Battery
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-15
9
1. Install the battery upper cover (A) onto the battery, and then push the plastic nuts (B) in the direction shown by the arrows to secure the cover. 2. To install the air duct, perform the removal steps in reverse.
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The electrolyte level must be between the limits shown on the outside of the battery. Fill it with distilled water as needed. The inside ofthe battery is divided into several compart- ments. 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.
NOTE
Be careful not to lose the removed plastic nuts.
To install
NOTE
Be sure to install the plastic nuts in the cor- rect direction. Make sure that the battery upper cover is installed securely.
CAUTION Be sure to install the battery upper cover. Otherwise, the battery electrolyte may spill and cause a malfunction. When installing the battery upper cover, plastic nuts, and air
duct, do not touch the
cooling fan or other moving parts in the engine compartment. Be especially carefulthat the cables, your clothing or hair, etc., do not get caught in the cooling fan or other moving parts.
Checking battery electrolyte level
WA R N I N G If the battery goes flat, be sure to check the battery electrolyte level before con- necting booster cables. After checking the battery electrolyte level, make sure the caps are fittedsecurely. If any of the caps has a loose fit, replace the battery.Except for vehicles with turbochargerVehicles with turbocharger
Battery 9-16 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
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The battery is weaker in cold temperatures. This has to do with its chemical and physical properties and is why a very cold battery,especially one with a low charge, will have a hard time starting your vehicle. It is recommended that you have your batteryand charging system checked by an autho- rized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair
facility of your choice before the start of coldweather. If necessary, have it charged. This will guarantee more reliable starting, and lon- ger battery life.
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To disconnect the battery cable, stop theengine. Disconnect the negative (-) terminalfirst, then the positive (+) terminal. To recon- nect the battery, first connect the positive (+) terminal and then the negative (-) terminal,before starting the vehicle.
NOTE
For vehicles equipped with a turbocharger, the battery upper cover does not need to be removed to check the battery electrolyte level.
During cold weather Disconnection and connection
NOTE
For vehicles equipped with turbocharger, remove the battery upper cover before dis- connecting the terminal of battery. Refer to “Removing and installing the battery upper cover” on page 9-14. Open the terminal cover (A) before discon- necting or connecting the positive (+) termi-nal of the battery.WA R N I N G Never disconnect the battery while the engine is running, or you could damagethe 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 corro- sive diluted sulfuric acid. If it spills on nearby parts, it can crack, stain, or dis- color them. And if 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 orother nearby parts, wipe it off with a soft cloth or chamois soaked in a solution ofwater and neutral detergent then imme- diately rinse the affected parts with plenty of water.• If electrolyte gets on your hands orclothes, rinse thoroughly with water. Ifelectrolyte gets in your eyes, flush them with water immediately and get immedi- ate medical attention.
Open doors and windows in any closed space where you may be charging orworking with the battery. Always wear protective clothing and gog- gles when working with the battery, or have a skilled automobile technician do it. If you are quick-charging your battery, first disconnect the
battery cables.
In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to disconnect the negative (-) terminal first, and reconnect it last. If the electrolyte level is very low, have the battery checked at an authorized Mitsubi- shi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.WA R N I N G
Clutch pedal free play (if so equipped) 9-24 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
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In some areas of the country, snow tires are required for winter driving. If snow tires arerequired in your area, you must choose snow tires of the same size and type as the original tires provided with your vehicle. Snow tiresshould also be installed on all four wheels. Otherwise your safety and vehicle handling can be reduced.Even where laws may permit it, snow tiresshould not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
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To check the clutch pedal free play (A), turn off the engine and press the pedal until you feel resistance. Clutch pedal free play: .2 to .4 inch (4 to 9 mm)
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To check the brake pedal free play (A), turnoff the engine and press the brake pedal sev-eral times with your foot. Then press the pedal down with your fingers until you first feel resistance. Brake pedal free play: .1 to .3 inch (3 to 8 mm) If the free play is not within these limits, take your vehicle to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice for adjustment.
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Check the parking brake lever travel occa-sionally. To check this, pull the lever up
Snow tires
CAUTION If flange nuts are used on your vehicle, change to tapered nuts when using snow tireswith steel wheels. Only Mitsubishi Motors genuine wheels should be used, because your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys- tem.Use of another type of wheel risks air leaks and sensor damage, as it will not be possible to install the tire pressure sensor properly.
Tire chains
CAUTION Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle. The clearance between the chains and the body is not sufficient to allow proper clear- ance, and the vehicle body might be dam-aged.
Clutch pedal free play
(if so
equipped)
Brake pedal free play Parking brake lever stroke
General maintenance 9-26 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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”.
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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
General maintenance
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-27
9
there are other parts which do not usually need regular maintenance. But, if any of these parts stops working prop- erly, your vehicle performance could suffer.Have these items checked if you notice a problem with them. See your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer for assistance, if you have any questions.
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Good brakes are essen
tial to safe driving.
Check the brake pads and brake linings for wear and check the rear wheel cylinders for leaks. For good braking performance, replacethe brake pads with the
same type pads as the
originals.
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Brake hoses and tubing should be checkedfor:
Severe surface cracking, scuffing or worn spots. If the fabric casing of the hose is showing through any cracks or worn spots in the rubber hose cover, the hose shouldbe replaced. The brakes can fail if the hose wears through. Improper installation may cause twisting, or wheel, tire or chassis interference.
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Check the following parts for damage andgrease leaks: Ball joint boots of the front suspension and steering linkage Bellows on both ends of the drive shaft
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The best way to keep carbon monoxide gas from entering inside your vehicle is to have the engine exhaust system properly serviced.
Have a competent mechanic inspect the com- plete exhaust system and nearby body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispo- sitioned parts if you notice any of the follow-ing: A change in the sound of the exhaust sys- tem The smell of exhaust fumes inside the vehicle The underside or rear of the vehicle is damaged
Also check the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication, oil changes,or required service. Any open seams or loose connections could let dangerous exhaust fumes seep into the luggage compartment andpassenger compartments. Check for holes or exhaust gas leaks caused by corrosion or damage. Check the joints and connections for looseness or exhaust gas leaks. Check the rubber hangers and brackets for damage.
Disc brake pads, rear drum brake linings and rear wheel cylinders Brake hoses
Ball joint, steering linkage seals and drive shaft boots Exhaust system
WA R N I N G Carbon monoxide gas from your vehicle’s exhaust is poisonous. Breathing these fumes can cause unconsciousness or death.
Check for any of the following conditions:
For cold and snowy weather 9-28 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
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The hood lock release mechanism and hood safety catch should be checked, cleaned, and oiled when needed for easy movement and to stop rust and wear. Use Multipurpose GreaseNLGI Grade 2 sparingly for all sliding parts of the hood latch and release lever. Work the grease into the hood lock mechanism until allthe movable surfaces are covered.Also, put a light coat of the same grease on the safety catch wherever moving parts touch.
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The ventilation slots in front of the wind-shield should be brushed clear after a heavy snowfall so that the operation of the heatingand ventilation systems will not be impaired. To prevent freezing of the weatherstripping on the doors, engine hood, etc., they should be treated with silicone grease.
It is a good idea to carry a shovel or a short- handled spade in the vehicle during the win- ter so that you can clear away snow if you getstranded. A small hand-brush for sweeping snow off the vehicle and a plastic scraper for the windshield, side and rear window are alsouseful.
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The fusible links will melt
to prevent a fire if
a large current attempts to flow through cer-tain electrical systems. In case of a melted fusible link, see your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or arepair facility of your choice for inspection and replacement. For the fusible links, please refer to “Fuseload capacities” on page 9-29.
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To prevent damage to the electrical systemfrom short-circuiting or overloading, eachindividual circuit is equipped with a fuse. The fuse blocks are located in the passenger com- partment and in the engine compartment. The fuse blocks in the passenger compart- ment are located behind the fuse lid on the driver’s side as shown.
Hood lock release mechanism and safety catch For cold and snowy weather Ventilation slots Weatherstripping
Additional equipment (For regions where snow is encoun- tered) Fusible links
WA R N I N G Fusible links must not be replaced by any other device. Failing to fit the correct fus- ible link may result in fire in the vehicle,property destruction and serious or fatal injuries at any time.
Fuses Fuse block location Passenger compartment A- Main fuse block B- Sub fuse block
Replacement of light bulbs
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-33
9
2. There is a fuse puller (A) in the engine compartment fuse block. 3. Clamp it on the fuse you wish to remove, and pull the fuse straight out from the fuse block.
4. Use the fuse location diagrams and the matching tables, to check the fuse that is related to the problem. If the fuse is not blown, something else must be causingthe problem. Contact an authorized Mit- subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice to have the problemchecked. 5. Insert a new fuse of the same capacity securely into the appropriate slot.
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Before replacing a bulb, be sure the light isoff. Do not touch the glass part of the newbulb with your bare fingers; the oil from your skin will stay on the glass and dim or destroy the bulb when it gets hot.
B- Fuse is OKC- Blown fuseCAUTION Never use a fuse with a capacity greater than the one listed or any substitute, such as wire, foil etc. This would cause the circuit wiringto heat up and could cause a fire.
If the replacement fuse blows again after a short time, have the electrical system checked by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice to find and correct the cause.
Replacement of light bulbs
CAUTION Bulbs are extremely hot immediately after being turned off. When replacing a bulb, wait for it to coolsufficiently before touching it. You could otherwise be burned.NOTE
If you are unsure of how to carry out the work as required, it is recommended that these procedures be carried out by an autho-rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice. Be careful not to scratch the vehicle body when removing a light and lens.CAUTION
Replacement of light bulbs
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-39
9
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The alignment of the headlights should be checked by an authorized Mitsubishi Motorsdealer or a repair facility of your choice.
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1. For vehicles equipped with turbocharger, when replacing the bulb on the driver’s side, remove the bolt (A) holding downthe relay box and move the relay box toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. For vehicles equipped with turbocharger, when replacing the bulb on the passen- ger’s side, lift up the engine coolant reser- voir (B). 3. Turn the socket (C) counterclockwise to remove it.
4. Pull the bulb out of the socket. 5. To install the bulb, perform the removal steps in reverse.
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1. To create enough work space, turn the steering wheel all the way in the direction opposite to the side you wish to replace.
Adjustment of headlight aim Parking and side-marker lights (except for vehicles with high intensity discharge headlights) * - Front of the vehicle
*- Front of the vehicle * - Front of the vehicle
Parking and side-marker lights (for vehicles with high intensity discharge headlights)