Topic: Slow Shift When Cold

[Blue01]

I have an '01 Legacy, 2.5AT, with about 225,000 km on it.  On a cold morning, the first time it shifts from 2nd to 3rd, it stays in 2nd for what seems like a very long time.  If I let it warm up at least a couple of minutes, that seems to help.  Usually, the warm-up period in the winter is about a minute.
I had the tranny oil changed at 197,000, that was 4 years ago.
Does it need changing again, or is there something else, maybe ominous, that is rearing it's ugly head?

[articsteve]

I had the tranny oil changed at 197,000, that was 4 years ago.

Do you mean that that the oil in the tranny pan was changed which is approx. 4 litres plus the screw on filter (which is a fantastic thing).

4 litres being about 1/3 of the total amount of transmission fluid.

I would do another "dump and refill".  I would also change the filter.  Screw on type like an oil filter I assume?

However, at this point in the car's life cycle I would not be too concerned about the slow shifting if it's just for a minute or so.   That is not uncommon.

What cold temps are we talking about?

[Blue01]

Since I posted this, the problem has become more noticeable.
This is what is happening:

Within the past couple of weeks the shifts have been even longer and with a very hard shift when it goes up into third.  Until it gets fully warmed up, the other shifts have also been harder than usual.

Any ideas?  I'm getting ready to park the car for the next six months and would like to have it running properly when it goes back on the road.

[articsteve]

Pour in a can of Transmedic from "GUNK".  Should be found at Crappy Tire.

[Blue01]

Not much progress being made with the tranny problem, just a little confusion.

For starters, I haven't tried the Transmedic yet, but it just may come to that.
Anyways, I called one A/T shop and asked them about having the transmission fluid and filter changed.  They said that tranny only has an enclosed filter that cannot be accessed, so I should just have the fluids flushed!
I called another and they said all that is needed is to have the pan dropped to access the filter, but they would like to do a roadtest first to determine a little closer the problem, then if neccesary change the fluids.  They wanted about $200 for the fluid change.
So what gives?  Does this car have an accessible tranny filter or not?

[johngenx]

The trans has a spin-on filter that looks like an engine oil filter.  In fact, oil and lube shops often mistake it for the engine oil filter and screw things up royally.

STAY AWAY from "transmission shops."  Most are nothing more than rip-off joints.  You need a real indie tech that either has Subaru experience, or can learn about them quickly.  Those are actually pretty simple cars, and a competent tech can fix most anything on them without any special knowledge.

[articsteve]

Agree with John.  Do not take it to a tranny shop and absolutely FORGET the flush.  However, you could buy the external filter and change that providing you can get it off.

Or take it a Subi dealer and get a dump and fill plus filter.  Probably run ya $150., but 10 times better move than a tranny shop.

Or roll the dice on the Transmedic.  If the tranny is at the full mark when hot, and you do get industrious and change the filter yurself, the 500 ml of Transmedic should fill the capacity of the filter.

Becau