time MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2011 4.G Repair Manual

4-2 Driving safety
4Fuel economy
N00628800107
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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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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4-6 Driving safety
4Braking
N00629500260
All the parts of the brake system are critical to safety. Have the
vehicle serviced by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or
a repair facility of your choice at regular intervals according to
the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.When brakes are wetCheck the brake system while driving at a low speed immedi-
ately after starting, especially when the brakes are wet, to con-
firm they work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake discs and prevent
normal braking after driving in heavy rain or through large
puddles, or after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry the
brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake
pedal.When driving in cold weatherOn snowy roads, ice can form on the braking system, making
the brakes less effective. While driving in such conditions, pay
close attention to preceding and following vehicles and to the
condition of the road surface. From time to time, lightly
depress the brake pedal and check how effective the brakes are.When driving downhillIt is important to take advantage of the engine braking by shift-
ing to a lower gear while driving on steep downhill roads in
order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
Parking
N00629600274
Parking on a hillWhen parking on a hill, set the parking brake, and turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill, or away from the
curb on an uphill.
If necessary, apply chocks to wheels.For vehicles with manual transaxlePlace the gearshift lever into the “R” (Reverse) position when
parking on a downhill slope, into the 1st position when parking
on an uphill slope.For vehicles with automatic transaxleBe sure that the parking brake is firmly set when parked and
that the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) position.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking brake
before moving the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position.
This prevents loading the parking brake against the transaxle
gear. When this happens, it is difficult to move the selector
lever out of the “P” (PARK) position.
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4-8 Driving safety
4

Curb weight: the weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant.

Accessory weight: the combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be replaced) of automatic
transmission, power steering, power brakes, power win-
dows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory- installed equipment
(whether installed or not).

Vehicle capacity weight: the rated cargo and luggage load
plus 150 lbs (68 kg)* times the vehicle’s designated seat-
ing capacity.

Production options weight: the combined weight of those
installed regular production options weighing over 5 lbs
(2.3 kg) in excess of those standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride level-
ers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.

Normal occupant weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)* times the num-
ber of specified occupants. (In your vehicle the number is
2)

Occupant distribution: distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle as specified. (In your vehicle the distribution is 2 in
front seat)
Tire and loading information placard
N00630100354
The tire and loading information placard is located on the
driver’s door sill.
*: 150 lbs (68 kg) is the weight of one person as defined by
U.S.A. and Canadian regulations.A- All vehicles (Type A)
B- Vehicles sold in Canada (Type B)
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Comfort controls
5-7
5
Mode selection dial
N00736700164
To change the position and amount of air flowing from the
vents, turn the mode selection dial. (Refer to “Changing the
mode selection” on page 5-3.)
Air selection switch
N00736800165
Normally, use the outside position to keep the windshield and
side windows clear and to quickly remove fog or frost from the
windshield.
To change the air selection, simply press the air selection
switch.

Outside air {Indicator light (A) is OFF}

Recirculated air {Indicator light (A) is ON}
If the outside air is dusty or contaminated in some way, use the
recirculation position. Switch to the outside position every now
and then to keep the windows from fogging up.
CAUTION
!
Using recirculated air for a long time may cause the
windows to fog up.
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Comfort controls
5-9
5
NOTE
If a problem is detected in the air conditioning compres-
sor, the air conditioning indicator light (A) blinks. Press
the air conditioning switch once to turn it off, then once
more to turn it back on. If the air conditioning indicator
light (A) does not blink, there is no problem. If it does
blink, have it checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.

Sometimes, for example after using a high-pressure car
wash, the condenser can get wet, and the air conditioning
indicator light (A) blinks temporarily. In this case there is
nothing wrong. Wait for a while, press the air conditioning
switch once to turn the system off, then once more to turn
it back on. Once the water evaporates, the blinking will
stop.
Operating the air conditioning system
N00731100150
Heating Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position and set the air
selection switch (A) to the outside position.
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise or counterclock-
wise to the desired temperature. Select the desired blower
speed.
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5-10 Comfort controls
5
Cooling
N00731200177
For ordinary cooling

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the air selection switch (A) to the outside position.
3. Push the air conditioning switch (B).
4. Change the temperature by turning the control dial clock-
wise or counterclockwise.
5. Select the desired blower speed.
NOTE
If the outside air is dusty or contaminated in some way, set
the air selection switch (A) to the recirculation position.
Let in some outside air from time to time for good ventila-
tion.

To cool the leg areas, set the mode selection dial to the
“ ” position.
For quick cooling

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the “MAX A/C” posi-
tion.
3. Set the blower speed to the highest position.
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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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Comfort controls
5-19
5
NOTE
If a problem is detected in the air conditioning compres-
sor, the air conditioning indicator light (A) blinks. Press
the air conditioning switch once to turn it off, then once
more to turn it back on. If the air conditioning indicator
light (A) does not blink, there is no problem. If it does
blink, have it checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.

Sometimes, for example after using a high-pressure car
wash, the condenser can get wet, and the air conditioning
indicator light (A) blinks temporarily. In this case there is
nothing wrong. Wait for a while, press the air conditioning
switch once to turn the system off, then once more to turn
it back on. Once the water evaporates, the blinking will
stop.
Operating the air conditioning system (automatic
mode)
N00731700257
In normal conditions, use the system in the AUTO mode and
follow these procedures:
1. Set the blower speed selection dial to the “AUTO” posi-
tion.
2. Select the temperature control dial to the desired tempera-
ture. The temperature can be set within a range of around
61 to 89 (Type 1) or 18 to 32 (Type 2). The temperature
may be set higher by turning the dial to the right.
3. Set the mode selection dial to the “AUTO” position.
The vents (except “ ” and “ ”), recirculation/outside air,
blower speed, and ON/OFF of air conditioning will be con-
trolled automatically.
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5-22 Comfort controls
5
To stop the air conditioning
N00732500164
To turn the air conditioning off, set the blower speed selection
dial to the “OFF” position. All operations will stop except the
air selection.
Important air conditioning operating tips
N00733700150
1. Park the vehicle in the shade whenever possible. Parking
in the hot sun makes the vehicle interior extremely hot
which then requires more time to cool. If it is necessary to
park in the sun, open the windows for the first few min-
utes of air conditioning to expel the hot air.
2. Afterwards, keep the windows closed when the air condi-
tioning is in use. The entry of outside air through open
windows will reduce cooling efficiency.
3. When running the air conditioning, make sure the air
intake, which is located in front of the windshield, is free
of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air-
intake chamber may reduce air flow and plug the water
drains. Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubri-
cant recommendations If the air conditioning seems less effective than usual, the cause
might be a refrigerant leak.
Have the system inspected by your authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
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