service MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK 2011 8.G Owners Manual

Quick index
1
If this warning light comes on or flashes while you’re driving...
N00200701077
NOTE
For information regarding warning displays in the multi-information display, refer to “Multi-information display” on page 3-
167.

These warning lights will come on for a few seconds for a bulb check when the ignition switch is first turned to “ON”.
Warning light
Do this
Ref. page
Charging system warning light
Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
Contact an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice for assistance.P.3-216
or
Brake warning light
If this light comes on while driving, check to see that the parking
brake is fully released.

If this light stays on after releasing the parking brake, stop and check
the brake fluid level.

If the brake fluid level is correct, there may be a system malfunction.
Avoid hard braking and high speeds, and contact an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice for assistance.P.3-214
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.3-215
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Quick index
5
Problem
Do this
Ref. page
The engine coolant tempera-
ture display “ ” in the multi-
information display is flashing.
Steam comes out of the engine
compartment.
Ty p e 1
Ty p e 2The engine is overheated.
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe place.P. 6 - 5
The vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or snow.Rock your vehicle back and forth to free it. P.6-23
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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General information
1-3
1
Oxygenated gasoline Gasoline sold at some service stations contains oxygenates
such as ethanol and MTBE, although the oxygenates may not
be identified by those names. Oxygenates are required in some
areas of the country. Such fuel can be used in your vehicle.Ethanol (Gasohol) A mixture of up to 10 % ethanol (grain alcohol) and 90 %
unleaded gasoline may be used in your vehicle, provided the
octane number is at least as high as that recommended for
unleaded gasoline. Methanol Do not operate your vehicle on gasoline containing methanol
(wood alcohol). Using this type of alcohol could adversely
affect the vehicle’s performance and damage critical parts of
the vehicle’s fuel system.Reformulated gasoline Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner burning
fuel referred to as “Reformulated Gasoline”.
Reformulated gasoline contains oxygenates and is specially
blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation strongly supports the use of
reformulated gasoline. Properly blended reformulated gasoline
has no adverse effect on vehicle performance or the durability
of the engine and fuel system.
MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tri-
carbonyl)MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasolines to increase the octane number.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation recommends using gasolines
without MMT.
Use of gasolines blended with MMT may adversely affect per-
formance, and cause the malfunction indicator on your instru-
ment panel to come on. If this happens, contact an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice for
assistance.Sulfur in gasoline Your vehicle may have been designed to satisfy California’s
low-emission regulations based on clean-burning low-sulfur
gasoline. Gasoline sold in parts of the country other than Cali-
fornia is allowed to have a higher sulfur content. Using such
gasoline could adversely affect the vehicle’s catalytic converter
and cause the engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”) to come on. Illumi-
nation of this indicator while you are using high-sulfur gaso-
line does not necessarily mean the vehicle’s emission-control
system is malfunctioning. Your authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer may suggest you try using a different, lower-sulfur
brand of unleaded gasoline to determine whether the problem
is fuel-related.
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1-4 General information
1
NOTE
Poor-quality gasoline can cause problems such as poor
starting, stalling during idling, abnormal engine noise, and
poor acceleration. If you experience any of these prob-
lems, try using a different brand of gasoline. If the engine
malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON” or
“Check engine light”) flashes, have the vehicle inspected
as soon as possible by the nearest authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.

Repeatedly driving short distances at low speeds can
cause deposits to form in the fuel system and engine,
resulting in poor starting and poor acceleration. If these
problems occur, you are advised to add a detergent addi-
tive to the gasoline when you refuel the vehicle. The addi-
tive will remove the deposits, thereby returning the engine
to a normal condition. Be sure to use a genuine Mitsubishi
cleaning additive. Using an unsuitable additive could
make the engine malfunction. For details, please contact
the nearest authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
Filling the fuel tank
N00301100841
WA R N I N G
!
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You
could be burned, seriously injured or killed when
handling it. When refueling your vehicle, always
turn the engine off and keep away from flames,
sparks, and smoking materials. Always handle fuel
in well-ventilated outdoor areas.
Before removing the fuel cap, be sure to get rid of
your body’s static electricity by touching a metal
part of the car or fuel pump. Any static electricity on
your body could create a spark that ignites fuel
vapor.
Perform the whole refueling process (opening the
fuel tank filler door, removing the fuel cap, etc.) by
yourself. Do not let any other person come near the
fuel tank filler. If you allowed a person to help you
and that person was carrying static electricity, fuel
vapor could be ignited.
Do not move away from the fuel tank filler until
refueling is finished. If you moved away and did
something else (for example, sitting on a seat) part-
way through the refueling process, you could pick
up a fresh charge of static electricity.
Be careful not to inhale fuel vapor. Fuel contains
toxic substances.
Keep the doors and windows closed while refueling
the vehicle. If they were open, fuel vapor could get
into the cabin.
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General information
1-7
1
NOTE
If the fuel tank filler cap is not tight while driving, the
engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE
SOON” or “Check engine light”) may come on when the
onboard diagnostic (OBD) system performs a self check.
Always tighten the fuel tank filler cap until you hear click-
ing sounds.
The indicator will go off after driving several times. If the
indicator does not go off, contact your authorized Mitsub-
ishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible.
Modifications to and racing of your vehicle
N00301600178
This vehicle should not be modified with non-Mitsubishi
Motors genuine parts. Mitsubishi Motors designs and manufac-
tures high quality vehicles with an emphasis on safety and
durability. Modifications using non-Mitsubishi Motors genuine
parts may affect the performance, safety and/or durability of
your vehicle, and may violate applicable state and/or federal
regulations.
DAMAGE OR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS RESULTING
FROM MODIFICATIONS TO OR RACING OF YOUR
VEHICLE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Examples of modifications to your vehicle that can cause dam-
age or performance problems include the following:

Failure to use Mitsubishi Motors genuine parts

Failure to use required fuel and fluids

Failure to use proper size tires and wheels

Modification of the fuel, intake, exhaust, emission, sus-
pension, engine, drive train or electrical wiring systems

Modification of any onboard computer/control module,
including reprogramming, or replacing/adding chips to
any onboard computer/control module
Review the Warranty and Maintenance Manual for further
details regarding warranty coverage.
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2-60 Seat and restraint systems
2
SRS servicing
N00408500614
NOTE
When you transfer ownership of the vehicle to another
person, we urge you to alert the new owner that it is
equipped with the SRS and refer that owner to the applica-
ble sections in this owner’s manual.

If you decide to junk or scrap your vehicle, we urge you to
first take it to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer so
that the SRS can be made safe for disposal.

If any of the following parts needs to be modified for use
by a handicapped person, the advanced airbag system will
be greatly affected. Please consult an authorized Mitsub-
ishi Motors dealer for assistance.
• Driver’s seat
• Front passenger seat
• Front seat belt
• Steering wheel
• Instrument panel
WA R N I N G
!
Any maintenance performed on or near the compo-
nents of the SRS should be performed only by an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer. Do not permit
anyone else to do any service, inspection, mainte-
nance or repair on any SRS components or wiring.
Similarly, no part of the SRS should ever be han-
dled, removed or disposed by anyone except an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
Improper work methods on the SRS components or
wiring could result in an accidental airbag deploy-
ment or could make the SRS inoperable. Either of
these situations could result in serious injury or
death.
Do not modify your steering wheel or any other SRS
component or related vehicle part. For example,
replacement of the steering wheel, or modifications
to the front bumper or body structure can adversely
affect SRS performance and may lead to injury.
If your vehicle has received any damage, you should
have the SRS inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer to make sure it is in proper working
order.

Do not modify your front seats, center pillar or cen-
ter console. Such modifications can adversely affect
SRS performance and may lead to injury.
Also, if you discover any tear or open seam in the
seat fabric near the side airbag, have the seat
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer.
If you find a crack in or damage to the front pillar,
rear pillar, or roof side rail where the curtain airbag
is located, have the SRS inspected by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
WA R N I N G
!
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Seat and restraint systems
2-61
2
[For vehicles sold in U.S.A.]
To contact Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
call 1-888-648-7820 or write to:
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Customer Relations Department
P. O. Box 6400
Cypress, CA 90630-0064
[For vehicles sold in Canada]
To contact Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.
call 1-888-576-4878 or write to:
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Inc.
Customer Relations Department
P.O. Box 41009
4141 Dixie Road
Mississauga, ON L4W 5C9
[For vehicles sold in Puerto Rico]
To contact Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Caribbean, Inc.
call 1-800-981-0452 or write to:
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Caribbean, Inc.
Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 192216
SAN JUAN PR 00919-2216[For vehicles sold in Guam]
To contact Triple J Enterprises Inc.
call (671) 649-3673 or write to:
Triple J Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 6066
TAMUNING
GUAM 96931
[For vehicles sold in Saipan]
To contact Triple J Motors
call (670) 234-7133 or write to:
Triple J Motors
P.O. Box 500487
SAIPAN, MP96950-0487
[For vehicles sold in American Samoa]
To contact Pacific Marketing Inc.
call 684 (699) 9140 or write to:
Pacific Marketing, Inc.
P. O . B o x 6 9 8
PA G O PA G O ,
AMERICAN SAMOA AS, 96799
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3
Features and controls
Break-in recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 2
Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 2
Electronic immobilizer (Anti-theft starting system) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 4
Keyless entry system (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 8
Free-hand Advanced Security Transmitter (F.A.S.T.-key)
(if so equipped). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 16
Door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 51
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 55
“Child safety locks” for rear door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 57
Rear hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 58
Inside rear hatch release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 60
Theft-alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 62
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 68
Sunroof (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 72
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 75
Steering wheel tilt lock lever. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 77
Inside day/night rearview mirror. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 78
Outside rearview mirrors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 80
Ignition switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 82
Steering wheel lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 85
Starting and stopping the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 86
Turbocharger operation (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 91
Manual transaxle (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 92
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . 3- 95
Twin Clutch SST (Sportronic Shift Transmission) (if so equipped) . . . . . 3- 107
All-wheel drive system (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 129
Cautions on handling of all-wheel drive vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 129
ACD (Active center differential system) (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 131
Limited-slip differential (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 134
Service brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 135
Hill start assist (for vehicles equipped with Twin Clutch SST) . . . . . . . . 3- 136
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 138
Anti-lock braking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 139Power steering system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 143
Active stability control (ASC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 144
Cruise control (if so equipped). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 149
Tire pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 158
Instrument cluster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 164
Multi-information display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 167
Indicator light, warning light, and information screen display list . . . . . 3- 201
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 214
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 214
Information screen display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 217
Combination headlights and dimmer switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 220
Headlight leveling switch (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 228
Turn signal lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 229
Hazard warning flasher switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 230
Front fog light switch (if so equipped). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 231
Wiper and washer switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 232
Electric rear window defogger switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 241
Horn switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 242
Link System (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 243
Bluetooth® 2.0 interface (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 243
USB input terminal (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 270
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 276
Ashtray (if so equipped). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 277
12 V power outlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 278
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 280
Storage spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 285
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 290
Bottle holder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 291
Rear shelf panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 292
Dual height adjustable cargo floor board (if so equipped). . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 293
Assist grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 294
Coat hook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 295
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3-106 Features and controls
3
Passing acceleration
N00514900063
To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position (when
passing another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor if it is
safe to do so in traffic conditions. The CVT will automatically
downshift.NOTE
In sports mode, downshifts do not take place when the
accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.Waiting
N00515000074
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic lights, the vehicle
can be left in selector lever position and held stationary with
the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running, the selec-
tor lever should be placed in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
Parking
N00515100062
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully
engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, always switch
off the engine and carry the key.NOTE
On a slope, be sure to apply the parking brake before
moving the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position. If
you move the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position
before applying the parking brake, it may be difficult to
disengage the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) position
when next you drive the vehicle, requiring application of a
strong force to the selector lever to move from the “P”
(PARK) position.
CAUTION
!
To avoid transmission overheating, never try to keep
your vehicle stationary on a hill by using the acceler-
ator pedal. Always apply the parking brake and/or
service brake.
Unexpected acceleration may occur if the selector
lever is in a position other than “P” (PARK) or “N”
(NEUTRAL).
Before driving off from a stop, make sure that the
selector lever is in “D” (DRIVE) position or “Sports
mode” position.
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3-126 Features and controls
3
DRIVING DOWNHILL
When traveling down steep grades, the computer may automat-
ically select a lower shift position. This function assists engine
braking efforts, reducing the need for using the service brakes.
Waiting
N00541000020
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic lights, the vehicle
can be left in gearshift lever position and held stationary with
the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running, place the
gearshift lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and apply the
parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary with the
service brake.
Prior to moving off after having stopped the vehicle, make sure
that the gearshift lever is in “D” (DRIVE) position or manual
shift position.
CAUTION
!
Do not use the tendency of the vehicle to creep for-
ward in order to drive at low speeds up hills.
The transmission may be damaged and an accident
may occur due to the following conditions.
• The Twin Clutch SST fluid temperature will rise
and can cause transmission damage.
• If the vehicle is continuously driven at low speeds
using the tendency of the vehicle to creep forward,
the vehicle will vibrate or the warning display
will appear on the information screen in the multi-
information display to alert the driver that the
Twin Clutch SST fluid temperature has risen.
After that, if the Twin Clutch SST fluid tempera-
ture rises even higher, the transmission protection
control will operate.
If this occurs, the vehicle may suddenly reverse as
if the gearshift lever was in the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position and cause an accident.
If the warning display appears or the transmis-
sion protection control operates, refer to “When
warning display is showing” on page 3-112.
CAUTION
!
Do not rev the engine unnecessarily while the vehicle
is stationary. Unexpected acceleration may occur if
the gearshift lever is in a position other than “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL).
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