Yes, my dealer said essentially the same thing ... CVT is "lifetime", but they recommend differential fluid change around 90K miles.

Interestingly I asked about brake fluid, and the service rep claimed that manufacturers are using a different type of fluid these days. This was an older gentleman, and he felt that is why just about all car manufacturers (not just Subaru) recommend changing brake fluid every 3 years now. Said it's not the same that used to be used decades ago. 1st I've ever heard that. Anyway I bought a quart of Subaru's HP Gear Oil and will change the rear differential fluid on my '21 Forester at 30K miles ... cause it's something I can DIY. Depending on how that old fluid looks, I may or may not have the dealer "check" the CVT and front diff fluid per the recommended maintenance schedule. I did pay the $$ and download the instructions for changing the CVT & F/R differential's fluid from Subaru's technical information system. Even with those "official" how to instructions, it doesn't appear to be an easy job.

 

"Lifetime" is BS. Get the CVT done every 60K and you can't go wrong. In all the countries in which Subaru does business the US is the only one where they do this "inspect" stuff instead of a set time/mileage interval for the CVT.

The diffs aren't too terribly hard to do. The CVT is best left to a dealer or a indie Subaru specialist.

 

So much misinformation, including from Subaru themselves.

Their maintenance schedule is absurd - it says to never to change the differential gear oil but to replace the fuel filter buried inside the gas tank every 72,000 miles. This makes no sense.

I'd keep looking for shop which can do the CVT.

 

Every time I get an oil change at the dealer I ask about the transmission fluid and have always been told "it is a sealed system, lifetime fluid, we don't touch it unless there is a leak". Well I'm now at 90K and now the dealer says they can do a drain and fill but they don't recommend it until 120K miles. You know it's one thing if I refuse maintenance but it is a completely different story when you say you're willing to pay for all necessary service and the dealer refuses. Honestly there should be a lawsuit to make Subaru service the CVT transmissions for the "life of the vehicle" for their misinformation campaign.

 

Interesting. Looks like I was handed a line of bull. My dealer said the transmission, brake and differential fluids need to be changed every 30K miles and that the tranny fluid needs to be changed by the dealer so they can re-program the tranny after the fluid change.

 

3 words -

FIND
ANOTHER
DEALER

There were some early references to the CVT fluid being "lifetime" but that has since been rescinded. My local dealer has and will change the fluid upon request. Know that it ain't easy - as mentioned by others - and it's not particularly cheap, you're probably looking at about $300 for the job and this would be a drain and fill, not a flush and fill.

 

There were some early references to the CVT fluid being "lifetime" but that has since been rescinded.

Rescinded by SOA?

I do agree to look for another dealer as I know some will change if you ask. Either way, even my wife's 2020 has a severe schedule that requires a CVT fluid replacement so I find it odd that these dealers would not "offer it" at all. Even the manual says it in those cases.

 

When I asked about the intervals to service the differential and CVT fluid he reiterated what I've seen elsewhere, about them being lifetime and it's not needed. I can't believe that's true so I called another dealer in town and a local shop that specializes in Subarus and they told me the same thing. Even when I asked if they would do it anyway they said they don't offer it.

Lifetime fluid shortens the lifetime of the component it lubricates. Wonder if they refuse to change CVTF on CVTs that repeatedly tow?

In all the countries in which Subaru does business the US is the only one where they do this "inspect" stuff instead of a set time/mileage interval for the CVT.

Even in Canada Subaru requires CVTF to be changed at 5 years /100,000 km (~62k miles) in order to maintain the extended CVT warranty.

Every time I get an oil change at the dealer I ask about the transmission fluid and have always been told "it is a sealed system, lifetime fluid, we don't touch it unless there is a leak". Well I'm now at 90K and now the dealer says they can do a drain and fill but they don't recommend it until 120K miles.

Maybe they don't want to touch it until you have surpassed the 10 year/100k warranty, in case they screw it up.

 

I heard the same thing about the CVT and when I talked to my dealer they said indeed that Subaru had made it a lifetime fluid ... and then since this was my 5th Subaru from the dealer, he winked and said, "However, we would be happy to change your CVT fluid for you." This was at 45K. I also had the diff's, brake fluid and coolant all changed along with usual oil and filter and air filters. Total cost of multi fluid extravaganza was $1600. The diff fluid was dark and had small amounts of speckles that I assume was metal. When I got the vehicle back it shifted more smoothly (if you can call what the CVT does "shift") and the vehicle was quieter. And it has stayed that way for the past 10K miles. Now, I have owned some pretty crazy expensive vehicles where maintenance costs were in the 6 grand range (BMW M6 Competition, V10 BMW M5, MB G55 AMG) so I know that the $1600 sounds expensive but the Forester drives so unbelievably well at 55K now that I will do the same service (every fluid) at 90K and just keep getting my standard oil changes until then.

 

I was told by one dealer that the price for a cvtf drain/fill is $460. That it requires a relearn procedure. They did my first cvtf service for $250 and now they jacked up the price.
It takes an hour at most. There is no relearn procedure requirement. Lies on top of lies.

 

I saw somewhere that the Subarus in Japan are to have the CVT serviced every 30000 miles. Can't remember the source. Regardless I'll be having the service done at 30000 miles and my dealer said they'd do it. I would think that regardless if the CVT needs it or not, a shop (who's qualified to work on Subies) would service it just because that's what the customer wanted.

 

Just had the CVT drain and fill done at the dealer. They charged me for 7 quarts of fluid and labor, total cost was $380. I had decided it was better to get it done before the extended warranty expires. And after reviewing the maintenance schedule in Canada they changed their position from we don't recommend it to we can do it, we've done hundreds of them.

Subaru Canada: CVT Warranty Enhancement Program - Subaru Canada

9. ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTAINING THE CVT?

Following the periodic inspection and maintenance services prescribed in your Warranty/Maintenance and Roadside Assistance Booklet is the best way to ensure your Subaru runs smoothly for years to come.

It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level on a regular basis. The only regular maintenance requirement for the transmission is replacement of the CVT fluids and differential fluids at the following intervals:

2010 to 2011 Vehicles: Replace fluid at 6 years/96,000 km's (whichever occurs first)
2012 to 2018 Vehicles: Replace fluid at 5 years/100,000km's (whichever occurs first

 

What is the changing guidance on 2019+ models?

 

@FelineFreddie Same as the SJ years....5 years or 60K mi/100K km unless the car falls under "severe service".