Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
NASIOC
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Subaru Models > Impreza Forum

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-15-2013, 01:31 PM   #1
53x12
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 206332
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: In a tent
Default 2012 Impreza differential fluid change?

Just wanted to make sure that the maintenance schedule for changing front and rear differential fluid was at 30,000 miles for severe driving? This is according to the Subaru maintenance schedule on cars101. So what happens if you don't do severe driving? Is it further out than that?


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
53x12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 07-15-2013, 02:43 PM   #2
Zeeper
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 299286
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Upstate NY
Vehicle:
2017 Legacy Limited
White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 53x12 View Post
Just wanted to make sure that the maintenance schedule for changing front and rear differential fluid was at 30,000 miles for severe driving? This is according to the Subaru maintenance schedule on cars101. So what happens if you don't do severe driving? Is it further out than that?


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html
I would wager a good percent of drivers never change that fluid. Subaru owners who use a dealer to service their cars probably will have it done as part of their regular maintenance, probably at one of the big services (the ones that they charge $500+ for), I don't know how often they schedule those, but I doubt 30,000 miles is the first one.

If you want to change it yourself, and you have a 5 speed, it is easily done for under $100 -- I switched to Amsoil Severe Gear and it is rated for 100,000 miles (fully synthetic, search the forums for info).

If you have a CVT, you probably cannot do the front differential yourself, unless it is separate from the trans fluid. A CVT owner can let you know that.
Zeeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2013, 04:33 PM   #3
G-Omaha
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 209172
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Omaha, NE
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza CLL
BL2

Default

Had the differential fluids changed at about 3,000 miles by the dealer (cost about $200, including the AmsOil, if my memory is correct). I also used the AmsOil Severe Gear. Tech stated that he had a heck of a time breaking the seals on the drain/fill up plugs - first one that they ever did. For the CVT, the differentials and the CVT "fluids" are separate, while for a manual transmission they are the same. I plan to change them again at about 60,000 miles, and not before, as suggested by the Service Manager (he used to be an AmsOil representative).
G-Omaha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2013, 04:56 PM   #4
79letour
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 302570
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: dear old dixie
Vehicle:
2013 XV
DGM!

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 53x12 View Post
Just wanted to make sure that the maintenance schedule for changing front and rear differential fluid was at 30,000 miles for severe driving? This is according to the Subaru maintenance schedule on cars101. So what happens if you don't do severe driving? Is it further out than that?


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html
Lol EVERYWHERE in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia are Severe according to SOA. According to Grant, Desire', and Chris.
Anywhere that has pavement, dirt, air, rain, or atmosphere is SEVERE.
79letour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2013, 10:06 PM   #5
nels0300
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 331332
Join Date: Sep 2012
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Minneapolis
Vehicle:
2014 Camry SE V6
Silver

Default

$200 is an absolute rip off for trans/differential change on a manual trans. Drain and fill plug and no filter, more simple than an oil change.

Shouldn't be more than $20 per diff/trans.
nels0300 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 08:44 AM   #6
r0dzilla7
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 344981
Join Date: Jan 2013
Vehicle:
2013 imp 5 dr 2.0i
Satin Pearl White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 53x12 View Post
Just wanted to make sure that the maintenance schedule for changing front and rear differential fluid was at 30,000 miles for severe driving? This is according to the Subaru maintenance schedule on cars101. So what happens if you don't do severe driving? Is it further out than that?

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html
I have to change the diffs on my 2005 tacoma religiously at 30k as my rear gets noisy, that being said the subarus are different and I doubt I'll consider this change before 60k.
r0dzilla7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 09:37 AM   #7
myrt1987
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 323103
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Columbia MD
Vehicle:
2018 WRX
Pure der

Default

does cvt fluid need to be changed? I don't remember ever seeing it in the maintenance booklet.
myrt1987 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 09:38 AM   #8
Angelus911
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89967
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2020 Volvo S60
Gray

Default

I believe its under "Inspect" at 30k, 60k, 90k, 120k for the CVT fluid. So basically every 30k miles
Angelus911 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 09:48 AM   #9
myrt1987
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 323103
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Columbia MD
Vehicle:
2018 WRX
Pure der

Default

So Im guessing the only way to inspect cvt fluid is to bring it to dealer?

Can I change front and rear diff fluid without touching cvt fluid?
myrt1987 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 10:25 AM   #10
Angelus911
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 89967
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: MA
Vehicle:
2020 Volvo S60
Gray

Default

Not sure about inspecting the CVT fluid, but looking at the service manual, the front and rear diffs are separate from the CVT fluid on the CVTs models.
Angelus911 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 11:26 AM   #11
sgoldste01
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 322264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Webster, NY
Vehicle:
2012 Impreza Sp 5sp
Obs Blk Prl/Drk Gray Mtl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelus911 View Post
Not sure about inspecting the CVT fluid, but looking at the service manual, the front and rear diffs are separate from the CVT fluid on the CVTs models.
OK, I'm looking at the service manual for the CVTF (CVT Fluid). The CVTF inspection procedure (see page CVT-36) is basically to idle the engine to bring the CTVF up to temperature, then operate the "gear" selection lever through the P > R > N > D positions, and then back through D > N > R > P positions. Then lift the car with the engine still idling, remove the CVT filler plug, and add CVTF if the level isn't all the way up to the bottom of the filler hole. Then install the filler plug, using a new gasket. Torque spec is 36.9 ft-lb.

The manual warns that if you fill the CVTF to the bottom of the filler hole when the CVTF is not up to temperature, the fluid will later expand when warm and will overflow.

If you're comfortable with that process, then the CVTF replacement procedure (see page CVT-38) is similar. Basically, you drain the old CVTF, install the drain plug using a new gasket (torque spec 22.9 ft-lb), remove the filler plug, add new CVTF, temporarily install the filler plug, bring the CVTF up to temperature as described above by moving the gear lever through the different positions, and then top off the CVTF fluid as described above (with the engine idling).

When draining the old fluid, the manual suggests checking the condition of the old fluid, looking for metal particles (which indicates excessive wear), "thick and varnish-form fluid" (whatever that means; indicates burnt clutches), or clouded CVTF with bubbles (indicates water getting into the CVTF).

Hope this helps.
sgoldste01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 12:15 PM   #12
CLL_OBP
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310435
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Vehicle:
'12 Sport Limited
Black - 255,685 miles

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by myrt1987 View Post
does cvt fluid need to be changed? I don't remember ever seeing it in the maintenance booklet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelus911 View Post
I believe its under "Inspect" at 30k, 60k, 90k, 120k for the CVT fluid. So basically every 30k miles
Yes, have it replaced. Petroleum-based lubricants do not last forever and you have to get the debris out of there if you want the transmission to last long time. I'm planning on having mine changed again before 100K miles. At 10K, it had a lot of metal particles. LOTS!
CLL_OBP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2013, 12:19 PM   #13
79letour
*** Banned ***
 
Member#: 302570
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: dear old dixie
Vehicle:
2013 XV
DGM!

Default

^ same with the rear diff.
79letour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 01:19 PM   #14
shawnhayes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 330882
Join Date: Sep 2012
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 79letour View Post
^ same with the rear diff.
Having just changed the front and rear diff fluid on my 2012 sport limited with cvt, I must say two things.

1. The rear diff fluid was filthy. I mean really filthy. If you wanna keep this beast 100,000 or more, strongly suggest getting the wear in debris out early.

2. There are things on the front drivetrain that could EASILY be mistakes for the front diff fill port. The correct one is on the passenger side above the right inner cv joint, and comes loose with an 8mm hex. On the drivers side, there is a plug with a 10 mm hex that looks like it's part of the diff. If you remove this plug, green cvt fluid comes out. For an inexperienced mechanic this could be a disaster. Get the shop manual or make sure you smell plugs and fluids

Shawn
shawnhayes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 02:45 PM   #15
Zeeper
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 299286
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Upstate NY
Vehicle:
2017 Legacy Limited
White

Default

Anybody doing more than an oil change should get a shop manual. Given there are already at least two CVT owners who drained the CVT fluid when they were not meaning to drain the CVT fluid, potential mechanics who are not sure should double check the location of that drain valve, and avoid it.
Zeeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 04:28 PM   #16
shawnhayes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 330882
Join Date: Sep 2012
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeeper View Post
Anybody doing more than an oil change should get a shop manual. Given there are already at least two CVT owners who drained the CVT fluid when they were not meaning to drain the CVT fluid, potential mechanics who are not sure should double check the location of that drain valve, and avoid it.
The bottom drain valve is easy to spot for even a journeyman mechanic for the CVT.

But, that driver's side plug - waaaaay up, and Lord help me, it IS on the differential side of the gasket between the transmission and differential (I'm still working that out in my head how fluid from the transmission gets to that plug - guess I need to check my own shop manual more thoroughly) could easily fool someone who didn't have the manual memorized.

But, definitely agree. My first purchase for the car was the shop manual. First time I've REALLLY had to use it.

Shawn
shawnhayes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 04:40 PM   #17
r0dzilla7
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 344981
Join Date: Jan 2013
Vehicle:
2013 imp 5 dr 2.0i
Satin Pearl White

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnhayes View Post
Having just changed the front and rear diff fluid on my 2012 sport limited with cvt, I must say two things. 1. The rear diff fluid was filthy. I mean really filthy. If you wanna keep this beast 100,000 or more, strongly suggest getting the wear in debris out early. 2. There are things on the front drivetrain that could EASILY be mistakes for the front diff fill port. The correct one is on the passenger side above the right inner cv joint, and comes loose with an 8mm hex. On the drivers side, there is a plug with a 10 mm hex that looks like it's part of the diff. If you remove this plug, green cvt fluid comes out. For an inexperienced mechanic this could be a disaster. Get the shop manual or make sure you smell plugs and fluids Shawn
This makes it fool proof. The diff is an 8mm hex and the cvt fluid is a 10. Only take an 8 with you under the car and you can't go wrong on the passenger side.
r0dzilla7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2013, 05:08 PM   #18
shawnhayes
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 330882
Join Date: Sep 2012
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by r0dzilla7 View Post
This makes it fool proof. The diff is an 8mm hex and the cvt fluid is a 10. Only take an 8 with you under the car and you can't go wrong on the passenger side.
I thought the same thing, but this "fool" will probably forget that piece of information in the intervening 30,000 miles (which will take me 45 months to achieve). It would be nice for the plugs to have labels, either plastic taped on or cast into either the plug or the housing.

I like totally idiot proof stuff, myself.

Shawn
shawnhayes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2014, 06:53 PM   #19
Scootin_Scooby
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 377887
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX
San Remo Red

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 53x12 View Post
Just wanted to make sure that the maintenance schedule for changing front and rear differential fluid was at 30,000 miles for severe driving? This is according to the Subaru maintenance schedule on cars101. So what happens if you don't do severe driving? Is it further out than that?


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html
I am a beginner mechanic at the Subaru dealership, it does depend on how you drive but the set interval for all diff services we sell is every 50K miles. Obviously every car is different i would just check the diff dip stick. You can tell by smell or how dirty it is if the front is dirty you can bet the rear is too.
Scootin_Scooby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2014, 06:55 PM   #20
Scootin_Scooby
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 377887
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX
San Remo Red

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeeper View Post
Anybody doing more than an oil change should get a shop manual. Given there are already at least two CVT owners who drained the CVT fluid when they were not meaning to drain the CVT fluid, potential mechanics who are not sure should double check the location of that drain valve, and avoid it.
hahaha aw man those poor people. I'm pretty sure every oil drain pain on every Subaru is black......
Scootin_Scooby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2014, 07:25 PM   #21
CLL_OBP
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 310435
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Vehicle:
'12 Sport Limited
Black - 255,685 miles

Default

Quote:
I am a beginner mechanic at the Subaru dealership, it does depend on how you drive but the set interval for all diff services we sell is every 50K miles. Obviously every car is different i would just check the diff dip stick. You can tell by smell or how dirty it is if the front is dirty you can bet the rear is too.
I'm not a professional mechanic but can you name a few cars? I don't think I've ever seen a differential with a dipstick. Just a fill/check plug that you stick your finger in.
CLL_OBP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2014, 07:38 PM   #22
Zeeper
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 299286
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Upstate NY
Vehicle:
2017 Legacy Limited
White

Default

The front differential in the 5 speed impreza has a dipstick, mainly because the front differential is also the manual gearbox.

The rear diff is the same as the CVT, two plugs, no dipstick.
Zeeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2014, 07:56 PM   #23
Scootin_Scooby
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 377887
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX
San Remo Red

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeeper View Post
The front differential in the 5 speed impreza has a dipstick, mainly because the front differential is also the manual gearbox.

The rear diff is the same as the CVT, two plugs, no dipstick.
Correct, but the 5 speed it not the only one with a dipstick, the one for my car is aluminum and is hard to tell if you are not looking very well. there are plenty of Subaru's that have a yellow topped dipstick located on the pass side to check front diff fluid. I might just be thinking about outbacks and foresters and 2.0i imprezas, and crosstrecks, and tribecas all have one.
Scootin_Scooby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2014, 05:57 PM   #24
Sicarius428
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 232912
Join Date: Dec 2009
Default

Just went to do a transmission fluid change on my 2013 impreza manual and I cannot find the dipstick tube. I figured it would be similar to my 2004 wrx, simply drain and fill from the tube... Maybe I am blind...
Kevin
Sicarius428 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2014, 05:59 PM   #25
Sicarius428
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 232912
Join Date: Dec 2009
Default

Oh geeze... just found it... Tucked right behind the block.
Kevin
Sicarius428 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.