CVTF-III is NOT the fluid for an Outback XT with the turbocharged engine. The 2020 to 2025 use the same fluid.

The correct fluid is High Torque CVT-LV (Clear/Amber)

Here is the correct Subaru fluid: SOA748V0300 - High Torque CVTF LV (5 GAL) - Genuine Subaru Part

The only retailer that sells the fluid in quart sizes that I am aware of is Genuine OEM CVTF-LV Fluid Amber/Clear 1 Quart - Universal

Some people have been able to obtain the fluid in smaller quantities directly from a dealership, but it is decanted into the customer's own clean containers. Not every dealership or service department is willing to do this.

 

CVTF-III is NOT the fluid for an Outback XT with the turbocharged engine. The 2020 to 2025 use the same fluid.

The correct fluid is High Torque CVT-LV (Clear/Amber)

Here is the correct Subaru fluid: SOA748V0300 - High Torque CVTF LV (5 GAL) - Genuine Subaru Part

The only retailer that sells the fluid in quart sizes that I am aware of is Genuine OEM CVTF-LV Fluid Amber/Clear 1 Quart - Universal

Some people have been able to obtain the fluid in smaller quantities directly from a dealership, but it is decanted into the customer's own clean containers. Not every dealership or service department is willing to do this.

The chart you’ve posted says cvtf-iii for 2020-2021 Outback. Is that for the 2.5 engine?

 

If you look for your model (Outback XT) in the left column it clearly shows you need the fluid as advised by Silveronyx

Seagrass

 

Yes CVTF-III is ONLY for the 2.5 engine, which has a different transmission, the TR580. All of the 2020-2025 Outback XT with the turbo engine have the TR690 transmission that does NOT take CVTF-III.

If an Outback does not say XT then it is the 2.5 engine. XT is the designation for the Turbocharged 2.4 engine.

 

Sorry I missed the XT on the chart. Since I’ve drove the car for about 1 mile total, is that enough to cause any damages?

 

It's hard to say but others who have had similar transmission drained by mistake that barely drove it seemed to be okay after it was checked out by a dealership and refilled. There is a very specific procedure for refilling and a dealership can look at the fluid to determine if there's been physical damage to the transmission needing replacement. They found debris in my transmission fluid and gave me a new transmission under warranty, but it had nothing to do with accidental draining. They discovered it when they were performing a TSB operation to look for worn chain guides.

I think you should have it flat towed to a dealership and let them take care of it.

You're not the only one who has had the transmission drained by mistake, and this isn't a problem only for Subarus. If you google "drained transmission by mistake" it happens to all kinds of cars.

 

Good golly, don’t even start it. Have it winched up on the flatbed and be sure they don’t start it at the dealer. You usually get 6 quarts out on the high torque CVT, so that may be your saving grace that on a short run, maybe it did not starve for fluid. Verify with the dealer that they are going to use the correct fluid! As noted HT CVTF LV.
Of equal importance, did he dump 5 quarts of oil into the oil fill? If so, get the oil at the proper level before you go to the dealer. Drain all 10 quarts out, and add (about 5 quarts of fresh oil since what you are draining is now mixed) to the fill line without starting it. Get it close and you can fine tune that later. Oh, and use the correct drain plug for the oil
The chances are pretty good that you will be fine. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

Had the same issue with a 2020 Touring XT and 2.4 engine. Drove it for about the same distance before I realized that I had screwed up. Thought I could just fill the trans with new fluid. After finding out that only the Subie dealer had the proper trans fluid and talking with the service manager about it I had it flatbedded to the dealer. It cannot be simply refilled by dumping in new or the old fluid. Dealer has to perform a complicated fill process. It failed all their tests and had to be replaced. The transmission is extremely sensitive to driving it any distance without trans fluid.

Mistaking the trans drain plug for the engine drain plug is a very common problem. Quite a few of the quick oil change places have had to purchase transmissions for a customer.