Auto transmissions fluid replacement schedule

[rebus]

Help, I am confused. I have '06 OB 2.5i with 48k miles. What is the transmission fluid change interval? It has not been done yet and i am not sure if i am due.

Manual maintenance schedule has just " I " every 30K miles which means 'inspect'. This must be a typo, right? It makes no sense that fluid never needs to be replaced. Manual also says that fluid is HP type, does this stuff last forever?

thanks

[Novablue]

Originally Posted by rebus

This must be a typo, right? It makes no sense that fluid never needs to be replaced.

Why?

Other topics on this that I could find:
'06 Outback Auto 2.5i Hard shifts!!
Changing Automatic Transmission Fluid (is easy)

It's my understanding you only need to worry about fluid changes IF you tow.

If you are really worried look up the Tech manual and you can see exactly what they do when they "inspect." I'd recommend against a change or a flush unless you are having issues or tow.

[rebus]

What do you mean, "why?" What, Never? Not even after 300 K?
Do you know the answer or what?
If i needed some flippant, sarcastic response, i'd ask my wife.

[Novablue]

Originally Posted by rebus

What do you mean, "why?" What, Never? Not even after 300 K?
Do you know the answer or what?
If i needed some flippant, sarcastic response, i'd ask my wife.

Haha, sorry I posted some links, maybe you didn't see them since I was still editing the post and it looks like you posted before I was done.

[rebus]

Thanks, i have read these threads, but still was not clear.
I am not worried, just trying to make sure i'm following the schedule and there is no typo. I have never owned a car that had lifetime fluid of any kind before, but it`s nice.
I am not one to think that there is some conspiracy at Fuji Industries to blow up our transmissions by telling us not to change the fluid. What is their gain from it

I will leave it alone then. Good to know other people looked into this.

thanks again

[Artbuc]

Originally Posted by rebus

Thanks, i have read these threads, but still was not clear.
I am not worried, just trying to make sure i'm following the schedule and there is no typo. I have never owned a car that had lifetime fluid of any kind before, but it`s nice.
I am not one to think that there is some conspiracy at Fuji Industries to blow up our transmissions by telling us not to change the fluid. What is their gain from it

I will leave it alone then. Good to know other people looked into this.

thanks again

I have a thread on this subject too, including the AT filter. What you say about the Maintenance booklet is true for my friend's 07 OB 4EAT. It goes up to 120k miles calling for inspection only on the fluid unless you tow. I found a Subaru bulletin that explained the differences between regular Subaru ATF and Subaru HP ATF. Regular is a Dexron formulation for 4EAT 2005 and earlier. HP has a different friction package for all 5EAT and 2006 and later 4EAT. Main point is that neither is synthetic. Even if you do not tow, I can not imagine a non-synthetic ATF lasting 120k miles. My friend's dealer recommends a drain/fill every 30k which makes sense to me. The filter is designed for lifetime service but I would probably change it every 60k miles just for kicks and giggles.

[AltaBrig]

I drained about 5 quarts of the HP out after 35k of hard start stop short interval and lots of downshifting mountain driving.

My ATF did not have a tinge of red coloration left. It was a dark chocolate color.

I do not have any idication that the anti-friction or thermal properties had broken down, but it the drained ATF HP looked like crap compared to the pretty new red stuff.

Now my shifts seem smoother, but that is completely subjective.

I don't see any harm in a drain and fill as long as you get the fluid to the correct level.

Tranny repairs are not cheap.

[freddyfuttock]

You can't do any harm changing it - thinking it can last for ever is absurd. By the time your transmission explodes the car will be out of warranty and the manufacturer will not be interested in your complaints.

[Gregs04.5]

When my 07 hit 100k, I changed it. Can't imagine why someone wouldn't at that point. Btw, it looked good, not burnt.

[mike552]

Drained and replaced 3.5 quarts of ATF tonight. I was having trouble with my transmission not wanting to downshift. The ATF that drained out was old for sure.. probably original, but it was not burned or black. I replaced it with Castrol J-spec @ $6.29/bottle from Advanced Auto. Well what do you know, the car downshifts now!

Well worth the $25 and 30 minutes spent.


(EDIT: My OBW has 78K on the clock)