
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.
N00937500464
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 oil and oil filter
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-7
9
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.
N00955000070
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

Air cleaner filter
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-9
9
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.
N00937901423
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

Manual transaxle oil (if so equipped) Vehicle care and maintenance 9-11
9
5. Put the duct back on in its original posi- tion.
N00938200165
Whenever the manual transaxle oil level ischecked, add oil to maintain the proper level, if necessary. Refill or change the oil according to the table.
N00938100063
The continuously variable transmission(CVT) should be maintained and serviced by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice to obtain thebest performance and longest life. It is impor- tant that the transmissi
on fluid is kept at the
correct level. Use only “Mitsubishi Motors Genuine CVTF-J4” transmission fluid to ensure opti-mum transmission performance.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation does not rec- ommend the addition of any fluid additives tothe transmission.
N00938300036
The Twin Clutch Sportronic shift transmis-sion (Twin Clutch SST) should be maintained and serviced by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of yourchoice to obtain the best performance and longest life. It is impor
tant that the transmis-
sion fluid is kept at the correct level. Use only Mitsubishi Motors Genuine SSTF-I to ensure optimum transmission performance.
NOTE
Except for vehicles with turbocharger, make sure that the connector is properly recon- nected.
Manual transaxle oil
(if so
equipped)Vehicles with turbocharger
Oil type
Lubricant
Mitsubishi Motors Genuine NEW MULTI GEAR OIL API
Classification GL-3
Viscosity range
SAE 75W-80
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid
(if
so equipped)Fluid type
Special additives
Twin Clutch Sportronic shift transmission (Twin Clutch SST) fluid
(if so equipped)
Fluid type
CAUTION Using the improper transmission fluid may damage the transaxle.

Tires
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-19
9
EXAMPLE: 95H
Maximum load indicates the maxi- mum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire infla- tion pressure for this tire. The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire but the date code may only be on one side. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard sidethen you will find it on the inboard side of the tire.
LT (Light Truck) -metric tiresizing is based on U.S.A. design standards. The size designationfor LT-metric tires is the same as for P-metric tires except for the letters “LT” that are molded intothe sidewall preceding the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.Temporary spare tires are highpressure compact sparesdesigned for temporary emer- gency use only. Tires designed to this standard have the letter“T” molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
Service Description 95
Load index A numerical code associatedwith the maximum load a tire can carry.NOTE
H
Speed symbol A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding toits load index under certain operating conditions. The maximum speed corre-sponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating condi-tions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehi- cle loading, road conditions and posted speed limits)
Maximum Load
WA R N I N GOverloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehi-cle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended loadcapacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
Maximum Pressure Tire Identification Number (TIN)

Tires 9-20 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one- half (1
1/2) times as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tiresdepends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due tovariations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Thosegrades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci- fied government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor- mance. The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation ofheat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled condi- tions on a specified indoor laboratorytest wheel. Sustained high tempera- ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, andexcessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C cor- responds to a level of performancewhich all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi- cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory testwheel than the minimum required by law.
DOT
Department of Transporta- tion This symbol certifies thatthe tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safetystandards, and is approved for highway use.
MA
Code representing the tire manufacturing location. (2 digits)
L9 ABCD
Code representing the tire size. (2 digits)Code used by tire manufac- turer. (1 to 4 digits)
15
Number representing the week in which the tire wasmanufactured. (2 digits)
04
Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
Treadwear, Traction and Temper- ature Grades Treadwear Tr a c t i o n
Temperature

Parking brake break-in
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-25
9
slowly and count the number of clicks of the ratchet. Parking brake lever stroke: 3 to 5 notches Also check to see if the lever stays gripped by the ratchet after pulling.
N00936200031
Break-in the parking brake linings wheneverthe brake performance of the parking brake is insufficient or whenever the parking brake linings and/or discs are replaced, in order toassure the best brake performance. This procedure is described in the vehicle ser- vice manual and can be carried out by anauthorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
N00940700170
Check the wiper blades occasionally. Cleanthem regularly to remove deposits of salt androad film. Use a sponge or cloth and a mild detergent or non-abrasive cleaner to clean the blades and glass areas.Replace the blades if they continue to streak or smear. If the blades are frozen to the windshield or rear window, do not operate the wipers until the ice has melted and the blades are freed,otherwise the wiper motor may be damaged.
N00940800201
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission-control system that meets all the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and Environment Canada. The emission-con- trol system is made of: a positive crankcase ventilation system an evaporative emission-control system an exhaust emission-control system
The maintenance services listed in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL” must be performed at the times or mileages listed to keep the emission-con-trol system working properly. These, and allthe other “general” maintenance services listed in this manual, need to be performed to keep your vehicle running properly and reli-ably. You may need more frequent maintenance if you drive your vehicle in harsh conditions such as dusty areas or
do a lot of start-and-
stop driving. To be sure the emission-control system works properly, have your vehicle inspected and maintained by an authorized MitsubishiMotors dealer or a repair facility of your choice following the schedule in the “WAR- RANTY AND MAINTENANCE MAN-UAL”. You should also have an inspection and ser- vice any time you suspect a malfunction.
Parking brake break-in
Wiper blades
NOTE
Do not run the wipers on dry glass for a long time. This wears out the rubber and can scratch the glass.
During cold weather Emission-control system maintenance

General maintenance 9-26 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
N00940900215
Spark plugs must fire properly for good engine performance and emission-control.Do not reuse them by cleaning or regapping. Change them at the mileage listed in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCEMANUAL”.
N00941000037
Check the hose surfaces for any heat andmechanical damage, hard and brittle rubber,cracking, tears, cuts and abrasions. Pay spe- cial attention to the hoses closest to high heat sources such as the exhaust manifold. Checkall the hose connections, such as clamps and couplings, to make sure they are secure and that there are no leaks. If you see any wear ordamage, replace the hoses immediately.
N00950100050
Have the valve clearance checked at anauthorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer at themileage specified in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”. If the engine sounds abnormally loud, haveadjustments made by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
N00941300085
Check these regularly for damage or leaks in the fuel lines and connections. Check the fuel tank filler cap for damage or looseness. Pay special attention to the fuel lines closest to
high heat sources such as the exhaust mani- fold.
N00941400116
If the fuel-vapor vent line is clogged or dam- aged, the fuel-vapor mixture will escape, pol- luting the air.Have the system checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer at the mileage spec- ified in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTE-NANCE MANUAL”.
N00941500159
The next pages list the maintenance servicerecommended by Mitsubishi Motors Corpo- ration. In addition to the general maintenance that needs to be performed at the times listed,
NOTE
To meet government regulations and pro- mote cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with an onboard diagnostic system (OBD). The engine electronic control module that controls OBD functions stores various data(especially about the exhaust emissions). This data will be erased if the battery cable is disconnected, which could make a rapiddiagnosis difficult. Do not disconnect the battery cable when the engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON” or“Check engine light”) is on.
Spark plugs
NOTE
Use the spark plugs listed under “Engine specifications” on page 11-5 or plugs that are exactly the same. Other plugs could causeengine damage, performance problems or radio noise.
Fuel hoses Intake valve clearance Fuel system (tank, pipe line and connection, and fuel tank filler cap)
WA R N I N G If you see a fuel leak or if you smell fuel, do not run the engine. Any spark (includ- ing from the ignition), flame or smokingmaterial could cause an explosion or fire. Call an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choicefor assistance.
Evaporative emission control system (except evaporative emission canister) General maintenance