check engine light MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2011 2.G Owner's Manual

Driving safety
4-5
4 Safe driving techniques
N00629200094
Even this vehicle’s safety equipment, and your safest driving,
cannot guarantee that you can avoid an accident or injury.
However, if you give extra attention to the following areas, you
can better protect yourself and your passengers:

Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and weather
conditions. Leave plenty of stopping distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and use your
turn-signal light.

While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers, bicy-
clists, and pedestrians.

Always obey applicable laws and regulations. Be a polite
and alert driver. Always leave room for unexpected
events, such as sudden braking.

If you plan to drive in another country, obey their vehicle
registration laws and make sure you will be able to get the
right fuel.
Driving during cold weather
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Check the battery. At the same time, check the terminals
and wiring. 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 transaxle, transfer
case and rear axle oil have time to spread to all lubrication
points.
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.
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4-6 Driving safety
4

Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from
engine overheating, add Dia Queen Super Long Life
Coolant Premium or equivalent.
Please read this section in conjunction with the “Engine
coolant” on page 7-12.
Braking
N00629500475
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
downshifting while driving on steep downhill roads in order to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
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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5-10 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00731000377
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
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. 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.
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 tran-
saxle into drive.
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5-30 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00737300200
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
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 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. 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.
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 tran-
saxle into drive.
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5-40 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00737300239
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
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 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. 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.
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 tran-
saxle into drive.
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6-2 For emergencies
6If the vehicle breaks down
N00836300158
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/failsIf 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 intersectionGet help from your passengers, bystanders, etc. to push the
vehicle and move it to a safe zone.
Jump-starting the engine
N00836400524
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. Also, there is more risk of an acci-
dent 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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For emergencies
6-5
6
As your vehicle has anti-lock brakesIf you drive your vehicle with a low battery charge after the
engine has been started by using jumper cables, the engine may
misfire. This can cause the anti-lock braking system warning
light to blink on and off. This is only due to the low battery
voltage. It is not a problem with the brake system. If this hap-
pens, fully charge the battery and ensure the charging system is
operating properly.
Engine overheating
N00836500349
When the engine is overheating, the information screen in the
multi-information display will be interrupted and the engine
coolant temperature warning display will appear. Also “ ”
will blink. If so happens:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. Turn on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
2. With the engine still running, carefully raise the engine
hood to vent the engine compartment.
3. Check that the cooling fan is running. If the fan is not
turning, stop the engine immediately and contact an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice for assistance.
4. If you see steam or spray coming from under the hood,
turn off the engine.
WA R N I N G
!
To avoid personal injury, keep hands, hair, jewelry
and clothes away from the cooling fan. The cooling
fan can start at any time.
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For emergencies
6-27
6 Operation under adverse driving conditions
N00837200718
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snowIf your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Rock your vehicle back
and forth to free it.
Do not rev the engine or spin the wheels. Constant efforts to
free a stuck vehicle can cause overheating and transaxle fail-
ure. Let the engine idle for a few minutes to cool the transaxle
before trying again.
If your vehicle is still stuck after several rocking attempts, call
for help.
On wet roads
WA R N I N G
!
When trying to rock your vehicle out of a stuck posi-
tion, make sure that there are no people nearby. The
rocking motion can make your vehicle suddenly
lurch forward or backward, and injure any
bystanders.
CAUTION
!
Avoid flooded roads. Water is often deeper than it
looks, and you could be seriously hurt by driving
into flood water.
When driving in rain, on water-covered roads, or
through a car wash, water could get into the brake
discs and make them fail temporarily. In such cases,
lightly press the brake pedal to see if they are work-
ing properly. If they are not, press the pedal lightly
several times while driving to dry the brake pads or
linings, then check them again.
When driving in rain, a layer of water may form
between the tires and the road surface (hydroplan-
ing). This loosens your tires’ grip on the road, mak-
ing it difficult to steer or brake properly. When
driving on a wet road:
• Drive your vehicle at a safe speed.
• Do not drive on worn tires.
• Always keep the tires at the correct inflation pres-
sures.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-35
7 Wiper blades
N00940700138
Check the wiper blades occasionally. Clean them regularly to
remove deposits of salt and road film. Use a sponge or cloth
and a mild detergent or non-abrasive cleaner to clean the blades
and glass areas.
Replace the blades if they continue to streak or smear.NOTE
Do not run the wipers on dry glass for a long time. This
wears out the rubber and can scratch the glass.During cold weatherIf the blades are frozen to the windshield or rear window, do
not operate the wipers until the ice has melted and the blades
are freed, otherwise the wiper motor may be damaged.
Emission-control system maintenance
N00940800328
Your vehicle is equipped with an emission-control system that
meets all the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency and Environment Canada. The emission-control
system is made of:

a positive crankcase ventilation system

an evaporative emission-control system

an exhaust emission-control system
To be sure the emission-control system works properly, have
your vehicle inspected and maintained by an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice. This
should be done at the time or mileage specified in the “WAR-
RANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.
These, and all the other “general” maintenance services listed
in this manual, need to be performed to keep your vehicle run-
ning properly and reliably.
You should also have an inspection and service any time you
suspect a malfunction.NOTE
To meet government regulations and promote cleaner air,
your vehicle is equipped with an onboard diagnostic sys-
tem (OBD). The engine electronic control module that
controls OBD functions stores various data (especially
about the exhaust emissions). This data will be erased if
the battery cable is disconnected, which could make a
rapid diagnosis difficult. Do not disconnect the battery
cable when the engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”) is ON.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-41
7
Timing belt
N00942300079
The timing belt should be replaced with a new one at the mile-
age listed in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
MANUAL”.Hood lock release mechanism and safety catch
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The hood lock release mechanism and hood safety catch should
be checked, cleaned, and oiled when needed for easy move-
ment and to stop rust and wear. Use Multipurpose Grease
NLGI Grade 2 sparingly for all sliding parts of the hood latch
and release lever. Work the grease into the hood lock mecha-
nism until all the movable surfaces are covered.
Also, put a light coat of the same grease on the safety catch
wherever moving parts touch.
For cold and snowy weather
N00942600102
Ventilation slotsThe ventilation slots in front of the windshield should be
brushed clear after a heavy snowfall so that the operation of the
heating and ventilation systems will not be impaired.WeatherstrippingTo prevent freezing of the weatherstripping on the doors,
engine hood, etc., they should be treated with silicone grease.Additional equipment (For regions where snow is
encountered)It is a good idea to carry a shovel or a short-handled spade in
the vehicle during the winter so that you can clear away snow
if you get stranded. A small hand-brush for sweeping snow off
the vehicle and a plastic scraper for the windshield, side and
rear window are also useful.
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