Subaru CVT Transmission and Dipstick
The Subaru CVT transmission does not have a dipstick for checking the fluid level. Instead, the fluid level check and adjustment require following a specific protocol, which uses methods that omit any dipstick fill/drain/check. This is also explained in the owner’s manual, and the procedure from the service manual involves specific fluid temperature and may require some maneuvers of the shifter through the gears, along with crawling under the vehicle. It’s important to note that it is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level, and the fluid inspection should be performed according to the maintenance schedule in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, consulting a Subaru dealer for details. Additionally, the lack of a dipstick for the CVT transmission is a common feature in many vehicles produced in the past decade, as checking the fluid level in these transmissions requires specific procedures.
In summary, Subaru CVT transmissions do not have a dipstick for checking the fluid level. The fluid level check and adjustment require following a specific protocol, and it is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level as per the maintenance schedule in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet [[3]].
Contents
- How do you check the transmission fluid on a Subaru CVT?
- How do I know if my Subaru CVT is bad?
- What if my transmission has no dipstick?
- What does a slipping CVT feel like?
- Can you add transmission fluid to a sealed transmission?
- Do Subaru CVT transmissions need to be flushed?
- How often should Subaru CVT transmission fluid be changed?
- When should I change my Subaru CVT transmission fluid?
- Does a CVT transmission have a dip stick?
- How do you check CVT transmission fluid?
How do you check the transmission fluid on a Subaru CVT?
Checking Your Transmission Fluid
- Turn your engine on for a few minutes before proceeding.
- Find the transmission fluid dipstick.
- Remove the dipstick and touch the fluid, moving it around between your thumb and forefinger.
- Use a rag to wipe off the dipstick.
- Use a funnel to bring the fluid level up to the right spot.
How do I know if my Subaru CVT is bad?
Here are some symptoms that may indicate a transmission problem in your Subaru:
- Delayed or rough gear shifting.
- Unusual noises, such as grinding, whining, or clunking.
- Slipping gears, where the engine revs but the car doesn’t accelerate accordingly.
- Leaking transmission fluid or a burning smell.
What if my transmission has no dipstick?
If your car has a sealed transmission, it contains a fill plug and inspection plug instead of a dipstick. The inspection plug in your vehicle is where all the excess fluid flows out of the transmission, while the fill plug is where you add transmission fluid.
What does a slipping CVT feel like?
Jerking while shifting or uneven shifting during acceleration could occur when you are shifting or accelerating in your car. Shifting should never jerk the vehicle, so if it is, these are symptoms of a bad CVT transmission.
Can you add transmission fluid to a sealed transmission?
To service a sealed transmission, you have to drain it, fill it through a fill plug, then remove a fill or check plug to see if fluid runs out, usually while the engine is running. If transmission fluid comes out slowly, then the transmission is full.
Do Subaru CVT transmissions need to be flushed?
Eventually, the CVT fluid will need to be flushed and replaced — but it can last up to 100,000 miles or more in some cases before it goes bad.
How often should Subaru CVT transmission fluid be changed?
once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles
Subaru CVT Transmission Fluid Service Special
Amongst all the different services your vehicle needs, some are needed more frequently than others. For instance, Transmission Fluid Services vary from make to model and driver to driver, but typically the range is once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
When should I change my Subaru CVT transmission fluid?
Subaru CVT Transmission Fluid Service Special
Amongst all the different services your vehicle needs, some are needed more frequently than others. For instance, Transmission Fluid Services vary from make to model and driver to driver, but typically the range is once every 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Does a CVT transmission have a dip stick?
Some CVTs have a dipstick, some have two plugs, while others have three plugs. If your CVT has plugs instead of a dipstick, you need to find the fill/level plug. On plug types, the fluid should be level to the bottom of the plug hole threads.
How do you check CVT transmission fluid?
It has a locking dipstick. So you unlock it and pull it out. Clean it off then reinsert it. Make sure it seats all the way. Down.