2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT engine

7-8 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
If you cannot find oils with the ILSAC certification symbol,
use an API classification SM or higher oil with the following
label.
This mark appears on the top of the oil container and tells you
two important things about the oil.
Recommended engine oil viscosityUse engine oil with the proper thickness for the outdoor tem-
peratures where you will be driving.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is strongly recommended for optimum
fuel economy and cold starting.
1- The top portion shows the quality of the oil.
2- The center portion shows the SAE grade of the oil viscosity.API service symbolBK0139500US.book 8 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-9
7
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.
Engine coolant
N00937800395
To check the coolant level The coolant reserve system provides a quick visual method for
determining the coolant level. When the engine is cold, the
level of the coolant in the reserve tank should be between the
“F” (FULL) and “L” (LOW) marks. The radiator normally
remains completely full so there is no need to remove the radi-
ator cap except for checking the coolant freeze point or replac-
ing the antifreeze coolant.
CAUTION
!
Take care not to bend the oil filter cover when
replacing the oil filter.
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7-10 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
To add coolant Use Mitsubishi Genuine Coolant or an equivalent.
Mitsubishi Genuine Coolant provides excellent protection
against corrosion and rust formation on all metals, including
aluminum, and prevents blockages in the radiator, heater, cyl-
inder head, engine block, etc.
If you need to add coolant often, or if the level in the reserve
tank does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling system
should be pressure-tested for leaks. Take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice for testing.
Radiator capThe radiator cap must be tight sealed to prevent losing coolant
which may result in engine damage. Only use a Genuine Mit-
subishi 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.
CAUTION
!
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants that contain them. Using the wrong
antifreeze can corrode aluminum parts.
When you need to add coolant to the reserve tank,
use at least a 50 % concentration of ethylene-glycol
antifreeze in water. Do not overfill. Use a higher con-
centration (not over 60 %) when the outside temper-
ature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is
working very hard (for example, during mountain
driving and/or when the outside temperature is
high), use a 50 % concentration. You can check the
concentration level with a gauge from an automotive
supply store, or your authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or service station can check it for you. Use
only high quality ethylene-glycol antifreeze coolant
that is made to prevent corrosion of all cooling sys-
tem metals.

Do not top off the tank with plain water only. Water
by itself boils at a lower temperature and does not
stop rust or freezing. If the water freezes, it will
damage your cooling system. Do not use tapwater. It
can cause corrosion and rust.
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.
CAUTION
!
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-11
7

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
N00937900370
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”.
Unclamp and take out the air cleaner filter.
After replacing the air cleaner filter, put the cover back on in its
original position. NOTE
Genuine Mitsubishi Motors Parts are recommended when
replacing the air cleaner filter.
CAUTION
!
Take care not to scratch the engine air flow sensor
when removing the air cleaner cover.
BK0139500US.book 11 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分

7-12 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Automatic transaxle fluid
N00938000538
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.
Procedure for checking the fluid level 1. With the brake pedal fully depressed and the engine
idling, select each gear momentarily, ending with the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position.
2. The fluid level should be at the HOT mark, but never
above the HOT mark when the engine is warmed up. Add
or drain fluid to get to the correct level.
3. Make certain that the dipstick cap is installed properly to
keep dirt and water out of the transaxle.
WA R N I N G
!
Transaxle fluid is extremely flammable and poison-
ous. Do not spill fluid when adding or draining.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-13
7
Fluid typeUse only “DIAMOND ATF SP III” transaxle fluid to ensure
optimum transaxle performance. Special additives Mitsubishi Motors Corporation does not recommend the addi-
tion of any fluid additives to the transaxle.
Wa s h e r f l u i d
N00938600286
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is in the engine compart-
ment.
Check the washer fluid level at regular intervals and add
washer fluid to reservoir if necessary. During cold weatherWhen freezing weather is anticipated, flush out the water in the
reservoir by operating the pump. Fill the reservoir with wind-
shield antifreeze (not radiator antifreeze), and operate the sys-
tem for a few seconds to flush out the residual water.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-15
7 Power steering fluid
N00939000320
To check the fluid levelCheck the fluid level in the reservoir while the engine is idling.
Check to make certain that the power steering fluid level is
always between the “MAX” and “MIN” level markings on the
fluid reservoir and refill the fluid, if necessary.Fluid type
Battery
N00939100868
The condition of the battery is very important for quick starting
and to keep the vehicle’s electrical system working properly.
Check the battery regularly.
If battery performance is suspect, have the battery and charging
system tested by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice. NOTE
After replacing the battery, the electronic control system
data for the automatic transaxle, etc., will be erased.
As a result, shifting may be rough.
Shifting will become smoother after several changes in
speed.
Lubricant Genuine Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-17
7
During cold weatherThe battery is weaker in cold temperatures. This has to do with
its chemical and physical properties and is why a very cold bat-
tery, especially one with a low charge, will have a hard time
starting your vehicle.
It is recommended that you have your battery and charging sys-
tem checked by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice before the start of cold weather. If
necessary, have it charged. This will guarantee more reliable
starting, and longer battery life.Disconnection and connectionTo disconnect the battery cable, stop the engine. Disconnect the
negative (-) terminal first, then the positive (+) terminal. To
reconnect the battery, first connect the positive (+) terminal and
then the negative (-) terminal, before starting the vehicle.
NOTE
Open the terminal cover (A) before disconnecting or con-
necting the positive (+) terminal of the battery.
BK0139500US.book 17 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分