Wife drives a 2008 Outback 2.5i.  Shop that services noted fluid dark and recommended a flush.  Has about 90,000 miles on it right now.  I drove it today and did notice some jerks or slips on upshift.  

 

Is this a drain and refill fix like the older units, or is a "flush" and refill in order.

 

 

Use the Subaru Trans Fluid!

Pretty low mileage for a flush.  I would not do a power flush.

Drain and Fill, if you want flush it out pull the cooler hose off the radiator and allow some of the old fluid to pump out or drain and fill 3 times.

 

I flush older Subarus 95-99  with the coolant hose, Drain > Fill > PULL THE HOSE Start the car and let about 3/4 gal pump out.  Turn off, fill do it again.  

It usually takes me about 3 gallons to do the complete job.

We have a 2005 Outback with about 150K on it. It had regular servicing through about 80K, but after that it is hard to know. Both my independent shop and just the other day, my Subi dealer, recommended against a flush or filter change. They both said it could create all new problem where currently there are none. I would be curious of any body's thoughts here ? All ears....

Depends what you mean by Flush!

 

Some shops do a power flush where fluid is cycled back and forth under pressure to break deposits loose.  This is almost always a bad idea!

 

Flush = change the fluid.  Lot's of threads on this.  Drain and fill 3 times with short drives or allow the trans to pump out the old fluid by disconnecting a trans cooler line.  

Good idea, keeping the fluid new.