# 2012 Subaru outback CVT questions.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 17, 2019, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569 "2019-11-17T05:56:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569/1 "2019-11-17T05:56:21Z")

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So my Subaru has been acting oddly lately. It only happens on the Interstate at 50+ but it just seems like a clutch has slipped. It revs up from the cruising normal tach of 2k toward 3k , then goes back to normal cruising for 1-30 minutes before it happens again. Not knowing much about CVT, and since it has a sealed Ttanny fluid situation, and really not finding much on the web should I panic?

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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569/2 "2019-11-18T00:17:25Z")

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If it’s something new, then maybe yes. First find out how to check the fluid (there is a way it’s not totally sealed) and change it (not flush). Make sure it’s a the proper level. Then Pray.  
Also realize that ‘lifetime transmission fluid’ means for the lifetime of the transmission, not the car.

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**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569/3 "2019-11-18T00:23:16Z")

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I have a 2010 Outback with the CVT and 160K. I’ve noticed occasionally that it “downshifts” the CVT when I don’t think it needs to. But I’m not sure it’s a sign of the CVT failing, but that the engine is laboring under load of a slight incline, the A/C running, or the heated seats. How many miles on your car?

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**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569/4 "2019-11-18T00:31:25Z")

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Another possibility could be a loss of engine power (such as a failing ignition coil/bad spark plugs/ clogged injectors) . With the CVT, if the engine can’t perform as expected, in some models the CVT will compensate for loss of horsepower. Thus a small incline or the a/c kicking on or any other load on the engine could cause the CVT to ‘kick down’ to deliver the power.

So if you have noticed a loss of power, which may seem small, that could be the issue.

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**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-subaru-outback-cvt-questions/843569/5 "2019-11-18T02:08:39Z")

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And a small loss in power like Kanicbird describes would likely entail an increase in fuel consumption too. If power seems down slightly and so does mileage, they may be correlated.