My 2012 Outback with the CVT has ~ 33k miles now.  What is the consensus these days on if I should be replacing the CVT's oil ?   Also what kind of oil is it ?  ( I see a drain plug on the bottom of the CVT pan and another plug on the back of the CVT housing. It looks like I could change the oil )

Always a good idea to change transmission oil around 30k regardless of oil type.

The CVTs do need actual CVT transmission fluid. Subaru sells it, last I checked it was pricey pricey.

Valvoline sells CVT fluid that meets Subaru spec and I've read of lots of people on SubaruOutback.org using that as a lower cost alternative to the dealer fluid. You can do some research there or try searching Subaru CVT fluid on google.

The fill procedure is pretty straightforward, but you do need a flexible funnel IIRC. I know there was a thread on SO with more details.

How many quarts does the Outback's CVT take ? Is there any hidden dangers beyond draining it using the drain plug and filling it up to the fill plug on the back ?

Subaru has very specific procedures to drain and fill the CVT.  They require the CVT temperature to be checked after the drain and fill and  the car has to be exactly level.  Why is subaru so concerned that the CVT level be so exact?  Will the CVT last 200Kmiles even if you follow their procedures?  Who Knows!

 

Anyway, here is a DIY that you can follow.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/re-filling-2015-2-5i-cvt-transmission-385233/

Found this 24 page long thread on replacing Subaru's CVT Fluid oil : consensus was since O.E.M. fluid was about $40 / qt.  X  ~ 13 qts + labor , etc. ; about $500 ! , guys have been only replacing about half of it , that is all you can get out of the sump & drain hole. ( ~6 qts. if you are lucky )  The rest of it is trapped in the torque converter and the rest of the transmission.   After hours of reading this thread , the idea is to replace about half the oil about every 25-30 K miles and that is enough to keep the lubrication properties in pretty decent condition for performance for the CVT for the life of the car. The  Valvoline and Redline , & 3rdly , ( the always expensive ) Amsoil ,  brands of CVT fluid/oils seem to be what they are using.  If I could just find out which of these has the blue color to match the OEM fluid/oil ( for warranty reasons ) :  ( http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/99-do-yourself-illustrated-guides/52020-2011-2-5i-cvt-differential-fluid-change.html )

Edited March 16, 201511 yr by TourNut

Yikes! $40/qt is more than I remembered!

 

Pretty sure the Valvoline CVT fluid is blue.

Subaru CVT's dont have wet clutches to transmit power, so it doesnt work as hard. The heat from acting as a buffer between moving surfaces is really what beats up transmission fluid. In Subarus case the fluid is used for lubricaiting and transmitting work (moving the drums) so it doesnt get as beat up as other mfg's fluids. 

 

The fluid itself I wouldnt worry about, but the life of the additives is what would concern me.

http://theanxiousthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-technical-side-of-continuously.html

 

I have a CVT Justy a different animal, but that only holds 4qts and is much cheaper fluid. It is more important that the fluid stays filled then is changed. It never hurts to change fluids, just on a CVT always use the recommended fluid. The CVT may still be too new for aftermarket fluids yet.