Mitsubishi›Eclipse Spyder›2009›3.8L/mitsubishi/eclipse-spyder/2009/3-8l/

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Eclipse Spyder 3.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a passenger-car convertible pairing a 3.8-liter engine with a five-speed automatic, returning EPA figures of 16/24/19 mpg and taking 4.5 quarts of oil in 10W-30 or 5W-20 API grades. With just seven owner complaints filed overall — service brakes leading the list, backed by a single recall — this model year sits firmly in the calmer portion of the Eclipse's 2000–2012 complaint history. That span runs from a high of 99 complaints in 2006 down to a single complaint in 2010, framing the 2009 as one of the better-behaved years for the nameplate rather than a continuation of its earlier issues.

Model year2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690116. 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 24 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-50R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim8.0-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MZ690116 alt MZ690072
Engine air filter	MR571396
Fuel filter	1770A122
Spark plug	1822A002 alt MN158596
Front wiper blades	8250A536 alt 8250A098
Serpentine belt	MN187016 alt MN187015
Thermostat	MD194988 alt MD315301

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.9 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	3472 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Mitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.9
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-80 · GL-3
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.7
Power Steering Fluid	Genuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	136 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Bolts: 18 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	33-39 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	29-37 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.16-1.26 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-183 °F
Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-183 °F
Engine Compression	161
Engine Oil Pressure	4.2 psi @ Idle, 42-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	25-31 ft-lbs / 28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	67-81 ft-lbs / 42-48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0039 in / 0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.023 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.023 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.96 in / 0.33 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

20 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-94

20 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	58 ft. lbs.	58 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order.
3	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.; Replace any cylinder head bolts that exceed the maximum length 99.4 mm (3.91).	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	76-84 ft. lbs.	76–84 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	76-84

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 at 105,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing 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.

The 2009 Eclipse Spyder sits near the low‑point of the generation’s complaint and recall curve, with only seven complaints and a single recall compared with a peak of 99 complaints and four recalls in 2006 and a high of 40 complaints in 2003. After the 2006 spike, the data show a steady decline through 2008 (16 complaints, one recall) and into 2009, continuing to the near‑zero figures in 2010‑2012. Service‑brake issues dominate the 2009 complaint set (five of seven), while crash‑ and fire‑related reports are absent, indicating that the few problems are narrowly focused rather than systemic. This downward trend suggests that 2009 benefited from the manufacturer’s earlier corrective actions, making it a comparatively safer year within the model’s lifecycle. **Takeaway:** 2009 is a relatively low‑risk year to buy, though prospective owners should still verify brake system condition.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’00 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08’09’10 ’12

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Service Brakes5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V337000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 02/06/2015

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Eclipse vehicles manufactured April 20, 2005, to February 13, 2009, and 2007-2009 Eclipse Spyder vehicles manufactured December 23… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, flush and clean the ABS hydraulic unit using high grade brake fluid, free of charge. If the inspection shows that the valves may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 32 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
DEALER LETTER	2023-07-21	Equipment	This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-004	2023-04-24	Structure	This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-001	2023-04-24	Equipment	This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER	2023-04-21	Equipment	This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-003	2022-04-07	Exterior Lighting	This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

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 Eclipse Spyder. 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.

Group 24 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter MZ690116 Engine air filter MR571396 Fuel filter 1770A122 Spark plug 1822A002

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Eclipse Spyder 3.8L take?

4.5 qt of ABOVE 100 degreesF 10W-30 SM API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-20 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Eclipse Spyder have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.