Mitsubishi›Montero Sport›1998›3.0L/mitsubishi/montero-sport/1998/3-0l/

1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Montero Sport 3.0L.

Engine 3.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.0L introduced the nameplate with a 3.0-liter engine paired to a four-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel-economy ratings of 17 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined mpg and requiring 4.8 quarts of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. As the inaugural model year, it sits at the favorable end of the 1998-2009 complaint history logged for the Montero Sport, recording just 35 total owner complaints, one recall, and Engine & Engine Cooling as the leading complaint area — a marked contrast to the model's 2001 peak of 245 complaints and its near-clean 2009 exit of a single complaint. For a researcher, that early-year profile makes the 1998 the strongest baseline in the lineup, with its modest complaint volume and single recall offering a useful reference point against which the more troubled middle years of the run can be measured.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque87-101 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MD352626. 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 25 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turn10AOEM · verified

Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	MD352626 alt MZ690072
Engine air filter	MR571471
Fuel filter	MR239580
Spark plug	MS851336 alt MS851357
Front wiper blades	MR300876 alt MR300877
Serpentine belt	MD337658 alt 7814A030
Thermostat	1305A191 alt 1305A239

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 20 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

10.5–10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.50 sec — 1998 LS

173 hpHorsepower (as tested)

188 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	LS 3.0L V6	10.50 sec	17.80 sec	173 hp	4x4
1998	LS 3.0L V6	10.70 sec	17.90 sec	173 hp	4x4
1997	LS 3.0L V6	10.00 sec	17.40 sec	173 hp	4x4
1997	LS 3.0L V6	11.40 sec	18.40 sec	173 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 87-101 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	3.2 Pints,
Differential Gear Oil	85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints,
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	Use Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	DOHC: 14 ft-lbs; SOHC:
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	108-116 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	M8 fastners: 36 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	69 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	87-101 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	21.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	21.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.67-.81 DOHC ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.44-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	56
Oil Capacity	5.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	520 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	47.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	38.0 psi
Engine Compression	171-127 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	145-192 psi
Engine Compression	127-171 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	32 ft-lbs / 55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	93 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0031 in / 0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.709 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

25 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

25 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	58 ft. lbs.	58 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts completely.
3	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees.	90 degrees
5	90 degrees.	90 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.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (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.

In 1998 the Montero Sport logged 35 consumer complaints, 1 recall, no investigations and 77 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), positioning it at the low‑end of the generation’s complaint curve. By contrast, complaints surged to 245 in 2001 with six recalls and a spike to 162 TSBs, before falling sharply to just five complaints and a single recall in 2004. The 1998 model’s top complaint areas—engine cooling (12), electrical system (4), airbags (3) and visibility (2)—are modest compared with the later spike, and it recorded only five crash‑related and one fire‑related complaint. This relatively quiet early‑year profile suggests fewer systemic issues than the mid‑generation peak, making 1998 a comparatively safer year to purchase within the model’s run.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’09

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling12

Electrical System4

Air Bags3

Visibility2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Tires1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 77 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB-22-54-003	2022-04-07	Exterior Lighting	This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…
TT253	2019-11-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-008	2019-07-30	Equipment	This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…
TT237	2018-02-26	Equipment	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TT218	2015-08-28	Engine And Engine Cooling	This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

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 Montero Sport. 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 25 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter MD352626 Engine air filter MR571471 Fuel filter MR239580 Spark plug MS851336

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 1998 Montero Sport 3.0L take?

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

Does the 1998 Montero Sport have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.