Joeh Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Any reliability issues with the Legacy/Outback auto trannies 00-up? I searched here didn't see any major issues, trying to confirm if they're ok. What is the recommended fluid/filter change interval? What kind of fluid to use? How long do these trannies last? thanks for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) 1. 30,000-60,000 mi, 2. dextron II/III or multi vehicle ATF, 3. as long as you don't forget to service the front diff, too, every 15,000-30,000 mi 80w90 or 75w90 ( 4. conventional wisdom and old-timer techniques need not apply. Disregard anything grandpa taught you about cars with these subarus.) Edited September 18, 2014 by MilesFox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 the 4EAT is considered robust in general. If the car was mistreated with odd-sized tires or maybe poor maintenance, the wet clutch-pack that transfers power for hte AWD system could be bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 99 and 00 models are subject to "delayed forward engagement" to Drive from Park. The problem can be dealt with by adding Trans-X AT conditioner to the ATF. The problem only affects 99 and 00 models. I know the problem and solution very well, as I drive a 99 model. The problem affects only engaging the tranny into Drive. Once in Drive, the tranny performs nomallly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 check and change fluids as said and never let them run low. filters are not replaced on these. the screw on type filters are like $30 and considered life-time, by this age i think it not a bad idea to replace them but it's not called for by Subaru. the internal screen filters don't touch those unless you have a leak or something and the pan has to come off anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Very durable in general. Ours went over 300,000 miles before showing signs of wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeh Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 When looking at used, what's the highest mileage worth considering if no service history is available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) with no service history any car is a gamble - even a low mileage one. that said, i purchased a 95 Legacy wagon last year with 206,000 on the clock (cheaply, as it had been abused & had a bad tranny) Tranny replaced, all basic maintenance items brought up to date - full timing service, plugs, wires, filters, etc - and it has been running & driving just fine for almost 10k since I got it on the road in November of last year. take into consideration the average number of miles put on the car per year. Most people do somewhere between 10-15,000 a year - some more, some less...divide the mileage on the car by its age to get an average per year. then look at the general condition of the car in comparison - does it look good for the miles, or rough? other factors - tires - are they all the same brand, size, and wear pattern? Subaru trannies are fussy about tires. how does it run/drive? does everything work? wipers, washers, radio, cruise, heat/AC, etc... Edited September 19, 2014 by heartless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 When looking at used, what's the highest mileage worth considering if no service history is available? The higher the mileage, the more likely major services have been done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) with no service history any car is a gamble - even a low mileage one. that said, i purchased a 95 Legacy wagon last year with 206,000 on the clock (cheaply, as it had been abused & had a bad tranny) Tranny replaced, all basic maintenance items brought up to date - full timing service, plugs, wires, filters, etc - and it has been running & driving just fine for almost 10k since I got it on the road in November of last year. take into consideration the average number of miles put on the car per year. Most people do somewhere between 10-15,000 a year - some more, some less...divide the mileage on the car by its age to get an average per year. then look at the general condition of the car in comparison - does it look good for the miles, or rough? other factors - tires - are they all the same brand, size, and wear pattern? Subaru trannies are fussy about tires. how does it run/drive? does everything work? wipers, washers, radio, cruise, heat/AC, etc... Over at my oil shop it takes people 6 and 9 months to put 3,000 mi on their car. Of course they never consider trans service every 30, 50, or 60,000 mi depending on their vehicle. Edited September 19, 2014 by MilesFox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventureSubaru Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Some of my most dependable cars were purchased with over 200,000 miles and more. They wouldn't have made it that long if folks hadn't taken care of them. Mileage is often a sign of good care. My wife's last car we finally sold at 351,000 miles and I would have driven that car across the country in a heartbeat. I don't shy away from mileage on cars known to be dependable if they don't appear to have been neglected in maintenance. Subaru being top of the list. Toyota, Honda etc. are in the same ballpark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeh Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 What I should have said was, are there any transmission concerns if an 01-up Outback/Legacy for sale has no service history on the AT? An example, vw fans would say if an 01-up vw auto trans had no fluid/filter change by 130,000 miles, impending trans failure is likely. Problem was compounded b/c vwoa said their fluid was "lifetime" so most owners never changed it until it was too late/out of warranty. So would an 01-up Outback or Legacy for sale with 150,000 (or 120,000 or 180,000) on the clock and no service history on the auto transmission be cause for upcoming transmission issues? Or can I as a new/used owner just change the fluid/filter and get 300,000 miles out of a previously unserviced subaru AT? (as long as the tires are kept uniform) thanks for the info it helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) So would an 01-up Outback or Legacy for sale with 150,000 (or 120,000 or 180,000) on the clock and no service history on the auto transmission be cause for upcoming transmission issues? Or can I as a new/used owner just change the fluid/filter and get 300,000 miles out of a previously unserviced subaru AT? (as long as the tires are kept uniform) thanks for the info it helps If the car drives well, tranny shifts good, and the fluid looks ok (a little bit darker than new is ok), then I would not be overly concerened on a Subaru. If the fluid is very dark and/or smells burned, then yes, there is a potential for failure. If the fluid looks brand new, I might question when & why it was changed - is it just a maintenance change or trying to cover up a problem? or was the tranny recently replaced or had major work done to it? Edited September 19, 2014 by heartless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 You could make an offer based on replacing the transmission - check car-part.com for used trans prices, figure in the labor cost - make an offer and see what happens. Or, shop for a car with better history of service. If they skipped trans service - what else did they neglect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Honestly, transmission failures are rare, with or without regular fluid changes. The most common failure for the trans is the duty c solenoid and torque bind, which is a serviceable maintenance item, or a broken transfer clutch basket, caused by driving around with a bad duty c. Any more to do with trans failures is the front differential, either due to lack of service, the consumer or the machanic being unaware that the trans has 2 dipsticks and 2 fluids, being drained and filled withthe wrong fluid either DIY or fast lube, OR being drained and not filled under the same circumstance. In my experience with old subarus or ones with high mileafe, the only one i ever had trans trouble with was a 94 legacy with 104,000 mi experienceing the 'delayed forward engagement' until it warmed up. This also was one of my lowest mile cars, and the service history showed a trans flush at least once. My 98 forester has 249,000 mi on its trans, unknown history, but no problems. I suppose the best way to determine which car to get or which has the betst trans is to drive it. If it drives with nothing wrong, good to go. Otherwise, if there is a problem, it will be obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeh Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Yesterday we picked up an 05 Outback w/AT. I'm trying to verify what trans so i know what fluid to get. According to the pics in the owner's manual it has the 4-speed dip stick. Taking off from a stop I count 3 gear changes, also pointing to 4-speed. I checked the VIN position #11 which is a 7, all i could find for code 7 is "awdAT." Any other way to tell if I have a 4 or 5 speed auto? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishy Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I've also got an A/T 2005 Outback. If you have the 2.5 non-turbo I'm pretty sure it's the 4eat. The turbos got a 5eat version of the trans. If you start from a stop in 'sport' mode and 'shift' it through the gears yourself you should see the indicator in the dash count up to 4 and no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeh Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Thanks that worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 I would be more concerned with torque bind then with any 4EAT issues. Make sure the tires match and are equally worn, change the fluid every 30K miles, Check the diff level and your golden on these Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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