[STI 08]

Originally Posted by pdivizzle0112

so all 4.** quarts go into number 11? thats basically all ive been searching around for. all this time i thought you put the fluid in through the top plug which is #2 on the diagram.

you mean #1 on the diagram? i thought thats was supposed to be the fill hole, thats what seems to be indicated by the pic on the first page of this thread, because it is circled.

[gianspi]

Originally Posted by pdivizzle0112

...
where do you fill the center diff from?

IIRC, the center diff is closed. You cannot change the fluid.

[severe]

yes you fill through #11 only bolt mid tranny on driver side, for me it was a pain in the *** because the tubing i had was too short to do it from the top, so i managed from the bottom but it was a royal pita.

basically you need something like this:


snake the tube down below into the fill plug, place something below it to catch overflow oil, and fill from the top. i had the same thing but with a screw on top for a bottle instead of a funnel. the tubing was 2x shorter than what i needed. i think 2-3ft would do it, ill buy 4ft and cut to length next time.

[pdivizzle0112]

so i guess the diy is wrong since you cant replace the center diff fluid. was it like this on all model years or just the 08?

so confused. im a technician, but ive never worked on subarus before and this is my first symmetrical awd car

[Slimey]

Originally Posted by Scoobie08STi

What's the factory recommended time and mileage to change transmission and diff oil?

Never, for normal use!
Only inspections are recommended to 120K miles



every 15K miles if you regularly tow a trailer (!)

Originally Posted by ignacio1983

I have never change the transmision oil on any of my manual cars... and so far no problems.... my 03 mazdaspeed has 200.000 an no problems.

I have to agree - there is a reasonable argument to not change the MT oil. Inspect & check for leaks though.

I see some change the factory fill for performance though. Something to consider...

[Deuce Cam]

Originally Posted by pdivizzle0112

so i guess the diy is wrong since you cant replace the center diff fluid. was it like this on all model years or just the 08?

so confused. im a technician, but ive never worked on subarus before and this is my first symmetrical awd car

Correct, you should follow the diagram severe posted. The front/center diff and transmission share and use the same bath of oil - ie, when you add oil to the fill hole (#11 in the diagram severe posted) it goes in the transmission AND the front/center diff.

[Deuce Cam]

Originally Posted by Slimey

Never, for normal use!
Only inspections are recommended to 120K miles



every 15K miles if you regularly tow a trailer (!)


I have to agree - there is a reasonable argument to not change the MT oil. Inspect & check for leaks though.

I see some change the factory fill for performance though. Something to consider...

Interesting, it seems the documention on the transmission/rear diff service has changed over the years; although, my manual still lists only an 'I' for inspect for normal maintenance throughout 120K miles, just like yours. For comparison, MY06 manual's maintenance schedule (looks the same as the first pc you posted) has the transmission and rear diff service listed together on one line, under the same item number; there's also a 'see note' listed under the last column for this item.

The note says the transmission and rear diff oil should be changed every 15K miles if the vehicle is frequently driven under extreme conditions. They list examples pertaining to this item that qualify as extreme conditions, they include: frequently driving short distance, driving on bumpy or muddy roads, driving in dusty conditions, driving in cold weather, and pulling a trailer.

[pdivizzle0112]

Originally Posted by Deuce Cam

Correct, you should follow the diagram severe posted. The front/center diff and transmission share and use the same bath of oil - ie, when you add oil to the fill hole (#11 in the diagram severe posted) it goes in the transmission AND the front/center diff.

that pretty much cleared it up. so when draining, do you basically just drain the pan only, or do you also need remove the big torx bolt that is vertical?

[Deuce Cam]

Originally Posted by pdivizzle0112

that pretty much cleared it up. so when draining, do you basically just drain the pan only, or do you also need remove the big torx bolt that is vertical?

You want to remove both plugs to drain; the plug on the pan and the plug directly under the differential casing.

[pdivizzle0112]

Originally Posted by Deuce Cam

You want to remove both plugs to drain; the plug on the pan and the plug directly under the differential casing.

Thank you!