Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander PHEV Oil Changes

Out in the Carson Valley the Outlander is a common pick for families who want a third row and all-wheel drive without a full-size SUV, and the plug-in version shows up more every year at the Gardnerville bay on US-395. Mitsubishi redesigned the gas Outlander for 2022 around a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a CVT, and the new plug-in hybrid followed for 2023 with a 2.4-liter engine and two electric motors. Older third-generation Outlanders from 2014 to 2021, with a 2.4 four or a 3.0 V6, are still on the road too. The schedules differ more than the oil does.

At a glance

• 2022-on gas Outlander 2.5L: 0W-20, 5.1 L / about 5-3/8 qt with filter (Mitsubishi TSB-23-23-005 fluids table)
• 2023 gas Outlander: oil and filter every 10,000 miles or 12 months on both schedules
• 2023 Outlander PHEV: 7,500 miles or 6 months, or 3,750 miles or 3 months on Schedule 1
• CVT fluid is Mitsubishi CVTF-J4, about 7-7/8 qt
• Super Long Life Coolant Premium; first change at 105,000 miles on the gas car

Outlander oil, generation by generation

Mitsubishi's table for the 2022 car recommends Mitsubishi Motors Motor Oil 0W-20 SN or an equivalent synthetic 0W-20 GF-5 oil. We use a full synthetic 0W-20 on the newer cars and read the cap on the older ones before choosing.

The gas Outlander's 10,000-mile book

The 2023 Outlander maintenance manual lists the oil and filter change every 10,000 miles or 12 months, and it uses that interval on both Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. A footnote adds that if the oil replacement indicator appears, the oil and filter should be changed within two weeks or under 500 miles.

Schedule 1 still matters on this car. Mitsubishi lists repeated short trips under 5 miles, short trips under 10 miles in freezing weather, hot stop-and-go traffic, long idling, dusty conditions, rough or salted roads and towing. On that schedule the cabin filter, which Mitsubishi calls the air purifier filter, is inspected every 3,750 miles and replaced every 7,500, and the manual says more frequent air cleaner changes may be needed in dusty conditions.

Why the PHEV is on a shorter schedule

The Outlander PHEV manual for 2023 uses the older Mitsubishi pattern: oil and filter every 7,500 miles or 6 months on Schedule 2, every 3,750 miles or 3 months on Schedule 1. A plug-in that runs on battery around town starts its engine cold and often shuts it off before it is warm, which is the short-trip condition the schedule is written for.

That matters in Gardnerville, where Minden averages about 188 nights a year at or below freezing on NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals. A PHEV on a winter errand loop through Minden may run its engine for a few cold minutes at a time. We set the sticker by the calendar and the schedule you choose, and we leave the drive battery and high-voltage parts to the dealer.

CVT, AWD and coolant

The gas Outlander's CVT uses Mitsubishi CVTF-J4, about 7-7/8 quarts in the service manual table. The 2023 manual has the fluid checked on schedule, and if you tow, carry a camper or car-top carrier, or drive rough or muddy roads, it calls for an inspection every 30,000 miles, or a change at 30,000 miles if the inspection is skipped. Our CVT fluid guide explains why the exact fluid type matters.

AWD cars have transfer and differential gear oil that the same footnote has changed every 20,000 miles or 24 months under those towing and rough-road conditions. Coolant is Mitsubishi Super Long Life Coolant Premium, first changed at 105,000 miles or 84 months on the gas car and 120,000 miles or 96 months on the PHEV.

What we do on an Outlander

Drive into 1293 US Hwy 395 N in Gardnerville, 1861 E College Pkwy in Carson City, or either Reno shop on Mae Anne Avenue or Longley Lane. No appointment needed. Tell us gas or plug-in and which schedule you run, and we change the oil and filter, reset the reminder and run the multi-point check.

That check covers the engine air filter, the cabin filter on request, coolant, brake fluid, CVT fluid where it can be checked, belts, lights, wipers, tire pressure and a battery test at participating locations. We show you what we find and you decide.