1990 Subaru Legacy Oil Type & Capacity
The 1990 Subaru Legacy takes 5W-30 motor oil — 4.8 quarts with a filter change, per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
5W-30 — 4.8 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| Base, 4D Wagon, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, AWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, AWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, FWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, FWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, AWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, AWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, FWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, FWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Sedan, AWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Sedan, AWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Sedan, FWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Sedan, FWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Wagon, AWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Wagon, AWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Wagon, FWD, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
| LS, 4D Wagon, FWD, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F) | 4.80 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Legacy
1990 Subaru Legacy factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.3 quarts (5.96 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1990 Subaru Legacy take?
The 1990 Subaru Legacy takes 5W-30 motor oil (API - SAE 5W-30 (Below 30Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (15Deg.F to 95Deg.F)), per the factory service manual.
How much oil does a 1990 Subaru Legacy take?
The 1990 Subaru Legacy holds 4.8 quarts with a filter change.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1990 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1990 Subaru Legacy. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.