came with car In fine print says change fluid at 27k or 3 yrs

[@katerynabosyuk3151]

Communicated it so well 👏🏻 good job

[@j.saavedra1502]

The work on the vehicle begins at 6:40

[@jrjzsdn]

Great video question. What is the torque spec for the pan

[@sgcole111]

Your car (and my '24 OB Wilderness) spec Subaru High Torque CVTF LV as I'm sure you know. My research uncovered only minor differences between Subaru High Torque CVTF and the -LV version. Interesting, prior to 2019, Subaru High Torque CVTF was factory fill for the TR690 CVT. Amsoil replaces this. Was wondering if you noticed any issues mixing -LV and Amsoil in your TR690 after several months. Please post follow up or reply here. Thank you for making this excellent vid.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

No issues at all works like a champ. And we drive it hard sometimes also.

[@kuriusly23]

The ascent is a heavy duty high torque variant needing the LV. Proceed at your own risk. The forums have people reporting dealers putting the wrong fluid into ascents and blowing up the trannys.

[@haac4825]

Thanks for the detail information. Changing to Amsoil.

[@nathanbrowning712]

Extremely helpful video. Thanks man!

[@cbijames7]

Ok great video bro, where r u located so I can bring my SUV to you 😂.

[@wanglee21]

I was on the forums and they said you're suppose to use only Subaru High Torque CVT-LV. I'm with you, I'm going to use Amsoil also. When I unbolted the fill plug there was about 2 quarts of CVT fluid that came out. Are you sure thats the fill plug? Total I probably lost over 5 quarts but after 3 new quarts the fluid was already coming out of the "fill hole." ??? something seems off

[@JayJay-gl2df]

It depends on what temperature you drained it at, did you do it when the transmission was cold or had you driven it and warmed it up when you remove the fill plug

[@PianoTuningArtist]

TEMPERATURE!!! 100F. +/- ...ALSO, car has to be running to set proper level. Remove drain plug first after warmup. Use a funnel & hose to fill from above, as the manual transfer pump is too much trouble & work!

[@JL-fly7]

I believe if you see those extra oil comes out from drain plug when you start vehicle as cold, that means the transmission was probably over-filled last time, but it's ok. Now, you just need to refill it when you see the trickling at 95F. BTW, how does Amsoil feel in your vehicle after changing?

[@mitchellsnellgrove5004]

@@PianoTuningArtist fill from above? How and where? There's only a fill plug on the transmission. Or are you referencing using the hoses on the warmer/cooler?

[@PianoTuningArtist]

@@mitchellsnellgrove5004 Ok... assumptions... "fill from above" using the very same "fill plug" as if filling from below. Route the tube from the funnel down and into the fill plug. You may want to add 3-4 qts. before starting, especially if ambient temps are high. Check level @100 F.

[@chrisryan8863]

I love Amsoil and use it in all my cars except ones that are under warranty and the manufacturer "requires" use of their ATF fluid. If the tranmission had an issue they will void the warranty if you don't use their fluid. "Mr. Subaru" on KZbin is a Subaru tech and he called Subaru of America and was told directly two things that I think are ridiculous: 1. The CVT transmission is a supposed "lifetime" service unit, meaning no fluid change is "required" and any draining or opening up the system at all voids warranty (I think this is crazy but that is apparently something to consider if the car is still warrantied), 2. If the transmission had to be serviced for a problem the tech has to use their fluid. Anyway, I am just sharing this so you and the channel followers are aware of this. I think the idea of "lifetime" fluid is nuts, but if my car was still warrantied I would be careful to drain it.

[@OffRoadRoos]

It's not lifetime, and I don't know why there are techs that think that. There's literally a service change interval in the Maintenance booklet, along with an "inspect" with possible change if the inspection warrants it.

[@Papparratzi]

Mr Subaru also mentioned Subarus contradicting warranty information. It also states that if used in towing, off-road or other demanding circumstances, it should be changed at something like 28,744 miles😅. Subaru has also updated to include more frequent CVT service. Mr Subaru added, without implying their suspicious motive, the reason they did this was they wanted untampered returns to their rebuilding and diagnostic facility. This allows them to have an unspoiled data baseline for diagnosing the cause of failure. Subarus CVT life expectancy is 100,000 miles. Legally according to the magnuson act, they can not prohibit aftermarket replacement parts. If there is a warranty issue and Subaru claims the aftermarket part caused the failure, they must prove it in court.

[@Papparratzi]

@@OffRoadRoosit’s the lifetime of the transmission.

[@OffRoadRoos]

@@Papparratzi most of us fit the severe duty stage.

[@alisond.zipperer3312]

How do I get the fluids for the Transmission changed. I want it serviced like this man did. The thought of lifetime fluid is ridiculous to me too. Where is he located?? Anyone know?

[@Marco-qe5zw]

hello! any chance we can get an update on how your cvt is doing after using the Amsoil cvt fluid after a year?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@Marco-qe5zw doing great. Car has almost 50k miles now.

[@ronbo64]

I have done a drain and refill 3x with Amsoil. Will consider a 4rth with trans filter.

[@sgcole111]

Vehicle model/year? Any issues?

[@ronbo64]

@@sgcole111 2019 Ascent, no issues, been about 1 year and 15k miles

[@Hillbillyshakespeare]

AMSOIL makes GREAT stuff, but here is where my problem is with this CVT fluid. Subaru has 4 different CVT fluids, all of which are proprietary to certain models/cvt, and they are not interchangeable with other models says Subaru. So I’m not exactly sure how AMSOIL has made a CVT fluid to cover all these different models/transmissions under one oil when Subaru hasn’t released their specs on the fluid. This is just my take on the matter, and I know there are people that’s reported back with good reports.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

No subaru only has one type of High torque fluid for the acsent, wrx with the 2.4 and other turbo engines.

[@Hillbillyshakespeare]

Exactly, but 4 cvt fluids in total between all the models and transmissions of Subaru. Regardless if you are putting the AMSOIL in a high torque or not, how is the oil good for a high torque cvt and a regular tr-580/690 when Subaru’s own high torque oil isn’t compatible with those transmissions?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@Hillbillyshakespeare my guess is that the high torque additive makes the fluid better and works with regular cvt just fine as well. Eventhough its not needed in regular cvt but im sure it makes the regular cvt also more reliable. High torque additive just makes the transmission not slip as much which will not hurt regular cvt

[@Hillbillyshakespeare]

@@BuiltForSpeed you’re the only one saying that though. Subaru says otherwise. Even with that statement it still doesn’t make sense because CVTF-2 & CVTF-3, which are non high torque oils, are not interchangeable per Subaru. I just don’t know how AMSOIL is making an oil, up to Subaru specifications supposedly, when Subaru has not released the specs for a clone to be made.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@Hillbillyshakespeare i don't know if you ever worked for dealerships. I have. I know how they operate and where they supply their fluid from. High torque fluid is literally regular cvt fluid with high torque additive

[@stefanosavoia9144]

I read somewhere that Subarus with 2.4 turbo have a different CVT and require a specific subaru CVT transmission fluid, other fluids would damage it. Is this fluid you’re using working out ok so far?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Works great. This fluid is compatible with subaru high torque transmissions.

[@stefanosavoia9144]

⁠@@BuiltForSpeedthanks for the info. I’m trying to figure out my 2020 Outback XT that has the same engine and transmission, but Subaru in US only sells 5 Gallon buckets for $500.. so they basically don’t want you to DIY, must take to Subaru Dealer…

[@neometalx9]

@@BuiltForSpeeddoes fluid color matters? I know from a friend that uses the OEM high torque fluid from subaru, the fluid is orange... the one from amsoil seems a bit greenish I think, similar to the one used for the TR580 transmission...

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@@neometalx9 no color does not matter. You only have to check if the fluid is compatible with subaru high torque cvt transmissions. Which this one is.

[@LuisVilladelaTorre]

About to purchase a 2024 ascent would it be the same procedure? Great Video

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Yes. I don't think they changed anything

[@andyM98648]

Great video. Do you have the torque values for the pan and filter screws? Thx

[@dojo626]

From the video description Torque Specs: Fill and Drain plug is 36ft lbs Transmission oil pan bolts torque spec 4.7ft lbs and tighten them in star pattern.

[@andyM98648]

@@dojo626 thank you. I didnt' see that section. awesome. thanks for pointing it out!!

[@georgestephenson356]

This seems like a partial CVT fluid change. The Ascent CVT holds around 13 qts, right? This guy did a PARTIAL change of fluid. To change completely you need to flush it with fluid, then refill it with pressurizing pump, or while running.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@georgestephenson356 to change it completely, you just do the process a couple of times.

[@m.a.omarkhail8294]

Hey @BuiltForSpeed the dealership told me that the Transmission should be 40 degrees Celsius. Is that true?

[@cfitzgduke]

Normal shavings for 30k new car. You should certainly flush the system to start with completely fresh fluid UNLESS you have an old car that is at 180k and never serviced. This is since the grit in the fluid is probably the only thing keeping the transmission running.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

I assume the dirt issue may be more applied to basic older style designed auto gear trans with the red fluid ..I have not heard any news about CVTs suddenly dying after a change but if the pan has never been dropped and magnets have never been cleaned with too much dirt in the pan after many miles , it could possibly do that ..

[@zhandosakkulov1966]

Hi mate! I am from Kazakhstan and I owned this car last year. I can't find original and Amsoil here in Kazakhstan. Could you please check the characteristics of Shell Spirax S5x? Is it compatible for Ascents?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@@zhandosakkulov1966 only ones compatible i know is valvoline cvt fluid and amsoil

[@sitwy]

is it ok to mix amsoil cvt to subaru cvt2? coz I don't think I am going to flush it

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Yes it's fine. But if you want to change it fully just fill it with new fluid shift through gears couple times drain it again and do fill procedure again.

[@yarglov6950]

Hi. Can you make a video comparing the two filters: 31728AA190 and 31728AA180. Will 180 fit Subaru Accent?

[@wagyu_killer]

no warranty if the seal is broken? How much of the cvt fluid came out? Only one drain and fill is enoug to mix the amsoil and the subaru oil?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

What seal?

[@wagyu_killer]

@@BuiltForSpeed dealer will know if the bolt is loosened and put it back in

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@wagyu_killer lol i worked in dealership and i will never ever take my car there unless for warranty work. And dealer can not void any warranty just because some other shop worked on the car.

[@JayJay-gl2df]

​@@wagyu_killerI would never take my car to a dealership, my friend used to work at Nissan and some of the stories he told me would shock you. I've been working on my own vehicles for 38 years, as the guy said use good quality stuff and the car will look after you. I have my last vehicle for 28 years, still with a perfect drivetrain and zero rust

[@chrisryan8863]

@@BuiltForSpeed Do you know if the dealer can void warranty if using fluid other than Subaru? I have an extended warranty on my powertrain but I really want to change over to Amsoil.

[@paulkuras18]

Where did you buy the bucket with the markings

[@GaryKari]

Not gonna change oil in cvt in Finland and I bet i'll sell the car before trans fail. 120km now.

[@Ryan-kk2rr]

How's she running since the change? I just hit 30k and was thinking of going with Amsoil based on your video.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@@Ryan-kk2rr been awesome at 50k now.

[@mitchellsnellgrove5004]

The transmissions are under a 100k warranty. No need to change until at 100k.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

The best CVT Fluid ever and AMSOIL makes only one formula .Every Nissan NS 1 2 3 can be replaced by this one Amsoil CVT Fluid and I assume all other makes as well that Amsoil CVT Fliud will be better than all of them in every car make and model in every country ....

[@alycorleto]

Good video but you did not show where you added the cvt fluid Very important.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

I did at 5:43. Its very important to watch the whole video without skipping to know all information

[@alisond.zipperer3312]

@@BuiltForSpeedwhere are you located? I need mine changed… please and thank you!! 863-662-1212 (Alison)

[@brandonchapman9144]

what scanner did you use in order to check the cvt oil temperature?

[@profuse007]

Temp of the pan fluid needs to be 90-100degF to check, just like Porsche auto and other brands

[@dyu18]

Is this fluid compatible for the subaru outback 3.6r ?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@dyu18 i believe so yes. You can verify on amsoil website

[@w00tplayaw00t]

Did you use a scan tool to check transmission temps?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

I believe so but you can use a temp gun also to see temp.

[@w00tplayaw00t]

Thank you!

[@GallAnon]

Did you do the AT learning?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Yes. I reset the adaptions.

[@mitchellsnellgrove5004]

How do you do that?

[@rayro481]

My 2021 Crosstrek 2.5 CVT requires CVTF-III, would the Amsoil CVT work/compatible with the CVTF-III fluid?

[@dm19609721]

Amsoil CVT says it is compatible with CVT-III

[@Life2race]

I have same car. Have u changed with amsoil yet

[@JeffWalker-hp4bk]

Did the transmission have any issues after changing with Amsoil

[@BuiltForSpeed]

No, I got over 10k miles on it since. I drive it like i stole it pedal to the metal a lot, and it handles like a champ.

[@haac4825]

Just Subscribed. Thankyou.

[@chrislebeast]

Been trying to find info on changing Cvt fluid on the 2022 wrx

[@BuiltForSpeed]

It's same as this one as far as i know.

[@chrislebeast]

@@BuiltForSpeed awesome thanks for the heads up, couldn’t find any info on the wrx cvt , it has the TR690 transmission

[@danielpacheco8650]

Hey man great video. Dealer try and charge me $400. Ill do myself

[@dn6514]

Is that why OEM parts last way longer than after market parts do? 🤔

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Some oem parts yes. When it comes to fluid their fluid is garbage.

[@ahu747]

5 litters = 5000ml, 5 quarts = 4730ml, that's more than ¼ liter of difference.

[@rgon541tube]

I believe he says it's almost 5L ....then 5 quarts....cuz it was under

[@GokuInstinct1]

Amsoil CVT causes transmission shudder. I would just use OEM.

[@514aam]

Not at all! Use amsoil on my 2014 forester turbo, 0 issues.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Lol. Amsoil fixes alot of issues that you may have using oem fluid. Oem fluid is average at best theres nothing great about oem fluid. I worked for dealerships for over 5years none of the technicians used oem fluid we all used high quality aftermarket fluid like amsoil.

[@GokuInstinct1]

@@BuiltForSpeed it caused transmission shudder in a friend’s Infiniti. They’re known to be bad transmissions and only work well with OEM. Amsoil Signature ATF on the other hand is doing good in my Lexus and I trust that fluid. CVT fluid from Amsoil isn’t good from my experience but maybe it just needed more drains. Only thing I know is it was fine before then started shuddering after draining. Dealer said to use OEM fluid for a flush and it worked fine after that.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@moises0369 ah i see where you are coming from. Infinity/nissan cvt transmissions are the worst in the business i have dealt with them. If theres is an issue with one of them changing the fluid won't really help its abit too late for that. And even when you put oem fluid it wont help. Usually when theres a small issue when you change fluid is washes out all the pores/dirt and makes it worse. You have to change transmission fluid regularly not when it's acting up already And theres alot that happens when you change the transmission fluid like making sure you set the correct level at the right temperature...

[@GokuInstinct1]

@@BuiltForSpeed It was at 70k miles so it needed it but fluid came out fine the mechanic said. Maybe mechanic error? Not sure but the SUV is fine now after the flush at the Infiniti dealer.

[@cassietoth]

Did the strainer come with a new o-ring?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

Yes

[@wayne387]

Once warranty runs out I’m going Amzoil

[@chrisryan8863]

Are you cautious to use Amsoil prior to warranty running out? I am, but I would like to change it now. I just don't know how it may impact the warranty if something happens ot the trans.

[@mitchellsnellgrove5004]

@@chrisryan8863 Magnuson Moss Warranty Act

[@MatthewZoog-ui9xp]

How long has that fluid lasted in ur ascent?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

What do you mean? The amsoil? Still going great. I will be changing amsoil cvt fluid every 30k in this car.

[@MatthewZoog-ui9xp]

So I’m a mobile mechanic and one of my customers is kinda freaking out about putting the amsoil in the ascent. So I was telling him I watched ur video and it work perfectly fine and he was wondering how long u have been running it in ur ascent. He posted on a forum and asked if he has to use the Subaru cvtf lv high torque or can he use something different and they told him he has to use the Subaru one but the don’t sell it any other way but 5 gallon buckets and they are 400 dollars a shot. No one has just 400 dollars laying around for fluid that no one is going to use. Okay well I’m going to show him this comment and see what he wants to do. Like I’m not pushing him into changing it I just want him to know he can use something else if he wants to. Thank u for taking the time out to reach out I appreciate it.

[@KidOaKTon]

@@MatthewZoog-ui9xp did you end up going with amsoil?

[@Thesportsguy215]

No I didn’t. It was for someone else Subaru I was doing a bunch of work on and they were scared to use it after I showed them this video and showed them that what a amsoil calls for is right on the label. They were talking to some people on the Subaru blog and they told him not to use anything but what the dealships use.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@Matthew-ky2kk some people need to overpay for the subaru fluid that much worse in quality in comparison to amsoil. It makes them feel better that it has subaru on the label.

[@ctgarysea7340]

Thanks!

[@bigdaddymak1439]

It's 5.5 quarts not 4 😁 not need to change the screen inside pan. 60k is fine unless you tow

[@albertpobre7101]

talk too much😁

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@@albertpobre7101 😂🤣😅

[@GregKerr301]

Servicing the cvt voids the warranty.

[@BuiltForSpeed]

No, it does not. I worked at the dealerships as long as you use compatible fluid. And also warranty is 5years or 60k miles. And usually you don't have any issues during that time. But if you don't service it, as soon as your warranty is up, you will have issues.

[@Hillbillyshakespeare]

Weird, because dealerships literally offer the service.

[@lukas______]

SOA states it is lifetime fluid. 100K warranty on CVT. By law you can't technically refuse warranty unless you have solid proof that changing the fluid causes damage tho

[@Redridininyohood]

​@@lukas______as a tech who works on german/japanese cars lifetime fluid is a scam and we all know it. Including us technicians. Stop drinking the lifetime koolaid

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

Not servicing with blow it up

[@hansgiger4183]

To much bullshit blah blah talking, nothing technicall information

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@@hansgiger4183 😂🤣😅

[@LARonPaul2012]

● You didnt ever once name the year of this Ascent ● You brag about how good the sealer is but you dont bother naminf it either What the hell is wrong with you?

[@BuiltForSpeed]

@LARonPaul2012 😂 sealer i did name. Victor reinz. And year of the ascent i also mentioned. You just skipped through the video