On my daughter's 2002 2.5/auto, pretty much all the information I found said that the filter was not really a service item. I just replaced the fluid with Subaru ATF from the parts counter. I think I changed it once, let her drive it for a few hundred miles, then changed it again.
Make sure to change the diff oil too! If you look closely, there are TWO dipsticks on Subaru autos. One is for the trans, the other is for the front diff. I have seen many heinous crimes involving draining the trans and double filling the diff, I'll say that much...
Oh, and a lot of Subarus have a spin-on trans filter that is ridiculously easy to change. Plan on changing it. It will be in one of two places depending on year:
Early cars:
Later cars:
I usually just pull the plug and refill with Dex/Merc Valvoline High Mileage trans fluid. My trans has a spin on external filter - yours may not.
The Trans Fix stuff is popular on the Subaru forms and so I added it last time to my '00 Outback Wagon. I didn't notice any difference.
I have tried Lucas auto trans oil and I would not recommend it. Foamed my oil and the trans started slipping shortly after.
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