Vehicle Class:
Compact Car / Sport Compact
Target Audience:
DIY mechanics, independent repair shops, and owners seeking in-depth knowledge of their vehicle.
Competitors:
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Subaru Impreza, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze.
Lancer Strengths:
Sporty handling (especially Ralliart/Evolution variants), distinct styling, value proposition, available all-wheel drive.
Variant Overview:
DE, ES, GTS, SE, Ralliart, Evolution (Lancer Sportback also available).
Manual Value Proposition:
Empowers owners to perform a wide range of maintenance and repairs, saving on labor costs and ensuring proper upkeep.
Powertrain:
Engine mechanical, fuel system, ignition system, lubrication, cooling system, exhaust system, engine control (ECU), turbocharging (if applicable).
Transmission:
Manual transmission (W5MG1, F5M42), Automatic transmission (INVECS-II, INVECS-III), clutch system, driveline components (CV joints, axles, differentials).
Chassis:
Suspension (front strut, rear multi-link), steering system (hydraulic power steering, electric power steering), braking system (ABS, EBD, brake components), wheels and tires.
Electrical System:
Battery, charging system, starting system, lighting (headlights, taillights, interior), instrumentation, power windows, central locking, wipers, horn.
Body And Interior:
Body panels, doors, hood, trunk, bumpers, interior trim, seating, airbags, climate control system, HVAC.
Diagnostics And Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), on-board diagnostics (OBD-II), diagnostic procedures, common faults and remedies.
Routine Maintenance:
Oil and filter changes, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement, coolant flush, brake fluid change, tire rotation.
Component Replacement:
Detailed step-by-step instructions for replacing major and minor components across all systems.
Adjustments:
Valve adjustments, brake adjustments, clutch adjustments, wheel alignment procedures.
Repair And Rebuild:
Engine rebuild procedures, transmission overhaul, brake caliper rebuild, steering rack replacement.
Electrical Diagnostics:
Wiring diagrams, testing of sensors, actuators, and control modules, circuit tracing.
Depth Level:
Comprehensive factory-level detail, covering everything from basic scheduled maintenance to complete engine and transmission overhauls.
Diagnostic Tools Required:
Specifies necessary diagnostic tools, including scan tools for ECU communication and specific measurement equipment.
Torque Specifications:
Detailed torque values for all critical fasteners and bolt connections.
Clearances And Tolerances:
Precise measurements for engine component clearances, bearing tolerances, and other critical engine specifications.
Engine Code 2 0L:
4B11 (2.0L DOHC MIVEC I4)
Engine Code 2 4L:
4B12 (2.4L DOHC MIVEC I4)
Engine Code 2 0L Turbo:
4B11T (2.0L DOHC MIVEC Turbocharged I4 - Ralliart/Evolution)
Horsepower 2 0L:
Approx. 152-168 hp (depending on trim/market)
Torque 2 0L:
Approx. 143-154 lb-ft
Horsepower 2 4L:
Approx. 168-170 hp
Torque 2 4L:
Approx. 162-163 lb-ft
Horsepower 2 0L Turbo:
Approx. 237 hp (Ralliart), 291 hp (Evolution GSR/MR)
Torque 2 0L Turbo:
Approx. 253 lb-ft (Ralliart), 300 lb-ft (Evolution)
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) - Sequential Multi-point Injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline
Recommended Octane:
87 Octane (91 Octane recommended for Ralliart/Evolution)
Oil Capacity 2 0L 2 4L:
Approx. 4.5 - 4.8 US quarts (4.3 - 4.5 Liters) with filter
Oil Capacity 2 0L Turbo:
Approx. 5.7 US quarts (5.4 Liters) with filter
Recommended Oil Viscosity:
SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, or 5W-30 (refer to manual for specific conditions)
Standard Transmission:
5-speed Manual (F5M42 on some trims)
Optional Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - INVECS-III (on DE, ES, GTS), 6-speed Manual (W5MG1 on GTS), 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic (TC-SST on Ralliart/Evolution)
AWD System:
Active Center Differential (ACD) and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) on Ralliart and Evolution models.
Transmission Fluid Type:
Refer to manual for specific ATF and manual transmission fluid specifications (e.g., DIAQUEEN SP-III for CVT).
Length:
Approx. 180.0 inches (4572 mm)
Width:
Approx. 69.4 inches (1763 mm)
Height:
Approx. 58.1 inches (1476 mm)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 104.3 inches (2649 mm)
Trunk Volume:
Approx. 14.8 cubic feet (420 Liters)
Curb Weight:
Approx. 2,900 - 3,100 lbs (1315 - 1406 kg) for base models
Curb Weight Evolution:
Approx. 3,500 - 3,800 lbs (1588 - 1724 kg) for Evolution models
NHTSA Front Impact:
5-Star (for driver and front passenger in most configurations)
IIHS Side Impact:
Good (in most configurations)
IIHS Roof Strength:
Good (in most configurations)
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System
Ebd:
Standard Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Traction Control:
Standard Traction Control System (TCS)
Stability Control:
Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - Active Stability Control (ASC) on some models.
Airbags:
Front dual-stage airbags, front side-impact airbags, curtain side-impact airbags (standard on most trims).
Seatbelts:
Three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters
Child Seat Anchors:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system
Audio System:
Available Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, CD/MP3 player, SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Navigation System:
Optional touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic updates.
Key Features:
Rearview camera (available on some trims), cruise control, keyless entry.
Bluetooth:
Available Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first (under normal driving conditions).
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or as needed based on inspection.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or annually.
Spark Plug Replacement Standard:
Every 60,000 - 100,000 miles (96,000 - 160,000 km) for iridium spark plugs (refer to manual for specific type).
Coolant Replacement:
First replacement at 105,000 miles (168,000 km), then every 52,500 miles (84,000 km) or 5 years.
Brake Fluid Replacement:
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
Coolant Type:
Mitsubishi Super Long Life Coolant (MS-27122) or equivalent ethylene glycol based coolant.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 Brake Fluid.
Power Steering Fluid Type:
Mitsubishi Genuine Power Steering Fluid or equivalent ATF Dexron-II/III.
Cv Axle Boots:
Premature tearing of CV axle boots leading to grease loss and potential joint damage.
Throttle Body Issues:
Electronic throttle body issues causing rough idle or erratic acceleration on some models.
Oxygen Sensors:
Early failure of oxygen sensors, leading to check engine lights and poor fuel economy.
Exhaust System Corrosion:
Some reports of exhaust system corrosion, particularly in regions with heavy road salt usage.
Mitsubishi Motors History:
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1970, it is part of the Mitsubishi Keiretsu, one of the largest corporate groups in Japan.
Lancer Lineage:
The Lancer nameplate has been in continuous production since 1973. This ninth generation (CY/CZ) represents a significant redesign over its predecessor.
Ninth Generation Debut:
The ninth generation Lancer was introduced for the 2007 model year in North America, based on the new 'Project Global' platform shared with the Mitsubishi Outlander and Lancer Sportback.
Performance Variants:
This generation saw the continuation of the highly acclaimed Lancer Evolution (EVO X), the Ralliart sport model, and various mainstream trims catering to a broader audience.
Production Locations:
Primarily manufactured in Japan (Mizushima Plant) and also in other global locations depending on market.
IIHS Top Safety Pick:
The Lancer and Lancer Evolution often received Top Safety Pick designations from the IIHS during this period for their strong crash test performance.
Motor Trend Car Of The Year:
While not winning, the Lancer has historically been a contender in various automotive journalism awards for its performance and value.
Consumer Reports Reliability:
Consumer Reports reliability ratings varied by model year and specific component, with some years performing better than others.