2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT Heat

For emergencies
6-5
6
Low battery chargeIf you drive your vehicle with a low battery charge after the
engine has been started by using jumper cables, the engine may
misfire. This can cause the anti-lock braking system warning
light to blink on and off. This is only due to the low battery
voltage. It is not a problem with the brake system. If this hap-
pens, fully charge the battery and ensure the charging system is
operating properly.
Engine overheating
N00836500222
If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator moves to the
“H” (hot) position (red zone), the engine may be overheated. If
this happens:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. Turn on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
2. With the engine still running, carefully raise the engine
hood to vent the engine compartment.
3. Check that the cooling fan is running. If the fan is not
turning, stop the engine immediately and contact an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice for assistance.
4. If you see steam or spray coming from under the hood,
turn off the engine.
WA R N I N G
!
To avoid personal injury, keep hands, hair, jewelry
and clothes away from the cooling fan. The cooling
fan can start at any time.
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6-6 For emergencies
6
5. If you do not see steam or spray coming from under the
hood, leave the engine on until the temperature indicator
on the instrument panel moves below the red zone. When
it is in the middle of the normal zone, you can start driving
again. If the indicator stays in the red zone, turn off the
engine.6. When you do not see any more steam or spray, open the
hood. Look for obvious leaks, such as a split radiator
hose. Be careful as components will be hot. Any leak
source must be repaired.
7. If there is no obvious leak source, check the coolant level
in the reserve tank. If there is none, or if it is too low,
slowly add coolant.
8. If the reserve tank needs coolant, you will probably also
need to add coolant to the radiator. Do not loosen or
remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled down.
WA R N I N G
!
Before raising the engine hood, check to see if there
is steam or spray coming from under the hood.
Steam or spray coming from an overheated engine
could seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood until there is no steam or
spray.
WA R N I N G
!
Removing the radiator cap could scald you with
escaping hot water or steam. When checking the
radiator level, cover the cap with a cloth before try-
ing to remove it. Turn it slowly counterclockwise,
without pressing down, to the first notch. The pres-
sure in the system will then be let out. When the
pressure is COMPLETELY LET OUT, press down
and keep turning the cap counterclockwise until it
will come off.
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For emergencies
6-23
6 Operation under adverse driving conditions
N00837200688
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the selector lever
rhythmically between “Sports mode” and “R” (REVERSE)
position, while pressing lightly on the accelerator pedal.
Do not rev the engine or spin the wheels. Constant efforts to
free a stuck vehicle can cause overheating and transaxle fail-
ure. Let the engine idle for a few minutes to cool the transaxle
before trying again.
If your vehicle is still stuck after several rocking attempts, call
for a commercial tow truck service.
On wet roads
WA R N I N G
!
When trying to rock your vehicle out of a stuck posi-
tion, make sure that there are no people nearby. The
rocking motion can make your vehicle suddenly
lurch forward or backward, and injure any
bystanders.
CAUTION
!
Avoid flooded roads. Water is often deeper than it
looks, and you could be seriously hurt by driving
into flood water.
When driving in rain, on water-covered roads, or
through a car wash, water could get into the brake
discs and make them fail temporarily. In such cases,
lightly press the brake pedal to see if they are work-
ing properly. If they are not, press the pedal lightly
several times while driving to dry the brake pads,
then check them again.
When driving in rain, a layer of water may form
between the tires and the road surface (aquaplan-
ing). This loosens your tires’ grip on the road, mak-
ing it difficult to steer or brake properly. When
driving on a wet road:
• Drive your vehicle at a safe speed.
• Do not drive on worn tires.
• Always keep the tires at the correct inflation pres-
sures.
BK0139500US.book 23 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7 Catalytic converter
N00937400333
The catalytic converter requires you to use unleaded fuel only.
Leaded gasoline will destroy the emission-control effective-
ness of the converter.
Normally, the catalytic converter does not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine properly tuned for
the converter to continue to work properly. To reduce the possibility of catalytic converter damage:

Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type of rec-
ommended in “Fuel selection”.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Running
out of gas could damage the catalytic converter.

Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires discon-
nected or removed, such as when performing diagnostic
tests.

Do not idle the engine for a long time if it is idling
roughly or otherwise obviously malfunctioning.

To prevent the catalytic converter from being damaged
from unburned gas, do not race the engine when turning
off the ignition switch.

Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance is
noticeably low, or the engine has a malfunction. If you are
not able to stop driving immediately, slow down and drive
for only a short time. Have an inspection made by an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice as soon as possible.

In unusual situations involving major engine problems, a
burning odor may indicate severe and abnormal catalytic
converter overheating. If this occurs, stop in a safe place,
shut the engine off and let the vehicle cool. Once the
engine is cool, immediately take your vehicle to a dealer
or a repair facility of your choice for service.
CAUTION
!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. If
the engine malfunctions or misfires, or if your vehi-
cle performance suffers, have it serviced promptly.
Running your vehicle when it is overheated may
result in damage to the converter and vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not park or run your vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as dry grass or leaves can
come in contact with a hot exhaust, since a fire could
occur.
Do not put undercoat paint on the catalytic con-
verter.
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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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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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7-18 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTE
Check each battery terminal for corrosion. You can stop
more corrosion by washing with a solution of baking soda
and water. Grease the posts and clamps after cleaning or
tightening them.

Check to see that the battery is securely installed and can-
not be moved. Also check each terminal for tightness.

If you will not be driving your vehicle for a long period of
time, remove the battery and store it in a place where the
battery fluid will not freeze. The battery only should be
stored with a full charge.
WA R N I N G
!
Never disconnect the battery while the engine is run-
ning, or you could damage the vehicle’s electrical
parts.
Never short-circuit the battery. This could cause it
to overheat and be damaged.
Keep sparks, cigarettes, and flames away from the
battery because the battery could explode.
Electrolyte (battery acid) is made of corrosive
diluted sulfuric acid. If it spills on nearby parts, it
can crack, stain, or discolor them. And if it gets on
your skin or in your eyes, it can cause burns or
blindness. Please observe the following handling
instructions:
• If electrolyte gets on plastic parts or other nearby
parts, wipe it off with a soft cloth or chamois
soaked in a solution of water and neutral detergent
then immediately rinse the affected parts with
plenty of water.
• If electrolyte gets on your hands or clothes, rinse
thoroughly with water. If electrolyte gets in your
eyes, flush them with water immediately and get
immediate medical attention.

Open doors and windows in any closed space where
you may be charging or working with the battery.
Always wear protective clothing and goggles when
working with the battery, or have a skilled automo-
bile technician do it.
If you are quick-charging your battery, first discon-
nect the battery cables.

In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to discon-
nect the negative (-) terminal first, and reconnect it
last.
If the electrolyte level is very low, have the battery
checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
Battery terminals and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after han-
dling.
WA R N I N G
!
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7-22 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Maximum Pressure
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire but
the date code may only be on one side. Look for the TIN
on the outboard side of tires as mounted on the vehicle. If
the TIN is not found on the outboard side then you will
find it on the inboard side of the tire.
EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504

Treadwear, Traction and Temperature GradesTreadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Tr a c t i o n
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and
C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
DOTDepartment of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with the U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion tire safety standards, and is approved for
highway use.
MACode representing the tire manufacturing
location. (2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits)
15Number representing the week in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
04Number representing the year in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)BK0139500US.book 22 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分