98' Subaru legacy?Outback Tran Fluid

[subaruhunter]

WHat is the recommended transmission fluid for Subaru?
Dealer used Dextron 3.......

2. Is a Transmission flush better than changing fluid 3 times?
Dealer drains tarn fluid, starts car, drains fluid......3 times
$170-$300

Versus
Jiffy Lube uses a transmission flush machine and put 10 quarts of Pennzoil AF3 back in.

Jiffy claims it flushes the transmission fluid even out of the torque converter.
$95

Is Pennzoil AF3 reasonable to use and is a flush superior to a drain(x3)????

[subaruhunter]

I found this on the internet saying a car with 105,000 like mine should not be flushed

"Finkelstein insists that at many quick-lube places, transmission work is not done correctly. “I would do it the proper way, where you get the car up on the hoist, you pull the pan down underneath the transmission, you clean it out, you put in a new filter,” he said. “You go through all the procedures. But a lot of these places, these corner lube joints, they’re not doing that. They’re just doing the equivalent of a kidney dialysis machine. They’re just flushing the system; they’re not tearing down the bottom pan and putting in new seals or new gaskets, or they’re not necessarily changing the filter. They’re just doing a quick flush, filling it with new fluid, and sending you on your way.”

Finkelstein explained the importance of cleaning out all the gunk. “Transmissions are extremely sensitive to that stuff,” he said. “Those tiny metal shavings and components--aluminum shavings and debris, pieces of clutch material, pieces of rubber seal material that gets in the system--they could cause the system some problems. It could clog something up, keep it from shifting properly, shorten the life of the transmission.

“And the other thing is, when you pull the pan down, if you see some pieces of metal in there, some larger pieces, this is a red flag. You need to let the client know, ‘Hey, you’ve got a self-destructing situation with the transmission. You’ve got some bearing failing, or something’s going on in here. There’s debris that’s beyond the norm accumulated in the transmission. So a trained eye will see that. You won’t pick that up if you flush the system.”

Carley offers one more piece of advice. “If a transmission has over 100,000 miles on it, and the fluid has never been changed, it’s probably best to leave it alone,” he said. “Flushing a high-mileage transmission can sometimes loosen varnish that may cause control valves to stick.”"

[Huffer]

You don't have to do a trans flush. Just a simple drain + refill x 2 is enough.

What I don't like about a trans flush is that the machine they hook it up to, flushes fluid for multiple vehicles - and unless it's properly cleaned out it could put incorrect fluid into your car.

Also, it's more costly than DIY.

If you're doing an automatic, I strongly suggest putting in some LubeGard ATF Protectant (red bottle) with your trans fluid. It'll help keep the overall temp down, which is the reason for hard shifting and torque bind in the Subaru 4EAT.

[Wiscon_Mark]

What I don't like about a trans flush is that the machine they hook it up to, flushes fluid for multiple vehicles - and unless it's properly cleaned out it could put incorrect fluid into your car.

Depends on the place - My father-in-law works at the Chrysler dealer and their machine has plastic bags with the fluid that you hook up to the machine, so you don't have copious residue in a tank or something. Works pretty slick, too.

[Dead91silvia]

Heh heh... I just did one drain and fill to my BD for the first time since owning it... Got it at 168K, did the fluid at 245K.... I know I'm bad... haha

I got OEM Subaru fluid, but thats me. She shifts a bit better now. Subaru Autos have a filter so it's just the fluid that you really need to worry about.

[subaruhunter]

Filter?????

Called 2 Subaru dealers and they claim Subaru recommends leaving the transmission filter on...cuz replacements leak.

Seems strange a car 105,000 miles, 15 years old and possibly only one transmission fluid change to leave a filter with contaminants left on.

Is this really the recommendation to do x1 or x2 drains but no filter?

[Dead91silvia]

My guy at Subaru says the only reason they even have a trans filter on the shelf is for people that mess up and change it thinking its for engine oil. He says they sell about 2-3 a year.

So yeah, leave that filter on. Dont mess with it, they are like $17 anyway and will not help your car at all. You may as well take that 17 bucks and burn it.

Oh, my trans has 246,760 miles, as of tonight and has original trans filter.... Works like a champ!

[Wiscon_Mark]

Filter?????

Called 2 Subaru dealers and they claim Subaru recommends leaving the transmission filter on...cuz replacements leak.

Seems strange a car 105,000 miles, 15 years old and possibly only one transmission fluid change to leave a filter with contaminants left on.

Is this really the recommendation to do x1 or x2 drains but no filter?

Okay, let's clear something up.

There are two different styles of Subaru 4EAT - Phase I & Phase II.

The Phase I transmission (what you have) has an internal filter, and it isn't recommended you change it.

The Phase II transmission has a screw on external filter (much like an engine oil one, but more expensive) that you can change when you change the tranny fluid.

[Dead91silvia]

Filter?????

Called 2 Subaru dealers and they claim Subaru recommends leaving the transmission filter on...cuz replacements leak.

Seems strange a car 105,000 miles, 15 years old and possibly only one transmission fluid change to leave a filter with contaminants left on.

Is this really the recommendation to do x1 or x2 drains but no filter?

Okay, let's clear something up.

There are two different styles of Subaru 4EAT - Phase I & Phase II.

The Phase I transmission (what you have) has an internal filter, and it isn't recommended you change it.

The Phase II transmission has a screw on external filter (much like an engine oil one, but more expensive) that you can change when you change the tranny fluid.

Huh?! His car is a 98, mine is a 98. Mine has a screw on filter and if I remember right, so dose Red85celica's 97 BK... They say you can, but it's redundant. They NEVER do at the dealer unless it's physically damaged. Like I said, they sell about 2-3 a year...

Ether way, dont change that filter, it's a waste of money.

[Huffer]

If your 4EAT has a spin on filter, on the side, then it's a later 4EAT - usually found in the 99-04 vehicles.
The earlier 4EATs have an in-pan filter.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Apparently some 98s had a screw on filter. I figured that was a PhaseII thing.

[Cleck]

So you guys are saying to just do a drain and fill with Dex III and not change the fluid?

Working at a shop, I understand not liking flush machines. They can push things around that could cause more harm than good. Older vehicles I have always believed in a good drain and fill, or a couple drain and fills with some driving between. On units with filters, I have always recommended replacement. Why not on these?

Have 178k on my 98 BG so I am wondering too. It shifts hard sometimes

[decke48]

Phase 1 use a stainless mesh filter pointless to replace unless damaged. Phase 2 have both a pan (sump) and spin on (mesh). That i recommend replacement, its just like a oil filter when it dirty and clogged it will just bypass. I use ATP B198. Never had one leak.