2008 MITSUBISHI COLT check engine

6-6 For emergencies
6
NOTE●If the vehicle is put in motion without fully charging the
battery, it might cause the loss of smooth engine operation
and the anti-lock brake warning lamp to illuminate.
Refer to “Anti-lock brake system (ABS)” on page 4-36.
Engine overheating
E00800601321
If the high coolant temperature warning lamp flashes while the
engine is running, the engine may be overheating. If this
occurs, take the follow ing corrective measures:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
2. Check whether steam is comin g from the engine compart-
ment.
[If there is no steam comi ng from the engine compart-
ment]
With the engine still running, raise the bonnet to ventilate
the engine compartment.
[If steam is coming from the engine compartment]
Stop the engine, and when the steam stops, raise the bon-
net to ventilate the engine compartment. Restart the
engine.
CAUTION!
● Do not attempt to start the engine by pulling or
pushing the vehicle.
It could damage your vehicle.
●Always wear protective eye goggles when working
near the battery.
●Keep the battery out of reach of children.
WARNING!
●Do not open the bonnet wh ile steam is coming from
the engine compartment. It could cause steam or hot
water to spurt out, causin g burns. Hot water could
spurt out even when there is no steam coming out,
and some parts will be very hot. Be very careful
when opening the bonnet.
●Be careful of hot steam, which could be blowing off
the reserve tank cap.
●Do not attempt to remove the radiator cap (petrol-
powered vehicles) or res erve tank cap (diesel-pow-
ered vehicles) while the engine is hot.

For emergencies6-7
6
3. Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If the fan is notturning, stop the engine im mediately and have it checked.
4. After the high coolant temp erature warning lamp has gone
off, stop the engine.
A- Cooling fan B- Radiator cap
C- Reserve tank * : Front of the vehicle
Petrol-powered vehicles
Diesel-powered vehicles
WARNING!
●Be careful not to get your hands or clothes caught in
the cooling fan.

For emergencies6-9
6
Petrol-powered vehicles with turbocharger
The reserve tank lid is equipped with a dipstick.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. Rein-
sert the dipstick as far as it will go. Remove the dipstick
and read the coolant level, which should always be within
the range “F” (FULL) or “L” (LOW). 6. Add coolant to the radiator
and/or reserve tank if neces-
sary (refer to the “Maintenance” section).
7. Examine the radiator hoses for coolant leakage and the drive belt for looseness or damage.
If there is anything wrong with the cooling system or
drive belt, we recommend that you have it checked and
repaired.
WARNING!
● If there is none, make sure that the engine has
cooled down before removi ng the radiator cap (B)
(petrol-powered vehicles) or reserve tank cap (C)
(diesel-powered vehicles), because hot steam or boil-
ing water otherwise will gush from the filler port
and may scald you.
FULL
LOW
CAUTION!
● Do not add coolant while the engine is hot. Suddenly
adding cold coolant coul d damage the engine. Wait
for the engine to cool down, then add coolant a little
at a time.

For emergencies6-37
6
Towing the vehicle by a tow truck
Towing with rear wheels off the ground (Type B)
Place the gearshift lever (manual transmission) or the allshift
lever (automated manual transm ission) in the “N” (Neutral)
position. With a vehicle that has an automated manual trans-
mission, confirm that the transm ission is in the “N” (Neutral)
position by checking that “N” is shown by the allshift indicator
display and by pushing the vehicle.
Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” position and secure the
steering wheel in a straight ah ead position with a rope or tie-
down strap. Never place the igni tion key in the “LOCK” posi-
tion when towing.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated manual transmission,
the engine will not start and the transmission is not in the “N”
(Neutral) position, press the brake pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position, and move the allshift lever to the
“N” (Neutral) position.
Towing with front wheels off the ground (Type C)
Release the parking brake.
Place the gearshift lever (manual transmission) or the allshift
lever (automated manual transm ission) in the “N” (Neutral)
position. With a vehicle that has an automated manual trans-
mission, confirm that the transmi ssion is in the “N” (Neutral)
position by checking th at “N” is shown by the allshift indicator
display and by pushing the vehicle.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated manual transmission,
the engine will not start and th e transmission is not in the “N”
(Neutral) position, press the brake pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position, and move the allshift lever to the
“N” (Neutral) position.
CAUTION!
● This vehicle must not be towed by a tow truck using
sling lift type equipment (Type A) as illustrated.
Using a sling lift will da mage the bumper and front
end.
● If the transmission is malfunctioning or damaged,
transport the vehicle with the driving wheels on a
carriage (Type C, D or E) as illustrated.
●If your vehicle has an automated manual transmis-
sion, place the a llshift lever in the “N” (Neutral)
position before stopping the engine.
CAUTION!
● [For vehicles with the traction control system
(TCL)/active stability control system (ASC)]
If the vehicle is towed with the ignition switch in the
“ON” position and only th e front wheels or only the
rear wheels raised off the ground, the traction con-
trol system (TCL) may operate, resulting in an acci-
dent.
Refer to “Traction control system (TCL)/Active sta-
bility control system (ASC)” on page 4-42.

6-40 For emergencies
6
4. Secure the tow rope to the front towing hook.
NOTE●To avoid deforming or otherwise damaging the vehicle
body when hooking the rope onto the towing hook,
observe the following instructions:
• Mount the towing hook securely.
• Do not attach the rope to any part of the vehicle other
than the towing hook.
• Do not drive in a way that subjects the towing hook to significant physical shock. 5. Keep the engine running.
If the engine is not running, turn the ignition key to the
“ACC” or “ON” position to unlock the steering wheel.
6. Place the gearshift lever (m anual transmission) or the
allshift lever (automated manual transmission) in the “N”
(Neutral) position.
With a vehicle that has an automated manual transmis-
sion, confirm that the transmi ssion is in the “N” (Neutral)
position by checking that “N ” is shown by the allshift
indicator display and by pushing the vehicle.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated manual transmis-
sion, the engine will not start and the transmission is not
in the “N” (Neutral) position, press the brake pedal, turn
the ignition switch to the “ON” position, and move the
allshift lever to the “N” (Neutral) position.
7. Turn on the hazard warning lamps if required by law. (Follow the local driving laws and regulations.)
CAUTION!
● Do not tow the vehicle with the rope at an excessive
diagonal angle.
5-door models
CAUTION!
● When the engine is not running, the brake booster
and power steering do no t operate. This means
higher brake depression force and higher steering
effort are required. Therefore, vehicle operation is
more difficult than usual.
● Do not leave the key in the “LOCK” position or do
not remove the ignition key from the ignition switch
while driving. The steering wheel will lock, causing
loss of control.

7-6 Vehicle care
7
During cold weather
The salt and other chemicals spread on the roads in some areas
in winter can have a harmful effect on the vehicle body. You
should therefore wash the ve hicle as often as possible in
accordance with our care instruc tions. It is recommended to
have a preservative applied an d the underfloor protection
checked before and after the cold weather season.
After washing your vehicle, wipe off all waterdrops from the
rubber parts around the doors to prevent the doors from freez-
ing.
NOTE● To prevent freezing of the w eatherstripping on the doors,
bonnet, etc., they should be treated with silicone spray.
WaxingE00901000528
Waxing the vehicle will help prev ent the adherence of dust and
road chemicals to the paintwor k. Apply a wax solution after
washing the vehicle, or at least once every three months to
assist displacing of water.
Do not wax your vehicle in direct sunlight. You should wax
after the surfaces have cooled.
PolishingE00901100011
The vehicle should only be polished if the paintwork has
become stained or lost its lustre. Matt-finish parts and plastic
bumpers must not be polished, polishing these parts will stain
them or damage their finish.
Damaged paintE00901200012
Small cracks and scratches in th e paint coat should be touched
up as soon as possible with MITSUBISHI touch-up paint to
prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tyres carefully for
damage to the paint coat caused by flying stones, etc. The paint
code number for your vehicle can be found on the vehicle
information code plate in the engine compartment.
CAUTION!
●Waxes containing high abrasive compounds should
not be used. Such waxes rem ove rust and stain effec-
tively from the paintwork but they are harmful to
the lustre of the painted surface.
Further, they are harmful to glossy surfaces such as
grille, garnish, mouldings, etc.
● Do not use petrol or paint thinners to remove road
tar or other contamination on the vehicle surface.
●Do not apply wax on areas with a black mat coating
as it can cause uneven disc olouration, patches, blurs,
etc. If stained with wax, wipe off immediately with a
soft cloth and warm water.
CAUTION!

8-2 Maintenance
8Service precautions
E01000100458
Adequate care of your vehicle at
regular intervals serves to pre-
serve the value and appear ance as long as possible.
Maintenance items as described in this owner’s manual can be
performed by the owner.
We recommend you to have the periodic inspection and main-
tenance performed by a MITS UBISHI MOTORS Authorized
Service Point or another specialist. In the event a malfunction
or other problem is discovered, we recommend you to have it
checked and repaired. This section contains information on
inspection maintenance procedures that you can do yourself.
Follow the instructions and cautions for each of the various
procedures.
WARNING!
● When checking or servicing the inside of the engine
compartment, make sure th e engine is switched off
and has had a chan ce to cool down.
●If it is necessary to do work in the engine compart-
ment with the engine runni ng, be especially careful
that your clothing, hair, et c., does not become caught
by the fan, drive belts, or other moving parts.
● The fan may turn on automatically even if the
engine is not running; turn the ignition key to
“LOCK” position and remove the key to ensure
safety while you work in the engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames
around fuel or battery. The fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious wh en working around the
battery. It contains poison ous and corrosive sulphu-
ric acid.
● Do not get under your vehicle with just the body
jack supporting it. Always use automotive jack
stands.
●Improper handling of comp onents and materials
used in the vehicle can endanger your personal
safety. We recommend you to consult a specialist for
necessary information.
WARNING!

Maintenance8-7
8
Engine oil
E01000401142
To check and refill engine oil
The engine oil used has a significant effect on the engine’s per-
formance, service life and startability. Be sure to use oil of the
recommended quality and
appropriate viscosity.
All engines consume a certain amount of oil during normal
operation, and engine oil consumption is greatly influenced by
payload, engine speed, etc. Ther efore, it is important to check
the oil level at regular intervals or before starting a long trip.
This check must be made with the engine warm but not run-
ning. Park the vehicle on a level surface, stop the engine, and
then wait a few moments to allow the engine oil in circulation
to return to the oil pan to ensure accurate measurement.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. Reinsert
the dipstick as far as it goes. Remove the dipstick and read the
oil level, which should always be within the range indicated.
If the oil level is below the specified limit, remove the cap
located on the cylinder head cover and add enough oil to raise
the level to within the specified range.
Be sure to use the specified e ngine oil and do not mix various
types of oil. Also, avoid mixing different makes of oil together
if possible.
After adding oil, cl ose the cap securely.
Use only the recommended oils with an MB classification as
specified in this manual.
Petrol-powered vehicles
1100 models
1300/1500 models