Idemitsu Type SB2 meets the Subaru CVTF-II spec for the TR580 Lineartronic CVT, one 5-quart bottle, enough for a full drain-and-fill service.
Subaru owners with a Lineartronic CVT come looking for Type SB2 when the car is due for fluid, when a light-throttle shudder shows up between about 20 and 40 mph, or when the fluid that comes out of the drain is dark and smells scorched. This is one five-quart bottle of Idemitsu CVT fluid Type SB2, part number 30041113-95300C020, made to the Subaru CVTF-II specification for the TR580 chain-drive CVT.
Unlike the belt-type CVTs in Nissans and Hondas, the Subaru TR580 uses a chain whose pins are clamped between two variable-width pulleys. Hydraulic pressure from the valve body sets the clamp load, and the fluid's friction properties decide whether that load produces grip or creep between the chain pins and the pulley faces. The same fluid also feeds the torque converter lockup clutch, the forward and reverse clutches and, on all-wheel-drive models, the transfer clutch. When the fluid ages, lockup and transfer-clutch apply get rough and the chain-to-pulley contact becomes less stable, which shows up as shudder and hesitation long before a hard failure.
Persistent shudder with fresh fluid points elsewhere. ATRA has documented lockup duty solenoids that open when hot and set P2763 on these units, so a code like that calls for electrical testing, not just another fluid change.
Subaru changed its CVT fluid by model year and application. Gears Magazine (ATRA) lists the original CVTF C-30, then CVTF-II from roughly 2015 to 2019, then a low-viscosity CVTF III used in some TR580 and TR690 cars, plus separate High Torque fluids for turbo models such as the Forester XT and WRX. CVTF-II is not the right fluid for a unit that calls for a High Torque or low-viscosity spec. Read the fluid spec in your owner's manual or on the transmission label, and if there is any doubt, send us the year and VIN or ask a Subaru dealer to look it up. Our Subaru Lineartronic CVT service guide covers the fluid types and service in more depth.
The listing covers the TR580 Lineartronic CVT in the Forester, Outback, Legacy, Impreza and XV Crosstrek where CVTF-II is the specified fluid. Because the TR580 was revised over its life and later cars moved to other fluid specs, the vehicle's own fill spec decides, not the model name alone. If you would rather have the Subaru-boxed bottle, we stock genuine Subaru CVTF-II. All of our CVT parts are listed on the CVT collection page.
ATRA's Lineartronic training outlines the job: remove the hex drain plug on the main case pan and let it drain fully, then fill through the fill plug until fluid starts to drip out. Start the engine, watch fluid temperature on a scan tool until it reads 86 to 104 F (30 to 40 C), move the selector slowly through P-R-N-D and back so the fluid circulates, then top up until it drips again. Fit a new fill plug gasket and torque the plug to 36.9 ft-lb. There is no dipstick on most of these, so that temperature-referenced check is the only accurate way to level it. One drain swaps only part of the fluid, so a full change takes two or three cycles. On early cars the front differential has its own gear oil and its own drain and check plugs, so do not confuse the two. If shudder survives the service, the TR580 solenoid kit is the next part most shops look at, and the CVT harsh or delayed shift guide helps narrow it down.
| Fluid specification | Subaru CVTF-II |
| Volume | 5 quarts (one bottle) |
| Part number | Idemitsu 30041113-95300C020 |
| Applications | Subaru TR580 Lineartronic CVT: Forester, Outback, Legacy, Impreza, XV Crosstrek |
| Not for | CVTF-HT units, older green CVTF, conventional automatics or manuals |
| Shipping weight | 9.22 lb |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is Idemitsu fluid made to the Subaru CVTF-II specification, part number 30041113-95300C020. We also sell the Subaru-boxed CVTF-II if you prefer that bottle.
Check first. Subaru turbo models with the high-torque CVT use a separate High Torque fluid, and CVTF-II is not a substitute where that spec is called for.
Roughly four to five quarts come out at the drain on most TR580 cars, which is why this comes as a five-quart bottle. A full change takes two or three drain-and-fills.
Fill at the fill plug until it drips, run the engine until a scan tool shows 86 to 104 F, cycle the selector, then top up until fluid drips again and refit the plug with a new gasket.
Scan for codes. ATRA reports lockup duty solenoid failures that set P2763 when hot, and the valve body solenoids are the usual next suspect after fluid.
On earlier TR580 units the front differential has separate gear oil with its own drain and check plugs. It is a separate service; check your maintenance schedule.
