The 2011 Subaru Legacy is a solid little sedan. The standard all-wheel drive means that this car will perform well in nearly any condition, and the roomy interior provides plenty of space for friends or family. But to keep your Legacy in top form, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity—which is 4.4 quarts.

Vehicle ownership doesn’t come without expenses. Whether it’s the cost of fuel, insurance premiums, or routine maintenance, when you own a car, you’re always paying for something. You can offset some of those expenses by changing your own oil—but don’t forget to check your owner’s manual for the engine oil capacity first.

Jerry

is here to help if you’ve lost your manual or need some extra info about your 2011 Subaru Legacy engine oil capacity. As the

car insurance

broker app that cares, Jerry is committed to answering your automotive questions—and finding you the best deals on

Subaru Legacy car insurance

Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Get ahead of my car maintenance

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

2011 Subaru Legacy engine oil capacity

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine inside your 2011 Subaru Legacy holds 4.4 quarts or about 4.1 liters of motor oil.

At this point, we need to stop for a minute to discuss the difference between engine displacement—the 2.5-liter volume occupied by the engine cylinder’s pistons—and engine oil capacity, which is the amount of oil it can hold to use as a lubricant.

Engine displacement and oil capacity are two different numbers and are never interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2011 Subaru Legacy need?

Now that you know how much oil your 2011 Legacy holds, it’s time to talk about the type of oil it requires. Yes, not all motor oils are the same, and you must choose the type that matches your manufacturer’s specifications.

When you head to the auto parts store to buy your oil, look for SAE 5W-30. That’s what Subaru recommends using in your 2011 Legacy, and it’s always wise to go with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

But just what exactly do those letters and numbers mean? Well, the “SAE” stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. They’re the entity responsible for creating these strange-looking codes.

The numbers represent the oil’s viscosity or its thickness. The “5” stands for how thick the oil is at cool temperatures—which is why it’s in front of the “W,” which means winter—and the “30” is the oil’s viscosity at warmer temperatures.

You can identify thinner oils by their smaller numbers. These oils are ideal because they move through the engine more efficiently.

What about synthetic motor oil? You can use these, too, as long as they meet the same specifications, and they have the added advantage of allowing you to go longer between oil changes.

If you still aren’t sure which oil to buy, consider these three options:

Subaru Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil

. This is genuine Subaru motor oil and what your owner’s manual recommends using in your 2011 Legacy.

Mobil 1 Advanced Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil

. Mobil 1 is a high-quality option at a cheaper price tag.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

. This is the oil for you if your Legacy has more than 75,000 miles.

MORE:

Subaru lug pattern guide

How often to change the oil on a 2011 Subaru Legacy

Subaru recommends changing the oil in your 2011 Legacy every 6,000 miles. If you don’t drive your car too frequently, it might be easier to remember to change the oil every six months.

Since those are pretty big gaps in time, it’s important to check your oil occasionally to ensure it’s still in good condition. A good habit to develop is checking your oil every other time you visit the gas station to fill the tank. Regardless of what trick you use to remember, you should check your oil at least once a month.

When checking your oil, keep an eye out for these signs that it needs to be replaced:

Thick black, dark brown, or muddy-looking oil (clean oil looks similar to dark honey)

Oil with a grimy, sandy, or gritty texture

New,

unusual noises

coming from the engine

Unpleasant smells from the car, including burning, oil, or smoke

Reduced engine performance

MORE:

How much does a Subaru tune-up cost?

How to change your oil and oil filter

After you purchase the correct kind of oil and a new filter, you’re ready to begin changing the oil. These are the tools you’ll need:

A ratchet wrench and a 17-millimeter socket

A jack and jack stands or ramps to lift the car

A drain pan for the used oil

An oil filter wrench

A funnel

A torque wrench

A clean rag or towel for the mess

Before you begin, turn your car on and let it run for about five minutes. This will cause the oil to warm up and drain more quickly. Once the engine is warm, turn off the vehicle, pop the hood, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Pull the dipstick and remove the oil fill cap.

Step 2: Go under the car and remove the oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to collect the dirty oil.

Step 3: While waiting for the oil to drain, unscrew and remove the old

oil filter

Step 4: Apply a thin coat of oil to the new filter’s gasket and screw it into place. Only tighten the new filter until it is snug.

Step 5: Replace the oil drain plug and tighten it to 30 lb-ft.

Step 6: Use your funnel to fill the engine with clean oil and then replace the fill cap.

After you finish these steps, turn the car on and let it run for 30 seconds. Then, check the oil level with the dipstick and top it off if necessary. Finish up by securing the fill cap and dipstick.

Don’t forget to recycle the old oil by pouring it into the new oil container and returning it to the auto parts store.

MORE:

How long does an oil change take?

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Performing regular maintenance is essential for prolonging the life of your 2011 Subaru Legacy. Another vital part of caring for your vehicle is choosing a quality

car insurance

plan.

If you want a less stressful insurance-shopping experience, download the

Jerry

app. With it, you can instantly view quotes from top competing insurers, enroll in a new plan, and even find help canceling your old one.

The best part is it only takes 45 seconds to see rates from dozens of the nation’s best-rated insurance companies.