Is the oil level going up on your diesel ASX?
That's the one to take seriously. The DPF (diesel particulate filter) traps soot and burns it off, but it needs heat. CarsGuide explains that when the exhaust can't get hot enough, the computer adds fuel, and some of that fuel seeps past into the sump. The level rises, the oil gets thinner, and at worst the engine is damaged.
A 2016 ASX owner got a Check oil level warning this way. CarsGuide says it's common for owners doing short, stop-start runs, and suggests at least 30 minutes at highway speeds once or twice a month so the burn-off can finish.
Don't take that as a fix for a car already showing warnings. Have the oil and filter checked first. A diesel suits long runs, so if yours only does the school run, tell the mechanic.
What about the CVT on a petrol ASX?
The ASX has had a CVT (a gearbox with a belt and pulleys instead of fixed gears) since it launched here in 2010. CarsGuide says this one uses six fixed steps, so it feels more like a normal automatic.
If a 2014 ASX revs in Park and won't reverse, CarsGuide says to check the fluid level first, as low fluid can cause exactly that. That check is for the mechanic. Shudders and lost power when hot are something else: a 2020 owner's car may have dropped into limp-home mode because of overheating, so get the cooling system and fault codes checked. If the temperature light comes on, pull over somewhere safe and switch off.
ASX recalls to check
- 2011 and 2012 ASXs with the 1.8-litre diesel: 1,588 recalled in December 2013, because a software glitch let soot jam the piston rings, leaving the car stalled. The fix is a software update of about 20 minutes
- 2019 ASX: recalled for a software issue that could stop forward collision and lane departure systems working. A front camera service warning is a reason to ask
Ask a Mitsubishi dealer whether the fix was done on yours, or put the VIN from the rego papers into vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Mitsubishi ASX service schedule
CarExpert lists maintenance every 12 months or 15,000 km. The first-generation ASX has run since 2010, with 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrols and a 1.8-litre turbo-diesel here. A Renault-based ASX was due from 2025, and that's a different car underneath, so tell the mechanic which one you have.
Mitsubishi's longer warranty was reported in 2020 as 10 years or 200,000 km with dealer servicing, or five years or 100,000 km elsewhere. Check your own terms. A qualified independent mechanic keeping an ASX to Mitsubishi's schedule and specifications doesn't by itself void the new car warranty.
Mitsubishi ASX battery replacement
A flat ASX is usually a straightforward job, but test first. A mechanic can load-test the battery, check the alternator, and fit the size your manual lists. If the battery light comes on while you're driving, that's a charging fault, so don't just buy a battery. Pull over somewhere safe and have it looked at.
Tell us the year, petrol or diesel, and what it's doing. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
Our take on an ASX
On a diesel, check the oil level on a cold car every few weeks and mark it in your phone. If it's creeping up, stop guessing and get it looked at. On a petrol CVT, keep the service history tidy and tell the mechanic about any change in how it drives. Small changes are easier to deal with early.