MitsubishiMirage19981.5L/mitsubishi/mirage/1998/1-5l/

1998 Mitsubishi Mirage — 1.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Mirage 1.5L.

Engine 1.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.5L pairs its 1.5‑liter powerplant with a 4‑speed automatic transmission, using 3.5 qt of 10W‑30/5W‑30 API oil and delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 25/32/28 mpg. Its reliability profile shows 44 total owner complaints for the model year, with the Service Brakes, Hydraulic system being the most frequently cited area and four recalls on record. Compared with the broader Mirage lineage (1990‑2024), the 1998 model sits well below the peak of 88 complaints seen in 1997 and far above the low of just one complaint recorded in 2016, indicating a modest but not exceptional trouble‑free record for this generation.

Model year200220012000199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/32/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 435 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 435 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR552951
Fuel filterMR204132
Spark plugMS851357 alt MS851237
Front wiper blades8250A174 alt MZ690946
Serpentine beltMD311554 alt MD319917
ThermostatMD337408

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 32 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1998 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

12.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 12.30 sec — 1989 Sedan
81 hpHorsepower (as tested)
84 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1989Sedan 1.5L I-412.30 sec18.40 sec81 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts76 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts95 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts12 ft-lbs
Main Bearings37 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub130-203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub130 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.5-0.7 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance15,000-22,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeBPR5EKU
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.23-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance435 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Engine Compression142-137 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression137 Minimum psi
Engine Compression151 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure11.4 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm

Brakes

Wheel Application13 inch WHEELS / 14 inch WHEELS
Torque Caliper to BracketUpper: 36
Torque to Knuckle65-80 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Wheel Application13 inch WHEELS / 14 inch WHEELS
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.709 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10012 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts
314.7 ft. lbs.14.7 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1998 the vehicle recorded 44 federal complaints, which is lower than the 88 complaints logged in 1997 but slightly higher than the 58 complaints recorded in 1999. Recalls for that year totaled four, positioned between the three recalls of 1997 and the five recalls of 1999. The complaint distribution shows Service Brakes, Hydraulic as the leading issue with seven reports, followed by Air Bags with five, Power Train with four, and Structure with three. Overall, the 1998 model sits in the middle of a generation‑wide fluctuation where complaint counts peaked in the early 1990s, dipped in the mid‑1990s, surged again in 1997, and have been trending downward since 1999. Because its complaint volume is below the generation peak and there are only two fire complaints and twelve crash complaints, the 1998 Mirage represents a reasonably safe used‑car option, provided the owner can document that brake and air‑bag service actions have been performed.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
44
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
44
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic7
Air Bags5
Power Train4
Structure3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Visibility3
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Tires2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V311001Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 02/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT… Remedy: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL…

97V179000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 14/10/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A POORLY MANUFACTURED VACUUM CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM HOSE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…
TSB-21-34-0012021-06-03SuspensionThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil…
TIN-20-55B-0012020-09-22Engine And Engine CoolingTechnical Information Notice to dealerships. Due to the increased occurrence of…
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mirage. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Mirage 1.5L take?

3.5 qt of ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SL API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-30 SL API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Mirage have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 1.5L get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg.