towing MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE 2012 4.G Owners Manual

2 Quick indexSelector lever position indicator in the instru-
ment cluster flashes rapidly
(twice per second) (if so equipped)
Park your vehicle in a safe place.
Idle the engine until the selector lever position indicator stops flash-
ing. If the indicator does not go off, have the system checked at an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice
as soon as possible.P.3-74
or
Engine malfunction indicator
(“SERVICE ENGINE SOON” or “Check
engine light”)
Although your vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing,
have the engine system checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as possible. If the
vehicle is not drivable, contact emergency roadside assistance at 1-
888-648-7820 (for vehicles sold in U.S.A.) or 1-888-576-4878 (for
vehicles sold in Canada), an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer, or
local towing company for assistance.P. 3 - 1 1 2
Anti-lock braking system warning light
When this light comes on, the anti-lock braking system is not func-
tioning and only the ordinary braking system is functioning.

Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
Test the system as described on page 3-82.

If the light does not go out after the test, or if it comes on again, we
recommend that you have the system checked at an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as
possible.P.3-82
SRS warning light
It is not necessary to stop the vehicle immediately, but we recommend
that you have the air bag and the pre-tensioner seat belt system
checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer as soon as possi-
ble.P. 2 - 2 4 ,
2-44
Warning light
Do this
Ref. page
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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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3-2 Features and controls
3Break-in recommendations
N00508700226
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
N00508800445
Two keys are provided.
The keys fit all locks. Keep one in a safe place as a spare key.
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3-88 Features and controls
3
[If the and / and indicators continuously
illuminate]• Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the
engine. Restart the engine again and check
whether the and / and indicators go out.
If these indicators go out, there is no abnormal
condition.
If the and / and indicators remain on
even after your vehicle is driven a short distance
after re-starting the engine, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as
possible.[If the / indicator blinks]• If the temperature of the braking system increases
excessively, due to continuous brake control on a
slippery road surface, the / indicator will
blinks and operation of the traction control func-
tion will be suspended to protect the brake system.
(Normal operation of the vehicle will not be
affected.) Park your vehicle in a safe place. When
the temperature in the braking system has come
down, the / indicator will be turned off and
the traction control function will start operating
again.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!
If the vehicle is towed with the ignition key in the
“ON” position and only the front wheels or only the
rear wheels raised off the ground, the ASC may
operate, resulting in an accident. When towing the
vehicle with the front wheels raised, keep the igni-
tion key in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position. When
towing the vehicle with the rear wheels raised, keep
the ignition key in the “ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-20.
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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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4-10 Driving safety
4
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
N00630200081
1.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650
lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Con-
sult this manual to determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
NOTE

The above steps for determining correct load limit
were written in accordance with U.S.A. regulations.
For your vehicle, please determine correct load limit
bearing in mind the following differences:
• Your vehicle’s seating capacity is 4 people.
•Your vehicle cannot tow a trailer, so step 6 is irrele-
vant.
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Driving safety
4-13
4 Trailer towing
N00629800188
WA R N I N G
!
Do not use this vehicle for trailer towing. It may not
be possible to maintain control or adequate braking.
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6
For emergencies
If the vehicle breaks down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 2
Jump-starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 2
Engine overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 6
Tools and jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 8
How to change a tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 9
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6- 20
Operation under adverse driving conditions . . . . .6- 22
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6-2 For emergencies
6If the vehicle breaks down
N00836300174
If your vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the shoulder
and turn on the hazard warning flashers. If there is no shoulder,
or the shoulder is not safe, drive in the right lane slowly, with
the hazard lights flashing, until you come to a safe stopping
place. Keep the flashers flashing. If the engine stops/fails If the engine stops, there will be no power assist to the steering
and brakes, making these difficult to use.

The brake booster will not work, so the brakes will not
grip well. The brake pedal will be harder to press than
usual.

Since there is no power steering assist, the steering wheel
will be hard to turn.When the engine fails at the intersection Get help from your passengers, bystanders, etc. to push the
vehicle and move it to a safe zone.
Jump-starting the engine
N00836400638
If the engine cannot be started because the battery is weak or
dead, you can start it with the battery from another vehicle
using jumper cables.
1. Take off any metal jewelry such as watch bands or brace-
lets that might make an accidental electrical contact.
2. Position the vehicles close enough together so that the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t
touching each other.
WA R N I N G
!
When using jumper cables to start a vehicle, follow
the procedures and be very cautious.
CAUTION
!
Do not try to start your vehicle by pushing or tow-
ing. Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be
started this way. Pushing or towing a vehicle that
has a manual transaxle may overheat and damage
the catalytic converter. Also, there is more risk of an
accident when a vehicle is being pushed or towed.
CAUTION
!
Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt bat-
tery. If the other system isn’t 12-volt, both systems
can be damaged.
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6-20 For emergencies
6To w i n g
N00837000732
If your vehicle needs to be towedIf towing is necessary, we recommend you to have it done by a
commercial tow truck service.
When towing is required, transport the vehicle using a tow
truck.
Incorrect towing equipment could damage your vehicle.
There may be local regulations concerning towing in your area.
Obey the regulations of the area where you are driving your
vehicle.
CAUTION
!
Do not attempt to be towed by another vehicle with
a rope.
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