2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER XL battery

For emergencies
6-5
6
As your vehicle has anti-lock brakesIf 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
N00836500349
When the engine is overheating, the information screen in the
multi-information display will be interrupted and the engine
coolant temperature warning display will appear. Also “ ”
will blink. If so 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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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- 14
Automatic transaxle fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . .7- 16
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid
(if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 18
Transfer oil (All-wheel drive models) . . . . . . . . . .7- 18
Rear axle oil (All-wheel drive models) . . . . . . . . .7- 19
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 19
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 20
Power steering fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 21
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 21
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 24
Brake pedal free play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 33
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 33
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 34
Emission-control system maintenance. . . . . . . . . .7- 35General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 37
For cold and snowy weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 39
Fusible links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 39
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 40
Replacement of light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 48
Vehicle care precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 78
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 79
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 81
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7-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Service precautions
N00937300286
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 Mit-
subishi 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
N00937400346
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
noticeably low, or the engine has a malfunction 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 your vehicle checked at 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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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-7
7 View of the engine compartment
N00937600579
2.4 L models 3.0 L models
1- Power steering fluid reservoir
2- Air cleaner filter
3- Brake fluid tank
4- Engine coolant reserve tank
5- Windshield and rear window washer fluid reservoir
6- Engine oil level dipstick
7- Engine oil filler cap
8- Radiator cap
9- Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick
10- Battery
BK0138000US.book 7 ページ ２０１１年４月１３日　水曜日　午前１１時１７分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-21
7 Power steering fluid
N00939000261
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
N00939100839
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.
To see the charge of only one cell, check the indicator (A) on
top of the battery. If the indicator is blue when looking from
above, that cell is okay suggesting the battery is okay. This is
not conclusive and 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. If it is white,
that cell is low on charge and the battery may only need charg-
ing.
Lubricant Genuine Mitsubishi Power Steering Fluid
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7-22 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
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.Checking battery electrolyte levelThe electrolyte level must be between the limits shown on the
outside of the battery. Fill it with distilled water as needed. The
inside of the battery is divided into several compartments. Take
the cap off of each compartment and fill to the mark.
Do not fill above the top line because a spill during driving
could cause damage.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.

Loosen the nut (B) and then disconnect the battery cable
from the positive (+) terminal.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-23
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.

Before cleaning the battery, tighten all the filler port caps
to keep dirt and moisture out.
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 posts, terminals and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.
WA R N I N G
!
BK0138000US.book 23 ページ ２０１１年４月１３日　水曜日　午前１１時１７分