Subaru CVT Service

Does This Sound Familiar?

Subaru AT OIL TEMP light on, a sign of CVT issues needing expert Testing and Evaluation.

Shuddering or Vibration

A noticeable shuddering or vibrating feeling, especially when accelerating from a stop or at low speeds.

Hesitation or Stumbling

The feeling that your car stumbles or hesitates when you press the gas pedal, as if it's struggling to respond.

Whining or Humming Noise

A distinct whining or humming sound coming from the front of your Subaru that changes in pitch as your speed changes.

Dashboard Warning Light

The "AT OIL TEMP" light on your instrument cluster begins to flash, which is a direct signal from the vehicle's computer that the transmission fluid is overheating.

Sluggish Performance

A general feeling that the car is sluggish, underpowered, or unresponsive compared to how it used to perform.

Subaru Not Move at All

Does your Subaru do nothing when you put it in drive or reverse

Engine Stalling at Stops

Your Subaru's engine stalls or feels like it's about to die just as you come to a complete stop. This can be directly related to an internal issue with the torque converter's lock-up function.

Binding or Hopping on Turns

When making tight turns, like in a parking lot, you feel a binding, hopping, or shuddering from the drivetrain. This is often called 'torque bind' and can point to a failure within the CVT's all-wheel-drive functionality.

An Honest Explanation of Subaru CVT Complexity

Specialized Fluid & Its Lifespan

The Subaru Lineartronic CVT is a unique type of automatic transmission that doesn't have traditional gears. It relies on a special fluid to operate. Over time, this fluid degrades, losing its ability to protect and cool the internal parts, which can be the root cause of many issues. We recommend a 30,000 miles service interval on your CVT transmission with our CVT Maintenance Package

Electronic Controls & Solenoids

Your Subaru's computer uses a complex network of electronic solenoids and a valve body to manage the CVT. A single faulty solenoid can cause shuddering, hesitation, or even a loss of power, even if the rest of the transmission is healthy.

Software & Vehicle Calibration

The performance of your CVT is heavily dependent on software. Manufacturers often release updates to improve performance or fix known issues. An outdated calibration can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a mechanical failure.

Internal Mechanical Wear

While durable, the internal components like the steel belt and pulleys can wear over time, especially under harsh conditions or if fluid service has been neglected. This type of wear requires a more in-depth level of service.

Our Process: Professional Testing and Evaluation

Clarity Through a Professional Process

Because there are so many potential causes for a CVT issue, our process is designed to provide you with complete clarity, starting from the moment you need help.

1. **Getting Your Vehicle to Us:** If your Subaru is not drivable, we can help arrange towing through our trusted partner, AMPM. For clients who proceed with a major CVT repair, the cost of this tow is included as part of our comprehensive service within a 25-mile radius.

2. **The Consultation:** It starts with a conversation. We listen to you and document the symptoms and conditions you are experiencing.

3. **Comprehensive Testing:** Our Subaru specialists perform a multi-point evaluation of the entire transmission system, including fluid analysis, software checks, and technical tests.

4. **The Subaru Health Report:** Upon completion, we provide you with a detailed Subaru Health Report, often with a personal Loom video. We will explain our findings, what they mean for your vehicle, and your options. This is our promise: to educate and empower you, never to pressure you.

Our Unbeatable Guarantee

Major CVT repairs performed by our specialists are backed by an industry-leading 3-Year / 36,000-Mile warranty. Ask yourself if the shop offering a cheap quote can stand behind their work with that level of confidence.

Schedule Testing and Evaluation

Utah's Independent Subaru CVT Authority