check transmission fluid MITSUBISHI CARISMA 2000 1.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–19
Except for vehicles with Sports mode
I04A229a
Indicator lamps
A- Selector lever position indicator lamp
B- “N” indicator lamp
The indication lamps in the instrument panel
are for indication the selector lever position
and one of them will be illuminated when the
ignition is switched “ON”.
I04A257a
Vehicles with Sports mode
CAUTION
If the “N” (NEUTRAL) indicator lamp
in the selector lever position indicator
flashes while you are driving, there
could be a malfunction in the auto-
matic transmission. (If the selected
lever position is in the “P” (PARK),
“R” (REVERSE) or “N” (NEUTRAL)
position, the indicator lamp does not
flash.) Identify and rectify the problem
in accordance with the following pro-
cedure.
CAUTION
[The “N” indicator lamp flashes rapid-
ly (twice per second)]
The automatic transmission fluid is
overheating.
Park your vehicle in a safe place but
do not turn off the engine. Move the
selector lever to the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion and open the bonnet. Keep the
engine idling.
After a while, move the selector to the
“D” position and confirm that the “N”
indicator lamp stops flashing. It is safe
to continue driving if the “N” indicator
lamp no longer flashes.
Be sure to carry out this check with
the selector lever in the all forward
position except for “P” (PARK), “R”
(REVERSE) or “N” (NEUTRAL). The
“N” indicator lamp warning function
operates only in these positions.
If the “N” indicator lamp continues
flashing or flashes intermittently,
have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized MITSUBISHI dealer.

FOR EMERGENCIES
8–12
N24A071a
10. Check tyre inflation pressure. The
inflation pressure specification is
shown on the label. See illustration.
CAUTION
(1) Compact spare tyre is used tem-
porarily when the standard tyre
flows out. Repair the flown tyre as
soon as possible to replace the
compact spare tyre with the stan-
dard tyre.
(2) After changing the tyre, drive the
vehicle approximately 1000 km
and retighten the wheel nuts to
make sure that they are not loose.
CAUTION
(3) If the steering wheel vibrates
when driving after change of the
tyre, have the tyre checked for
balance at your MITSUBISHI
dealer.
(4) For the safe operation of your ve-
hicle, make sure you avoid mix-
ing one type of with another or
using tyres other than the speci-
fied size.
TowingEN25AIDf
Your vehicle may be towed either by another
vehicle with a rope, or by a tow truck.
The regulations concerning towing may
differ from country to country. It is recom-
mended that you obey the regulations of the
country where you are driving your vehicle.
CAUTION
(1) In the following cases, please
contact the MITSUBISHI dealer.

The engine runs but the ve-
hicle does not move.
Or abnormal noise is pro-
duced.

No automatic transmission
fluid is in the transmission.
(2) If the transmission is malfunc-
tioning or damaged, transport the
vehicle using a tow truck. (Refer
to the paragraph “Towing the ve-
hicle by a tow truck”.)

FOR EMERGENCIES
8–13
Front
N25A200a
Towing with a rope
1. For vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion check the automatic transmis-
sion fluid level. (Refer to “Automatic
transmission fluid” on page 9–4.)
If the fluid level is low, transport the ve-
hicle with all wheels off the ground.
CAUTION
If the vehicle is out of automatic trans-
mission fluid, the transmission could
be damaged.
2. The towing hooks (A) are located as
shown in the illustrations. Attach the
tow rope to the towing hooks.
Rear
N25A057a
NOTE
(1) Using any part other than the desig-
nated towing hooks (A) could result in
damage to vehicle body.
(2) Use care that the towing rope is kept as
horizontal as possible.
An angled towing rope can damage the
vehicle body.
(3) Never attempt to tow out a ditched ve-
hicle because the towing rope cannot
be kept horizontal.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or
“ON” position to unlock the steering
wheel.
CAUTION
(1) As the engine is not running, the
brake booster and power steer-
ing pump do not operate. This
means higher brake depression
force and higher steering effort
are required. Therefore vehicle
operation is more difficult than
usual.
(2) Do not leave the key in the
“LOCK” position. If the key is re-
moved while driving, the steering
will be locked causing loss of
control.
4. Turn on the hazard warning lamps.
5. Move the gearshift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever (au-
tomatic transmission) to Neutral or the
“N” position.
6. During towing make sure that close
contact is maintained between the
drivers of both vehicles, and that the
vehicles travel at low speed. Avoid
abrupt starting or stopping which
might subject the vehicles to shock.

FOR EMERGENCIES
8–18
CAUTION
Check the other vehicle. It must have
a 12-volt battery.
If the other system isn’t 12-volt, short-
ing can damage both vehicles.
2. You could be injured if the vehicles roll.
Set the parking brake firmly on each
vehicle. Put an automatic trans-
mission in “P” (PARK) or a manual
transmission in “N” (Neutral). Turn off
the ignition switch.
WARNING
Tu r n o f f t h e ignition on both vehicles
beforehand. Use care to make sure
that the cables or your clothes do not
get caught by the fan or drive belt.
Personal injury could result.
NOTE
Turn off all lamps, heater and other electrical
loads. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries.
3. Make sure battery electrolyte is at the
proper level.
Refer to “Battery” on page 9–7.
WARNING
If electrolyte fluid is not visible, or ap-
pears to be frozen, do not attempt
jump starting!
A battery might rupture or explode if
the temperature is below the freezing
point or if it is not filled to the proper
level.
Petrol-powered vehicles (1300 models)
N28A195a
4. Connect one end of one jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal of the dis-
charged battery, and the other end to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
5. Connect one end of the other jumper
cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
booster battery, and the other end to
the engine block of the vehicle with the
discharged battery at the point farthest
from the battery.
NOTE
Remove the cover before connecting the
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery.

MAINTENANCE
9–4
Type 1
M03B029a
Selection of engine oil
(diesel-powered vehicles)
EM03BAKe
(1) Select engine oil of the proper SAE vis-
cosity number according to the atmos-
pheric temperature.
(2) Use engine oil conforming to the follow-
ing classification:
Ty p e 1 :ACEA classification:
“For service B2-96 or B3-96”
Ty p e 2 :API classification:
“For service CF”
NOTE
Use of additives is not recommended
since they may reduce the effectiveness of
additives already included in the engine
oil. It may result in failure of the mechani-
cally assembly.
Type 2
M03B030aM05A069a
Automatic transmission fluid*EM05AAH
The proper amount of automatic trans-
mission fluid is essential to the life and oper-
ation of the automatic transmission. Either in-
sufficient fluid or excessive fluid could cause
transmission trouble. The transmission fluid
filler port cap is equipped with a dipstick. Use
the following procedure to check the fluid
level.
1. Check the fluid level after the vehicle
has been driven enough to warm up
the transmission fluid.
2. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface
and apply the parking brake.

MAINTENANCE
9–5
3. With the engine idling and the brake
pedal fully depressed, move the trans-
mission selector lever through all the
positions from the ”P” (PARK) to ”L”
(LOW) (with INVECS–II 4A/T), the ”P”
(PARK) to ”D” (DRIVE) (with INVECS–
II Sports Mode 4A/T), stopping mo-
mentarily at each position.
4. Move the selector lever to the ”N”
(NEUTRAL) or ”P” (PARK) position.
5. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean lint–free cloth.
6. Reinsert the dipstick as far as it goes.
7. Remove the dipstick and read the oil
level. The fluid level should always be
between the two marks on the dip-
stick.
8. Use only the following transmission
fluid to ensure optimum transmission
performance: ”DIA QUEEN ATF SP
III”.
WARNING
Do not spill the fluid onto a hot ex-
haust manifold during topping up or
inspection, or a fire may occur.
Petrol–powered vehicles
N26A034a
Engine coolantEM36ALY
A translucent coolant reserve tank is located
in the engine compartment. The coolant
level in this tank should be kept between the
two marks on the reserve tank when
measured while the engine is cold. The cool-
ing system is a closed system and normally
the loss of coolant should be very slight. A
noticeable drop in the coolant level could
indicate leakage. If this occurs, have the sys-
tem checked at an authorized MITSUBISHI
dealer as soon as possible.
If the level should drop below the ”LOW”
level on the reserve tank, open the lid and
add coolant.
Also, if the reserve tank is completely empty,
remove the radiator cap and add coolant
until the level reaches the filler neck.
Diesel–powered vehicles
N26A160a
NOTE
On diesel–powered vehicles, the radiator
has no filler port. Supply coolant from the filler
port in the reserve tank.
WARNING
Do not open the reserve tank lid or
radiator cap while the engine is hot.
The coolant system is under pressure
and any hot coolant escaping could
cause severe burns.