MitsubishiEclipse20103.8L/mitsubishi/eclipse/2010/3-8l/

2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Eclipse 3.8L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse 3.8L is a passenger car powered by a 3.8-liter engine paired with an Automatic (S5) transmission, carrying an EPA rating of 16/24/19 mpg and requiring 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-20 API oil for routine service. Within the model’s 1990–2012 production span, this late-run example sits at the reliability curve’s minimum, having generated only one owner complaint—the same figure recorded for the final 2011 model year and a sharp drop from the 392 complaints logged in 1995—with zero recalls on record.

Model year2012201120102009200820072006

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 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 24 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-50R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MD352627
Engine air filterMR571396
Fuel filter1770A122
Spark plug1822A002 alt MN158596
Front wiper blades8250A536 alt 8250A098
Serpentine beltMN187016 alt MN187015
ThermostatMD315301 alt MD194988

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight3274 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

No 2010 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

5.8–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2008 GT V6 Coupe
260 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V65.80 sec14.30 sec263 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.00 sec14.60 sec262 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.70 sec14.80 sec262 hpFWD
2007Spyder GT V6 3.8L V66.70 sec15.30 sec262 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V65.90 sec14.20 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.00 sec14.60 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.10 sec14.50 sec263 hpFWD
2006GT V6 Coupe 3.8L V66.10 sec14.60 sec263 hpFWD

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 FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-80 · GL-3
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.7
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts136 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 18 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33-39 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-37 ft-lbs
Main Bearings54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Engine Compression161
Engine Oil Pressure4.2 psi @ Idle, 42-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle42-48 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket25-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9420 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
158 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order.
315 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
590 degrees.; Replace any cylinder head bolts that exceed the maximum length 99.4 mm (3.91).90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
176-84 ft. lbs.76–84 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
376-84

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; 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (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 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse sits at the tail end of a long downward arc in both complaints and recalls across the model's later generation. Complaints peaked in the mid-2000s transition years—392 in 1995 and 316 in 2001—before declining steadily through the 20062008 period (99 to 71 complaints), and by 2011–2012 the model recorded just 1 to 8 complaints with zero recalls. The 2010 model year itself is absent from the year-by-year federal record, but the target-year data shows only a single complaint (in Service Brakes) with zero crash or fire complaints, placing it squarely in the quietest period of the entire generation's history. Recalls had already fallen to just one by 2008 and dropped to zero thereafter, suggesting that most manufacturing issues had been resolved by this point in the production cycle. The data does not specify a root cause for the lone brake complaint, so no inference can be drawn about a systemic issue. **Bottom line: the 2010 Eclipse is a strong year to buy used, with federal data showing minimal complaint activity and no recalls, making it one of the least problematic model years in the Eclipse's entire history.**

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER2023-04-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-11-66-001REV2023-03-07Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for…

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. 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 2010 Eclipse 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 2010 Eclipse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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.