2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER Vehicle care and maintenance

Introduction
N09200100891
Thank you for buying a MITSUBISHI LANCER.
We are confident you will enjoy your vehicle. It has been engi-
neered for optimum performance, durability and comfort. By
thoroughly reading this Owner’s Manual, you will gain an
understanding of the many features that are included in the
LANCER. The Owner’s Manual contains descriptions and
illustrations that will assist in the operation and maintenance of
your vehicle.
Your Authorized Mitsubishi Motors Dealer will be happy to
assist you with any further questions you may have regarding
the operation of your vehicle.
Please note that this manual applies to all LANCER models
and explains all features including options. Some features
explained in this manual may not be installed on your vehicle.
Please leave this Owner’s Manual in the vehicle at the time of
resale. The next owner will appreciate having access to the
information contained here.
This manual includes instructions for standard and optional
equipment available at the time of printing. Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation reserves the right to make changes in design and
specifications and to make additions or improvements in its
product without assuming any obligation to install these on
previously manufactured products.
Throughout this manual the words WA R N I N G and CAUTION
appear.
These are reminders to be especially careful. Failure to follow the
instructions could result in personal injury or damage to your
vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
Indicates a strong possibility of severe personal injury or
death if instructions are not followed.
CAUTION
!
Points out hazards or unsafe practices that could cause minor
personal injury or damage to your vehicle.
You will see another important symbol:
NOTE Gives helpful information.
WA R N I N G
!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
©2011 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Printed in Japan
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Table of contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Overview
Quick index
General information
Seat and restraint systems
Features and controls
Driving safety
Comfort controls
For emergencies
Vehicle care and maintenance
Customer assistance/
Reporting Safety Defects
Specifications
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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- 7
Engine oil and oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 8
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 12
Air cleaner filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 15
Manual transaxle oil (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . .7- 18
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid
(if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 18
Twin Clutch Sportronic shift transmission
(Twin Clutch SST) fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . .7- 19
Transfer oil (All-wheel drive models) . . . . . . . . . .7- 19
Rear axle oil (All-wheel drive models) . . . . . . . . .7- 20
AWC control fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 20
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 21
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . . . .7- 21
Power steering fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . .7- 22
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 23
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 29
Clutch pedal free play (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . .7- 38Brake pedal free play. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 38
Parking brake lever stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 39
Parking brake break-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 39
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 40
Emission-control system maintenance . . . . . . . . . 7- 40
General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 43
For cold and snowy weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 45
Fusible links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 45
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 46
Replacement of light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 55
Vehicle care precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 88
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 89
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 91
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7-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Service precautions
N00937300345
Taking regular care of your vehicle will preserve its value and
appearance as long as possible.
You can do some of the maintenance work yourself, and the
rest should only be performed by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
If you discover a malfunction or other problem, have it cor-
rected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice.
This section describes the maintenance inspections that you
can do yourself, if you so desire. Follow the instructions and
precautions for each procedure.
Have you purchased the Mitsubishi Motors Diamond Care Pro-
tection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warran-
ties. See your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer for details.
WA R N I N G
!
When checking or servicing the inside of the engine
compartment, be sure the engine is stopped and has
had a chance to cool down.
If you need to work in the engine compartment with
the engine running, be especially careful that your
clothing, hair, etc. does not get caught in the fan,
drive belts, or other moving parts.
The fan can turn on automatically even if the engine
is not running. Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position to be safe while you work in the
engine compartment.
Do not smoke or allow open flames around fuel or
the battery. The fumes are flammable.

Be extremely careful when working around the bat-
tery. It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric
acid.
Do not get under your vehicle while it is on a jack.
Always use properly rated automotive jack stands.
Handling your vehicle’s parts and materials in the
wrong way can injure you. Ask an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice if you have questions.
WA R N I N G
!
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7 Catalytic converter
N00937400131
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 try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. If the battery is weak or run down, use jumper
cables to properly start the engine.

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
less than normal, the engine is running oddly or there is
any other engine trouble, such as with the ignition, etc. 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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7-4 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Engine hood
N00937500464
To openUse the engine hood release lever (located under the instrument
panel near the driver’s door) to unlock the engine hood.
Pull the lever toward you to release the engine hood latch.
CAUTION
!
For vehicles with turbocharger, to avoid the risk of
being burned, do not touch the air outlet (A) and air
scoop (B) on the engine hood when the engine com-
partment is hot (when the engine is running or
immediately after the vehicle has been driven).
WA R N I N G
!
Never use the release lever to unlatch the engine
hood while the vehicle is in motion.
Do not drive your vehicle unless the engine hood is
locked.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-5
7
Release the safety lever and lift the engine hood. NOTE
To prevent damage to the engine hood and wipers, make
sure the wipers are at resting position when you open the
engine hood. Support the engine hood with the hood prop. Insert the hood
prop securely in the opening under the hood marked with an
arrow.
CAUTION
!
Always insert the support prop into the hole spe-
cially made for it. Propping the engine hood at any
other place could cause the prop to slip out and lead
to an accident.
The hood prop can fall out if the hood is lifted by a
strong wind.
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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
To closeUnlatch the prop from the engine hood and put it back in its
retainer.
Slowly lower the engine hood about 8 inches (20 cm), then let
it drop from its own weight.
NOTE
If this does not close the engine hood properly, drop it
again from a slightly higher position.

Do not push down strongly on the engine hood. Depend-
ing on how strongly or where you push down, you could
create a dent in the vehicle body.

For vehicles equipped with the theft-alarm system, if you
drive with the engine hood left open, warning display is
displayed on the information screen in the multi-informa-
tion display.
CAUTION
!
Be careful not to trap your hands or fingers when
closing the engine hood.
Make sure the engine hood is firmly closed before
driving.
If you drive without the engine hood completely
closed, it could open up while driving.
Type 1 Type 2
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