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At Oil Temp Subaru: What Does It Mean?

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Jeffrey
March 21, 2022
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If something on your dashboard begins to glow, you may have a problem.

Despite the fact that the lights and symbols are usually visible, one of them is labeled “AT Oil Temp,” leaving many vehicle owners perplexed. The at oil temp Subaru symbol might light up for a variety of reasons.

The temperature of the oil in your automatic transmission rises to a level that is considered dangerous. The maximum safe operating range for an automobile’s automatic transmission is between -40°F and +250°F (-40°C and +482°C).

When the engine reaches this condition, it’s time to pull over and change your car’s oil.

What Is The Significance Of “At Oil Temp Subaru”?

Oil indicator Subaru

The AT Oil Temp is a temperature gauge that displays transmission fluid temperatures. The light will come on and notify you when the temperature reaches levels that are far too high.

The worry is that your gearbox and engine can only take so much heat. If the temperature rises too high, the engine may corrode or other issues may develop, leaving you stranded or causing damage to your automobile.

Why Does The At Oil Temp Subaru Warning Light Flash?

If the oil inside your AT gets too hot, the At or A/T Oil Temp Light will come on and flash.

To put it another way, a transmission is a metal casing with rotating elements within it. The engine powers the transmission by connecting it to the clutch.

The crankshaft rotates at different rates, but the engine always produces the same amount of power.

The direct drive or 1:1 gear ratio occurs when the transmission is in fourth gear. This implies that a car with no transmission would be in fourth gear all of the time, making it nearly impossible to start moving.

That is why there are lower gear options. They convert a number of revolutions of the engine into a single revolution of the wheels. The highest gears, known as overdrive, spin faster than the engine and allow for greater top speeds.

It’s the transmission isn’t a power generator, but rather a power converter. It’s intended to function in certain conditions in an enclosed space.

What Should You Do When The AT Oil Temp Subaru Light Flashes?

Indicator flashing

When an oil light appears, pull over and switch off the automobile immediately.

This is a no-questions-asked policy. There are no exceptions to this rule. The airflow beneath the automobile prevents transmission oil from being too hot, but it isn’t enough. As quickly as feasible, prevent the components from moving.

Checking Your Oil Gearbox

  1. You can check out your transmission fluid. If you see a low level, you should fill it up, let your car cool down. If your vehicle starts to run again, that could be a quick fix, but If it keeps on happening, you could have an underlying issue.
  2. You can also change your transmission fluid draining the oil and then adding new oil afterward. Take a quick transmission test. Most transmission oils won’t need to be changed until 100,000 miles or more, but you can check the health by looking at the colors.

Why Is Your Transmission Heating Up?

If your automobile’s transmission fluid becomes excessively hot, you should look into it. There might be a variety of causes for your fluid to become overheated, and learning about them may assist you in getting it resolved faster. The following are some of the most frequent reasons why transmission fluid will overheat:

  • Transmission fluid at low levels
  • Contamination, old fluids, and deposits
  • Slipping transmission
  • The solenoid was found to be faulty.
  • Drive fast and in the heat on a daily basis.

What Should I Do If My AT Oil Temp Subaru Is Broken?

What Should I Do If My AT Oil Temp Subaru Is Broken?

Some repairs are simply too big for a do-it-yourself project. You may believe that replacing the transmission oil is no more difficult than changing engine oil – but it’s an entirely different animal.

 The first thing to understand is that your transmission oil is changed at predetermined intervals. Your service booklet should contain a record of the most recent oil change as well as when it’ll need to be done again.

Overheating transmission fluid is frequently the result of a mechanical problem within the gearbox, which only an expert can diagnose and repair.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Subaru Transmission?

The maintenance of a Subaru is not cheap, especially the powertrain. A fluid transmission change costs about $200, and that’s as inexpensive as it gets.

It’s nearly impossible to calculate the real cost of repair without knowing what’s damaged, but you should anticipate costs to start at $1,000 and rise to around $2,000 on average. A complete transmission replacement or refurbishment will set you back approximately $3,500.

I’d advise getting the car inspected and changing the transmission oil. If the issue hasn’t been resolved, consider how much it would cost to fix. If the math doesn’t work, sell the car instead of repairing it and use the proceeds to buy a new vehicle.

FAQs

Is At Oil Temp Subaru Telling Me When It’s Time For An Oil Change?

Is At Oil Temp Subaru Telling Me When It's Time For An Oil Change?

Of course, as with any responsible carmaker, all of Subaru’s vehicles come with an oil change warning light or a service alert.

You should continue to keep track of your own records since it is good practice and helps you stay on top of maintenance. In the end, maintaining your own records will increase resale value.

Why Is My Gearbox Fluid Getting So Hot?

A hot transmission fluid might indicate a low oil level or a mechanical problem that is causing friction and generating heat. Regardless of the situation, you should have a mechanic examine and repair it, rather than attempting to solve it yourself.

What Is The Maximum Temperature For A Car’s Transmission That Isn’t Recommended?

Transmission fluid in Subarus is usually kept at a temperature of 175° Fahrenheit. The temperature might be higher than that, but anything beyond 200° degrees is dangerous.

What Are The Indicators Of A Failing Transmission?

There are a variety of indications that a transmission system is on the verge of failing. The following are some of the most common symptoms:

  • Denial to change gears
  • Transmission fluid is burning
  • While in neutral, there may be a variety of noises.
  • Transmission fluid is leaking.
  • Check engine light is illuminated in the night.
  • Ticking, humming, or knocking sounds
  • When shifting, the engine does not react.

It’s Better To Keep A Plant In A Pot If You’re The Only One Who Uses It.

I apologize in advance for delivering a guide that will simply point you to a mechanic; however, in some situations, this is the best and only solution.

Transmission repairs are extremely difficult for a homeowner mechanic to complete, and even the local jack-of-all-trades experts avoid them. An approved dealership or a Subaru specialist will assist you in identifying and resolving the problem.

Jeffrey

Jeffrey Bryce is an experienced motorcycle rider with years of experience caring for motorcycles. His natural fondness for motorcycles have made him come up with LetsGoForARide.com, which is dedicated to answering and teaching you how to care for your bike with the care it requires. LetsGoForARide is the one of his important lifework in reaching out to communities of motorcycle enthusiasts on how to take care of their bike and choosing the correct spare part.