MitsubishiLancer20082.0L/mitsubishi/lancer/2008/2-0l/

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Lancer 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L is a passenger car powered by a 2.0L engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 22 city, 29 highway, and 24 combined mpg while requiring 5.9 quarts of 5W-30 API-grade oil for service. Across the Lancer's complaint history spanning 1996 to 2017, this model year recorded 91 total owner complaints with Engine as the primary concern area, alongside five recalls—a notably lower complaint count compared to the 2003 model's peak of 311 complaints, suggesting this generation represents a more mature and refined iteration of the Lancer platform.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/29/24 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 · 520 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 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-60HR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072 alt MZ690116
Engine air filter1500A023
Fuel filter1770A268 alt 1770A273
Spark plugMN163236 alt 1822A021
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper bladesMZ693021 alt 8250A186
Serpentine belt4451A114 alt 4451A115
Thermostat1305A802
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight2921 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 29 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

7.7–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 2008 GTS
152 hpHorsepower (as tested)
146 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008GTS 2.0L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec152 hpFWD
2008GTS 2.0L I-47.80 sec16.30 sec152 hpFWD
2008GTS 2.0L I-47.90 sec16.10 sec152 hpFWD
2008GTS 2.0L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec152 hpFWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.30 sec14.00 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.00 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.30 sec237 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 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

Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.9 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts73 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23-37 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.70-3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression152
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle52-65 ft-lbs / 89-111 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25-31 ft-lbs / 28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle74-81 ft-lbs / 42-48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.87 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.87 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.803 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2180 degrees.180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2180 degrees.180 degrees

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 5,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miActive Yaw Control System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Center Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel System (inspect) · Heater Hose (replace) · Radiator Hose (replace) · Spark 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 2008 Lancer marks the debut of a new generation, evidenced by a sharp rise to 91 complaints and 103 TSBs from just 2 complaints and 60 TSBs in 2007. Complaints peak the following year at 121 with 9 recalls in 2009 before declining steadily through 2010 (85 complaints, 7 recalls) and 2011 (49 complaints, 4 recalls), suggesting early-production issues being resolved across the generation's first three years. The 2008 model's top complaint categories — Engine (11), Suspension (10), Power Train (8), and Air Bags (6) — align with typical launch-year teething problems, while crash and fire complaints remain low at 8 and 2 respectively. Recalls hold at a moderate 5 for 2008, rising to 9 in 2009 before tapering, and investigations stay at zero throughout this period. The data doesn't specify root causes for any complaint category. This is a fair but not standout year to buy: it avoids the worst complaint volume of 2009 but carries more reported issues than the mature 2011-2012 models, so prioritize examples with documented suspension and powertrain service history.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
103
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
91
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine11
Suspension10
Power Train8
Air Bags6
Structure4
Steering4
Suspension,Structure3
Steering,Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V279000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 18/05/2020

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or…

18V071000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 26/01/2018

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 103 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-23-11-0012023-01-12Engine And Engine CoolingThis TSB provides revisions to the Removal and Installation procedures for the rocker…

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

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 2008 Lancer 2.0L take?

5.9 qt of 5W-30 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.