What is a CVT transmission and how does it help me?

Subaru CVT questions?

• I'm not familiar with this new type of automatic transmission, the CVT. I bought a new Legacy and driving it has sparked some questions. I would like to get answers from Subaru mechanics or other professionals if there are any here. 1. Why no dipstick? 2. What kind of fluid is in this thing and what does it do if it gets low? 3. What kind of maintenance/service is suggested for this transmission? How often? 4. What can I do to help ensure long life? 5. Is there any harm in using the "manual" mode often?

• Answer:

  1. it doesn't have a dipstick because it no longer uses conventional fluid, it now uses special CVT fluid, which is more like a gear oil. it wont expand with heat (not as much as regular ATF atleast) and isnt under as much pressure like ATF 2. we call it smurf fluid, its actually blue. it doesnt get low, unless theres a leak. your transmission light will turn on if it does dip too low though. 3. your probably gonna look at regular transmission fluid flushes every 30 to 35k depending how hard you drive it and where you live. sometimes as soon as 20k. 4. like any paddle controlled transmission, keep it in D. and be easy on those paddles, trying to shift back to 1st at 4 thousand rpm isnt making the transmissions job any easier. 5. like i mentioned before, theres nothing wrong with using manual mode, and it has several safety feature in it that keep you from shifting incorrectly, but assuming you're not new to driving, people can always abuse the manual mode (leaving it in 1st too long, over revving it, downshifting too fast, forgetting to shift)