Positioning:
Known for its standard All-Wheel Drive and strong safety reputation
Competitors:
Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu
AWD:
Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive across all trims
Engine Options:
Choice of efficient 4-cylinder or powerful 6-cylinder engines
Safety:
Excellent safety ratings, often a strong selling point
Primary Coverage:
Complete vehicle service and repair
Engine Coverage:
2.5L Naturally Aspirated EJ253, 2.5L Turbocharged EJ255 (GT), 3.6L EZ36D
Transmission Coverage:
CVT (Lineartronic), 6-Speed Manual, 5-Speed Automatic
Chassis Coverage:
Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Wheels, Tires
Electrical Coverage:
Wiring Diagrams, ECUs, Sensors, Actuators, Audio, Lighting, HVAC
Body Coverage:
Body panels, Interior trim, Safety systems (Airbags)
Diagnostic Coverage:
Troubleshooting procedures, DTC explanations, Diagnostic flowcharts
Estimated Pages:
Hundreds of pages (printable in entirety or select sections)
Type:
Factory Service Manual (FSM)
Purpose:
Professional repair and maintenance
Digital Format:
Downloadable PDF
Engine Management:
Fuel injection, ignition, emissions, cooling, lubrication
Drivetrain:
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, differentials, axles, driveshafts
Brake System:
Hydraulic components, ABS, EBD, parking brake
Steering System:
Power steering, steering column, linkages
Suspension System:
Front and rear suspension components, alignment specifications
HVAC System:
Air conditioning, heating, ventilation, climate control
Safety Systems:
Airbag system, seatbelt pre-tensioners
Body And Interior:
Door mechanisms, glass, seats, dashboards, sound deadening
Maintenance Procedures:
Oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks, spark plug replacement
Repair Procedures:
Engine rebuilds, transmission overhaul, brake caliper replacement, suspension component replacement
Troubleshooting Procedures:
Diagnostic trees for various drivability and system faults
Diagnostic Procedures:
OBD-II diagnosis, sensor testing, actuator testing
Electrical Diagnostics:
Fault finding using wiring diagrams and test procedures
Depth:
Comprehensive, from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls
Detail Level:
Includes torque specifications, clearances, special tool requirements
Displacement 1:
2.5 Liters
Configuration 1:
Naturally Aspirated Boxer-4
Horsepower 1:
170 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque 1:
170 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Displacement 2:
2.5 Liters
Configuration 2:
Turbocharged Boxer-4
Horsepower 2:
265 hp @ 5,200 rpm (GT Trim)
Torque 2:
277 lb-ft @ 2,000–5,600 rpm (GT Trim)
Displacement 3:
3.6 Liters
Configuration 3:
Naturally Aspirated Boxer-6
Horsepower 3:
256 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque 3:
247 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Transmission Type 1:
CVT (Lineartronic)
Transmission Type 2:
6-Speed Manual
Transmission Type 3:
5-Speed Automatic (primarily for 3.6R)
AWD Integration:
Electronically controlled AWD integrated with transmission
Cvt Fluid:
Subaru CVT Fluid (NS-2 or equivalent)
Manual Transmission Fluid:
Subaru Manual Transmission Fluid (API GL-5, SAE 75W-90)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Subaru ATF-HP (or equivalent)
NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 stars
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
Yes (for 2012 model year)
AWD System:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System standard
Ebd:
Electronic Brake-force Distribution standard
Vsc:
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) standard
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) standard
Airbags:
Front, front side, curtain airbags standard
Seatbelts:
Pre-tensioner seatbelts with force limiters
Head Unit:
Standard AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 capability, auxiliary input. Optional navigation system.
Display:
Color LCD display for climate control and audio information. Navigation system features a larger touchscreen.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control. Adaptive Cruise Control not available on this model year.
Bluetooth:
Available Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and audio streaming on higher trims.
Usb Port:
Available USB port for audio playback and device charging on select trims.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,750 miles or 6 months (severe driving) or 7,500 miles or 12 months (normal driving), consult manual for specifics.
Engine Oil Filter Interval:
Replace with oil change
Air Filter Replacement:
Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed. Replace every 30,000 miles if driven in dusty conditions.
Spark Plug Replacement:
105,000 miles (Iridium)
Transmission Fluid Change Cvt:
Recommended every 30,000 miles (severe) or 60,000 miles (normal), consult manual for specific conditions.
Transmission Fluid Change Manual:
Recommended every 30,000 miles (severe) or 60,000 miles (normal).
Coolant Replacement:
First replacement at 138,000 miles or 11 years, then every 75,000 miles or 5 years.
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 0W-20 (API SN or ILSAC GF-5 compliant)
Engine Oil Capacity 2.5L:
4.8 US quarts (4.5 liters)
Engine Oil Capacity 3.6L:
5.4 US quarts (5.1 liters)
Coolant Type:
Subaru Super Coolant (Blue)
Head Gaskets:
While less prevalent on later EJ engines compared to earlier generations, head gasket leaks can still occur. The manual covers inspection and replacement procedures.
Cvt Issues:
Some reports of CVT issues, particularly with older fluid or lack of maintenance. The manual details proper CVT fluid changes and troubleshooting.
Oil Consumption:
Certain EJ engine variants can experience oil consumption. The manual provides diagnostics for this.
Brand Focus:
Subaru is known for its Boxer engines and All-Wheel Drive technology, originating from Subaru Corporation (formerly Fuji Heavy Industries).
Fifth Generation:
The 2012 model year represents the fifth generation of the Subaru Legacy, introduced for the 2010 model year. It shifted to a larger platform and adopted a more upscale image.
Manufacturing Location:
Lafayette, Indiana, USA (Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. - SIA)