2008 MITSUBISHI COLT light

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!

Vehicle care7-7
7
Cleaning plastic partsE00901300071
Use a sponge or chamois leather.
If a car wax adheres on a grey or black rough surface of the
bumper, moulding or lamps, the surface becomes white. In
such a case, wipe it off using lukewarm water and soft cloth or
chamois leather.
Chrome partsE00901400014
In order to prevent spots and corrosion of chrome parts, wash
with water, dry thoroughly, and apply a special protective coat-
ing. This should be done more frequently in winter.
Aluminium wheels*E00901500086
1. Remove dirt using a sponge while sprinkling water on the wheel.
2. Use neutral detergent on any dirt that cannot be removed
easily with water.
Rinse off the neutral detergent after washing the wheel.
3. Dry the wheel thoroughly using a chamois leather or a soft
cloth.
CAUTION!
● Do not use a scrubbing brush or other hard tools as
they may damage the plastic part surface.
●Do not use wax containing compound (polishing
powder) which may damage the plastic part surface.
●Do not bring the plastic parts into contact with gaso-
line, light oil, brake fluids, engine oils, greases, paint
thinners, and sulphuric ac id (battery electrolyte)
which may crack, stain or discolour the plastic
parts.
If they touch the plastic pa rt, wipe them off with soft
cloth, chamois or the like and an aqueous solution of
neutral detergent then immediately rinse the
affected parts with water.
CAUTION!
● Do not use a brush or other hard implement on the
wheels.
Doing so could scratch the wheels.
●Do not use any cleaner th at contains an abrasive
substance or is acidic or alkaline. Doing so could
cause the coating on the wheels to peel or become
discoloured or stained.
● Do not directly apply hot water using a steam
cleaner or by any other means.
●Contact with seawater an d road deicer can cause
corrosion. Rinse off such su bstances as soon as pos-
sible.

8-6 Maintenance
8
To close
Unlatch the support bar and clip it in its holder.
Slowly lower the bonnet to a position about 30 cm above the
closed position, then let it drop.
NOTE●If this does not close the bo nnet, release it from a slightly
higher position.
● Do not press the bonnet down hard with a hand as it may
damage the bonnet.
CAUTION!
●Be careful that hands or fingers are not trapped
when closing the bonnet.
●Before driving, make sure that the bonnet is securely
locked. An incompletely lo cked bonnet can suddenly
open while driving. This can be extremely danger-
ous.
CAUTION!

8-12 Maintenance
8
Petrol-powered vehicles with turbocharger
Check the coolant level in the reserve tank. The reserve tank lid
is equipped with a dipstick.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth. Reinsert
the dipstick as far as it goes. Remove the dipstick and read the
coolant level, which should always be within the range “F”
(FULL) or “L” (LOW) while the engine is cold.
To add coolant
The cooling system is a closed system and normally the loss of
coolant should be very slight. A noticeable drop in the coolant
level could indicate leakage. If this occurs, we recommend that
you have the system checked as soon as possible.
Petrol-powered vehicles
Except for vehicles with turbocharger
If the level drops below the “LOW” level on the reserve tank,
open the lid and add coolant to “FULL” level.
If the reserve tank is completely empty, remove the radiator
cap (A) and add coolant until the level reaches the filler neck.
Vehicles with turbocharger
If the level drops below the “L” (LOW) level on the dipstick,
add coolant to the reserve tank.
If the reserve tank is completely empty, remove the radiator
cap (A) and add coolant until the level reaches the filler neck.
FULL
LOWWARNING!
● Do not open the radiator ca p while the engine is hot.
The coolant system is u nder pressure and any hot
coolant escaping coul d cause severe burns.
WARNING!
●Do not open the radiator ca p while the engine is hot.
The coolant system is u nder pressure and any hot
coolant escaping coul d cause severe burns.

8-14 Maintenance
8Wa s h e r f l u i d
E01000700379
Check the washer fluid level in the container.
If the level is low, replenish the container with washer fluid.
NOTE●
The washer fluid container serves the windscreen and rear
window.
During cold weather
To ensure proper oper ation of the washers at low temperatures,
use a fluid containing an anti-freezing agent.
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid*
E01000800035
The brake fluid (A) and the clutch fluid (B) share a reservoir
tank.
To check the fluid level
The fluid level must be between the “MAX” and “MIN” marks
on the reservoir.
The brake fluid level is monitored by a float. When the fluid
level falls below the “MIN” mark, the brake fluid warning
lamp lights up.
The brake fluid level falls slightly with wear of the brake pads,
but this does not indicate any abnormality.
A- Brake fluid C- Partition
B- Clutch fluid