My First Subaru

[Anthsoriano]

Hey everyone,

I just picked up a 1996 Subaru legacy outback with 185,xxx miles on it. I want to do all the fluids. Can anyone recommend the best fluids? Thanks in advance

[Kevlar_07]

Congratulations, Im in the process of buying one of these with 164000 miles but it has blown head gaskets. Im new to the platform so i cant help ya much on the fluids. Johnegg gave me the following link has lots of useful info.

 

https://docs.google.com/folderview?id=0B6P6dybMMzg9Z004U05OVHFFMWM&usp=drive_web

[Stevo F]

I'm fairly new too, but am in the process of changing out some of my fluids (did my Subie's 2nd oil change today). I run 5W-30 year round (I believe this is the manufacturer's recommendation)

 

For auto transmission & power steering- you can use standard Dexron 3 or 4, for front and rear differentials use 75W-90 gear oil (preferably a synthetic). I think you can use standard DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.

[pleaidestar]

Brake fluid sweats and creates condensation if its not a pressurized system, besides it only being used for brakes or clutch slave cylinder I would be afraid that over time and temperature deviation your ring and pinion gears which are ferrous metals will deteriorate.

[Bassnectar]

Motul is the best, but is it really necessary? probably not, switching all the fluids to synthetic might release a couple extra ponies, if nothing else will be an improvement and lessen the damage during cold starts.

 

Check your transmission fluid with the dipstick and whipe it on a white paper towel and look for black/brown specs as this indicates wear in the transmission. even if no specs are found if the fluid is not a deep red I would change it, if it has gone pink I believe water contamination. It takes 2-3 drain and fills to really eliminate all the Auto trans fluid as much is stuck in the torque converter, but even changing it once is a good start.

 

for your rear differential you can use a GL5 fluid, this will reduce drag slightly over what's in there or GL4, for your front diff / Transmission if manual use a GL4 synthetic. if you wan't to really clean your engine run a conventional oil for 2500 miles and then drain it and switch to synthetic, the idea is to drain it before it breaks down fully leaving a clean engine once you put the good stuff in.