1997 Subaru Legacy Oil Type & Capacity
The 1997 Subaru Legacy oil type depends on the engine: the Brighton, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the Brighton, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GT, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the GT, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the LSi, 4D Sedan takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the LSi, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Outback Limited, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Outback Limited, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Outback, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Outback, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts with filter); the Postal takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Brighton, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Brighton, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GT, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- GT, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- L, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- LSi, 4D Sedan: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- LSi, 4D Wagon: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Outback Limited, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Outback Limited, Standard: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Outback, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Outback, Standard: 5W-30, 4.7 quarts with filter
- Postal: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| Brighton, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| GT, 4D Wagon, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| L, 4D Wagon, Standard — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
| LSi, 4D Sedan — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| LSi, 4D Wagon — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Outback Limited, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Outback Limited, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Outback, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Outback, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 QTS. | — | — |
| Postal — 2.2L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.20 QTS. | — | — |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Legacy
1997 Subaru Legacy factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.2 quarts (5.86 L) — 50/50 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Antifreeze and water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 1997 Subaru Legacy take?
It depends on the engine: Brighton, Automatic uses 5W-30; Brighton, Standard uses 5W-30; GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; GT, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-30; GT, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; L, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; L, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-30; L, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-30; LSi, 4D Sedan uses 5W-30; LSi, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30; Outback Limited, Automatic uses 5W-30; Outback Limited, Standard uses 5W-30; Outback, Automatic uses 5W-30; Outback, Standard uses 5W-30; Postal uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 1997 Subaru Legacy take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Brighton, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Brighton, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GT, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; GT, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; L, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; L, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; L, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; L, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; LSi, 4D Sedan holds 4.7 quarts with filter; LSi, 4D Wagon holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Outback Limited, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Outback Limited, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Outback, Automatic holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Outback, Standard holds 4.7 quarts with filter; Postal holds 4.2 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1997 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1997 Subaru Legacy. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.