Tranny Service 2004 OBW

[busterb]

What is the consensus on changing trans fluid every 30K in this
vehicle? Manual says necessary if towing, hot weather etc. but I do
none of that regularly. Will it do more harm than good? The manual
alsosays filter is lifetime. How can that be? Thanks

 

[Edward Hayes]

I believe in a drain and refill every 30,000 miles but, not a flush. It's an
easy job. Just pull the plug and drain, install plug with a new washer(same
as engine oil plug washer) and refill with approximately 4-4.5 quarts of
good Dexron 3 AT fluid. Probably not necessary but good insurance and yes no
need to change the filter unless leaking or damaged. Ed Hayes

 

[Mike]

I just did my '01 OBW. Drained & refilled the tranny, replaced the
filter ($30+ - Subaru only), drove it then drained & refilled the
tranny again. A lot of fluid is in the torque converter, hence the
double-draining.

Mike

 

[Edward Hayes]

Mike; I too do a drain and refill 3X times(=~95% new) with a days driving
between changes. I never change the external filter though. I do think that
for normal driving (book says no need) that just doing one drain refill
every 30,000 miles is more than sufficient. Ed Hayes.