[Cancan]

The price of oil is terrible. In my country, it costs about $1,160 for 5 gallons. Availability in 2-3 months.

I can buy a used transmission cheaper...

I promise I'll let you know if your predictions come true.

It's a secret spec that no one knows. Like grandma's cake recipe.

Personally, I'm skeptical about this and will have to find out on my own car. Oh well.

 

[JOE WHO]

It's a secret spec that no one knows.

The Subaru specifications are public or at least readily available. I think the issue at hand is nobody makes an equivalent fluid. This is likely because there isn’t enough demand for it since there are limited applications for its use.

 

[Idle_Serge]

So I've been searching periodically the last 6 months for an aftermarket equivalent and haven't found anything.

Has anyone else had luck finding an alternative? I really don't want to spend almost $600 after tax to buy 5 gallons when I only need about 6 quarts.

My local dealer charged me $299 to have it done...that's cheaper than buying 5 gallons of it...

 

[JOE WHO]

My local dealer charged me $299 to have it done...that's cheaper than buying 5 gallons of it...

They probably only did a single drain and fill as opposed to three which is better practice for exchanging as much fluid as possible.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

The price of oil is terrible. In my country, it costs about $1,160 for 5 gallons. Availability in 2-3 months.

I can buy a used transmission cheaper...

I promise I'll let you know if your predictions come true.

It's a secret spec that no one knows. Like grandma's cake recipe.

Personally, I'm skeptical about this and will have to find out on my own car. Oh well.

Where you live is entering into your challenge...the Ascent is built and marketed for North America and a few that go to the Philippines and South America. It's not offered by Subaru anywhere else. The engine/transmission combination isn't offered anywhere else in the world so the consumables, like the required CVT fluid isn't available there, either. A Subaru dealer in your geography "might" be able to order the proper fluid for you, but they have to put in a lot of effort to get it including likely paying substantial shipping costs...that's why the cost is so high. Unfortunately, there are people who have chosen to use third party products and also have resulted in needing a new transmission. That's about a $12,000 US cost.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Let me tell you my story. I met an independent mechanic who specializes in automatic transmissions. He told me that he only distinguishes three types of oil: ATF, CVT, and DSG. The manufacturer, name, or specification are irrelevant. The oil is produced at a refinery, and manufacturers only label it with their logo. There's no such thing as Subaru, Mercedes, Audi, etc. oil. I changed the oil in my Subaru to "Fanfaro CVT." The oil cost me $123 for 20 liters. A full change requires about 16 liters. The most important thing is not to mix old oil with new. If your transmission isn't working properly, changing the oil won't fix it; it will only make things worse. The new oil will flush out deposits from the mechatronics. Furthermore, I didn't change the filter. It was only washed. Its design allows for this. The second filter is located inside the transmission. Replacing it requires a complete disassembly of the transmission. It doesn't make sense, so we didn't do it. I've driven 21,000 kilometers since the replacement. No problems. Everything works properly. There's no such thing as magic Subaru oil. It's just a scam by service centers.

He's laughably IDIOTICALLY wrong. Tell him I said that. Sorry... not sorry... I'm not a fan of when mechanics make stuff up that's dangerously wrong.

Tell him I'd love to tell him the NUMEROUS ways it's different, ESPECIALLY for Subaru's VERY different CHAIN DRIVEN EXTREME PRESSURE CVT vs everyone else's BELT driven CVTs.

He sounds like an Amsoil ScamsSalesMan, or like he's confusing gasoline with CVT fluid.

There's a reason THREE different companies (Zep, Idemitsu and Eneos (aka "JX Nippon") make Subaru's different CVT fluids.

 

[Wangle]

Stop beating around the bush Robert.

Seriously, so glad you are out there and share your knowledge here. Frankly, after reading about and experiencing incorrect oil being put in the engine, or wrong amount, or none, I don’t trust even the dealership to put in the correct fluid. This is why I bought 5 gallons and did it myself.

 

[Cancan]

The Subaru specifications are public or at least readily available. I think the issue at hand is nobody makes an equivalent fluid. This is likely because there isn’t enough demand for it since there are limited applications for its use.

Please send technical data sheet of SOA748V0300.
I cant find it anywhere...

 

[findalex]

Alright folks, I did it.

After I read and re-read Valvoline's CVT Fluid product info sheet that says it's recommended for Subaru High Torque CVTF LV, I took the plunge. Bought 2 gallons of Valvoline CVT for $60, and used the free ActiveOBD app paired with a $15 OBD adapter. At this price, I think I'll do two more drain and fills to slowly dillute all the old fluid out of the system since the free app doesn't support the transmission relearn function.

It's been a little over a month so far with more than 1000 miles and the CVT is performing flawlessly. I drove for about 2.5hrs straight in 100+ F temperature last weekend, going up and down the canyons of southern California without any problems at all. It may have also resolved some whining noise at first cold start that I started to hear. Finally, could be placebo effect, but the torque converter lockup harshness has decreased somewhat as well.

I will come back periodically to make updates, but I have faith in Valvoline transmission fluids. It's kept the ZF 8 speed on my Audi shifting as smooth as new for almost 145k miles now.

Now if I can only find a cheaper source for those NGK spark plugs.

 

[JOE WHO]

Alright folks, I did it.

After I read and re-read Valvoline's CVT Fluid product info sheet that says it's recommended for Subaru High Torque CVTF LV, I took the plunge. Bought 2 gallons of Valvoline CVT for $60, and used the free ActiveOBD app paired with a $15 OBD adapter. At this price, I think I'll do two more drain and fills to slowly dillute all the old fluid out of the system since the free app doesn't support the transmission relearn function.

It's been a little over a month so far with more than 1000 miles and the CVT is performing flawlessly. I drove for about 2.5hrs straight in 100+ F temperature last weekend, going up and down the canyons of southern California without any problems at all. It may have also resolved some whining noise at first cold start that I started to hear. Finally, could be placebo effect, but the torque converter lockup harshness has decreased somewhat as well.

I will come back periodically to make updates, but I have faith in Valvoline transmission fluids. It's kept the ZF 8 speed on my Audi shifting as smooth as new for almost 145k miles now.

Now if I can only find a cheaper source for those NGK spark plugs.

The only approved CVT fluid for the Ascent is the OEM fluid sold by Subaru.

Not only is the ZF8 a better transmission that is known for its reliability, it’s also not a CVT.

I’m willing to bet a CVT replacement will be in your not so distant future.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

It may have also resolved some whining noise at first cold start that I started to hear.

That's not necessarily a GOOD thing - that's the CVT pump's NORMAL operation, similar to other hydraulic pumps you find on big hydraulic powered equipment.

but the torque converter lockup harshness has decreased somewhat as well.

Torque converter lockup harsness is caused by

1. improper learn values in the TCM
2. a failing torque converter.

The wrong fluid masks both issues and solves nothing. If it was #2, then you're still looking at a failure, except, you may be denied warranty coverage for using an incompatible fluid.

According to the specs and the insanely wide compatibility, that spec sheet actually indicates it is not compatible. The first two entries here are the old Subaru Sambar and Subaru Justy belt driven CVTs. There's no fluid on the planet that is simultaneously compatible with that and the HT-TR690.

I estimate 5,000-10,000 miles before your clutch packs stop doing what they should (you'll notice in bad weather or off roading) or you silently slip the chain and don't realize it.

Regardless, you didn't solve your torque converter issue unless you actually performed a TCM relearn.

 

[findalex]

The whining wasn't there when the car was new, started noticing it about 3 months ago. And the torque lockup harsheness was noticeable from day 1. So the improvements only happened after the recent drain and fill. Maybe I was blessed by the Subaru gods for being a good boy, but I'm think it has more to do with fresh fluid replacing the dark espresso that came out.

I guess only time will tell. I'm being the guinea pig for free, sharing my experience, adding a data point to help others make their own choice.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I did a drain and fill on my sister's 2019 Forester 1.5 years ago with the same Valvoline CVT fluid. Still running strong about 20K miles later. I know it's a different transmission model but the fundamental CVT chain technology is still the same.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I guess only time will tell. I'm being the guinea pig for free, sharing my experience, adding a data point to help others make their own choice.

This is not a matter of opinion. It is NOT compatible.

Don't get me wrong, you're welcome to take your chances on your $10,000 CVT, but it is still not compatible.

And, sorry, but a TR580 low torque Forester isn't related to this discussion. If you think the "fundamental CVT chain technology" makes it relevant, then that's only because you do not understand how these things work. The technology, as related to CVT fluid, is NOT the same. SO much so that dealerships TOASTED Ascent HT-TR690's by using the fluid the Forester uses in the TR580. Those mistakes caused multiple reminders to be sent to the dealerships.

Good luck! Even though I know the outcome, I truly mean that.

 

[Wangle]

I wouldn’t say you are being a guinea pig. Plenty of other people have put in the wrong fluid and ruined their transmission. The drama for me is that when your transmission fails will you manage to get it covered under a Subaru warranty/extended CVT warranty or will you have to pay for it out of your pocket?
We have been extremely fortunate so far. (Or are we in the “normal” group?) This is one of the smoothest transmissions we have ever had. No “judder”, roughness, or any other problematic symptoms. I did get a chirp once a couple of years ago when putting it in reverse from a cold start. Especially impressive is the performance when towing and how it seems to always be in the proper RPM range for the circumstances. After purchasing the 5 gallons of Subaru CVTF LV SOA748V0300, performing a drain and fill, and doing the TCM relearn, it acted a little strange for about 10 miles. Some higher RPMs, and then some early shifting with very low RPMs, but it smoothed out nicely. I actually was happy with this, because now I know that the TCM reset/relearn worked!
I am immensely grateful for this site and the information and knowledge given so that I don’t have to learn expensive lessons.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

The drama for me is that when your transmission fails will you manage to get it covered under a Subaru warranty/extended CVT warranty or will you have to pay for it out of your pocket?

I have heard (rumor) Subaru is expanding their fluid checks like they're already doing (not rumor) in Canada - in which case, the fluid will show to horribly mismatch, and warranty claims would be denied.

Until then, if it's the right color, it may slip through under warranty and cost all of the rest of us in increased car costs. Each non-warranty repair that slips in under warranty costs us.

But, that's assuming the OP would even try for a warranty repair after knowingly using the wrong fluid. I wouldn't, and I know a lot of other people who would live with the consequences. So, for now, I would give findalex the benefit of doubt that he wouldn't make a warranty claim for his decisions.

 

[Titanrx8]

I have heard (rumor) Subaru is expanding their fluid checks like they're already doing (not rumor) in Canada - in which case, the fluid will show to horribly mismatch, and warranty claims would be denied.

Until then, if it's the right color, it may slip through under warranty and cost all of the rest of us in increased car costs. Each non-warranty repair that slips in under warranty costs us.

But, that's assuming the OP would even try for a warranty repair after knowingly using the wrong fluid. I wouldn't, and I know a lot of other people who would live with the consequences. So, for now, I would give findalex the benefit of doubt that he wouldn't make a warranty claim for his decisions.

Hopefully he doesn't sell or trade the car before the failure occurs without advising the next owner about his experimental use of incompatible fluid.

 

[Wangle]

I did check the Valvoline claims, and sure enough it says high torque CVTF – LV. It is scientifically impossible for one fluid to be regular viscosity and low viscosity at the same time, among other things. But the color is clear/yellow.