Subaru Forester 2014 2.5i PZEV ( California ) , with CVT
[ this is just for reference ONLY. showing what I have done to 2014 Forester. NOT intended for instruction on how to repair it or maintaining it. I believe it is missing many details and steps to be used as Instruction.]
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I changed Lineartronics CVT fluid at 60K miles. 20% is rural highway driving 70 to 80 MPH, rest are urban highway and city driving.
2016 January, car was bought new at 2013 Oct. This is first CVT Fluid change since car was new. it took 6 hours to do this work.
service manual had two different model of CVT, TR690 and TR580, and mine looks same as TR580 model.
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First I rolled on Rhino Ramp ( RhinoRamp 11905 Blitz Rhino Ramp 12000 lbs )
then I placed rubber wheel block.
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Service Manual says, I need to have car on level when I change CVT fluid, so I placed woods under rear tires.
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CVT Fluid FILL plug with HEX wrench attach to it.
FILL PLUG was very tight, just like FILL plug and Check Plug for front differential gear OIL.
I had to use extension PIPE attach to ratchet wrench to give more leverage.
it made loud sound and loosed the PLUG, just like when I did Front Differential Gear Oil change.
TOOL 8mm HEX, thread of fill plug M18 x 1.5 mm Pitch
I moved CVT / Front Differential Plastic cover ( picture from Front Differential Oil replacement )
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As Soon as I removed FILL Plug, this much of CVT fluid came out of [ FILL PLUG HOLE ] . 2.5 to 3 quarts of CVT fluid ?
It was unexpected, but I had milk jar ready to catch it.
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additional, about 4 quarts of CVT fluid came out, from DRAIN PLUG, after I remove the drain plug.
total of 4 qtr + ( 2.5 to 3.0 ) qtr = 6.5 to 7.0 qtr came out of CVT.
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I used Valvoline Full Synthetic CVT fluid.
bought 2 Case ( 6 quarts x 2 case ) , 12 quarts from Amazon.
original CVT fluid came with Subaru smell very similar to Valvoline CVT fluid. so does NS-2 nissan CVT fluid.
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after thinking a lot , I think I should use Sprayer from Home Depot to insert CVT fluid.
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I need to cut TIP of sprayer and remove spraying piece , so CVT fluid come out more.
other wise, it spray as it suppose to do.
with this modification, Sprayer insert 1 quarts / minute.
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Valvoline CVT fluid looks like when it new.
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using Sprayer with TIP cut out, turn out worked very well.
specially, I had to insert Fluid while Engine is idling.
I find out , milk jar with top cut out is good idea to place under, since when it get Full, the fluid just port out of FILL HOLE.
4 quarts of Fluid went in initially.
and after I started engine and moved shift selector P-R-N-D several times as it say in Service Manual.
And then put it back in "PARK" , then inserting CVT Fluid while engine is still idling,
it took additional 2.5 quarts, then Fluid start to port out of FILL HOLE.
so total of 6.5 quarts of CVT fluid went in.
This is about same amount of CVT fluid came out.
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Valvoline CVT fluid in box. came from Amazon.
DRAIN PLUG with new washer. CVT Drain Plug does not have Magnet like Front and read Differential Drain Plug.
SIZE of DRAIN Plug
SIZE of DRAIN Plug
SIZE of DRAIN Plug
SIZE of DRAIN Plug
SIZE of DRAIN Plug
SIZE of DRAIN Plug washer
SIZE of DRAIN Plug washer
SIZE of DRAIN Plug washer
OLD CVT Fluid, shine through light. ( can not see through. )
I used Bluetooth OBD2 to connect to Android Cell phone, program "activeOBD for Subaru" activeOBD.com, indicate temperature of CVT and many other things.
but, while I am idling and inserting CVT fluid, temperature raised quickly. so I had to put Fill Plug in, wait a little bit, and put more Fluid.