Mitsubishi Check Automatic Transmission Fluid Level

ESTIMATED TIME 15 min

DIY COST $0

DIFFICULTY Easy

Symptoms

Typical symptoms of low transmission fluid level include:

Hesitation shifting gears
Erratic shifting
Transmission surges into gear
Delayed gear engagement
Transmission slipping
Transmission wines (similar noise to low power steering fluid)

Insufficient fluid or excessive fluid could cause transmission problems.

What you will need

Mitsubishi Transmission Fluid
Clean lint-free cloth

Only use the recommended fluid type noted in your Owner's manual.

Procedure

How To Check Mitsubishi Automatic Transmission Fluid Level:

Drive the Mitsubishi for 15 min to warm up the transmission fluid.
Park the Mitsubishi on level ground and set the parking brakes.
Start the engine, and with the brakes applied, move the transmission shifter between all the gears. Move the shifter into Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low gears stopping for a few seconds on each gear. Move the shifter back in Park and allow the engine to idle.
Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood.
Locate the transmission dipstick and pull it up.
Wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth.
Re-insert the dipstick making sure it is fully inserted, then remove after a couple of seconds.
Note the transmission fluid level. It should be between the Max and Min lines marked with an H for Hot. If you are measuring the transmission fluid without warming up the car, the level should be in the C - Cold range.
If the level is below the Min mark, add transmission fluid level via the dipstick tube. Wait a few minutes and recheck the level. Do not overfill past the MAX line.

If your Mitsubishi has started to shift erratically, the problem could be a low transmission fluid level. Before you spend money on transmission repairs or diagnostics, check the transmission fluid level.

Notes

Make sure the engine is running when checking the transmission fluid level.
Do not overfill the transmission with fluid past the Max line, as this can cause shifting problems and even damage your transmission.
There are several Mitsibushi transmission fluid types. Only use what is recommended in your Owner's manual.
Before starting the warm-up trip, follows the same steps in this guide to check that there is transmission fluid. The level should be in the C (cold) marks of the dipstick.

Recommended Mitsubishi Transmission Fluid

Mitsubishi Diamond SP-III ATF

Mitsubishi Transmission Fluid for the 3 and 4, and 5-speed automatic transmissions
Most common Automatic Transmission except for 6 Speed and CVT
Meets requirements of SP II
Part number MZ320200
Used in most 2000-2011 models such as Eclipse, Endeavor, Glanat, I-MIEV, Lancer, Mirage, Montero, Outlander.
Also for Kia and Hyundai vehicles that require SPIII Automatic transmission fluid.

Mitsubishi J4 (J1) CVT Transmission Fluid

Lancer, Outlander and Outlander Sport Models with CVT transmission 2008 - 2018
Total transmission capacity: is 4.2 Quarts.
Part number MZ320185
J4 replaced the J1 CVT Fluid. If your Owner's manual says to use J1, you can use J4 as well.

Mitsubishi J2 Automatic Transmission Fluid