Category: Outlander

AMSOIL Upgrades ATF Specifications

AMSOIL’s ATF products have been elevated to the Signature Series family, now known as Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) and Signature Series Fuel-Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATL). While formulations and pricing remain unchanged, the robust nature of these products was further proven in intense field testing allowing AMSOIL to introduce new application and service life recommendations. Field testing was conducted in Las Vegas taxi cabs. As you can imagine, Las Vegas cabs endure continuous stop-and-go conditions in extreme desert heat which makes it an excellent location to test these products.

Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF and Fuel-Efficient Synthetic ATF offer the most benefits in applications where heavy towing, elevated temperatures and challenging terrain are common. As transmission sumps are shrinking these robust fluids offer piece of mind and the ability to extend service life in some applications.

I’m excited to see the addition of the Mitsubishi ATF J2 specification to the Signature Series Multi-Vehicle Synthetic ATF (ATL). This will directly apply to my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander and is great to see an after market fluid for this application.
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Mitsubishi Outlander Transmission Drain & Fill

I’ve decided to do a yearly drain and fill on my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander transmission fluid instead of the flush every 2 years as suggested in the manual. The dealership flushed the fluid after the first two years so I’m sure most of the contaminants from break-in are out of the system and now it’s just a matter of keeping the fluid fresh and making sure it isn’t breaking down. Transmission fluid quality is important for all vehicles but what stresses it the most is high fluid temperatures which can be generated while towing or on loose surfaces like sand and to a lesser extent snow.

Amsoil doesn’t sell a transmission fluid that meets the specifications of the DiaQueen J2 fluid for this vehicle at this time. I appreciate that the company does not push consumers to a generic ATF product if it doesn’t meet the spec. Amsoil stands behind their lubricants with their warranty secure program so if the application guide suggests an Amsoil product for your vehicle you can use it with confidence.
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AMSOIL Synthetic Power Steering Fluid Reformulated

AMSOIL has given their Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Power Steering Fluid a formulation tune-up to meet more specifications than ever. This fluid now covers most all applications to go with its other merits which include all-weather capabilities and smooth performance.

Like many components on your vehicle, the power steering system will benefit greatly from a good synthetic fluid. Synthetics have the innate ability to resist breakdown in extreme heat and yet remain fluid under frigid conditions. That painful growling noise that you hear during cold start-ups is your power steering pump starving for oil. This product virtually eliminates that issue, providing tremendous year-round wear control and smooth operation. The power steering system is one of those over-looked maintenance items, but the benefits offered by this inexpensive upgrade are well worth it.

Here are the latest specifications met by AMSOIL Multi-Vehicle Synthetic Power Steering Fluid:
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Mitsubishi Outlander Oil Change

I spent Friday evening making a mess changing the oil on my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander. This was my first DIY oil change on the vehicle. Below are some notes and photos specific to the Outlander, in general it’s very similar to other vehicles but hopefully this can help some others get started. Any questions or comments post below in the comment section.
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2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Differental & Transfer Case

I took my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander to Erin Mills Master Mechanic to get the transfer case and rear diff fluids changed out. Replacing the OEM fluid with AMSOIL Severe Gear® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Gear Lube 75W-90 (SVG).

I wasn’t confident about my plan to use wheel ramps on the down slope of my driveway to get an almost level vehicle. What I really needed was a lift so I reached out for some help to the local mechanic shops in my area. Master Mechanic Erin Mills was happy to install my own fluids for reasonable labour rates. An average oil and filter change would run abut $20 – call ahead to make sure the bays aren’t filled.

Back to the rear diff. The drain plug has a 10mm hex head which is near the bottom, not sure of the size of the fill plug above it to the right.

It is a really simple drain and fill – make sure you get the fill bolt cracked before you try the drain. Once you get the drain out, open the fill completely and make sure your catch basin is in a good spot for full flow – it’s only ~0.5L so there isn’t as much head pressure as the crankcase oil. You require a level vehicle to fill the diff/transfer case. Pump in the new fluid until it overflows then insert the fill plug and you’re done.
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Transfer Case

I attempted to replace the fluid in my Mitsubishi Outlanders transfer case tonight with AMSOIL Severe Gear® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Gear Lube 75W-90 (SVG).

Ran into a bit of a problem once I realized the drain bolt was a hex head and I don’t have the correct socket. The 3/8″ hex from my old Chevy Cavaliers brake calipers fit but was a little loose. Just looked up SAE to metric conversions and 3/8″ is 9.525mm so it looks like a 10mm hex head for the drain bolt.

I didn’t want to strip out the hex plug with the wrong sized socket so I packed it in for tonight. Tomorrow I’ll call the dealership get the fastener sizes. I was able to get a 17mm socket over the standard bolt head of the fill plug.

Power Steering Fluid

I replaced the power steering fluid in my Mitsubishi Outlander over the past two weeks with Synthetic Universal Power Steering Fluid (PSF).

Be sure to check the application guide for your vehicle as some use ATF – like the 2006 Pontiac Vibe – instead of PSF.

Using a hand pump I was able to remove about 150ml of fluid from the reservoir at a time. Then I drove the vehicle for a day to work the new fluid into the system. I did this for 3 bottles of PSF which is ~1.5L since the power steering system capacity is 1L on my Outlander.
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