'97 Legacy fuel tank size

andrewmsprague · 07-27-2012, 12:35 PM

I've been looking all over the place and can't seem to find a straight answer. I've seen anything from 10.2 US gallons to 15.9 US gallons. I'd like to think that a big car like a '97 Leg Wagon would have the bigger of the two. I have noticed that from a quarter tank on the gauge it usually takes 8-9 gallons to fill back up, which would mean I have another 6-7 gallons left after I hit a quarter tank. I wanna know exactly how big it is so I don't end up running dry on the freeway thinking I had more than I really do. Thanks!

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Patrick Olsen · 07-29-2012, 04:31 PM

Should be 15.9gal in all of the BD/BG/BK Legacys and Legacy Outbacks. I think some of the early Imprezas had the smaller tank, but I've never seen a Legacy with the 10.2gal tank.

Unless you don't believe you have a functional "low fuel" light, just run it until you get that. Mine's pretty repeatable that it'll take 12-13gal when the light comes on. E is about 14gal for me.

andrewmsprague · 07-29-2012, 06:32 PM

Thanks! I've taken it down to just above the "E" and haven't gotten the light. I don't know at what point it's supposed to come on, though.

pilfflip · 07-29-2012, 07:31 PM

The light comes on at 2 gallons meaning that you have, in most cases, a safe 40 miles before you run dry. I've read and see a lot of debate in the late 90's and early 2000's model Subarus for having horribly inaccurate gas gauges that do odd things, i.e. watching the gas light turn off after taking a corner hard-only to have it come back on a few seconds later.

The gauge seems to be inaccurate for a visual reference but the trip odometer and low gas light have always been solid references in the Subaru's that I've owned. Depending on the level of care you give your car it could get any where from 275 miles to 325 on a FULL tank.

07-27-2012, 12:35 PM	#1
andrewmsprague Scooby Newbie Member#: 326667 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Washington Vehicle: 1997 Legacy L Wagon Green	'97 Legacy fuel tank size I've been looking all over the place and can't seem to find a straight answer. I've seen anything from 10.2 US gallons to 15.9 US gallons. I'd like to think that a big car like a '97 Leg Wagon would have the bigger of the two. I have noticed that from a quarter tank on the gauge it usually takes 8-9 gallons to fill back up, which would mean I have another 6-7 gallons left after I hit a quarter tank. I wanna know exactly how big it is so I don't end up running dry on the freeway thinking I had more than I really do. Thanks! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-29-2012, 04:31 PM	#2
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	Should be 15.9gal in all of the BD/BG/BK Legacys and Legacy Outbacks. I think some of the early Imprezas had the smaller tank, but I've never seen a Legacy with the 10.2gal tank. Unless you don't believe you have a functional "low fuel" light, just run it until you get that. Mine's pretty repeatable that it'll take 12-13gal when the light comes on. E is about 14gal for me.

07-29-2012, 06:32 PM	#3
andrewmsprague Scooby Newbie Member#: 326667 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Washington Vehicle: 1997 Legacy L Wagon Green	Thanks! I've taken it down to just above the "E" and haven't gotten the light. I don't know at what point it's supposed to come on, though.

07-29-2012, 07:31 PM	#4
pilfflip Scooby Specialist Member#: 40484 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Salem, OR Vehicle: '02 Murdered WRX '02 Silver Legacy	The light comes on at 2 gallons meaning that you have, in most cases, a safe 40 miles before you run dry. I've read and see a lot of debate in the late 90's and early 2000's model Subarus for having horribly inaccurate gas gauges that do odd things, i.e. watching the gas light turn off after taking a corner hard-only to have it come back on a few seconds later. The gauge seems to be inaccurate for a visual reference but the trip odometer and low gas light have always been solid references in the Subaru's that I've owned. Depending on the level of care you give your car it could get any where from 275 miles to 325 on a FULL tank.