1998 Subaru Legacy Oil Type & Capacity
The 1998 Subaru Legacy oil type depends on the engine: the Brighton, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Brighton, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the GT Limited takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the GT, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the L, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt with filter); the Outback Limited, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Outback Limited, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Outback, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Outback, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.7 quarts qt with filter); the Postal takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts qt 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 Limited: 5W-30, 4.7 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
- 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 Limited — 2.5L Eng | API - SAE 5W-30 (Preferred) (Below 100Deg.F), 10W-30/40 (Above 0Deg.F) | 4.70 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. | — | — |
| 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. | — | — |
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More factory specs & repair guides for your Legacy
🛞 1998 Subaru Legacy Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 1998 Subaru Legacy Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 1998 Subaru Legacy Light Bulb Sizes →📖 1998 Subaru Legacy Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network 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 1998 Subaru Legacy take?
It depends on the engine: Brighton, Automatic uses 5W-30; Brighton, Standard uses 5W-30; GT Limited 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; 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.
What is the oil capacity of a 1998 Subaru Legacy?
Oil capacity depends on the engine: Brighton, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Brighton, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; GT Limited holds 4.7 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; 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.
How often should I change the oil in my 1998 Subaru Legacy?
Most 1998 Subaru Legacy owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Subaru recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 1998 Subaru Legacy?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 1998 Subaru Legacy. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.