1-2 General information
1Fuel selection
N00301000837
Your vehicle is designed to use unleaded gasoline only. It is
equipped with a fuel tank filler pipe especially designed to
accept only a small diameter unleaded gasoline dispensing noz-
zle.Gasoline detergent additivesIn the United States, fuel suppliers are required by law to add
detergents to their gasoline to minimize fuel-injector fouling
and minimize intake-valve deposits. Detergent gasoline helps
keep your engine in tune and your emission-control system
working properly.
Octane requirement2.4 liter engine modelYour vehicle is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline hav-
ing a minimum octane number of 87 [(MON+RON)/2] or 91
RON.3.0 liter engine modelUnleaded gasoline having an octane number of 87
[(MON+RON)/2] or 91 RON may be used, though it recom-
mended your vehicle be operated on premium grade unleaded
gasoline having a minimum octane number of 91
[(MON+RON)/2], or 95 RON.
To get maximum performance, premium gasoline is recom-
mended. Oxygenated gasolineGasoline sold at some service stations contains oxygenates
such as ethanol and MTBE, although the oxygenates may not
be identified by those names. Oxygenates are required in some
areas of the country. Such fuel can be used in your vehicle.Ethanol (Gasohol)A mixture of up to 10 % ethanol (grain alcohol) and 90 %
unleaded gasoline may be used in your vehicle, provided the
octane number is at least as high as that recommended for
unleaded gasoline.MethanolDo not operate your vehicle on gasoline containing methanol
(wood alcohol). Using this type of alcohol could adversely
affect the vehicle’s performance and damage critical parts of
the vehicle’s fuel system.
WA R N I N G
!Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You
could be burned, seriously injured or killed when
handling it. Whenever you refuel your vehicle, stop
the engine and keep flames, sparks, and smoking
materials away from the vehicle. Always handle fuel
in well-ventilated outdoor areas.
CAUTION
!Using leaded gasoline in your vehicle will damage
the engine, catalytic converter, and the oxygen sen-
sors. Also, using leaded gasoline is illegal, and will
void your warranty coverage of the engine, catalytic
converter, and oxygen sensors.
BK0122500US.book 2 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分
1-6 General information
1
NOTEIf the fuel tank filler cap is not tight while driving, the
engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE
SOON” or “Check engine light”) may come on when the
onboard diagnostic (OBD) system performs a self check.
Always tighten the fuel tank filler cap until you hear at
least 3 clicks.
The indicator will go off after driving several times. If the
indicator does not go off, contact your authorized Mitsub-
ishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible.
Modifications to and racing of your vehicle
N00301600152
This vehicle should not be modified with non-Mitsubishi
Motors genuine parts. Mitsubishi Motors designs and manufac-
tures high quality vehicles with an emphasis on safety and
durability. Modifications using non-Mitsubishi Motors genuine
parts may affect the performance, safety and/or durability of
your vehicle, and may violate applicable state and/or federal
regulations.
DAMAGE OR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS RESULTING
FROM MODIFICATIONS TO OR RACING OF YOUR
VEHICLE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Examples of modifications to your vehicle that can cause dam-
age or performance problems include the following:
Failure to use Mitsubishi Motors genuine parts
Failure to use required fuel and fluids
Failure to use proper size tires and wheels
Modification of the fuel, intake, exhaust, emission, sus-
pension, engine, drive train or electrical wiring systems
Modification of any onboard computer/control module,
including reprogramming, or replacing/adding chips to
any onboard computer/control module
Review the Warranty and Maintenance Manual for further
details regarding warranty coverage.
CAUTION
!If you need to replace the fuel tank filler cap, use
only the cap specified for your model vehicle.
BK0122500US.book 6 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分
Features and controls
3-33
3
Starting the engineYour vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system. This is a system that automatically controls
fuel injection. There is no need to depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
The starter motor should not be run for more than 15 seconds at
a time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.3. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
4. While pushing the ignition switch from “LOCK” (PUSH
OFF) to “LOCK” (PUSH ON), set the ignition switch to
the “ON” position and confirm that all warning lights and
warning displays are operating properly.
5. Without pressing the accelerator pedal, slowly turn the
ignition switch to the “START” position to start the
engine. Release the ignition switch when the engine starts.
NOTEMinor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.
Startability of the engine with an ambient temperature of
-22 °F (-30 °C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -22 °F (-30 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This phenomenon occurs because the transaxle has not warmed
up sufficiently; it does not indicate a problem. If this occurs,
place the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the
engine idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.
Using the MIVEC engine (3.0 liter models)
The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.
WA R N I N G
!Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
!Do not push-start the vehicle.Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.Release the ignition switch as soon as the engine
starts. Otherwise, the starter motor will be dam-
aged.
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Features and controls
3-41
3
5. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
6. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
7. Turn the emergency key with the F.A.S.T.-key to the
“ON” position and make certain that all warning lights
and warning displays are functioning properly before
starting the engine.
8. Turn the emergency key with the F.A.S.T.-key to the
“START” position without pressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the emergency key with the F.A.S.T.-key when
the engine starts.
9. Remove the F.A.S.T.-key from the emergency key.
Starting the engine with an ambient temperature of -22°F (-
30 °C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -22 °F (-30 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This occurs because the transaxle has not warmed up suffi-
ciently; it does not indicate a problem. If this occurs, place the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the engine
idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.Using the MIVEC engine (3.0 liter models)
The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.
NOTETo protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
WA R N I N G
!Make sure to remove the F.A.S.T.-key from the
emergency key after the engine is started.
If not removed, the F.A.S.T.-key could fall to the
floor, which could disturb the pedal operation.
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Features and controls
3-91
3
3. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
4. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and make
certain that all warning lights are functioning properly
before starting the engine.
6. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without
pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the ignition switch
when the engine starts.NOTEMinor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle and CVT
vehicle with ambient temperature of -22
°F (-30
°C) or
lower
When the ambient temperature is -22 °F (-30 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This occurs because the transaxle has not warmed up suffi-
ciently; it does not indicate a problem. If this occurs, place the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the engine
idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.
Using the MIVEC engine (3.0 liter models)The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.NOTETo protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
BK0122500US.book 91 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分
Comfort controls
5-45
5 Important air conditioning operating tips
N00733700280
1. Park the vehicle in the shade whenever possible. Parking
in the hot sun makes the vehicle interior extremely hot
which then requires more time to cool. If it is necessary to
park in the sun, open the windows for the first few min-
utes of air conditioning to expel the hot air.
2. Afterwards, keep the windows closed when the air condi-
tioning is in use. The entry of outside air through open
windows will reduce cooling efficiency.
3. When running the air conditioning, make sure the air
intake, which is located in front of the windshield, is free
of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air-
intake chamber may reduce air flow and plug the water
drains.Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubri-
cant recommendationsIf the air conditioning seems less effective than usual, the cause
might be a refrigerant leak.
Have the system inspected by your authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
During a long period of disuseThe air conditioning should be operated for at least five min-
utes each week, even in cold weather. This includes the quick
defrosting mode. Operating the air condition system weekly
maintains lubrication of the compressor internal parts to keep
the air conditioning in the best operating condition.
CAUTION
!The air conditioning system in your vehicle must be
charged with the refrigerant HFC-134a and the
lubricant SUN-PAG56.
Use of any other refrigerant or lubricant will cause
severe damage and may require replacing your vehi-
cle’s entire air conditioning system.
The release of refrigerant into the atmosphere is not
recommended.
The new refrigerant HFC-134a in your vehicle is
designed not to harm the earth’s ozone layer. How-
ever, it may contribute slightly to global warming.
It is recommended that the old refrigerant be saved
and recycled for future use.
BK0122500US.book 45 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分
7-36 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Spark plugs
N00940900231
Spark plugs must fire properly to ensure proper engine perfor-
mance and emission-control.
Do not reuse spark plugs by cleaning or regapping. Spark plugs
should be replaced at the mileage specified in the “WAR-
RANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.NOTEUse the recommended or equivalent spark plugs listed
under “Engine specifications” on page 9-9. Use of other
plugs could cause engine damage, loss of performance or
radio noise.Fuel hoses
N00941000040
Check the hose surfaces for any heat and mechanical damage,
hard and brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts and abrasions. Pay
special attention to the hoses closest to high heat sources such
as the exhaust manifold. Check all the hose connections, such
as clamps and couplings, to make sure they are secure and that
there are no leaks. If you see any wear or damage, replace the
hoses immediately.Intake valve clearance
N00950100050
Have the valve clearance checked at an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer at the mileage specified in the “WARRANTY
AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.
If the engine sounds abnormally loud, have adjustments made
by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
Fuel system (tank, pipe line and connection, and
fuel tank filler cap)
N00941300173
Check these regularly for damage or leaks in the fuel lines and
connections. Check the fuel tank filler cap for damage or loose-
ness. Pay special attention to the fuel lines closest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold.
WA R N I N G
!If you see a fuel leak or if you smell fuel, do not run
the engine. Any spark (including from the ignition),
flame or smoking material could cause an explosion
or fire. Call an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice for assistance.
BK0122500US.book 36 ページ 2010年5月12日 水曜日 午前11時11分