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1985 Subaru Brat

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 Brat.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1985 Subaru Brat is mechanically defined by an Automatic 3-spd transmission paired with an engine requiring 4.2 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API SM oil for proper maintenance. Fuel efficiency is documented at 18/22/20 mpg, offering a specific metric that complements the vehicle's fluid capacity and viscosity requirements. These specifications collectively establish the tangible service profile for this model year, providing the foundational context for understanding the vehicle's engineering parameters during this production cycle.

Model year198719861985198419831982198119801979

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API SMOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/22/20 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 22 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Brat of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

14.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 14.30 sec — 1982 GL Regular Cab (5'3" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1982GL Regular Cab (5'3" Bed) 1.8L F-414.30 sec19.40 sec73 hp4WD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API SM engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2 Pints

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Carburetor (adjust fuel mixture) · EGR System (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · PCV Valve (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
15-302-222022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R2022-08-23EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R2022-03-18Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R2021-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
09-51-08R2021-06-07EquipmentThis bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Brat. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1985 Brat take?

4.2 qt of 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1985 Brat have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Brat get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 22 highway / 20 combined mpg.