🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Subaru Model: Legacy Year: 1998 Platform: BD/BG/BK Generation: Second Generation (BD/BG/BK) 👋 Introduction Market Position Positioning: Mid-size sedan and wagon known for its standard All-Wheel Drive and comfortable ride, appealing to buyers seeking reliable all-weather capability Competitive Analysis Competitors: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, Mazda 626, Nissan Altima Key Features AWD Standard: Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive was a key differentiator Engine Options: Reliable boxer engines offered good balance and a low center of gravity Body Styles: Available as a 4-door sedan and a 5-door wagon (often referred to as the Outback Sport in some trims) 📋 Manual Details Coverage Areas Manual Type: Factory Service Repair Manual Language: English Format: Downloadable PDF Coverage Scope: Complete vehicle repair and maintenance Page Count Estimated Pages: Hundreds (Printable) 📖 Manual Coverage Systems Covered Engine Systems: Engine mechanical, lubrication, cooling, fuel, ignition, emissions, performance tuning Transmission Drivetrain: Automatic Transmission (4AT), Manual Transmission (5MT), All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, driveline components Chassis Systems: Suspension (front & rear), steering, brakes (ABS, standard), wheel alignment Electrical Systems: Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting, instrumentation, power accessories, HVAC controls, audio system, SRS (Airbag) system Body And Trim: Exterior body panels, interior trim, glass, seals, doors, hood, trunk, bumpers, seats HVAC System: Air conditioning, heating, ventilation, blower system, refrigerant handling Procedures Included Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks and changes, tune-ups Diagnostics Troubleshooting: On-board diagnostics (OBD-I), fault code interpretation, systematic troubleshooting guides for all systems Repair Overhaul: Engine rebuild procedures, transmission overhaul, brake caliper replacement, suspension component replacement, electrical component repair Installation: Component replacement and installation procedures for all major parts and systems Specifications And Tolerances: Detailed torque specifications, clearances, alignment angles, electrical resistance values Technical Depth Depth: Comprehensive from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls, including electrical system diagnostics and body repair 📊 Manual Specifications File Format File Type: PDF Print Quality Resolution: High-resolution, suitable for printing individual pages or the entire manual Binding Type Binding: N/A (Digital PDF Download) Paper Type Paper: N/A (Digital PDF Download) Searchability Text Search: Likely text-searchable if the original scan was performed with OCR ⚙️ Engine Specifications Primary Engine Engine Code 1: EJ22E Engine Description 1: 2.2L SOHC 16-valve Boxer-4 Displacement 1: 2211 cc (134.9 cu in) Bore X Stroke 1: 96.9 mm x 75.0 mm (3.81 in x 2.95 in) Compression Ratio 1: 9.5:1 Horsepower 1: 135 hp @ 5600 rpm Torque 1: 133 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Engine Options Engine Code 2: EJ25D Engine Description 2: 2.5L DOHC 16-valve Boxer-4 Displacement 2: 2457 cc (149.9 cu in) Bore X Stroke 2: 99.5 mm x 79.0 mm (3.92 in x 3.11 in) Compression Ratio 2: 10.0:1 Horsepower 2: 165 hp @ 5600 rpm Torque 2: 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm Fuel System Fuel Delivery: Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI) Fuel Type: Unleaded gasoline (87 octane recommended) Lubrication Oil Capacity: 4.5 quarts (4.3 L) with filter (EJ22E/EJ25D) Recommended Oil Viscosity: 10W-30 API SG or SH 🔧 Transmission Standard Transmission Type: 4-speed automatic (4AT) or 5-speed manual (5MT) Drivetrain: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission Model: TZ102 Manual Transmission Manual Transmission Model: LS525 Features AWD Operation: Viscous coupling center differential with torque split (typically 50/50 front/rear) Fluid Specifications Automatic Transmission Fluid: Subaru ATF (or Dexron III equivalent) Manual Transmission Fluid: GL-5 75W-90 gear oil Fluid Capacities Automatic Transmission Capacity: 3.9 quarts (3.7 L) for initial fill Manual Transmission Capacity: 2.0 quarts (1.9 L) 📐 Dimensions Exterior Length Sedan: 181.7 inches (4615 mm) Length Wagon: 185.2 inches (4705 mm) Width: 67.9 inches (1725 mm) Height Sedan: 55.1 inches (1400 mm) Height Wagon: 57.7 inches (1465 mm) Wheelbase: 104.3 inches (2649 mm) Front Track: 58.3 inches (1480 mm) Rear Track: 58.1 inches (1475 mm) Weights Curb Weight Est Min: 3050 lbs (1383 kg) Curb Weight Est Max: 3300 lbs (1497 kg) Wheels Tires Wheel Size: 15-inch or 16-inch alloy or steel Tire Size Std: 205/60R15 Tire Size Opt: 205/55R16 Bolt Pattern: 5x100mm Offset: +48mm to +55mm (typical) 🛡️ Safety Features Ratings NHTSA Driver Side Frontal Impact Rating: 4 stars NHTSA Passenger Side Frontal Impact Rating: 4 stars IIHS Frontal Offset Rating: Acceptable (1997-2001 models) Active Features ABS: Available Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on select models/trims Traction Control: Not commonly available Passive Features Airbags: Driver and front passenger airbags (SRS) Seatbelts: 3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, 3-point rear seatbelts Body Structure: Reinforced chassis and crumple zones 💡 Technology Features Infotainment Audio System: Factory-installed AM/FM stereo with cassette tape player and optional CD player. Basic speaker configurations. Climate Control: Manual or automatic climate control systems with A/C. Driver Assistance Cruise Control: Standard on most trims. Power Accessories: Power windows, power door locks, power mirrors available on higher trims. Connectivity Phone Integration: No integrated Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity. Diagnostics OBD Standard: OBD-I (On-Board Diagnostics, First Generation) Diagnostic Interface:...
Comprehensive from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls, including electrical system diagnostics and body repair
📊 Manual Specifications
File Format
File Type:
PDF
Print Quality
Resolution:
High-resolution, suitable for printing individual pages or the entire manual
Binding Type
Binding:
N/A (Digital PDF Download)
Paper Type
Paper:
N/A (Digital PDF Download)
Searchability
Text Search:
Likely text-searchable if the original scan was performed with OCR
⚙️ Engine Specifications
Primary Engine
Engine Code 1:
EJ22E
Engine Description 1:
2.2L SOHC 16-valve Boxer-4
Displacement 1:
2211 cc (134.9 cu in)
Bore X Stroke 1:
96.9 mm x 75.0 mm (3.81 in x 2.95 in)
Compression Ratio 1:
9.5:1
Horsepower 1:
135 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque 1:
133 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Engine Options
Engine Code 2:
EJ25D
Engine Description 2:
2.5L DOHC 16-valve Boxer-4
Displacement 2:
2457 cc (149.9 cu in)
Bore X Stroke 2:
99.5 mm x 79.0 mm (3.92 in x 3.11 in)
Compression Ratio 2:
10.0:1
Horsepower 2:
165 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque 2:
162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel System
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-port Fuel Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline (87 octane recommended)
Lubrication
Oil Capacity:
4.5 quarts (4.3 L) with filter (EJ22E/EJ25D)
Recommended Oil Viscosity:
10W-30 API SG or SH
🔧 Transmission
Standard
Transmission Type:
4-speed automatic (4AT) or 5-speed manual (5MT)
Drivetrain:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission Model:
TZ102
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission Model:
LS525
Features
AWD Operation:
Viscous coupling center differential with torque split (typically 50/50 front/rear)
Fluid Specifications
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Subaru ATF (or Dexron III equivalent)
Manual Transmission Fluid:
GL-5 75W-90 gear oil
Fluid Capacities
Automatic Transmission Capacity:
3.9 quarts (3.7 L) for initial fill
Manual Transmission Capacity:
2.0 quarts (1.9 L)
📐 Dimensions
Exterior
Length Sedan:
181.7 inches (4615 mm)
Length Wagon:
185.2 inches (4705 mm)
Width:
67.9 inches (1725 mm)
Height Sedan:
55.1 inches (1400 mm)
Height Wagon:
57.7 inches (1465 mm)
Wheelbase:
104.3 inches (2649 mm)
Front Track:
58.3 inches (1480 mm)
Rear Track:
58.1 inches (1475 mm)
Weights
Curb Weight Est Min:
3050 lbs (1383 kg)
Curb Weight Est Max:
3300 lbs (1497 kg)
Wheels Tires
Wheel Size:
15-inch or 16-inch alloy or steel
Tire Size Std:
205/60R15
Tire Size Opt:
205/55R16
Bolt Pattern:
5x100mm
Offset:
+48mm to +55mm (typical)
🛡️ Safety Features
Ratings
NHTSA Driver Side Frontal Impact Rating:
4 stars
NHTSA Passenger Side Frontal Impact Rating:
4 stars
IIHS Frontal Offset Rating:
Acceptable (1997-2001 models)
Active Features
ABS:
Available Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) on select models/trims
Traction Control:
Not commonly available
Passive Features
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags (SRS)
Seatbelts:
3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners, 3-point rear seatbelts
Body Structure:
Reinforced chassis and crumple zones
💡 Technology Features
Infotainment
Audio System:
Factory-installed AM/FM stereo with cassette tape player and optional CD player. Basic speaker configurations.
Climate Control:
Manual or automatic climate control systems with A/C.
Driver Assistance
Cruise Control:
Standard on most trims.
Power Accessories:
Power windows, power door locks, power mirrors available on higher trims.
Connectivity
Phone Integration:
No integrated Bluetooth or smartphone connectivity.
Diagnostics
OBD Standard:
OBD-I (On-Board Diagnostics, First Generation)
Diagnostic Interface:
Requires specific diagnostic connectors and potentially a specialized scan tool or jumper wire procedure for code retrieval.
🔧 Maintenance
Service Intervals
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 3 months, whichever comes first
Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months
Spark Plug Replacement Ej22E:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Spark Plug Replacement Ej25D:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Timing Belt Replacement:
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months (CRITICAL maintenance item)
Coolant Flush:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months
Transmission Fluid Change Auto:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months
Transmission Fluid Change Manual:
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months
Fluid Specifications
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3
Power Steering Fluid:
ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid)
Coolant:
Subaru Super Coolant (or equivalent ethylene glycol based coolant with corrosion inhibitors)
Known Issues
Head Gaskets Ej25D:
The EJ25D engine is known for potential head gasket failures, especially at higher mileage. The manual will provide diagnostic procedures and replacement instructions.
Automatic Transmission Issues:
Some instances of torque converter shudder or premature wear can occur. Regular fluid changes are critical.
Suspension Wear:
Bushings and ball joints can wear over time, leading to clunking noises and alignment issues. The manual details inspection and replacement procedures.
Climate Control Actuators:
Blend door actuators for the HVAC system can fail, affecting temperature control. Electrical diagnosis is key here.
📚 Vehicle History
Brand Heritage
Subaru Heritage:
Subaru, a division of Fuji Heavy Industries, has a long history of producing reliable and durable vehicles, often featuring unique engineering like the boxer engine and All-Wheel Drive.
Model Evolution
Legacy Introduction:
The Subaru Legacy was introduced in 1989 as a replacement for the Subaru Leone. The second generation (BD/BG/BK) debuted in 1993 for the 1994 model year, with a significant redesign for 1998.
1998 Facelift:
The 1998 model year saw a significant facelift, including new front and rear styling (headlights, grille, bumpers, taillights), revised interior trim, and updated powertrain options (particularly the EJ25D becoming more prevalent).
Outback Sport Variant:
The Outback Sport variant, based on the Legacy wagon, offered increased ground clearance and rugged styling, foreshadowing the Subaru Outback's rise.
Production
Production Years:
1990-1999 (for the second generation)
Manufacturing Location:
Gunma Prefecture, Japan
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Recognitions
General Reputation:
Praised for its standard AWD, durability, and practicality in adverse weather conditions. Often cited as a reliable choice for the price point.
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