2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT coolant level

Driving safety
4-9
4 Loading information
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It is very important to know how much weight your vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and non-factory-
installed options. The tire and loading information placard
located on the driver’s door sill of your vehicle will show how
much weight it may properly carry.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms
before loading your vehicle:

Vehicle maximum load on the tire: load on an individual
tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share
of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by
two.

Vehicle normal load on the tire: load on an individual tire
that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of
the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant
weight and dividing by two.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight: the sum of -
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight;
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production options weight.
Curb weight: the weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant.

Accessory weight: the combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be replaced) of automatic
transmission, power steering, power brakes, power win-
dows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory- installed equipment
(whether installed or not).

Vehicle capacity weight: the rated cargo and luggage load
plus 150 lbs (68 kg) times the vehicle’s designated seating
capacity.

Production options weight: the combined weight of those
installed regular production options weighing over 5 lbs
(2.3 kg) in excess of those standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride level-
ers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.

Normal occupant weight: 150 lbs (68 kg) times the num-
ber of specified occupants. (In your vehicle the number is
3)

Occupant distribution: distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle as specified. (In your vehicle the distribution is 2 in
front, 1 in second seat)
WA R N I N G
!
Never overload your vehicle. Overloading can dam-
age your vehicle, adversely affect vehicle perfor-
mance, including handling and braking, cause tire
failure, and result in an accident.
*: 150 lbs (68 kg) is the weight of one person as defined by
U.S.A. and Canadian regulations.
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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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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7View of the engine compartment
N00937600612
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
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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.
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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
!
BK0139500US.book 10 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分