Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving

georged4

My independant shop said Subaru recommends fluid changes at 15K under Severe conditions. I live in Western New York (Buffalo). The shop said just this area s considered severe because of all the moisture.

Does that sound reasonable or did I pay for service not really needed. I don't tow or off road but it does get frequent short trips.

xwesx

What fluids did you have changed? The best way to know when and what to change is to send oil samples (such as engine, transmission, differential) to a laboratory for evaluation. Once you establish a baseline, you'll know with confidence that the schedules you choose are effective for both your car and your pocketbook!

georged4

Changed brake fluid, transmission and differentials.

xwesx

Overkill, I'd be willing to bet, for all three.

aatherton

"My independant shop said Subaru recommends fluid changes at 15K under Severe conditions. I live in Western New York (Buffalo). The shop said just this area s considered severe because of all the moisture. Changed brake fluid, transmission and differentials. Does that sound reasonable or did I pay for service not really needed."

I think that level of service was not all needed at 15,000 miles. It is not on the Subaru maintenance schedule.

The differential oil should be checked at 15,000 miles. The rear differential oil usually has darkened by then and is worthwhile to change.

Brake fluid can absorb moisture in very humid climate, related to time not miles, and could be changed every 2 years. But very few people do that.

The maintenance schedule merely says to inspect the transmission fluid for its level and condition at 30,000 miles. Transmission fluid need not be changed at 15,000 miles unless overheated and darkened by severe trailer towing. And it cannot be replaced by a simple draining, which removes only 4 of the 10 quarts. Complete replacement of 10 quarts by a special machine costs around $200.

I think you paid for service not needed, except for the rear diff, which I think should be replaced sooner than the schedule says.

ateixeira

For gear oil I have 2 reference points:

60k miles on my Forester was OK
28k miles on my Miata was too long

But...the Forester was about 5 years old, while the Miata was 8 years old.

So in my experience it had more to do with the age of the fluid.

aatherton

"... So in my experience it had more to do with the age of the fluid."

Gear oil does not age. It weakens from shear and becomes contaminated with wear particles. That is, it becomes thinner and darker.

ateixeira

I imagine it was contaminated with moisture, over time, and then deteriorated badly.

Just 28k miles, though.