How To Change Transmission Fluid (CVT Oil) - 2017 Subaru Outback
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.พ. 2025
- How To Change Transmission Fluid (CVT Oil) on a 2017 Subaru Outback. 2015, 2016, 2017, 218 Subaru Outbacks should all be the same. In this video we show where the transmission drain plug is located, the oil that we are using, the pump to transfer the oil, the before and after difference in the engine sound, and how to finish off the transmission oil change (transmission flush). On Foresters the drain plug is at the bottom and new transmission oil can be filled from the top (underneath the hood).
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How about prefilling the trans before starting the engine preventing that pump cavitation. Then running it through the gears and rechecking it a couple times until it gets at least 100⁰
This is why you have to do everything yourself and not take it to the shop.
Exactly.
Lol
righty loosey, lefy tighty, right? Q: what is all that high end squealing noise, Earl. Good end result; sadly, he started out dry and improved by the end.
Thank you so much. Now I know exactly what not to do on my wife's outback.
Don't take this lightly, I'm serious! This "mechanic" has done the CVT fluid change incorrectly and will damage the transmission. It's not a matter of just draining and then refilling until the fluid overflows.
With the car engine running after an intial fill. the transmission needed to be "rowed" through the gears several times, then refilled. Start the engine and warm-up the CVT fluid to 95 to 113 degrees. At this point, the fill plug is removed again and the fluid allowed to run out of the fill hole until it is a small stream/ almost to a drip. Now replace the fill plug and torque correctly.
The guy in the video didn't refill the CVT after the initial fill (so the transmission will be under-filled!) He did not run the transmission through the gears and he paid no attention to the temperature that the fluid needed to be warmed up to.
These steps are important. A new transmission will cost about $9000. You don't want a bad mechanic ruining your transmission.
This is wrong!!!!!!!!
This is why I try to do my own work, even though I’m not confident in my abilities, I know I care at least! And any tutorial where you’re amazed that “it’s working” proves you are in over your head 😭
In principle you might be right but IF you worked on enough of these heaps you would still be pleasantly surprised if the thing worked the way it should. Engineering is horrible. Ever change the oil on a BMW only to have the engine blow up ? Research that and get back to me.
For anyone actually doing this... the Factory service manual has a couple basic steps:
0) remove fill bolt so you know that you can
1) drain the transmission via the drain bolt
2) use new washer and insert drain bolt
3) pump in new fluid until it drains out
4) now start the engine....
5) shift into park, reverse, neutral, and drive allowing 2 seconds between each gear change then back to park one at a time with the same 2 seconds
6) Keep engine running & pump in oil until it comes out
7) transmission fluid temp should be between 95F and 113F when the fluid level is checked (this can be checked with subaru select monitor v4 or some other OBDII device).
Not sure about all those air bubbles in the fluid. I'd be tempted to let this car rest for like 6hr and then try again.
Yea that trans is probably smoked
Living in commiefornia valley, 95F to 113F is no problem in the summertime.
Please whoever is watching this dont do absolutely anything this guy done. It is completely wrong in every way possible
Ha, climbed under the wifes impreza, pulled the oil drain plug to change the oil, and it was the transmission plug!!! Similar to my jag change having to heat up the oil till it stops spilling. It was hot, I'm old, and well, at least we got that changed now. lol
This guy has no clue what he's doing. Do NOT follow the procedure in this video.
I didnt want to seem rude but there were so many things that seemed wrong while watching this video. The biggest red flag was when he got all excited when the noise went away like he was surprised. Im a big fan of doing my own maintenance and servicing, but id sooner just take this to a Subaru dealership. And i'd definitely feel a lot more comfortable doing that than taking it to this quack.
For those of you that found this link as the top hit from google as the suggested method for CVT fluid replacement of your Subaru, please find the Subaru documentation. This is scary :'( The sound that poor CVT was making as he abused it :( 'Car Hunters' - Yep, you killed this one!
Car now has 30k more miles on it and has zero issues
@@DIYCarHunters Luck!
I don't know man, I accidentally drained the cvt doing an oil change. (I cant believe I did this, had alot going on at the time, a very stupid simple mistake I know) turned the car on with zero cvt fluid. Heard the whirling noise. Refilled.cycled.refilled and zero issues. Had all kinds of codes at first but nothing now
@@DIYCarHunters I am glad to hear that! :) I do wonder if you've changed your practice on this maintenance item for other customers though!
@@antonioschiano8929 The OP just said it is working fine and made no comment to admit their mistake at all.
I figure they read enough comments to realize they did that wrong, but it's sad they couldn't acknowledge the mistake publicly and rather they tried to justify themselves and say it still works.
A Subaru dealer will charge over $400 to do the drain and fill. I always thought that as the new fluid was being put in to a nearly full level that it was a good idea to shift through the gears a few times to distribute the fluid so it could be topped off correctly. Which Earl could have done the shifting. Also, I thought that after a short drive that it was wise to check the fluid level again to see if is really topped off.
I can’t hold back. This was horrible.
“Have any lights on the dash or anything” 😂😂😂
I can't wait for part 2 of this video where the customer takes them to court.
Let the owner know what he did to the car he just damage the transmission file a lawsuit against this workshop
😆😆🥶🥵👀
That noise that the car makes when you started it, not the squeaking belt, but the whine that kind of sounds like a dremmel, what is making that noise? My car makes the same noise right now and I'd love to fix it!
4:00 I still don’t understand what needs to be done when the pump in the transmission screams - Wee-wee-wee.😂😂😂 Despite this, I liked the dude because he advised me to clarify how much oil to fill in the dealership.
Why was he running it with no fluid?
This jerk has damaged the CVT box running without liquid. It is absolutely absurd and negligent.
You all missed the point of this video:
1.Star the engine and let the cvt get to operating temperature completed dry.
2. Fill it up very slowly...
3. Drive the vehicle as a test drive to the nearest junkyard.
The end
Should you remove the old oil first before adding the new oil transmission?
He did say the transmission cooler had broken, so it probably puked out all of the oil.
You are supposed to have the CVT oil at a certain temperature when topping up the CVT oil. Otherwise it will not be at the proper level.
My guess is that the fluid expands when it heats up. After filling it and driving it a bit, I think removing the fill plug would allow the excess fluid to drain. Of course, you'd need a lift ensure it was level. Starting up a CVT with no oil in it like this guy did seems rather stupid. Why he did that, I don't know.
it's got air in the system now if you ran it with no fluid. to fix that you now have to do a full service and possible even replace the torque converter as that uses a wet seal. with no fluid on it it cracks and breaks causing power loss and clutch slippage. there is a reason why they removed the transmission dip stick and went to this design. you're supposed to empty it with the vehicle off, fill it up till it flows over, close it, run through each gear for 30 seconds to a minute, then repeat the process 3-4 times, making sure to NEVER run the vehicle with no fluid. the introduction of air to the system is the death blow, that vehicle is as good as totaled.
Im really glad I read the comments here. On my '17 outback I drained the CVT fluid on accident today. All I did after was back it off my roll on ramps and then let it idle for maybe 30 seconds after before I realized my mistake. Im getting it towed to the dealership tomorrow but do you all think that I caused any damage to the tranny? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
@@DAC936 no actual damage, I think the issue will most likely be seen in the torque converter and the hydraulics, the machines are pretty robust.
I drained my gf's tranny oil instead of motor oil because I couldn't fit under her Impreza, then took it to work and back about 12 miles total. I'm about to refill the fluids but uh... Did I just fk her transmission?
Im really glad I read the comments here. On my '17 outback I drained the CVT fluid on accident today. All I did after was back it off my roll on ramps and then let it idle for maybe 30 seconds after before I realized my mistake. Im getting it towed to the dealership tomorrow but do you all think that I caused any damage to the tranny? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
did you double fill the oil
No
He started with out oil
No damage
You dont need to change CVT fluids it last lifetime of vehicle I talked to a Subaru manufacture about it.
Can i refill transmission fluid through transmisiin sensor fluid ? ?,because i cant open transmission fiuld bold
This is the most insane thing I've ever seen. A 2016 Outback does NOT have a transmission fluid dipstick, which is just an abomination.
Yet another reason why older cars are better imo, you can actually work on them
What colour should the cvt fluid be?
"trying to pump oil to all the gears and stuff"
this dude is crazy!!!!!!!!!! you don't start the engine with no cvt fluid in the tranny! people please ignore this video!
DO NOT DO THIS unless you want to replace your CVT the next day.
Cars has now over 30k and transmission works great
Yeap!
@@DIYCarHunters Why are you just justifying that it is still running instead of just admitting a mistake?
Do you prefill before running engines now? Or did you learn nothing?
dude you are right !!!!!!
ive been doing my own maintenance for the last 30 years, and im no expert at all, but there's no way fireing it up dry is a good idea, then adding the fluid. at the very least, id fill it up, then let it ooze out if needed so everything is lubricated, then top it up. better safe than sorry.
What about using other brand of fluid like Motul instead of Subaru fluid?.
What will happen?.
Should be ok as long as it meets the standards. There are some aftermarket options that like Eneos that make a specific Subaru CVT fluid. Eneos Import CVT Model S is specifically for Subaru transmission that require Subaru CVTF-II. Its the same green color as well.
I wouldn't let this guy put air in my tires. Don't do anything you see in this video.
was this made on april 01???
you will never work on my cars. you have no clue what you are doing
Oh my god! that poor transmission sounds like a Ford power steering pump lol
And he keeps his white hat clean!
Would love to see a reaction video from @Mrsubaru1387
did he just start the cvt without any oil in it?????????
The actual method is drain the CVT fluid. Put in 80% of what you took out, so about 4 quarts, then let the CVT get up to 110F on a scan tool. Open the fill plug check if there’s fluid spilling out if there’s no fluid spilling out then top up the fluid tills it starts spilling out then you know you’re at full.
The guy in the video is running the transmission with low fluid, which is in turn have metal on metal wear occurring damaging the transmission. This is completely the wrong way to do this job
does the subaru transmission have a filter??
Yeah it does, strainer. Gotta pull the whole pan off to change that
also a filter buried inside the transmission, not serviceable
In Sweden we dont Have ”cvt oil change ” in our service 😩 cant understand why
USA says no change either unless towing. Most enthusiast change any way. Subaru only needs it to go up to 100k to cover the factory extended warranty. No one knows what "Lifetime" really is anyway.
what about with filter ? and pan ?
I'm not sure about subaru, but some newer cars don't have a serviceable filter like you're thinking.
I can't tell if this is a joke. My pucker factor was high listening to that cvt squeal😬
You should've added some fluid before starting, and had that ready to pump in as soon as the engine started. That noise you heard is the hydraulic pump running dry and destroying itself. Not the best tutorial that's for sure.
Wow you shouldn’t run a transmission dry. First you run it in all gears after adding fluid. Second you are to run the vehicle up to the specified temperature for the transmission then open the fill hole. You then let it run and if no fluid comes out you add some. If some comes out you put the fill plug back in just when it sort of drips out. I’m sure this tranny is going to fail soon lol
More details explait cap location
I used to love all my ICE cars. Shame on all these ICE car manufacturers switching to bottom fill from top fill tranny's to keep dealerships soaking people for $$. My next car is a Full EV my current car is a PHEV where I need only one oil change a year and the Transmission fluid was easier than this Subie.
My girl has an Impreza and as a man who's only ever dealt with classics and my mothers Kia, I want to die
I hope not all mechanics work like you, this looks horrible. You should never run it without fluid......................................Just because it's working now doesn't mean you didn't cause permanent damage that would shorten the car's life span.
Bet he doesn’t understand the internals of a cvt. He must be thinking there’s gears inside.
Drop your engine oil and drive to parts store to get oil while your at it
OMG…. I own a subaru shop, you guys need to stop lol…. Seriously. just stop.
Dear lord man, fluid in before you start the car 😮😂
The sounds this engine and transmission were making did NOT sound good. Oh, he ran it without oil... wow.
It sounded TERRIBLE
This is a video of how to destroy a transmission. You shouldn’t start it up empty
I'm no mechanic but please refrain from following any suggestions from this video. You will kill your cvt transmission. ⚠️🚫
Feel sorry for the owner of this car. There is a catastrophic tranny falure in your future if if has not happened already. This guy is a hack.
I don't think it's good idea to start the engine when there is no fluid in transmission... I mean yea it's filled out at the end, but lifetime of this transmission after such manipulation decreased maybe x2-3 times (lots of metal dust will appear after such running, which will be like liquid sandpaper when car will driven + I didn't see he reset transmission computer's settings which is important when changing transmission fluid and many others)...
I would recommend to pay more money for qulified service, because transmission for Subaru Outback 2017 is about $6k, the proper service $200-400 (once per 40-60k miles)
I would not let this guy touch my car and I would never buy a car from him
This isn't a fluid change, but a fluid top off.
Goddamn listening to the guy talk makes my brain hurt.
Well I don’t think he is a shop, didn’t want to pay a grand from a Subaru dealer so he took a chance. 😂
My opinion.. CVT are not great. Subaru should have kept the 4EAT.
Is this a joke?
This info is WRONG. DO NOT FOLLOW THIS VIDEO!
Please read the subaru guide of maintence before DIY. This is mot the way. 1- youu mast to drain, 2- then tur on the engine, 3- move P-N-R-D and then D-R-N-P 4- with the engine in IDLE and theboil between 35C45C refill with oil (may be 1 quart.
I though the plug was where to change the oil.... And i let some out. Probably less than a quart. Am i screwed?
th-cam.com/video/H5xbnpTYk0s/w-d-xo.html
He destroyed the transmission. Need a new transmission and a new qualified licensed technician who’s knows what they are doing.
Foaming is aeration in the fluid and is not a good thing at all
...I think I threw up in my mouth a little bit...
the pain....
let me know what the name of your shop is so I can make sure not to go there
This is a joke!
Would never want this guy to work on my car....can't believe he started car without transmission fluid....terrible
Earl/Jeeves, no difference, lol
wow. no thanks
to add to this you guys should talk to Subaru manufacturer before doing anything CVT transmission fluid is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle it dont need changing or flushing I talked to the Subaru manufacture about CVT means it lasts a lifetime don't change it. Also helps to read the owners manual. Save time and money.
Just to keep your face it would be wise to delete this movie and re do it properly after some education.
What the fuck… 🤣
This is so fuckin wrong!!!