The external spin-on filter was discontinued with the 2008 MY. (There were a few early 2008 4ATs with the filter, but that was inventory carry-over.) The internal pick-up screen does not have to be changed unless there's another reason for dropping the pan.

 

So basically no filter at all then?

You could always buy a remote filter housing for an earlier model year and run it inline with the trans cooler lines. My 2005 XT has it in the fender near the battery.

 

So basically no filter at all then?

Right.

The Subaru AT filter is (was) not a typical spin-on filter along the lines of those used for engines. It has some filtering "media", but a lot of the ATF passing through the filter would bypass the media through a tower-shape screen. The filter would protect against larger bits, but not against all micron-range particles. The internal design that makes the Subaru AT filter so different from others was covered in http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums.../forums/66-problems-maintenance/23762-subaru-transmission-filter-different.html

The spin-on filter was added with the Phase II 4AT, in 1999. Few, if any, other brand ATs use similar filters.

 

thanks for the reponses, does the 2009 xt or 3.0r use a spin on filter? im just curious as to why no matter how hard i searched everything pointed to it taking a spin on filter, i even took apart my driver wheel well because in my search online i saw one remotly located there

 

does the 2009 xt or 3.0r use a spin on filter?

Not as far as I know.

no matter how hard i searched everything pointed to it taking a spin on filter,

Were these Subaru sources? Links? Are they up-to-date, reliable? Even some Subaru sources might indicate a filter, but, as you found, there isn't one. Problems with updating data and documentation.

 

For what it's worth, my 2006 3.0 has a filter hidden behind the battery.

 

From Subaru TechTips, August, 2007:

Be advised that the D-4AT ATF filter has been discontinued since . . . July 2007 in SIA production lines,
transmission number: 3928538. A newly-designed cover has replaced the
spin-on filter.

On models with regular (not Direct) 4AT transmissions, the spin-on ATF
filter will remain. NOTE: All re-manufactured transmissions will continue
to be shipped with the spin-on filter installed except for H-6 models that do
not utilize the filter installed on the transmission case.

July 2007 corresponds to the transition from the 2007 to 2008 model year.

I believe all 4ATs used in North American production as of ~MY2005 are Direct control. I'm not aware of 2005+ North American Subarus that have the older, Phase II, Version 1 transmission. (The Version 1 used two shift solenoids and related accumulators to control gear selection clutches and brakes; the direct control system eliminated those components, and using a newly designed valve body, has duty solenoids directly controlling the hydraulic pressure applied to the clutches and brakes.)

The 5AT, introduced in 2005, was used with the turbo engine (XT) and with the H6. It had the filter in the left front fender. As far as I know, that was discontinued as well, although I don't have any documentation indicating when that was implemented.