kahoona

Hi
I recently got this 2012 Legacy Outback with the 2.5l and a 6 speed auto. I cannot find dipsticks for the front diff or the trans. I know where they were in my 1997 Legacy Outback but can't find any on this one. I looked in the manual for this year and car and it says that there are dipsticks for both. I am puzzled. I cannot find references online that tell me either. The trans itself looks to be hidden by the firewall with only the front diff showing. If it is sealed can anyone tell me where to find a diagram or picture showing the filler location and procedure? This will be my fourth Legacy Outback Wagon and things sure have changed!

ray54

This any help............

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/

Don Clark

These should have everything you need

http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru..._Outback_2.pdf

http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru...nd_Outback.pdf

kahoona

Thanks! Over 6000 pages of shop manual goodness! We live in an era where things are too complicated for most of us to comprehend but we can get a manual for anything on the net. That will come in handy. I need to use that tool to check my VIN and be sure. This also says I have a dipstick somewhere. Frustration. I'll look again. I know it is not the constant velocity one but I am sure the car indicator shows gears 1 through 6 when using the "manual" mode. so is 5AT signifying 5 speeds? Confusing. I will check it out tomorrow when the wife brings it back from work. Thanks.

Don Clark

CVT - no dipsticks and has 6 forward "gears" listed

5AT specifies 5 speed Automatic Transmission.

I'm not sure whether these will help or not

kahoona

Yes. That will help. I need to do some research into Medicare this morning (sigh) then I can scope this out. This diagram is very specific so I should be able to figure it out. Looks like the Torque Converter is ahead and above the front diff then the trans case behind just like my '97. The trans case is hidden in the tunnel now but the dipstick has to come out somewhere. You have given me a ton of info. I appreciate it. I'll let you know what I find.
Thanks

kahoona

We bought this car used several months ago and the description in the window said Automatic Trans. I assumed that this was right since it shifted just like an automatic trans. The tool that you gave me (many thanks) tells me it is a Full-time AWD LineartronicTM! That might just be bad news because of the problems others have had but it does tell me why it bumps, surges and jerks at low speed especially when cold. I was thinking I had a sticky center diff. I guess I need to research this one. At least I know that the Fluid is checked from underneath. I will go back and read the manual for the CVT now. Thanks for the help!

Don Clark

I hope you've downloaded the manuals for future reference good luck.

kahoona

Thanks. Yes I did. I do most of my own work and those will be very handy. I like CVT's ever since I was supplied with a first year Honda Civic Hybrid as part of a driving job I had. I need to find out more. Does it have "gears"? Does it need to shift or does it shift to make it seem normal? I need to look up a parts diagram and find out how it works. They do race these don't they? The warranty has been extended to 100,000 mi which is good. The dealer id 3 to 5 hours away so I hope it works well.

Don Clark

A number of manufacturers make their CVT's "shift" to make them appear like a normal Auto transmission.
this vid has a good explanation of it.