🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Subaru

Model:

Legacy

Year:

1996

Chassis Codes:

BD, BG, BK

Engine Codes Common:

EJ22, EJ25

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Mid-size sedan and wagon, known for its all-wheel-drive (AWD) capabilities, reliability, and practical design.

Competitors 1996:

Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda 626, Nissan Altima, Mitsubishi Galant.

AWD Standard:

Subaru's signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system was a significant differentiator, often standard across trim levels or widely available.

Safety Focus:

Reputation for safety, often including standard airbags and a robust chassis design.

Practicality:

Offered in both sedan and versatile wagon body styles, catering to a range of consumer needs.

📋 Manual Details

General Coverage:

Comprehensive repair and maintenance for all Subaru Legacy models sold in the North American market for the 1996 model year.

Total Pages:

4000+

Type:

Workshop Service Manual / Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine:

Detailed diagnostics, repair procedures, and specifications for EJ22 (2.2L SOHC) and EJ25 (2.5L DOHC) naturally aspirated engines. Includes timing belt replacement, fuel injection system, cooling system, lubrication system, and exhaust system.

Transmission:

Covers both 5-speed manual transmissions (e.g., TZ103) and 4-speed automatic transmissions (e.g., TZ102). Includes diagnosis, repair, fluid specifications, and internal component replacement.

Drivetrain:

Includes front and rear differentials, viscous coupling center differential, CV axles, and driveshafts. Maintenance and repair procedures for AWD system.

Suspension Steering:

Detailed information on MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension, power steering system, steering rack, and wheel alignment specifications.

Brakes:

Front disc brakes (ventilated or solid depending on trim) and rear disc brakes. Includes ABS system diagnosis and repair, brake fluid specifications, and component replacement.

Electrical Electronics:

Comprehensive wiring diagrams, fuse box layouts, component testing, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for the ECU, SRS (airbag) system, lighting system, and accessories.

Body Chassis:

Body panel removal and installation, door mechanisms, interior trim, seat adjustment, chassis frame, and corrosion protection.

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning:

HVAC system operation, refrigerant types, component diagnosis, and repair of AC compressor, condenser, evaporator, and heater core.

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance tasks, oil change intervals, filter replacement, spark plug service, coolant flushes, and brake fluid changes.

Troubleshooting:

Diagnostic flowcharts and step-by-step procedures for common drivability issues, electrical faults, and mechanical problems.

Repair:

Detailed, step-by-step instructions for engine component overhaul, transmission rebuilds, brake caliper replacement, suspension part replacement, and bodywork repairs.

Diagnostics:

Procedures for using diagnostic tools, interpreting sensor data, and identifying faults using multimeter testing and OBD-I (if applicable) or factory scan tool methods.

Specifications:

Torque specifications for all fasteners, engine clearances, fluid capacities, and measurement guidelines.

Depth:

Extremely detailed, covering everything from basic fluid checks and filter changes to complete engine and transmission overhauls, complex electrical diagnostics, and body panel repair. Suitable for professional mechanics and experienced DIY enthusiasts.

📊 Manual Specifications

PDF Quality:

High-resolution scans, typically searchable text where OCR has been applied, ensuring readability and printability.

Printability:

Designed to be printable, allowing users to create hard copies of specific sections or the entire manual.

Digital Format Benefits:

Instant download, no shipping costs, easy to navigate via search functionality, accessible on multiple devices.

N A:

N/A (Digital Format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine 1:

EJ22, 2.2L SOHC (Single Overhead Cam) Boxer-4

Engine 2:

EJ25, 2.5L DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) Boxer-4

Ej22 Horsepower:

Approx. 135 hp @ 5600 rpm

Ej22 Torque:

Approx. 137 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

Ej25 Horsepower:

Approx. 165 hp @ 6000 rpm

Ej25 Torque:

Approx. 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Injection Type:

Multi-point fuel injection (MPFI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline (87 octane recommended, higher may be specified for EJ25)

Configuration:

Horizontally-opposed (Boxer) cylinder configuration

🔧 Transmission

Transmission 1:

5-speed Manual Transmission

Transmission 2:

4-speed Automatic Transmission with Overdrive

AWD Integration:

Integral part of Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system, with mechanical or electronically controlled power distribution.

Manual Fluid:

Refer to manual for specific gear oil type (e.g., GL-5 75W-90 or equivalent).

Automatic Fluid:

Subaru ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) or Dexron II/III equivalent (confirm exact specification in manual).

📐 Dimensions

Wheelbase:

Approx. 104.3 inches (2649 mm)

Length:

Approx. 187.4 inches (4760 mm) for sedan, 187.0 inches (4750 mm) for wagon

Width:

Approx. 68.1 inches (1730 mm)

Height:

Approx. 55.1 inches (1400 mm) for sedan, 57.3 inches (1455 mm) for wagon

Curb Weight:

Varies by model and trim, typically 2900-3200 lbs (1315-1450 kg)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

Refer to vehicle placard for specific GVWR

Trunk Volume:

Refer to model-specific specifications, typically adequate for mid-size sedan

Wagon Cargo Volume:

Significantly larger than sedan, with folding rear seats for expanded capacity (specific cubic feet data in manual).

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Impact:

Refer to NHTSA reports for 1996 model year; generally performed well for its era. (Actual ratings not guaranteed in generic description).

IIHS Side Impact:

Refer to IIHS reports; Side impact ratings for this era vary. (Actual ratings not guaranteed in generic description).

ABS:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) available on many trims, standard on higher trims or specific engine options.

AWD:

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system enhances traction and stability, particularly in adverse weather conditions.

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags typically standard across all trims.

Seatbelts:

Three-point front and rear seatbelts.

Child Seat Anchors:

LATCH or ISOFIX system not standard in 1996; rely on seatbelt anchoring for child seats.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Factory-installed AM/FM stereo with cassette player. CD player optional on some higher trims. Speaker configurations vary by trim level.

Climate Control:

Manual climate control with A/C. Automatic climate control was rare or unavailable on most trims for 1996.

Cruise Control:

Available on most models, usually standard on higher trims.

Traction Control:

Traction control systems were not widely available or standard in 1996 for this model.

Auxiliary Inputs:

No factory auxiliary audio inputs (e.g., AUX jack or USB) were available. Aftermarket solutions required.

Bluetooth:

No factory Bluetooth connectivity available.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change:

Every 3,750 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first) under normal driving conditions. Extend to 7,500 miles or 6 months for synthetic oil with severe duty conditions per manual recommendations.

Timing Belt:

Critical replacement interval, typically 60,000 miles or 5 years, due to interference engine design. Failure can cause catastrophic engine damage.

Spark Plugs:

Inspect at 30,000 miles, replace as needed (typically copper plugs every 30k-50k, platinum plugs longer if specified).

Coolant Flush:

Every 30,000 miles or 2 years.

Brake Fluid Change:

Every 15,000 miles or 1 year, especially in humid climates or if ABS is equipped.

Engine Oil Capacity:

4.5 US quarts (4.3 L) with filter for EJ22, 4.7 US quarts (4.4 L) with filter for EJ25 (check manual for exact spec).

Engine Oil Type:

10W-30 or 5W-30 API SG or higher. Synthetic oil (5W-30) recommended for improved performance and cold-weather starting.

Coolant Type:

50/50 mixture of Subaru Super Coolant (blue) or equivalent ethylene glycol-based coolant and distilled water.

Power Steering Fluid:

Dexron II/III ATF or Subaru Genuine Power Steering Fluid.

Head Gaskets:

While not as prevalent as in later generations, head gasket leaks can occur, especially with the EJ25 DOHC engine. Regular inspection for coolant or oil leaks is advised.

Rear Main Seal:

The crankshaft rear main seal is a known leak point on many Subaru models of this era. Replacement is labor-intensive.

Cv Axle Boots:

Degradation of CV axle boots can lead to lubrication loss and eventual CV joint failure. Regular inspection and replacement are key.

Awt Center Diff Clunk:

Some models might experience a clunking noise from the center differential area, often related to viscous coupling wear. The manual provides diagnostic procedures.

Ac System:

Leakage from the AC system, particularly at the compressor shaft seal or hose connections, is a common issue with age.

📚 Vehicle History

Subaru Specialty:

Founded in 1953 as Fuji Heavy Industries, Subaru has a long history of manufacturing aircraft and later became renowned for its boxer engines and All-Wheel Drive technology in passenger cars.

Legacy Generation:

This is the second generation (second generation, 'BD'/'BG'/'BK') of the Subaru Legacy, produced from 1994 to 1999. It represented an evolution of the first generation's design and engineering.

Key Updates 1996:

While not a full redesign, 1996 saw minor updates and packaging changes. The 2.5L DOHC EJ25 engine was introduced to more trims, offering increased power over the older 2.2L EJ22.

Assembly Locations:

Primarily manufactured in Japan (Gunma Plant).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

General Reputation:

Subaru models of this era were generally praised for their practicality, AWD capability, and reliability, often earning good ratings in consumer surveys for their class.

Consumer Reports:

While specific awards are hard to pinpoint for the 1996 model year without direct access to historical reports, Subaru generally maintained a reputation for reliability and owner satisfaction in the mid-size segment.

Epa Fuel Economy:

Fuel economy varied by engine and transmission. For example, a 1996 Legacy with the EJ22 and AWD might achieve approximately 20 MPG city / 26 MPG highway. Consult manual or EPA archives for precise figures.