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Most Subarus have the oil type printed on the oil cap – it will likely be 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 or 10W-40. If it isn’t printed on the oil cap, check your owner’s manual for the exact type before adding new oil.
We recommend wearing safety glasses whenever you are working under your Legacy. You never know what could be dripping down from the engine, battery acid, engine coolant, brake fluid, etc. All of these fluids are extremely harmful to your eyes and skin so it is important to protect yourself.
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Subaru Legacy oil capacity and oil change
| Engine | Oil capacity | Recommended oil type | Oil change interval |
| EJ 16 Legacy 1.6 | 4.5 L | 5W-30 | 12,500 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months |
| EJ 18 Legacy 1.8 | 4.5 L | 5W-30 | 12,500 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months |
| EJ 20 Legacy 2.0 | 4.0 L | 5W-30 | 12,500 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months |
| EJ 20 turbo Legacy 2.0 Turbo | 4.5 L | 5W-30 | 5,000-10,000 km (3,000-6,000 miles) or 12 months |
| EJ 22 Legacy 2.2 | 4.5 L |
10W-30 10W-40 5W-30 |
15,000 km (9,000 miles) or 12 month |
How to change the motor oil in Subaru Legacy 1993-1999
Tools needed
- Fast Lift Service Jack
- Jack Stands
- Gloves
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wheel Ramps
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Funnel
- 17 mm Socket
- Socket Set and Ratchet
- Oil Drain Plug with Gasket
- Oil Filter
- Engine Additives
- Best Motor Oil for Subaru Legacy
Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 3
2000 2001 2002 2003 Subaru Legacy oil capacity
| Engine | Oil capacity / Filter capacity | Recommended oil type | Oil change interval |
| EJ 25 Legacy 2.5 | 4.5 (2000-2007) 4.3 (WRX/STI 2000+) |
0W-30 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
5,000-10,000 km (3,000-6,000 miles) or 12 months |
| EJ 20 Legacy 2.0 | 4.0 1993-2007 | 5W-30 | 12,500 km (7,500 miles) or 12 months |
2000-2003 Subaru Legacy oil change
Tools needed
- Fast Lift Service Jack
- Jack Stands
- Gloves
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wheel Ramps
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Funnel
- 17 mm Socket
- Socket Set and Ratchet
- Oil Drain Plug with Gasket
- Oil Filter
- Best Motor Oil for Subaru Legacy
Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 3
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Subaru Legacy oil capacity
| Engine | Oil capacity / Filter capacity | Recommended oil type (viscosity) | Oil change interval |
| EJ255 Legacy 2.5 Turbo | 4 L | 5W-30 | 6 000 km / 4 months |
| EZ 30 Legacy 3.0 | 5.5 L |
0W-30 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
15 000 km / 12 months |
| EJ253 Legacy 2.5 | 4 L | 5W-30 | 12 000 km / 8 months |
How to replace the motor oil in Subaru Legacy 2004-2009
Tools needed
- Fast Lift Service Jack
- Jack Stands
- Gloves
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wheel Ramps
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Funnel
- 17 mm Socket
- Socket Set and Ratchet
- Oil Drain Plug with Gasket
- Oil Filter
- Best Motor Oil for Subaru Legacy
Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 3
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Subaru Legacy oil capacity
| Engine | Oil capacity / Filter capacity | Recommended oil type | Oil change interval |
| EJ255 Legacy 2.5 Turbo | 4.3 L | 5W-30 | 12 000 km / 8 months |
| EJ253 Legacy 2.5 | 4.2 L | 5W-30 | 12 000 km / 8 months |
| EZ36D Legacy 3.0 | 6.3 L |
0W-30 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
12 000 km / 8 months |
How to change the engine oil in Subaru Legacy 2010-2014
Tools needed
- Fast Lift Service Jack
- Jack Stands
- Gloves
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wheel Ramps
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Funnel
- 14 mm Socket
- 10 mm Socket
- Socket Set and Ratchet
- Oil Drain Plug
- Oil Filter
- Best Motor Oil for Subaru Legacy
Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 3
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Subaru Legacy oil capacity
| Engine | Oil capacity / Filter capacity | Recommended oil type | Oil change interval |
| FA20DIT Legacy 2.0T | 5.1 L / 0.2 L |
0W-20 5W-20 5W-30 5W-40 |
15 000 km/ 12 months |
| FB25 Legacy 2.5i | 4.8 L / 0.2 L | 0W-20 5W-20 5W-30 5W-40 |
15 000 km/ 12 months |
| EZ36D Legacy 3.6R | 6.5 L / 0.2 L |
0W-30 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
15 000 km/ 12 months |
How to change the motor oil in Subaru Legacy 2015-2020
Tools needed
- Fast Lift Service Jack
- Jack Stands
- Gloves
- Oil Drain Pan
- Wheel Ramps
- Oil Filter Wrench
- Oil Funnel
- 14 mm Socket
- 10 mm Socket
- Socket Set and Ratchet
- Oil Drain Plug
- Oil Drain Plug Crush Washer
- Oil Filter
- Best Motor Oil for Subaru Legacy
Bestseller No. 2Bestseller No. 3
The Oil Is Black and Gritty
New oil is the color of honey, but after just a few weeks of use, it begins to turn dark. This color change is acceptable, but as soon as you see particles mixed in with that darker-colored oil, it’s time for an oil change. These particles can get stuck in your engine and overwhelm your oil filter, which will result in clogging and unnecessary buildup. Has your oil changed before this becomes a problem?
The Engine Runs Loudly
Oil is an engine lubricant, preventing parts from grinding against one another. The dry friction of the constantly moving parts gives off a metallic grinding sound. If your engine begins to run louder and makes abnormal and unpleasant noises, don’t delay that oil change any longer or your Subaru could suffer serious consequences.
Last update on 2020-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
