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4-2 Driving safety
4Fuel economy
N00628800107
Fuel economy is dependent on many factors. Your personal
driving habits can have a significant effect on your fuel use.
Several recommendations for achieving the greatest fuel econ-
omy are listed below.
Whenever accelerating from a stop, always accelerate
slowly and smoothly.
When parked for even a short period, do not idle the
engine. Shut it off.
Plan your trips to avoid unnecessary stops.
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
For freeway driving, maintain a speed of approximately
50 mph (80 km/h) when traffic, roadway and weather con-
ditions safely permit.
Keep your air filter clean and your vehicle lubricated
according to the recommendations in this manual.
Always keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly
maintained engine wastes fuel and costs money.
Do not overload your vehicle.
Driving, alcohol and drugs
N00628900010
Drunk driving is one of the most frequent causes of accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired even with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you have been
drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking
driver, call a cab or a friend, or use public transportation.
Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will not make you
sober.
Similarly, prescription and nonprescription drugs affect your
alertness, perception and reaction time. Consult with your doc-
tor or pharmacist before driving while under the influence of
any of these medications.
WA R N I N G
!NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Your perceptions are less accurate, your reflexes are
slower and your judgment is impaired.
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7
Vehicle care and maintenance
Service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 2
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 3
Engine hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 4
View of the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 6
Engine oil and oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 7
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 10
Air cleaner filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 11
Automatic transaxle fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . .7- 12
Manual transaxle oil (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . .7- 14
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 14
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . . . .7- 15
Power steering fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 16
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 16
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 20
Clutch pedal free play (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . .7- 29
Brake pedal free play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 30
Parking brake lever stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 30
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 31
Emission-control system maintenance. . . . . . . . . .7- 31
General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 33
For cold and snowy weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 37Fuse links. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 37
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 38
Replacement of light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 47
Vehicle care precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 71
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 72
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 73
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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7View of the engine compartment
N00937600540
2.4 liter engine
1- Power steering fluid reservoir
2- Brake fluid/Clutch fluid reservoir (if so equipped)
3- Battery
4- Windshield and rear window washer (ECLIPSE only) fluid
reservoir
5- Engine oil level dipstick
6- Engine oil filler cap
7- Radiator cap
8- Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick (if so equipped)
9- Engine coolant reservoir
10- Air cleaner filter3.8 liter engine
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-7
7 Engine oil and oil filter
N00937700828
To check and refill engine oil It is normal for an engine to use oil. You may need to add oil
between the recommended oil change intervals. Before starting
the engine, check the engine oil level. Refill if necessary.
To check the oil level, remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and
gently insert it all the way into the crankcase. Slowly remove it
again. The oil level must not go above the line on the dipstick.
If the level does not reach the line, which shows the smallest
amount of oil required, remove the oil filler cap on the engine
valve cover, and fill to within the “Good” range. 2.4 liter engine
Good
CAUTION
!Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration and
loss of oil pressure, which could damage the engine.
WA R N I N G
!Used engine oil is poisonous, and can damage your
skin. Prolonged and repeated contact may cause
serious skin disorders, including dermatitis and can-
cer. Don’t let used oil touch your skin. Wash thor-
oughly after working with it.Keep used oil out of the reach of children.
Good 3.8 liter engine
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-9
7
Recommended engine oil viscositySAE 5W-20 engine oil is strongly recommended for optimum
fuel economy and cold starting.
To replace the oil filterThe oil filter should be replaced at the time or mileage speci-
fied in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MAN-
UAL”.
Only use high quality replacement filters on this vehicle. The
manufacturer’s specifications for Genuine Mitsubishi oil filters
require that the filter can withstand a pressure of 256 psi
(1.8 MPa). A Genuine Mitsubishi oil filter is the best replace-
ment filter.
Follow the installation instructions printed on the filter.
CAUTION
!Take care not to bend the oil filter cover when
replacing the oil filter.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-11
7
Radiator capThe radiator cap must be tight sealed to prevent losing coolant
which may result in engine damage. Only use a Genuine
Mitsubishi Parts radiator cap, or an approved equivalent.Points to remember Do not overfill the reserve tank.
Your vehicle uses a special radiator cap that stays sealed
and lets the coolant flow from the reserve tank back to the
radiator when the engine cools down. If you need to
change the cap, use the exact same kind.
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator with the
proper gauge, and only when it is safe. If you add anti-
freeze, the contents of the reserve tank must be protected
against freezing.
Keep the front of the radiator and condenser clean.
If the temperature of the engine coolant does not rise after
the engine is warmed-up, take your vehicle to an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice to have the thermostat checked, and replaced if
necessary.
Air cleaner filter
N00937900165
The air cleaner filter will get dirty and dusty from use and not
filter properly. Replace it with a new filter using the schedule
in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”. 2.4 liter modelsUnclamp and take out the air cleaner filter.
After replacing the air cleaner filter, put the cover back on in its
original position. 3.8 liter models1. Loosen the bolt of the resonator using a screwdriver.
2. Remove the resonator.
WA R N I N G
!Wait for the engine to cool down before opening the
radiator cap. Otherwise hot steam or boiling coolant
could spray up from the radiator and scald you.
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7-12 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
3. Unclamp and take out the air cleaner filter.
After replacing the air cleaner filter, install the resonator by fol-
lowing the removal steps in reverse. Fit the resonator with
careful reference to the alignment position (A), and securely
tighten the bolt.NOTEGenuine Mitsubishi Motors Parts are recommended when
replacing the air cleaner filter.
Automatic transaxle fluid
(if so equipped)
N00938000512
The automatic transaxle should be maintained and serviced by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice to obtain the best performance and longest life. It
is important that the transaxle fluid is kept at the correct level. To check the fluid level The fluid level should be checked when the engine temperature
gauge shows the engine is warmed up and the fluid in the tran-
saxle is heated to its normal working temperature. Driving with
the wrong fluid level will rapidly wear out the transaxle and
destroy the fluid.
CAUTION
!Take care not to scratch the engine air flow sensor
when removing the air cleaner cover.
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Specifications
9-9
9 Capacities
N01148000888
Item
Capacity
Lubricants
Fuel (approximate) 17.7 gal (67.0 L) Refer to “Fuel selection” on page 1-2.Engine oil
Oil pan 4.2 qt (4.0 L) Engine oils displaying the ILSAC certification mark
(“starbust” symbol) on the container.
If these oils are not available, an API classification SM
can be used.Oil filter .32 qt (0.3 L)
Power steering As required Genuine Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid Automatic transaxle
4A/T 8.1 qt (7.7 L)
DIAMOND ATF SP III 5A/T 8.9 qt (8.4 L)
Manual transaxle
5M/T 2.3 qt (2.2 L) DiaQueen NEW MULTI GEAR OIL
API classification GL-3
SAE 75W-806M/T 2.1 qt (2.0 L)
Brake As required Conforming to Brake fluid DOT3 or DOT4 Hood lock release mechanism and safety catch As required Multipurpose type grease NLGI Grade 2 Engine coolant
{Includes .63 qt (0.6 L) in
reserve tank}
2.4 liter
Manual transaxle 9.3 qt (8.8 L)
Long Life Antifreeze Coolant or an equivalentAutomatic transaxle 9.2 qt (8.7 L)
3.8 liter
Manual transaxle 8.6 qt (8.1 L)Automatic transaxle 8.5 qt (8.0 L)
Washer fluid 4.2 qt (4.0 L) — Refrigerant (air conditioning)Refer to the air
conditioning label
on page 9-2.HFC-134a
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