Cautions In Operating Engine In Cold Weather Season; Fuel; Engine Oil; Coolant - Mitsubishi S12U Operation & Maintenance Manual

Chapter 4
MAINTENANCE

Cautions in Operating Engine in Cold Weather Season

When the ambient temperature is low, fuel and
engine oil become thick and coolant can freeze,
thus making it difficult to start the engine or causing
damage to the cylinder heads. To prevent these
problems, observe the following directions.

Fuel

When handling fuel, make sure there are no
flames near engine.
Wipe any spilled fuel completely. Spilled fuel
can ignite and cause fire.
Use appropriate fuel according to the ambient tem-
perature.
Note: Regarding fuel, refer to

Engine Oil

Replace engine oil suitable to the ambient tempera-
ture.
Note: Regarding engine oil, refer to
4).

Coolant

Remove the radiator cap only after the engine cools
to room temperature. Place a cloth over the cap,
and turn the cap about a half turn to release pres-
sure. Opening the radiator cap while the engine is
hot causes steam and hot coolant to blow out,
resulting in skin burns.
Freezing of coolant due to cold temperatures can
damage the crankcase. Be sure to use all-season
long life coolant that prevent freezing of cooling
water and rusting of the engine cooling system.
Note: Regarding coolant, refer to
4-10
"Fuel" (4-2).
"Engine Oil" (4-
"Coolant" (4-6).

Battery

Never use flames near the battery, and be care-
ful to handle battery since flames can cause an
explosion.
If electrolyte is spilled on skin or clothes, wash
immediately with lots of water. If electrolyte gets
into your eyes, flush immediately with lots of fresh
water and consult a physician as soon as possible.
For other cautions to handle battery, refer to
tion Service Battery" (1-5)
When the ambient temperature drops to a very low
level, the charging rate becomes low even if the
specific gravity of electrolyte remains the same.
Therefore, in a cold area the battery may not pro-
vide sufficient power to start the engine immedi-
ately. Furthermore, electrolyte becomes easier to
freeze when its specific gravity is low. Therefore, it
is recommended to additionally charge the battery
to increase the specific gravity of electrolyte and
the charging rate.
Note: For the inspection of specific gravity of elec-
trolyte, refer to "Checking specific gravity of
electrolyte" (3-6).

Maintenance After Cold Season

After a cold season ends, change fuel, engine oil
and coolant to those suitable for the outside tem-
perature in accordance with the specifications
described in this manual.
"Cau-