Aisin ATF-SCV fluid for Subaru and Mitsubishi CVTs

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I stumbled across this fluid shopping for my Subaru Outback. I can't find much info on the fluid, but it looks like it could be an alternative to Subaru OEM fluid???

ATF-SCV is formulated for Subaru & Mitsubishi Transmissions that require CVTF-II & CVTF-J4 Fluid.
https://aisinaftermarket.com/uploads/nu4qa786_ATF-SCV_Product_Annoucement.pdf

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Take a look at Castrol Transmax CVT. I have it in my Mitsubishi requiring J4 spec, and Castrol's PDS states it meets Subaru's i-CVT and i-CVT FG specs as well. It can be had for $5.83/qt on Amazon pretty regularly (6qt case for $35).
 
Only issue with Castrols CVT fluid is the color, its red. So if you ever have any CVT issues the dealer/manufacture may push back. I used a lot of aftermarket fluids and praise them. But for my customers I use a fluid that has a similar color while under warranty.
 
It is an alternative. But why not just use what was designed specifically for your Subie if you plan on keeping it for a while?
 
Be careful, Subaru doesn't source out AT boxes they manufacture their own Auto Trannies. So it may be OK and it may be not.
Only you can decide.
 
Originally Posted by Jimzz
Only issue with Castrols CVT fluid is the color, its red. So if you ever have any CVT issues the dealer/manufacture may push back. I used a lot of aftermarket fluids and praise them. But for my customers I use a fluid that has a similar color while under warranty.


Amazon has a couple CVT fluids that are green and at a great price, not too much more than Castrol
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Transtar (sold individually)
Cam2 (sold by the case of 12)

Valvoline CVT is amber, a neutral color that shouldn't cause any color conflict, but it is a bit more expensive ($7/qt at Walmart)
 
I went ahead and ordered the Aisin ATF-SCV for my 2013 Subaru Outback and did a fluid change.

My observations:
The original fluid had 55K miles on it. It was brown like used motor oil with a green tint
I haven't seen the Subaru CVTF-II fluid in person, but from the pictures online, the ATF-SCV looks like a similar shade of green, much better looking than the brown green fluid that came out.
Both new and used CVT fluids smell like sulfur, similar to gear oil.
Post fluid change, no noticeable differences in driving and noise.
 
Thanks for the update bronx!

It's a bit odd that this fluid is recommended for both Subaru and Mitsubishi applications given they're different CVTs. Like said above Subaru supposedly makes their own units and Mitsubishi uses Jatco units. Plus you're talking a chain CVT vs the Jatco belt.
 
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Originally Posted by JTK
Thanks for the update bronx!

It's a bit odd that this fluid is recommended for both Subaru and Mitsubishi applications given they're different CVTs. Like said above Subaru supposedly makes their own units and Mitsubishi uses Jatco units. Plus you're talking a chain CVT vs the Jatco belt.


Is it odd? Considering most aftermarket CVT fluids specify belt and chain compatibility (Amsoil, Valvoline, Eneos)

AMSOIL Synthetic CVT Fluid provides exceptional metal-to-metal frictional properties to help prevent belt and chain slipping and help extend transmission life.
ENEOS ECO CVT FLUID is applicable for both belt and chain pulley types of CVTs.
Valvoline CVT Fluid is recommended for use in most belt and chain-driven continuously variable transmissions and will not void new car warranties.
 
Originally Posted by bronx

Is it odd? Considering most aftermarket CVT fluids specify belt and chain compatibility (Amsoil, Valvoline, Eneos)



Good point on that.

Even Nissan Jatco units can have a belt or a chain. The Pathfinder CVT uses a chain and uses the same NS-3 fluid recommendation as the belt versions.
 
I went ahead and ordered the Aisin ATF-SCV for my 2013 Subaru Outback and did a fluid change.

My observations:
The original fluid had 55K miles on it. It was brown like used motor oil with a green tint
I haven't seen the Subaru CVTF-II fluid in person, but from the pictures online, the ATF-SCV looks like a similar shade of green, much better looking than the brown green fluid that came out.
Both new and used CVT fluids smell like sulfur, similar to gear oil.
Post fluid change, no noticeable differences in driving and noise.
Hi good people, sorry to drag this up from the depths, but I haven't seen anything else related to this specific Aisin fluid and Subaru CVTs.

How has it been going over the past 8 months? I'm due to change the CVT fluid in the wife's 2015 Forester NA (65,000km. probably qualifies as severe service) soon, but can't get the genuine stuff here in Jamaica, not even the dealer sells it. The dealer has been trying to push me towards Amsoil (which they of course sell) but I'm more interested in buying something more specific to the Subaru.
I can order the genuine stuff online but i'll admit it is about twice the price of this Aisin fluid. If I decide to do one drain and fill i can probably spring for the expensive genuine stuff, but if I decide to do two drain and fills, I really would not be excited about looking forward to over 250US in fluid + shipping and + taxes for the genuine fluid.
 
Thanks
So far, so good. I drained and filled with the Aisin fluid on my 2013 outback. Wife reports no changes.
Thanks for the quick reply!

I'm leaning more and more towards this Aisin fluid and either Delvac 75w-90 or M1 75w-90 for the front and rear diff. I'll prefer Delvac but it isn't quite as available.

I had actually tried contacting Idemitsu to see if they were retailing a Subaru equivalent, since they are supposedly the makers of the genuine stuff, but couldn't find anything from them and didn't hear back via email
 
That's true 2dogs, but I guess I am always a little hesitant about one-size-fits-all fluids.

Valvoline claims their fluid works for Audi and VW (TL 52180; G 052 180), Ford (CVT30/Mercon C), Subaru (Lineartronic CVTF), Honda (HMMF), Nissan (NS-2), Mitsubishi (CVTF-J1/SP-III), BMW Mini Cooper (EZL 799), Hyundai and Kia (SP-CVT 1), Suzuki (TC/NS-2/CVT Green1), Dodge, Jeep (NS-2/CVTF+4), GM Saturn (DEX-CVT), Ford (CVT23), Mercedes Benz (236.20).

Seems like a lot of different specifications, whereas some other manufacturers tend to have multiple different CVT fluids depending on the manufacturer they are listing compatability with. That being said, what if the different lines were mostly colour-related to differentiate based on the OEM fluid colours?
 
Hi all, thought I would follow up with you. I emailed Aisin just to ask some questions about the ATF-SCV. They replied quickly!
My question and their answer is as follows:

ME:
I was hoping to get some more info about your Aisin ATF-SCV for use in Subaru applications.
Is it designed to follow a similar change interval as the Subaru fluid?
I was also interested in the compatability with both Subaru and Mitsubishi CVTs. Are the CVTs from these manufacturers related, or are they simply unified into one product since both happen to be "green" fluids?

THEM:
My name is Cesar Tamayo and I am the Product Specialist for Aisin World Corporation of America. We have received your inquiry regarding our Aisin ATF-SCV. Our ATF-SCV Transmission fluid is formulated to meet all of Subaru CVTF-II Transmission specifications and can be mixed and carries the same properties as the Subaru Fluid.
We are unable to answer regarding the Mitsubishi CVT as we currently do not offer it and currently do not know if the Mitsubishi and Subaru CVT Fluids are the same. Hope this answers your questions.
 
So far, so good. I drained and filled with the Aisin fluid on my 2013 outback. Wife reports no changes.
This fluid discussion came up recently between myself and a friend and we were talking about the same Aisin fluid. How has it been going for you?

I ended up using genuine Subaru on my drain and fills since i got a case at a reasonable price at the time, doing fine about 35,000 km later
 
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