Segment:
Large family sedan, popular in Australia.
Competitors 1990S:
Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima.
Platform:
Second generation Magna platform (shared with Mitsubishi Verada).
Design Philosophy:
Emphasis on comfort, space, and reliability for family use.
Engine Service Repair:
Comprehensive engine overhaul, diagnostics, and repair procedures.
Transmission Service Repair:
Detailed procedures for both manual and automatic transmission service and repair.
Brake System:
Diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of all brake components, including ABS if equipped.
Wiring Diagram:
Complete electrical wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems.
Electrical System:
Troubleshooting and repair of all electrical circuits, components, and modules.
Suspension:
Repair and adjustment of suspension components, alignment procedures.
Steering:
Diagnosis and repair of the steering system, including power steering.
Cooling System:
Maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of the engine cooling system.
Fuel Injection Fuel System:
Detailed information on fuel delivery, injection systems, and fuel tank service.
Emission System:
Service and diagnostics related to emissions control components and systems.
Heater Air Conditional:
Repair and maintenance of the HVAC system.
Engine Control System:
Diagnosis and repair of the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and related sensors/actuators.
Chassis Body:
Body repair, structural information, chassis components.
Restraint System:
Information on airbags and seatbelt systems.
Interior:
Trim removal, interior component service.
Differential Drive:
Service and repair of front-wheel drive components and differentials.
Axle:
Repair and maintenance of drive axles and CV joints.
General Maintenance:
Routine checks, fluid changes, filter replacements, lubrication schedules.
Troubleshooting:
Systematic diagnostic procedures for identifying and resolving common and uncommon issues.
Periodic Lubrication:
Detailed lubrication points and recommended intervals and lubricant types.
Repair Procedures:
Step-by-step instructions for all major and minor repair operations.
Maintenance Procedures:
Guidance on all scheduled maintenance tasks.
Diagnostic Procedures:
Fault finding trees, symptom-based diagnostics.
Rebuild Procedures:
Comprehensive instructions for rebuilding major components like engines and transmissions.
Installation Procedures:
Guidance on installing replacement parts and accessories.
Depth:
Complete factory-level technical information, suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY enthusiasts.
Illustrations:
Includes hundreds of illustrations, diagrams, and photos for visual guidance.
Special Tools:
Lists and descriptions of specialized tools required for certain procedures.
Torque Specifications:
Detailed torque specifications for all fasteners.
Clearances Tolerances:
Precise specifications for component clearances and tolerances.
Crash Test Era:
No formal ANCAP or NHTSA ratings available for this specific period and model, but general safety was improving in the automotive industry.
ABS:
Available on higher trim levels as an option.
Airbags:
Driver airbag standard on most models from mid-cycle; passenger airbag optional or later standard.
Seatbelts:
Front and rear seatbelts, with pre-tensioners possibly available on later models.
Oil Change:
Every 7,500 km or 6 months (whichever comes first).
Air Filter:
Inspect every 15,000 km, replace as needed or every 30,000 km.
Spark Plugs:
Replace every 45,000-60,000 km (depending on plug type).
Engine Oil:
API SG or SH, SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 (check manual for specific viscosity by temperature).
Coolant:
Mitsubishi DiaQueen Super Long Life Coolant (or equivalent ethylene glycol based coolant with corrosion inhibitor), mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
Transmission Fluid Auto:
DIA QUEEN ATF-SP II M (or equivalent Dexron III compatible ATF).
Brake Fluid:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Common Problems Engine:
Head gasket leaks (particularly on early V6s), minor oil leaks from seals, potential valve stem seal wear.
Common Problems Transmission:
Automatic transmission harshness or slipping (fluid and filter changes are critical), manual clutch wear.
Common Problems Electrical:
Faulty window regulators, intermittent electrical issues due to aging wiring and connectors, dashboard warning lights.
Common Problems Suspension:
Worn ball joints and tie rod ends, worn sway bar links, noisy strut mounts.
