2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT check oil

Quick index
1
If this warning light comes on or flashes while you’re driving...
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NOTE
These warning lights will come on for a few seconds for a bulb check when the ignition key is first turned to “ON”.
Warning light
Do this
Ref. page
Charging system warning light
Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
Contact an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice for assistance.P.3-80
Oil pressure warning light
Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine, then check the engine
oil level.
If the light comes on while the engine oil level is normal, have the system
checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice as soon as possible.P.3-80
or
Brake warning light
If this light comes on while driving, check to see that the parking brake is
fully released.

If this light stays on after releasing the parking brake, stop and check the
brake fluid level.

If the brake fluid level is correct, there may be a system malfunction. Avoid
hard braking and high speeds, and contact an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice for assistance.P.3-78
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Features and controls
3-77
3 Indicator and warning light package
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1- Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON”
or “Check engine light”) → P.3-79
2- Cruise control indicator → P.3-58
3- High beam indicator → P.3-78
4- Turn signal indicators/Hazard warning lights → P.3-78
5- Front fog light indicator (if so equipped) → P.3-78
6- Automatic transaxle position indicator → P.3-42
7- Active stability control (ASC) indicator → P. 3 - 5 4
8- Active stability control (ASC) OFF indicator → P.3-54
9- Driver’s seat belt reminder/warning light → P. 2 - 2 0
10- Door-ajar warning light → P. 3 - 8 0
11- Oil pressure warning light → P.3-80
12- Charging system warning light → P.3-80
13- Immobilizer indicator → P. 3 - 314- Tire pressure monitoring system warning light → P.3-65
15- Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light
→ P. 2 - 4 6
16- Anti-lock braking system warning light → P.3-50
17- Brake warning light → P.3-78
18- Low-fuel warning light → P.3-75
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3-80 Features and controls
3
Charging system warning light
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This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the charg-
ing system or when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion (engine off). When the engine is started, the light should
go out. Check to make sure that the light has gone out before
driving.Oil pressure warning light
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This light comes on when the engine oil pressure is below nor-
mal. If the light stays on while driving, stop the engine as soon
as possible. Do not run the engine until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected.
Door-ajar warning light and buzzer
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This light comes on when any door is open or not completely
closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5 mph (8 km/h) and
any door is open or ajar, a tone will sound 4 times and the
warning light will flash 4 times to inform the driver that a door
is not properly shut.NOTE
The light goes out automatically after about 30 minutes.
Refer to “Interior light auto-shutoff function (dome light
and other lights)” on page 3-130.

For vehicles equipped with the Mitsubishi Multi-Commu-
nication System, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication Sys-
tem can be used to stop the warning lamp from flashing
and to stop the tone from functioning.
For details, refer to the separate owner’s manual.
CAUTION
!
If the charging light stays on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be mal-
functioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice and have the system checked.
CAUTION
!
If this light comes on when the engine oil level is not
low, have your vehicle checked at an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
This warning light does not show the amount of oil
in the crankcase. This can only be determined by
checking the oil level with the dipstick with the
engine turned off.
CAUTION
!
Before driving, make sure that the door-ajar warn-
ing light is off.
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Driving safety
4-5
4 Vehicle preparation before driving
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For a safer and more enjoyable trip, always observe the follow-
ing: Seat belts and seats
Before starting the vehicle, make certain that you and all
passengers are seated and wearing their seat belts properly
(with children in the rear seat, in appropriate restraints),
and that all the doors are locked.

Move the driver’s seat as far backward as possible, while
still keeping good visibility, and good control of the steer-
ing wheel, brakes, accelerator, and controls. Check the
instrument panel indicators for any possible problem.

Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

Make sure that infants and small children are properly
restrained in accordance with all laws and regulations.Defrosters Check these by selecting the defroster mode, and set the blower
switch on high. You should be able to feel the air blowing
against the windshield.
(Refer to “Defrosting or defogging the windshield and door
windows” on page 5-12, 5-19.)
Tires Check all the tires for heavy tread wear or uneven wear pat-
terns. Look for stones, nails, glass, or other objects stuck in the
tread. Look for any tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check the
wheel nuts for tightness, and the tires (including spare tire) for
proper pressures. Replace your tires before they are heavily
worn out.
As your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, there is a risk of damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensors when the tire is replaced on the rim. Tire replacement
should, therefore, be performed only by an authorized Mitsub-
ishi Motors dealer.Lights Have someone watch while you turn all the exterior lights on
and off. Also check the turn signal indicators and high-beam
indicators on the instrument panel. Fluid leaks Check the ground under the vehicle after parking overnight, for
fuel, water, oil, or other leaks. Make sure all the fluid levels are
correct. Also, if you can smell fuel, you need to find out why
immediately and have it fixed.
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4-6 Driving safety
4Safe driving techniques
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Even this vehicle’s safety equipment, and your safest driving,
cannot guarantee that you can avoid an accident or injury.
However, if you give extra attention to the following areas, you
can better protect yourself and your passengers:

Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and weather
conditions. Leave plenty of stopping distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and use your
turn-signal light.

While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers, bicy-
clists, and pedestrians.

Always obey applicable laws and regulations. Be a polite
and alert driver. Always leave room for unexpected
events, such as sudden braking.

If you plan to drive in another country, obey their vehicle
registration laws and make sure you will be able to get the
right fuel.
Driving during cold weather
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Check the battery, including terminals and cables. During
extremely cold weather, the battery will not be as strong.
Also, the battery power level may drop because more
power is used for cold starting and driving.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are as bright as
normally. Charge or replace the battery if necessary. Dur-
ing extreme cold weather, it is possible that a very low
battery could freeze.

Warm the engine sufficiently. After starting the engine,
allow a short warm-up time to distribute oil to all cylin-
ders. Then drive your vehicle slowly.
Stay at low speeds at first so that the transaxle fluid has
time to spread to all the lubrication points.
WA R N I N G
!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could cause serious injury or death.
Always wear protective clothes and a face mask
when working with your battery, or let a skilled
mechanic do it.
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Driving safety
4-7
4

Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from
engine overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze and water. The recommended blend is about 50 %
water and 50 % anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration
(not over 60 %) when the outside temperature 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.
This blend will provide adequate protection from corro-
sion and boiling.
Braking
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All the parts of the brake system are critical to safety. Have the
vehicle serviced by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or
a repair facility of your choice at regular intervals according to
the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.When brakes are wetCheck the brake system while driving at a low speed immedi-
ately after starting, especially when the brakes are wet, to con-
firm they work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake discs and prevent
normal braking after driving in heavy rain or through large
puddles, or after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry the
brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake
pedal.When driving in cold weatherOn snowy roads, ice can form on the braking system, making
the brakes less effective. While driving in such conditions, pay
close attention to preceding and following vehicles and to the
condition of the road surface. From time to time, lightly
depress the brake pedal and check how effective the brakes are.When driving downhillIt is important to take advantage of the engine braking by shift-
ing to a lower gear while driving on steep downhill roads in
order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
WA R N I N G
!
Never open the radiator cap when the radiator is
hot. You could be seriously burned.
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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7View of the engine compartment
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Engine oil and oil filter
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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.
1- Power steering fluid reservoir
2- Brake fluid
3- Battery
4- Windshield washer fluid reservoir
5- Engine oil level dipstick
6- Radiator cap
7- Engine oil filler cap
8- Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick
9- Engine coolant reservoir
10- Air cleaner filter
Good
BK0139500US.book 6 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
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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.
BK0139500US.book 9 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分