fuel MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2011 4.G User Guide

3-2 Features and controls
3Break-in recommendations
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Advanced automobile manufacturing techniques permit you to
operate your new vehicle without requiring a long break-in
period of low-speed driving.
However, you can add to the future performance and economy
of your vehicle by observing the following precautions during
the first 300 miles (500 km).
Drive your vehicle at moderate speeds during the break-in
period.

Avoid revving the engine.

Avoid rough driving such as fast starts, sudden accelera-
tion, prolonged high-speed driving and sudden braking.
These would have a detrimental effect on the engine and
also cause increased fuel and oil consumption, which
could result in malfunction of the engine components. Be
particularly careful to avoid full acceleration while in low
gear.

Do not overload the vehicle. Observe the seating capacity
(See “Cargo load precautions” on page 4-12).

Do not use this vehicle for trailer towing.
Keys
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Two keys are provided.
The keys fit all locks. Keep one in a safe place as a spare key.
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3-64 Features and controls
3Starting
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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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Features and controls
3-69
3
Proper shift points
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Always use care to change the gear with the vehicle speed
matched to the engine speed. Proper shifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.Upshifting
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For the best fuel economy and performance in using your man-
ual transaxle, upshift as listed below.
At low altitude locations, shift at the vehicle speeds listed.
Upshifting earlier during cruise conditions (relatively steady
speeds) will improve your fuel economy.Vehicles equipped with 5-speed manual transaxleVehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transaxle
CAUTION
!
Avoid downshifting that may cause the tachometer
pointer to enter the red zone.
This puts the engine at risk of being damaged.
Shift point
Upshift speeds
Acceleration
Cruise
1st gear to 2nd gear 15 mph (24 km/h) 13 mph (21 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 23 mph (37 km/h) 18 mph (29 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 34 mph (55 km/h) 33 mph (53 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 43 mph (69 km/h) 40 mph (64 km/h)
Shift point
Upshift speeds
Acceleration
Cruise
1st gear to 2nd gear 13 mph (21 km/h) 16 mph (26 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 22 mph (35 km/h) 28 mph (45 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 33 mph (53 km/h) 38 mph (61 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 44 mph (71 km/h) 46 mph (74 km/h)5th gear to 6th gear 47 mph (76 km/h) 49 mph (79 km/h)
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Features and controls
3-99
3
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels
on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that
the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
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Features and controls
3-105
3 Instrument cluster
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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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Features and controls
3-109
3
Fuel gauge
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This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the fuel tank when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.NOTE
It takes a little time after refueling for the gauge to register
the newly added fuel.

If you refuel when the ignition key is in the “ON” posi-
tion, the gauge may differ from the actual level.
Fuel tank filler door markThe arrow (A) indicates that the fuel tank filler door is located
on the left side of the vehicle (Refer to “Filling the fuel tank”
on page 1-4).Low-fuel warning light
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The warning light (B) comes on with the ignition key in the
“ON” position when the fuel level is getting low. Refuel as
soon as possible.NOTE
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the
tank, the low-fuel warning light may indicate incorrectly.
CAUTION
!
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Run-
ning out of gas could cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
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Features and controls
3-111
3 Indicator and warning light package
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Ty p e 1 Ty p e 21- ASC OFF indicator → P. 3 - 8 8
2- ASC indicator → P.3-88
3- Anti-lock braking system warning light
→ P.3-83
4- Cruise control indicator → P.3-91
5- Door-ajar warning light → P. 3 - 1 1 5
6- Turn signal indicators/Hazard warning lights → P. 3 - 1 1 2
7- Charging system warning light → P. 3 - 1 1 4
8- Brake warning light → P. 3 - 1 1 2
9- Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light
→ P.2-44
10- Tire pressure monitoring system warning light → P.3-98
11- Oil pressure warning light → P. 3 - 1 1 4
12- Low-fuel warning light → P. 3 - 1 0 913- Driver ’s seat belt reminder/warning light
→ P. 2 - 1 8
14- Selector lever position indicator (if so equipped)
→ P. 3 - 7 4
15- High beam indicator → P. 3 - 1 1 2
16- Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON”
or “Check engine light”) → P. 3 - 1 1 3
17- Immobilizer indicator → P. 3 - 3
18- Front fog light indicator → P. 3 - 1 1 2
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Features and controls
3-113
3
Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”)
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This indicator is a part of the onboard diagnostic (OBD) sys-
tem which monitors the emissions, engine, and automatic
transaxle control systems. If a problem is detected in one of
these systems, this indicator comes on. When the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position, this indicator normally comes
on and goes off a few seconds later.
This indicator will come on if the fuel tank filler cap is not
properly tightened. If the indicator comes on and stays on after
refueling, stop the engine and check that the cap is properly
tightened. (Turn the cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)
If this indicator does not go off after several seconds or lights
up while driving, have the system checked as soon as possible
at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice.
NOTE
Do not disconnect the battery cable when the Engine mal-
function indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON” or
“Check engine light”) is on.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
information (especially exhaust emission data), which
may be lost if the battery cable is disconnected while the
engine malfunction indicator is on. This will make it diffi-
cult to diagnose the cause of future problems.

The vehicle should be brought to a stop in the fol-
lowing manner when brake performance has deteri-
orated while driving.
• Press the brake pedal harder than usual.
• Should the brakes fail, shift down to a lower gear
to reduce your speed and slowly pull the parking
brake lever to park your vehicle. Press the brake
pedal to operate your rear brake lights to alert
vehicles behind you.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!
Driving for a long time with the engine malfunction
indicator on may cause more damage to the emission
control system. This could also affect fuel economy
and drivability.
If this indicator does not come on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position, have the system
checked by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
If the indicator comes on while the engine is run-
ning, avoid driving at high speeds.
During vehicle operation with the indicator on, the
vehicle may not accelerate when you depress the
accelerator pedal.
When the vehicle is stationary with the indicator on,
you must depress the brake pedal more firmly than
usual since the engine idling speed is higher than
usual and the vehicle with an automatic transaxle
has a stronger tendency to creep forward.
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4
Driving safety
Fuel economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 2
Driving, alcohol and drugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 2
Vehicle preparation before driving. . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 3
Safe driving techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 4
Driving during cold weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 5
Braking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 6
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 6
Loading information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 7
Cargo loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 12
Trailer towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 13
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4-2 Driving safety
4Fuel economy
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Fuel economy is dependent on many factors. Your personal
driving habits can have a significant effect on your fuel use.
Several recommendations for achieving the greatest fuel econ-
omy are listed below.

Whenever accelerating from a stop, always accelerate
slowly and smoothly.

When parked for even a short period, do not idle the
engine. Shut it off.

Plan your trips to avoid unnecessary stops.

Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.

For freeway driving, maintain a speed of approximately
50 mph (80 km/h) when traffic, roadway and weather con-
ditions safely permit.

Keep your air filter clean and your vehicle lubricated
according to the recommendations in this manual.

Always keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly
maintained engine wastes fuel and costs money.

Do not overload your vehicle.
Driving, alcohol and drugs
N00628900010
Drunk driving is one of the most frequent causes of accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired even with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you have been
drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking
driver, call a cab or a friend, or use public transportation.
Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will not make you
sober.
Similarly, prescription and nonprescription drugs affect your
alertness, perception and reaction time. Consult with your doc-
tor or pharmacist before driving while under the influence of
any of these medications.
WA R N I N G
!
NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Your perceptions are less accurate, your reflexes are
slower and your judgment is impaired.
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