MITSUBISHI L200 2004 Owner's Manual (in English)

MAINTENANCE
Type 2
The condition of the battery is very impor-
tant for quick starting of the engine and
proper functioning of the vehicle’s elec-
trical system. Check the condition at regu-
lar intervals and care the battery if neces-
sary.
To determine the battery charge, check
the battery test indicator (1) on top of the
battery.
If the test indicator is seen blue which
looked into it from above, the battery is
okay. If white, the battery requires
charging.
The electrolyte level must be between the
upper line and lower line on the outside of
the battery. Replenish with distilled water
as necessary.
The inside of the battery is divided into
several compartments; remove the cap
from each compartment and fill to the
upper line.
WARNING(1) Keep sparks, cigarettes and
flames away from the battery be-
cause the battery could explode.
(2) The battery electrolyte is ex-
tremely caustic. Do not allow it
to come in contact with your
eyes, skin, clothing, or the
painted surfaces of the vehicle.
Spilled electrolyte should be
flushed immediately with ample
amounts of water.
Irritation to eyes or skin from
contact with electrolyte requires
immediate medical attention.
(3) Ventilate when charging or us-
ing the battery in an enclosed
space.
CAUTION(1) Never disconnect the battery
with the ignition switch “ON”;
doing so could damage the vehi-
cle’s electrical components.
(2) Never short-circuit the battery;
doing so could cause it to over-
heat and damage it.
(3) Always wear protective eye
goggles when working near the
battery.
Do not fill beyond the upper line because
spillage during driving could cause dam-
age.
During cold weather
The capacity of the battery is reduced at
low temperatures. This is an inevitable re-
sult of its chemical and physical proper-
ties. This is why a very cold battery, partic-
ularly one that is not fully charged anyway,
will only deliver a fraction of the starter
current which is normally available.
It is recommended that you have the bat-
tery checked by an authorized MIT-
SUBISHI dealer before the start of cold
weather and, if necessary, have it
charged. This not only ensures reliable
starting, but a battery which is kept fully
charged also has a longer life.
Disconnection and connection
To disconnect the battery cable, stop the
engine, first disconnect the negative (–)
terminal and then the positive (+) terminal.
When connecting the battery, first connect
the positive (+) terminal and then the neg-
ative (–) terminal.
9-7
M37B008
1Type 2
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MAINTENANCE
CAUTION(4) If the battery is to be quick-
charged, first disconnect the
battery cables.
(5) In order to prevent a short
circuit, be sure to disconnect the
negative (–) terminal first.
(6) Keep it out of the reach of
children.
NOTE
(1) Keep the terminals clean. After the
battery is connected, apply terminal
protection grease. To clean the ter-
minals, use lukewarm water.
(2) Check to see if the battery is securely
installed and cannot be moved during
travel. Also check each terminal for
tightness.
(3) When the vehicle is to be left unused
for a long period of time, remove the
battery and store it in a place where
the battery fluid will not freeze. The
battery should be stored only in a fully
charged condition.
Brake fluidEM08A-X
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
The brake fluid level must be between the
specified limit. The fluid level falls slightly
with wear of the brake pads, but this does
not indicate any abnormality.
If the brake fluid level falls markedly in a
short length of time, it indicates leaks from
the brake system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle checked by
an authorized MITSUBISHI dealer.
Use brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or
DOT 4. The brake fluid is hygroscopic.
Too much moisture in the brake fluid will
adversely affect the brake system, reduc-
ing the brake performance.In addition, the brake fluid reservoir is
equipped with a special cap to prevent the
entrance of air, and this cap should not be
removed.
On a vehicle with a brake fluid warning
lamp, the brake fluid level is monitored by
a float. When the brake fluid level falls
below the lower line, the brake fluid warn-
ing lamp lights up.
WARNING(1) Take care in handling brake fluid
as it is harmful to the eyes and
may also cause damage to
painted surfaces.
If fluid is spilt, wipe it up as soon
as possible.
(2) Use only the specified brake
fluid.
Also, the additives in different
brands may result in a chemical
reaction when mixed together,
so avoid mixing different brands
if possible.
(3) Normally, keep the reservoir
tank cap closed to prevent the
brake fluid from deteriorating.
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M08A028
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MAINTENANCE
Power steering fluid*EM09A-Jd
Check the fluid level in the reservoir while
the engine is idling.
Unscrew the reservoir cap; the level in this
tank should be kept between the “MAX”
and “MIN” lines.
Use “ATF DEXRON III or DEXRON II”.To replace the fluid
Recommended brake fluid conforming to
DOT 3 or DOT 4 should be used.
The reservoir cap must be fully tightened
to avoid contamination from foreign matter
or moisture.
DO NOT ALLOW PETROLEUM-BASED
FLUID TO CONTACT, MIX WITH, OR
OTHERWISE CONTAMINATE THE
BRAKE FLUID. SEAL DAMAGE WILL
RESULT.
WARNINGTake care in handling brake fluid as
it is harmful to the eyes and may
also cause damage to painted sur-
faces. Wipe up any spills immedi-
ately.
Clutch fluid*EM10A-Eg
To check the clutch fluid
The clutch fluid in the master cylinder
should be checked when performing other
underhood services. In addition, the sys-
tem should be checked for leakage at the
same time.
Check to make certain that the clutch fluid
level is always between the MAX and MIN
level markings on the fluid reservoir and
refill the fluid, if necessary.
A rapid fluid loss indicates a leak in the
clutch system which should be inspected
by your authorized MITSUBISHI dealer
and repaired immediately.
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M10A004M09A005
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MAINTENANCE
Washer fluidEM31A-Rd
Check the washer fluid level in the con-
tainer.
If the level is low, replenish the container
with washer fluid.
NOTE
The washer fluid container serves the
windscreen and headlamps*
*: Option
During cold weather
To ensure proper operation of the wash-
ers at low temperatures, use a fluid con-
taining an anti-freezing agent.Be sure that the wheel nuts are tightened
correctly. Refer to the section of this man-
ual entitled “For emergencies” for informa-
tion concerning replacement of the tyres.
NOTE
The mark and the location of the tyre tread
wear indicators are different depending on
tyre manufacturers.
9-10
Wheel conditionEM32A-Bi
1 - Tread wear indicator position
2 - Tread wear indicator
Be sure to check the tyres for cuts, cracks
and other damage. Replace the tyres if
there are deep cuts or cracks. Also check
each tyre for pieces of metal or pebbles.
The use of worn tyres can be very danger-
ous because of the greater chance of
skidding or hydroplaning. The tread depth
of the tyres must exceed 1.6 mm in order
for the tyres to meet the minimum require-
ment for use.
If there are tread wear indicators on the
tyres, they will appear in six places on the
surface of the tyre as the tyre wears,
thereby indicating that the tyre no longer
meets the minimum requirement for use.
When these wear indicators do appear,
the tyres must be replaced with new ones.
M32A001
1
2
M31A024
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MAINTENANCE
Tyre inflation pressure
EM13APDb
kPa
Check the tyre inflation pressure of all the
tyres while they are cold: if insufficient or
excessive, adjust to the specified value.
After the tyre inflation pressure has been
adjusted, check the tyres for damage and
air leaks. Be sure to put rubber caps on
the valves.
Tyre rotationEM60APMc
Tyre wear varies with vehicle conditions,
road surface conditions and individual
driver’s driving habits. To equalize the
wear and help extend tyre life, it is recom-
mended to rotate the wheels immediately
after discovery of abnormal wear, or
whenever the wear difference between
the front and rear tyres is recognizable.
When rotating wheels, rotate as shown in
the illustrations, check for uneven wear
and damage. Abnormal wear is usually
caused by incorrect tyre pressure, im-
proper wheel alignment, out-of-balance
wheel, or severe braking. Consult your au-
thorized MITSUBISHI dealer to determine
the cause of irregular wear.
9-11
M40A030
Type 1
M40A039
Type 2
Tyre sizeNo
cargoCargo
FrontRear
185R14C 8PR 102/100Q
185R14C 8PR 102/100R220 240 450
205/80R16 104S 180 200 300
265/70R16 112S 180 180 230
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MAINTENANCE
CAUTION
(1) If the tyres have arrows (A) indi-
cating the correct direction of
rotation, swap the front and rear
tyres on the left-hand side of the
vehicle and the front and rear
tyres on the right-hand side of
the vehicle separately. Keep
each tyre on its original side of
the vehicle. When fitting the
tyres, make sure the arrows
point in the direction in which
the wheels will turn when the ve-
hicle moves forward. Any tyre
whose arrow points in the wrong
direction will not perform to its
full potential.
(2) Avoid the combined use of dif-
ferent types of tyres.
This can affect driving safety.
Snow tyresEL12A-Dc
The use of snow tyres is recommended for
driving on snow and ice. To preserve
driving stability, mount snow tyres of the
same size and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Snow tyres worn more than 50%
are no longer suitable for use as snow
tyres.
Snow tyres which do not meet specifica-
tions must not be used.
CAUTIONObserve permissible maximum
speed for your snow tyres and the
legal speed limit.
NOTE
(1) The laws and regulations concerning
snow tyres (driving speed, required
use, type, etc.) vary. Find out and fol-
low the laws and regulations in driving
area.
(2) If flange nuts are used on your vehi-
cle, change to tapered nuts when
steel wheels are used.
9-12
M40A049
Type 3
M40A045
Front
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MAINTENANCE
Tyre chainsEL23APDb
It is recommended that snow chains are
carried in snow regions and fitted when re-
quired to the rear wheels.
On 4WD vehicles, the driving power is dis-
tributed preferentially to the rear wheels. If
tyre chains have to be used, ensure that
they are fitted on the rear.
The tyres fitted to your vehicle as original
equipment allow you to fit tyre chains if
they are required. When replacing your
tyres, check with the tyre distributor or
manufacturer if the fitting of tyre chains will
be detrimental to the tyres being pur-
chased.
Always follow the chain manufacturer’s in-
structions when fitting the chains.
WARNINGDO NOT use a jack when fitting the
chains, as in the conditions, the
tyres may slip on the icy road caus-
ing the vehicle to slip off the jack.
(8) An aluminium wheel can be
damaged by a tyre chain while
driving. When fitting a tyre chain
on an aluminium wheel, take
care that any part of the chain
and fitting cannot be brought
into contact with the wheel disc.
(9) When installing or removing a
tyre chain, take care that hands
and other parts of your body are
not injured by the sharp edges
of the vehicle body.
(10) Install the chains only on the
rear tyres and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened.
NOTE
The laws and regulations concerning the
use of tyre chains vary. Find out and follow
the laws and regulations in the driving
area. In most countries, it is prohibited by
the law to use tyre chains on roads without
snow.CAUTION(1) Practice fitting the chains before
you need them. Don’t expect
help from other people in the
cold.
(2) Choose a clear straight stretch
of road where you can pull off
and still be seen while you are
fitting the chains.
(3) Do not fit chains before you
need them. This will wear out
your tyres and the road surface.
(4) After driving around 100-300
meters, stop and retighten the
chains.
(5) Care should be taken with ex-
tremes of steering lock to pre-
vent possible contact between
the chains and the vehicle body.
(6) Drive carefully and do not ex-
ceed 50 km/h. Remember, fitting
chains is not going to stop acci-
dents from happening.
(7) When tyre chains are installed,
take care that they do not dam-
age the wheel disc or body.
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MAINTENANCE
Fuel, engine coolant, oil
and exhaust gas leakage
EM14A-Bd
Look under the body of your vehicle to
check for fuel, engine coolant, oil and
exhaust gas leaks.
WARNINGIf you see a suspicious fuel leak or if
you smell fuel, do not operate the
vehicle; call your authorized MIT-
SUBISHI dealer for assistance.
Exterior and interior lamp
operation
EM35A-Ad
Operate the combination lamp switch to
check that all lamps are functioning
properly.
If the lamps do not illuminate, the probable
cause is a blown fuse or defective lamp
bulb. Check the fuses first. If there is no
blown fuse, check the lamp bulbs.
For information regarding the inspection
and replacement of the fuses and the
lamp bulbs, refer to the section entitled
“For emergencies”.
If the fuses and bulbs are all OK, take the
vehicle to an authorized MITSUBISHI
dealer for inspection and repair.
Meter, gauge and
indication/warning lamp
operation
Run the engine to check the operation of
all meters, gauges, and indication/warning
lamps.
If there is anything wrong, take the vehicle
to an authorized MITSUBISHI dealer for
inspection.
Clutch pedal free play*EM17A-Ya
Press down the clutch pedal with your
fingers until initial resistance is felt.
This distance should be within the speci-
fied range.
A - Free play 6 to 13 mm
If the clutch pedal free play is outside the
standard range, have the clutch pedal ad-
justed at an authorized MITSUBISHI
dealer.
9-14
M18A002
A
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MAINTENANCE
Brake pedal free playEM18A-Ga
Stop the engine, depress the brake pedal
several times, and press down the pedal
with your fingers until initial resistance is
felt. This distance should be within the
specified range.
A - Free play 3 to 8 mm
If the brake pedal free play is outside the
standard range, have the brake pedal
adjusted at an authorized MITSUBISHI
dealer.
Parking brake lever stroke
EM19AAAd
Pull the parking brake lever up to check
the number of “clicks” that the ratchet
makes. One click represents a lever
movement of one notch. The lever should
move the specified number of notches for
normal brake application.
A - Parking brake lever stroke
Type 1 6 to 7 notches
Type 2 11 to 13 notches
(Parking brake adjustment when pulled
with the force of 200 N)
If the parking brake lever stroke is not
within the standard range, have the brake
lever adjusted at an authorized MIT-
SUBISHI dealer.
9-15
M18A002
A
I07A014
A
Type 1
I07A044A
Type 2
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MAINTENANCE
Hinges and latches
lubrication
EM21A-A
Check all latches and hinges, and lubri-
cate if necessary by first cleaning and then
applying multipurpose grease.
Wiper bladesEL05A-F
If the blades are frozen to the windscreen
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.
Wiper blade rubber replacement
1. Lift the wiper arm off the windscreen.
2. Pull the wiper blade until its stopper
(A) disengages from the hook (B).
Then, pull the wiper blade further to
remove it.
NOTE
Do not allow the wiper arm to fall onto the
windscreen; it could damage the glass.
9-16
L05A001A
BC
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