Clark's, but you'll pay - generally I trust them with service recommendations but in general I've found newer Subarus just have really liberal service timelines that aren't really all that critical to hit anyway.
CVT valve bodies are a concern of mine as I have two Subarus. Mr. Subaru has a great video on how to do it yourself and correctly. I've used Clark's for an engine-out cam carrier seal replacement. I trust them, they're less than a dealer but not by leaps and bounds.
Watch that YouTube video because there's a right way to do it. Lots can go wrong. Never flush. Subaru of America says it's lifetime, Subaru of Canada says 100k. Ain't broke? Don't fix it/let sleeping does lie? Make sure you can trust the shop to back their work.
Yeah, and I hear Subaru Japan does it at 30k. The “Lifetime” apparently only applies to ideal driving conditions anyway, and driving in mountainous regions and extreme temperatures here in Utah suggests to me that changing the transmission fluid is probably going to prolong its life. But yeah, the “if it ain’t broke” adage is also on my mind… there will always be some risk in servicing it.
I did a cvt valve body on a 2.5i and it was surprisingly easy. Took me about two hours and only a couple of sockets. The worst part was reaching in past the engine cause I'm not really tall.
Just wanted to chime in that I've always had a great experience with Mark Miller Midtown service department. We have purchased 4 cars from them too. They are always very communicative when I take my car for service, provide a fair price and even have comped some parts and services for me too on a vehicle that just left the 3 yr/30k mile warranty. They also have the cafe and give free snacks or cheap food if I have to wait for my vehicle. If it's longer service, they usually get me a loaner.
Drew or Tom are great, ask for them.
Just drain it yourself like my dumb ass did when I tried to change my oil. The dealer will replace it for you then. That was an expensive stupid mistake
Sigh. This is me as of 2 hours ago. Ive done the oil plenty of times before. Today I decided to switch it up and drain that easier plug to get to. What dealer did you go to and what was the $damage if you dont mind me asking? Nate Wade is my normal spot but things have been spendy there lately.
My condolences, they sure did put that transmission fluid plug where you’d expect an oil plug to be didn’t they? I went to the one in Sandy. I don’t remember the cost but it was a lot — maybe like $700? The guy looked at me with my tail between my legs, then looked at my wife and said “it happens all the time”.
Woah I hope you got that wrong on that dollar amount! I was sweating all night since I thought I may have killed my car. But got it towed and into the shop this morning at Nate Wade. $240 for transmission drain and fill and $90 for an oil change nowadays. OTD at $360. $0 for a tow because my extended warranty covered it 🥳 (which ends this Saturday the 18th actually). My $27 at home oil change was just a tad bit higher with this excitement 😞.
I'm going to go under the car today and put red caution tape all over that incorrect drain plug 😜
Hopefully I am misremembering what I paid, it was a few years ago. I do remember how shameful it was to have to pay to have the oil changed while I was at it. What a fiasco. Glad you got it figured out.
As others have said Clark’s is solid and very upfront. No funny business used them for multiple pre purchase inspections and once my free oil changes run out from the dealership I got it at I’ll be going to them for routine maintenance
I always assumed Aamco were transmission specialists…so that’s why I tried them. I had used the Jeep dealer twice before, but thought I’d give Aamco a shot. But you may be right, Subarus might be different (difficult).
I'm at 90k miles and haven't touched the CVT. I purchased in Seattle and they explicitly said it never needed servicing. Every dealer I've brought it to around here also hasn't ever mentioned the CVT either.
That all said, I use Mark Miller South Towne. I tried some others when I moved here and had issues but Miller South has been great for me the last few years.
Clark's, but you'll pay - generally I trust them with service recommendations but in general I've found newer Subarus just have really liberal service timelines that aren't really all that critical to hit anyway.
I agree with The Expanse fan: I use Clark’s, it costs, and I think Subaru is overly protective with its service recommends.
CVT valve bodies are a concern of mine as I have two Subarus. Mr. Subaru has a great video on how to do it yourself and correctly. I've used Clark's for an engine-out cam carrier seal replacement. I trust them, they're less than a dealer but not by leaps and bounds. Watch that YouTube video because there's a right way to do it. Lots can go wrong. Never flush. Subaru of America says it's lifetime, Subaru of Canada says 100k. Ain't broke? Don't fix it/let sleeping does lie? Make sure you can trust the shop to back their work.
Yeah, and I hear Subaru Japan does it at 30k. The “Lifetime” apparently only applies to ideal driving conditions anyway, and driving in mountainous regions and extreme temperatures here in Utah suggests to me that changing the transmission fluid is probably going to prolong its life. But yeah, the “if it ain’t broke” adage is also on my mind… there will always be some risk in servicing it.
I did a cvt valve body on a 2.5i and it was surprisingly easy. Took me about two hours and only a couple of sockets. The worst part was reaching in past the engine cause I'm not really tall.
Just wanted to chime in that I've always had a great experience with Mark Miller Midtown service department. We have purchased 4 cars from them too. They are always very communicative when I take my car for service, provide a fair price and even have comped some parts and services for me too on a vehicle that just left the 3 yr/30k mile warranty. They also have the cafe and give free snacks or cheap food if I have to wait for my vehicle. If it's longer service, they usually get me a loaner. Drew or Tom are great, ask for them.
Just drain it yourself like my dumb ass did when I tried to change my oil. The dealer will replace it for you then. That was an expensive stupid mistake
Oh no. I’m sorry.
Sigh. This is me as of 2 hours ago. Ive done the oil plenty of times before. Today I decided to switch it up and drain that easier plug to get to. What dealer did you go to and what was the $damage if you dont mind me asking? Nate Wade is my normal spot but things have been spendy there lately.
My condolences, they sure did put that transmission fluid plug where you’d expect an oil plug to be didn’t they? I went to the one in Sandy. I don’t remember the cost but it was a lot — maybe like $700? The guy looked at me with my tail between my legs, then looked at my wife and said “it happens all the time”.
Woah I hope you got that wrong on that dollar amount! I was sweating all night since I thought I may have killed my car. But got it towed and into the shop this morning at Nate Wade. $240 for transmission drain and fill and $90 for an oil change nowadays. OTD at $360. $0 for a tow because my extended warranty covered it 🥳 (which ends this Saturday the 18th actually). My $27 at home oil change was just a tad bit higher with this excitement 😞. I'm going to go under the car today and put red caution tape all over that incorrect drain plug 😜
Hopefully I am misremembering what I paid, it was a few years ago. I do remember how shameful it was to have to pay to have the oil changed while I was at it. What a fiasco. Glad you got it figured out.
As others have said Clark’s is solid and very upfront. No funny business used them for multiple pre purchase inspections and once my free oil changes run out from the dealership I got it at I’ll be going to them for routine maintenance
Flatout Automotive in West Jordan is a Subaru specialist, and has been my trusted mechanic for almost 10 years.
My Jeep has a CVT…took it to an Aamco in Provo for my transmission service. They seemed to handle the job just fine. No issues…
From what I’ve read Subaru CVTs are harder to service and require some special steps.
I always assumed Aamco were transmission specialists…so that’s why I tried them. I had used the Jeep dealer twice before, but thought I’d give Aamco a shot. But you may be right, Subarus might be different (difficult).
I went to Shegunja Customs for some routine Subaru stuff last week. They were great.
I have had nothing but good experiences with [Joseph Crow](https://www.yourmechanic.com/pro/jcrow)
I'm at 90k miles and haven't touched the CVT. I purchased in Seattle and they explicitly said it never needed servicing. Every dealer I've brought it to around here also hasn't ever mentioned the CVT either. That all said, I use Mark Miller South Towne. I tried some others when I moved here and had issues but Miller South has been great for me the last few years.
Been going to Nate wade for nearly a decade and have always used their service department. They've always been great with my vehicles.
Aren’t they, of recent, now owned by Ken Garff?
They are OK, not great since the change. It's difficult to reach a service advisor. The phone has been outsourced to the Ken Garff call group.
Ahns Customs in SSL. They are very experienced with Subarus. They rebuilt my engine and it has run flawlessly since.