I have a 2011 Forester X(AT). AT fluid was changed (not with Subaru ATF). It shifts a little hard in really cold temps until vehicle is warm (less than 5 minutes).
A dealer, Hatfield Subaru seems to be the only one to offer a flush for $171 , but I have found mixed reviews regarding their service.
Should I just have a drain & fill and change again in the near future or can someone recommend a Subaru independent mechanic?
it shouldn't stay cold for long if you can get the car moving for a few miles. That stuff is exposed to a lot of friction and usually warms up pretty quickly. I have a much larger than stock cooler and haven't had any issues with temps down in the single digits last year. If you want to get the most out during a change, I do encourage a drive before dumping it so the fluid is nice and thin.
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