🔧 Outback - CVT Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill

This service replaces part of the CVT fluid in your Outback’s TR690 high-torque CVT. Subaru does not use a normal transmission dipstick here, so the final fluid level must be set from underneath with the fluid at the correct temperature.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ CVT fluid level is temperature-sensitive. You need a scan tool that can read CVT fluid temperature.
• ⚠️ Your Outback must be level while filling. Do not fill with only the front raised.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine with the CVT low on fluid after draining.
• ⚠️ Use only the correct Subaru high-torque CVT fluid. Regular ATF or the wrong CVT fluid can damage the transmission.
• ⚠️ Exhaust, engine, and fluid can be hot. Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 8mm hex socket
• 10mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 1/2-inch ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lb range)
• Fluid transfer pump (specialty)
• Drain pan (10-quart minimum)
• OBD2 scan tool with CVT temperature data (specialty)
• Infrared thermometer
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Shop towels

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Subaru High Torque CVT fluid - Qty: 6-8 quarts
• CVT drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1
• CVT fill plug gasket - Qty: 1
• Underbody splash shield clips - Qty: As needed

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Outback on a flat, level surface.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Raise the vehicle and support it level on jack stands. A level vehicle is required for the correct CVT fluid level.
• Let the CVT cool if the vehicle was driven recently. Final level check must be done around 95-113°F / 35-45°C CVT fluid temperature.
• Connect your scan tool and confirm it can display CVT fluid temperature before draining anything.
• A fluid transfer pump is a hand pump used to push new fluid upward into the transmission fill port.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Level the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift your Outback at approved jacking points.
• Place the vehicle securely on jack stands.
• Use wheel chocks to keep the vehicle from rolling.
• Check that the vehicle sits level front-to-back and side-to-side.
• Level matters more than height.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the lower splash shield bolts.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove any plastic clips.
• Set the shield and fasteners aside in order.
• On installation later, tighten small splash shield bolts snugly only. Do not overtighten plastic-mounted fasteners.

Step 3: Identify the Correct CVT Plugs

• Use a shop towel to clean dirt from the transmission plug area.
• Locate the CVT drain plug at the lower part of the transmission case.
• Locate the CVT fill/check plug on the side of the transmission case.
• Do not remove the front differential drain plug by mistake. The front differential uses gear oil, not CVT fluid.
• Clean plugs help prevent dirt entering.

Step 4: Remove the Fill Plug First

• Place the drain pan under the transmission.
• Use the correct 8mm hex socket or 17mm socket, depending on the plug style fitted, to carefully loosen the CVT fill plug.
• Only loosen it first. This proves you can refill the CVT before you drain it.
• If the fill plug will not loosen, stop the job and do not drain the fluid.

Step 5: Drain the Old CVT Fluid

• Move the drain pan under the CVT drain plug.
• Use the correct 14mm socket or 8mm hex socket, depending on plug style, to remove the drain plug.
• Let the fluid drain until it slows to a drip.
• Measure the amount drained using markings on the drain pan if available.
• Expect roughly 4-6 quarts during a normal drain and fill.
• Measure drained fluid as a backup.

Step 6: Reinstall the Drain Plug

• Install a new CVT drain plug crush washer on the drain plug.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with the correct socket to tighten the drain plug to Torque to 31 Nm (23 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 7: Pump New CVT Fluid Into the Transmission

• Insert the hose from the fluid transfer pump into the CVT fill opening.
• Pump in Subaru High Torque CVT fluid until fluid begins to run back out of the fill opening.
• Temporarily install the fill plug finger-tight using the correct socket.
• Do not torque the fill plug yet. The final level is not set.

Step 8: Warm the CVT Fluid

• Connect the OBD2 scan tool with CVT temperature data.
• Start the engine and keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal.
• Move the shifter slowly through P-R-N-D, pausing 3-5 seconds in each position.
• Return the shifter to Park and leave the engine idling.
• Watch the scan tool until CVT fluid temperature reaches 95-113°F / 35-45°C.
• Use the infrared thermometer only as a backup reference at the transmission pan area. The scan tool reading is the important one.

Step 9: Set the Final Fluid Level

• With the engine idling and the CVT fluid at 95-113°F / 35-45°C, remove the fill plug using the correct socket.
• If no fluid comes out, use the fluid transfer pump to add fluid until it begins to trickle from the fill opening.
• If a heavy stream comes out, wait until it slows to a thin trickle.
• The correct level is reached when fluid comes out as a light trickle at the specified temperature.
• A trickle means full, not empty.

Step 10: Install and Torque the Fill Plug

• Install a new CVT fill plug gasket.
• Thread the fill plug in by hand first.
• Use a torque wrench with the correct socket to tighten the fill plug to Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the transmission case clean with shop towels.

Step 11: Reinstall the Splash Shield

• Position the splash shield back under your Outback.
• Use a plastic trim clip remover by hand to seat any reusable clips, or install new clips if damaged.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the splash shield bolts.
• Tighten splash shield bolts snugly by hand. Do not overtighten.

Step 12: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and check underneath for leaks.
• Take a gentle 10-15 minute test drive. Avoid hard acceleration at first.
• Confirm smooth engagement from Park to Reverse and Drive.
• Recheck for leaks after the test drive.
• No battery registration, coding, or infotainment reset is required.
• If you see CVT warning lights, delayed engagement, slipping, or abnormal noises, stop driving and recheck the fluid level procedure.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$320 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.