engine coolant MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2011 4.G Owners Manual

8 Quick index
Problem
Do this
Ref. page
The engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge indicator is at the
“H” (hot) position.
Steam comes out of the engine
compartment.
The engine is overheated.
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe place.P. 6 - 6
The vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or snow.Move the gearshift lever or selector lever rhythmically between 1st and Reverse gears
(for vehicles with manual transaxle) or “Sports mode” and “R” (REVERSE) positions
(for vehicles with automatic transaxle), while pressing lightly on the accelerator pedal.P.6-22
WA R N I N G
!
When attempting to rock your vehicle out of a stuck position, be sure that no one is near the vehicle. The rocking
motion may cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward or backward, possibly injuring bystanders.
Avoid revving the engine or spinning the wheels. Prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in overheating
and transaxle failure.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking attempts, have a towing service pull the vehicle out.
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3-64 Features and controls
3Starting
N00512600633
Tips for starting
Do not operate the starter motor continuously for longer
than 15 seconds as this could run the battery down or
damage the starter motor. If the engine does not start, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position, wait a
few seconds, and then try again. Trying repeatedly with
the engine or starter motor still turning will damage the
starter mechanism.

If the engine will not start because the battery is weak or
discharged, refer to “Jump-starting the engine” (on page
6-2) for instructions.

The engine is warmed up enough for driving when the
coolant temperature gauge indicator starts to move. A
longer warm up period will only consume extra fuel.
Starting the engineYour vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system, which automatically controls the release of
fuel. There is usually no need to depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a
time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
WA R N I N G
!
Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
!
Do not push-start the vehicle.
Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.

Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts.
Otherwise, the starter motor will be damaged.
CAUTION
!
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3-66 Features and controls
3
Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle with ambient
temperature of -31
°F (-35
°C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This phenomenon occurs because the transaxle has not warmed
up sufficiently; it does not indicate a problem. If it occurs,
place the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the
engine idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.Flooded engineIf the engine has flooded during starting, first run the starter for
5 to 6 seconds while holding down the accelerator pedal.
Release the ignition key (return to “ON” position) and the
accelerator pedal. Wait a moment, then without depressing the
accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the “START” posi-
tion for another 5 to 6 seconds. Release the ignition key if the
engine starts. Repeat as necessary if the engine fails to start, or
contact your local Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility
of your choice for assistance.
Using the MIVEC engine The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.NOTE
To protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
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Features and controls
3-105
3 Instrument cluster
N00519000186
1- Speedometer
2- Tachometer
3- Fuel gauge
4- Light dimmer/Trip odometer control
5- Odometer/Trip odometer
6- Engine coolant temperature gauge
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3-110 Features and controls
3
Engine coolant temperature gauge
N00519700112
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. If the tem-
perature is low when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position, the indicator will remain at the “C” (cold) position
until the engine begins to warm up.
The indicator will normally stay near the center while driving,
but may rise slightly in stop-and-go traffic or when the engine
is under a heavy load.
Light dimmer control (meter illumination con-
trol)
N00552700030
The rheostat can be adjusted while the headlights or tail lights
are on.
Turn the dial to adjust the illumination (meter, multi center dis-
play, audio system’s control panel, heater control panel, etc.) to
the desired brightness.
CAUTION
!
Take care to keep the engine operating temperature
within the normal range while driving. If the indica-
tor enters the “H” (hot) position, the engine is over-
heating (Refer to “Engine overheating” on page 6-
6).
1- To reduce brightness
2- To increase brightness
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Driving safety
4-5
4 Driving during cold weather
N00629400168

Check the battery, including terminals and cables. During
extremely cold weather, the battery will not be as strong.
Also, the battery power level may drop because more
power is used for cold starting and driving.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are as bright as
normally. Charge or replace the battery if necessary. Dur-
ing extreme cold weather, it is possible that a very low
battery could freeze.

Warm the engine sufficiently. After starting the engine,
allow a short warm-up time to distribute oil to all cylin-
ders. Then drive your vehicle slowly.

Stay at low speeds at first so that the manual transaxle oil
or the automatic transaxle fluid has time to spread to all
the lubrication points.

Manual transaxle can be harder to shift in cold weather
conditions. This is normal and shifting will get easier as
the transaxle warms up.
Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from
engine overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze and water. The recommended blend is about 50 %
water and 50 % anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration
(not over 60 %) when the outside temperature is -31 °F
(-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is working very hard
(for example, during mountain driving and/or when the
outside temperature is high), use a 50 % concentration.
This blend will provide adequate protection from corro-
sion and boiling.
WA R N I N G
!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could cause serious injury or death.
Always wear protective clothes and a face mask
when working with your battery, or let a skilled
mechanic do it.
WA R N I N G
!
Never open the radiator cap when the radiator is
hot. You could be seriously burned.
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5-6 Comfort controls
5
Blower speed selection dial
N00736500087
When the ignition key is in the ON position, select the blower
speed by turning the blower speed selection dial. The blower
speed will gradually increase as the dial is turned to the right.
When the blower speed selection dial is set to the “OFF” posi-
tion, all fan-driven airflow will stop.
Temperature control dial
N00736600121
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise to make the air
warmer. Turn it counterclockwise to make the air cooler. NOTE
While the engine coolant temperature is low, the tempera-
ture of the air from the heater will be cool/cold until the
engine warms up, even if you have selected warm air with
the dial.

For instructions on how to use the “MAX A/C” position
(A), see “Cooling” on page 5-10.
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5-8 Comfort controls
5
NOTE
When the “ ” or “ ” position is selected, you cannot
turn the air conditioning off or use the recirculation posi-
tion.
This prevents the windows from fogging up.

When the mode selection dial is set to a position other
than “ ” or “ ”, the air selection will automatically
change to outside air. The air conditioning will revert to
the previous condition in which the “ ” or “ ” posi-
tion was not selected.

When the temperature control dial is set to the “MAX
A/C” position, the air selection will be automatically set
to the recirculation position.

If the temperature dial is set to any position other than
“MAX A/C”, outside air will always be used when the
ignition switch is turned on.

When the coolant temperature rises above a certain point,
the air selection is automatically switched to the
recirculation position and the indicator light (A) turns on.
When this occurs, the system will not switch to the out-
side air position until the coolant temperature goes down,
even if the selection switch is pushed.
Air conditioning switch
N00731000319
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the
transaxle into drive.
(Green)
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5-16 Comfort controls
5
Temperature control dial
N00737000164
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise to make the air
warmer. Turn it counterclockwise to make the air cooler.
NOTE
While the engine coolant temperature is low, the tempera-
ture of the air from the heater will be cool/cold until the
engine warms up, even if you have selected warm air with
the dial.
Ty p e 1
Ty p e 2
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5-18 Comfort controls
5
NOTE
When the “ ” or “ ” position is selected, you cannot
turn the air conditioning off or select the recirculation
position.
This prevents the windows from fogging up.

When the mode selection dial or the blower speed selec-
tion dial is set to the “AUTO” position again after manual
operation, the air selection switch will also be automati-
cally controlled.

When the coolant temperature rises above a certain point,
the air selection is automatically switched to the recircula-
tion position and the indicator light (A) turns on. When
this occurs, the system will not switch to the outside air
position until the coolant temperature goes down, even if
the selection switch is pushed.
Air conditioning switch
N00737300196
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the air conditioning indicator light (A) goes off.
CAUTION
!
Using recirculated air for a long time may cause the
windows to fog up.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the
transaxle into drive.
(Green)
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