Service precautions 9-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
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Taking regular care of your vehicle will pre- serve its value and appearance as long as pos-sible. You can do some of the maintenance work yourself, and the rest should only be per- formed by an authorized Mitsubishi Motorsdealer or a repair facility of your choice.If you discover a malfunction or other prob- lem, have it corrected by an authorized Mit- subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility ofyour choice. This section describes the maintenance inspections that you can do yourself, if you sodesire. Follow the instructions and precau- tions for each procedure.
Have you purchased the Mitsubishi Motors Diamond Care Protection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealerfor details.
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The catalytic converter requires you to useunleaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the emission-control effectiveness of the converter. Normally, the catalytic converter does not require maintenance. However, it is important to keep the engine properly tuned for the con- verter to continue to work properly.
Service precautions
WA R N I N G When checking or servicing the inside of the engine compartment, be sure theengine is stopped and has had a chance to cool down. If you need to work in the engine compart- ment with the engine running, be espe-cially 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 igni- tion switch to the “LOCK” position to be safe while you work in the engine com- partment. Do not smoke or allow open flames around fuel or the battery. The fumes are flamma-ble. Be extremely careful when working around the battery. It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid. Do not get under your vehicle while it is on a jack. Always use properly rated automotivejack stands. Handling your vehicle’s parts and materi- als in the wrong way can injure you. Ask an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice if youhave questions. WA R N I N G
Catalytic converter
Engine hood
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-3
9
To reduce the possibility of catalytic con- verter damage: Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type of recommended in “Fuel selec- tion”. 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 disconnected 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 igni- tion 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 theignition, etc. If you
are not able to stop
driving immediately, slow down and drive for only a short time. Have an inspectionmade 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 catalyticconverter 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 ser- vice.
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Use the engine hood release lever (locatedunder the instrument panel near the driver’s door) to unlock the engine hood.
CAUTION Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. If the engine malfunctions or mis- fires, or if your vehicle performance suffers, have it serviced promptly. Running yourvehicle 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 combustible 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 cata- lytic converter.
Engine hood
CAUTION For vehicles with turbocharger, to avoid the risk of being burned, do not touch the air out- let (A) and air scoop (B) on the engine hood when the engine compartment is hot (whenthe engine is running or immediately after the vehicle has been driven).
To open
Engine hood 9-4 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
Pull the lever toward you to release the engine hood latch.
Release the safety lever and lift 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.
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.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the engine hood and wipers, make sure the wipers are at restingposition when you open the engine hood.
CAUTION Always insert the support prop into the hole specially made for it. Propping the engine hood at any other place could cause the propto slip out and lead to an accident. The hood prop can fall out if the hood is lifted by a strong wind.
View of the engine compartment
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-5
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Unlatch 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.
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To close
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 com-pletely closed, it could open up while driv- ing.NOTE
If this does not close the engine hood prop- erly, drop it again from a slightly higher position.
Do not push down strongly on the engine hood. Depending 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 theinformation screen in the multi-information display.Type 1 Type 2
NOTE
View of the engine compart- ment 1- Power steering fluid reservoir (if so
equipped)
2- Air cleaner filter 3- Brake fluid/Clutch fluid reservoir (if so
equipped)
4- Engine coolant reservoir 5- Windshield washer fluid reservoirExcept for vehicles with turbochargerVehicles with turbocharger
Engine oil and oil filter 9-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
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It is normal for an engi
ne 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.
Except for vehicles with turbocharger Vehicles with turbocharger
6- Engine oil level dipstick 7- Radiator cap8- Engine oil filler cap 9- Battery Engine oil and oil filter To check and refill engine oil
Except for vehicles with engine cover
Good
Vehicles with engine cover
Good
CAUTION Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aera- tion and loss of oil pressure, which coulddamage the engine. For vehicles with turbocharger, engine oil must be properly maintained to avoid engine and/or turbocharger damage. To better pro- tect your engine and turbocharger, use fullysynthetic engine oil.WA R N I N G Used engine oil is poisonous, and can dam- age your skin. Prolonged and repeatedcontact may cause serious skin disorders, including dermatitis and cancer. Don’t let used oil touch your skin. Wash thoroughlyafter working with it. Keep used oil out of the reach of children.
Good
Engine oil and oil filter
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-7
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Mitsubishi Motors recommends using only engine oils with the ILSAC certification sym- bol on the front of the container.
If you cannot find oils with the ILSAC certi- fication symbol, use an API classification SN or higher oil with the following label. This mark appears on th
e top of the oil con-
tainer and tells you two important things about the oil.
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Use engine oil with the proper thickness for the outdoor temperatures where you will be driving.
SAE 0W-20 engine oil is strongly recom- mended for optimum fuel economy and coldstarting. If SAE 0W-20 is not available the ILSAC certification oil of other viscosity grades canbe temporarily used.
NOTE
Engine oil consumption is greatly influenced by payload, engine speed, etc. The engine oil will deteriorate rapidly if the vehicle is subjected to severe conditions (forexample, repeated operation on rough roads, in mountainous regions, on roads with many uphill and downhill gradients, or over shortdistances). Consequently, the oil will require earlier replacement in accordance with the schedule in the “WARRANTY AND MAIN-TENANCE MANUAL”.
Engine oil identification mark ILSAC certification symbol
1- The top portion shows the quality of
the oil.
2- The center portion shows the SAE
grade of the oil viscosity.
Recommended engine oil vis- cosity API service symbol
Except for vehicles with turbo- charger
Engine coolant 9-8 Vehicle care and maintenance
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The oil filter should be replaced at the time or mileage specified in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.Only use high quality replacement filters on this vehicle. The manufacturer’s specifica- tions for Genuine Mitsubishi oil filtersrequire that the filter can withstand a pressure
of 256 psi (1.8 MPa). A Genuine Mitsubishi oil filter is the best replacement filter. Follow the installation
instructions printed on
the filter.
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The coolant reserve tank (A) lets you quicklysee when you need to add coolant. When the engine is cold, the level in the reserve tank should be between the “FULL” and “LOW”marks. The radiator usually stays full so there is no reason to remove
the radiator cap (B)
except when you check the coolant freeze point or replace the antifreeze coolant.
Vehicles with turbocharger
NOTE
Select engine oil of the proper SAE viscosity number according to the atmospheric tem-perature. SAE 0W-30 and 0W-40 engine oil are rec- ommended to use to improve engine start- ability on a very cold weather condition.
To replace the oil filter
Engine coolant To check the coolant level
* - Front of the vehicle
To add coolant Use “Mitsubishi Motors Genuine Super Long Life Coolant Premium” or an equivalent
*.
Except for vehicles with turbocharger
FULL LOW
Vehicles with turbocharger
FULL LOW
Air cleaner filter
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-9
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Mitsubishi Motors Genuine Coolant provides excellent protection against corrosion and rust formation on all metals, including alumi-num, and prevents blockages in some parts of engine. If you need to add co
olant often, or if the
level in the reserve tank does not drop whenthe engine cools, the cooling system should be pressure-tested for leaks. Take your vehi- cle to an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice for testing.
The radiator cap must be tight sealed to pre- vent losing coolant which may result in engine damage. Only use a Genuine Mitsubi-shi Parts radiator cap, or an approved equiva- lent. 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 needto change the cap, use the exact same kind. Check the coolant freeze point in the radi- ator with the proper gauge, and only when it is safe. If you add antifreeze, the con- tents of the reserve tank must be protectedagainst freezing. Keep the front of the radiator and con- denser clean. If the temperature of the engine coolant does not rise after th
e engine is warmed-
up, take your vehicle to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facil-ity of your choice to have the thermostat checked, and replaced if necessary.
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The air cleaner filter w
ill get dirty and dusty
from use and not filter properly. Replace it with a new filter using the schedule in the“WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.
* : similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant with long life hybrid organic acid technologyCAUTION Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants that contain them. Using the wrong antifreeze can corrode aluminum parts. The required concentration of anti-freeze dif- fers depending on the expected ambient tem-perature. Above -31 °F (-35 °C) : 50 % concentration of anti-freeze Below -31 °F (-35 °C) : 60% concentration of anti-freezeYou can check the concentration level with a gauge from an automotive supply store, or your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer orservice station can check it for you.
Do not use water to adjust the concentration of coolant. Do not top off the tank with plain water only. Water by itself boils at a lower temperatureand does not stop rust or freezing. If the water freezes, it will damage your cooling system. Do not use tapwater. It can causecorrosion and rust.
Radiator cap
WA R N I N G Wait for the engine to cool down before opening the radiator cap. Otherwise hotsteam or boiling coolant could spray up from the radiator and scald you.
Points to remember
CAUTION
Air cleaner filter