Mitsubishi Outlander (2003+). Manual - part 212

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (FF)

23A-143

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

ESSENTIAL SERVICE

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID 
(ATF) CHECK

M1231000900340

CAUTION

When replacing the transmission with a new one, 
overhauling the existing transmission, or driving 
in a harsh condition, the A/T fluid cooler line 
should always be flushed out and A/T fluid 
should be replaced with a new one.
1. Drive the vehicle until the A/T fluid temperature 

reaches the normal temperature (70 

−

 80 

°

C)

NOTE: Measure A/T Fluid temperature using 
MUT-II/III.
NOTE: 

Check the oil level referring to the characteristics 
chart shown at left if it takes some time to reach 
the normal operation temperature of A/T fluid (70 

−

 80 

°

C).

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
3. Move the selector lever to all positions to fully 

charge the torque converter and the fluid lines 
with A/T fluid, and then move the selector lever to 
the N position.

4. After wiping away any dirt from around the oil 

level gauge, pull out the oil level gauge and check 
the level of A/T fluid. 

NOTE: If the A/T fluid has a burnt smell, or if it has 
become very contaminated or dirty, it means that 
the A/T fluid has become contaminated by minute 
particles form bushings (metal) or worn parts. In 
such a case, the transmission needs to be 
overhauled and the A/T fluid cooler line needs to 
be flushed out.

5. Check that the A/T fluid level is between the HOT 

marks on the oil level gauge. If the A/T fluid level 
is too low, add more A/T fluid until the level 
reaches between the HOT marks.

Automatic transmission fluid: DIA QUEEN 
ATF SP III

NOTE: If the A/T fluid level is too low, the oil pump 
draws air into the system along with the A/T fluid, 
and air bubbles will thus from in the fluid circuit. 
This will cause a drop in fluid pressure and cause 
the shift points to change and the clutches and 
brakes to slip.
If the A/T fluid level is too high, the gear will churn 
the A/T fluid and cause bubbles to develop, which 
can then cause the same problems as when the 
A/T fluid is too low.
In either case, the air bubbles can cause 
overheating and oxidation of the A/T fluid, and 
also prevent the valves, clutches and brakes from 
operating normally. In addition, if bubbles develop 
in the A/T fluid, the A/T fluid can overflow from the 
transmission vent holes and be mistaken for 
leaks.

6. Securely re-insert the oil level gauge.

AC002477

Fluid level [mm]

Fluid temperature [    ]

10

0

-10

-20

-30

40

60

80

Fluid level

AF

AC005861

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (FF)

23A-144

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID 
(ATF) REPLACEMENT

M1231001000339

CAUTION

Before replacing the transmission with a new 
one, overhauling the existing transmission, or 
connecting the cooler pipe to the transmission, 
the A/T fluid cooler line should always be flushed 
out.
In you have an A/T fluid changer, use the A/T fluid 
changer to flush the A/T fluid. If you do not have an 
A/T fluid changer, follow the procedure given below.

1. Remove the hose shown in the illustration which 

allows the A/T fluid to flow from the A/T fluid 
cooler (built into the radiator) to the transmission.

CAUTION

The engine should be stopped within one minute 
of it being started. If the A/T fluid has all been 
discharged before this, stop the engine at that 
point.
2. Start the engine and discharge the A/T fluid.

Driving conditions: N range, idling

Discharge amount: Approx. 3.5 L 

3. Remove the drain plug at the bottom of the 

transmission case to drain out the remaining A/T 
fluid.

Discharge amount: Approx. 2.0 L

4. Install the drain plug with a gasket in between, 

and tighten it to the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 32 

±

 2 N

⋅

m

CAUTION

Stop pouring in the A/T fluid once 5.5 L has been 
poured in.
5. Pour in new A/T fluid through the oil filler tube.

Amount to add: Approx. 2.0 L

6. Repeat the operation in step 2.
7. Pour in new A/T fluid through the oil filler tube.

Amount to add: Approx. 3.5 L

NOTE: Carry out steps 2 and 7 so that at least 8.0 
L has been discharged from the cooler hose. After 
this, discharge a small quantity of A/T fluid and 
check for contamination. If the A/T fluid is 
contaminated, repeat steps 6 and 7.

8. Connect the hose which was disconnected in step 

1, and then securely re-insert the oil level gauge.

9. Start the engine, and let it run at idle for 1 

−

 2 

minutes.

10.Move the selector lever to all positions once, and 

then return it to the N position.

11.Check that the A/T fluid level on the oil level 

gauge is at the COLD mark. if it is not up to this 
mark, add more A/T fluid.

AC103690AB

AC103691AB

AC103690AB

AC005861

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (FF)

23A-145

12.Drive the vehicle until the A/T Fluid temperature 

reaches the normal temperature (70 

−

 80 

°

C), and 

then re check the A/T fluid level.
NOTE: The COLD mark is for reference only; the 
HOT marks should be used as the standard for 
judgment.
NOTE: A/T fluid temperature using MUT-II/III.
NOTE: 

Check the oil level referring to the characteristics 
chart shown at left if it takes some time until 
reaching the normal operation temperature of A/T 
fluid (70 

−

 80 

°

C.) 

13.When A/T fluid is under the specified level, top up 

A/T fluid. When A/T fluid is over the specified 
level, drain the excessive A/T fluid from the drain 
plug to adjust A/T fluid level to the specified level.

14.Securely insert the oil level gauge into the oil filler 

tube.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID 
COOLER LINE FLUSHING

M1231013000381

CAUTION

If replacing the transmission with a new one, if 
overhauling the existing transmission, or if the 
A/T fluid has deteriorated or is contaminated, the 
A/T fluid cooler line must always be flushed out.

1. Remove the hose shown in the illustration which 

allows the A/T fluid to flow from the A/T fluid 
cooler (built into the radiator) to the transmission.

CAUTION

The engine should be stopped within one minute 
of it being started. If the A/T fluid has all been 
discharged before this, stop the engine at that 
point.
2. Start the engine and discharge the A/T fluid.

Driving conditions: N range, idling

Discharge amount: Approx. 3.5 L 

CAUTION

Stop pouring in the A/T fluid once 3.5 L has been 
poured in.
3. Pour in new A/T fluid through the oil filler tube.

Amount to add: Approx. 3.5 L 

4. Repeat the operation in step 2 and 3.

NOTE: Carry out steps 2 and 3 so that at least 8.0 
L has been discharged from the cooler hose. After 
this, discharge a small quantity of A/T fluid and 
check for contamination. If the A/T fluid is 
contaminated, repeat steps 2 and 3.

5. Carry out the procedure in "Automatic 

Transmission Fluid (ATF) Replacement" from step 
2 onwards.

INHIBITOR SWITCH CONTINUITY CHECK

M1231001400586

AC002477

Fluid level [mm]

Fluid temperature [    ]

10

0

-10

-20

-30

40

60

80

Fluid level

AF

AC103690AB

AC103395AE

Inhibitor switch

AC304824AC

P

R

N

D

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (FF)

23A-146

NOTE: The inhibitor switch has 7 positions, but only 
four positions [P, R, N and D]are used.

INHIBITOR SWITCH AND CONTROL 
CABLE ADJUSTMENT

M1231010300316

1. Move the selector lever to the N position.
2. Loosen the adjusting nut, and set the manual 

control lever upper and lower to the free condition.

3. Move the manual control lever lower to the neutral 

position.

4. Loosen the inhibitor switch body mounting bolt, 

and then turn the inhibitor switch to adjust so that 
the hole at the end of the manual control lever and 
the hole in the inhibitor switch body flange 
(section A 

−

 A in the illustration at left) are aligned.

NOTE: The inhibitor switch body can be aligned 
by hand, because the manual control lever end is 
as wide as the switch body flange. Alternatively, 
the inhibitor switch can also be aligned by 
inserting a 5-mm bar in the holes of the manual 
control lever end and the inhibitor switch body 
flange.

CAUTION

Be careful not let the inhibitor switch body slip 
out of place.
5. Tighten the inhibitor switch body mounting bolt to 

the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 11 

±

 1 N

⋅

m

6. Gently push the transmission control cable in the 

direction as shown in the illustration at left, and 
tighten the adjusting nut the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 12 

±

 2 N

⋅

m

7. Check that the selector lever is at the N position.
8. Check that the transmission shifts to the correct 

range corresponding to the position of the selector 
lever, and that it functions correctly in that range.

TRANSFER OIL LEVEL CHECK

M1231001100132

1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the oil level is up to the lower edge of 

the filler plug hole.

3. Check that the oil is not noticeably dirty.
4. Tighten the filler plug to the specified torque.

Tightening torque: 32 

±

 2 N

⋅

m

Item

Terminal No.

Resistance

P

3 

−

 8, 9 

−

 10

Less than 2 

Ω

R

7 

−

 8

N

4 

−

 8, 9 

−

 10

D

1 

−

 8

AC001893AD

Mounting bolts

Manual 
control lever

A

A

Hole in end

Manual 
control lever

Inhibitor
switch body

Hole in
flange

Section A-A

11 

±

 1 N·m

AC103395AL

Transmission 
control cable

Adjusting nut

AC103664AE

Oil filler plug 

Oil filler plug hole

Transfer oil