2008 Outback suggests alternative Transmax J ATF. It is a part synthetic auto tranny fluid. I'm trying to stay clear of SOA fluid prices but it may be unavoidable as I can't seem to locate the alternatives on retail shelves. Anybody do their tranny drain and fill yet? I'm just shy of 33K miles.

I understand you need fluid that meets "JASO 1A" standard. A cursory search shows that "multi-vehicle" ATFs sold under various brands, although not designated as semi-synthetic, fall into that category.

I don't know how old this standard is, but suspect that if it had been applied earlier, there would have been fewer occurrences of torque bind.

Edited July 26, 200916 yr by avk

Nearly all automatic trans fluids are part synthetic. I have been using Amsoil products in my Lincoln for the past two years and have been very pleased. I think their ATF is around $10 a quart.

Car still under warranty so I went for the Subaru Fluid at $6.30 per quart.

The other fluids recommended in the manual aren't available.

Castrol Transmax-J is only available to Ford/GM/Subaru dealers.

Penzoil-J never went into production.

Captive audience for now.