I could not find anything specific to my question so I decided to start a new thread. If this topic has already been discussed, I apologize and Admins, please delete it.

I have a 2004 Forester XT and have done auto trans drain and fills almost every/other oil change. The last time it was done was in late October. Lately, the AT Oil Temp light has flashed just once or twice while driving, usually after start-up. The manual says it usually happens when the trans is overheating but that can't be the case because I just started the car.

I took it to the dealer (Bloomington Acura/Subaru) and they said the ATF fluid was low by about half a quart. Trans not leaking. My question is...Would driving with a trans half a quart low on fluid harm the transmission?

Car has not exhibited any symptoms except for that light and some jerkiness, for which it always has had to some extent. As with the dealer, I am certainly not happy with them as they probably did not fill it up fully. This is probably the nth wrong thing they have done thus far. Things ranging from leaking oil from not screwing something after an oil change, greasy steering wheel, filling windshield tank with water and now this makes me lose respect for this dealer.

 

low fluid is never good but i doubt it caused any issues. Top the fluid off and see if it keeps happening.

 

I once only put 3/4 of the tranny fluid in. Every time I stop at a stop light, then it turns green, I step on the gas and it dont want to go until I rev hard enough. Once I fill it to the right level, I never had that problem again.