2010 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE check engine

3-114 Features and controls
3
Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”)
N00520500396
This indicator is a part of the onboard diagnostic (OBD) sys-
tem which monitors the emissions, engine, and automatic tran-
saxle 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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Features and controls
3-115
3
Charging system warning light
N00520600166
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the charg-
ing system or when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion (engine off). When the engine is started, the light should
go out. Check to make sure that the light has gone out before
driving.
Oil pressure warning light
N00520700154
This light comes on when the engine oil pressure is below nor-
mal. If the light stays on while driving, stop the engine as soon
as possible. Do not run the engine until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected.
CAUTION
!
If the warning light stays on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be mal-
functioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice and have the system checked.
CAUTION
!
If this light comes on when the engine oil level is not
low, have your vehicle checked at an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
This warning light does not show the amount of oil
in the crankcase. This can only be determined by
checking the oil level with the dipstick with the
engine turned off.
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3-128 Features and controls
3
[The engine is not running, or the engine is running but the
parking brake has not been released]
The engine can be started with the headlights off when the
vehicle is stationary.NOTE
Do not leave the headlights and other lights on for a long
period of time when the engine is not running. The battery
will run down.

When it rains, or when the vehicle has been washed, the
inside of the lens sometimes becomes foggy. This is the
same as when window glass mists up on a humid day, and
does not indicate a problem. When the light is switched
on, the heat will dry out the fog. However, if water col-
lects inside the light, have it checked by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice. Light auto-cutout function (headlights and other
lights)
N00532600264

If the ignition key is turned to “LOCK” or “ACC” posi-
tion or removed from the ignition switch and the driver’s
door is opened with the light switch in the “ ” or “ ”
position, the lights automatically turn off.• If the driver’s door is opened after the key is removed
from the ignition switch, a high-pitched constant tone
will sound to remind you to turn off the lights.
• If the driver’s door is opened with the key in the ignition
switch, a low-pitched tone will sound to remind you to
remove the key.

If the ignition key is turned to “LOCK” or “ACC” posi-
tion or removed from the ignition switch with the driver’s
door closed and the light switch in the “ ” or “ ”
position, the lights will stay on for about 3 minutes and
then turn off automatically. OFF All lights off
Parking, tail, front and rear side-marker lights, license
plate and instrument panel lights on
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3-132 Features and controls
3
NOTE
A light in the instrument panel flashes to show when the
front and rear turn signal lights are working properly.
If this light flashes faster than usual, check for a burned
out lamp bulb or malfunctioning connection.
If the panel light does not come on when the lever is
moved, check for a blown fuse or a burned out bulb in the
panel.
Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
Hazard warning flasher switch
N00522700246
If you press the flasher switch, the front and rear turn signals
will flash intermittently, and so will the hazard warning lights.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be used
when the vehicle is in motion, except for emergencies.
If you need to leave your vehicle, the flashers will keep work-
ing after the ignition key is removed. NOTE
If you keep the flashers on for several hours with the
engine turned off, the battery will run down.
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3-136 Features and controls
3
Rear window wiper and washer (ECLIPSE only)
N00523200264
The rear window wiper and washer can be operated when the
ignition key is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
Turn the knob to operate the rear window wiper.
NOTE
To ensure a clear rearward view, the wiper performs a
number of continuous operations either when the switch is
moved to the “INT” position or when the gearshift lever
(manual transmission) or the selector lever (automatic
transmission) is moved to the “R” (REVERSE) position
while the switch is in the “INT” position.
Following this continuous operation, the wiper will auto-
matically switch to intermittent operation.

The washer fluid reservoir is located in the engine com-
partment.
Check the fluid level regularly and refill if necessary. (See
“Washer fluid” on page 7-14.)Precautions to observe when using wipers and
washers
N00523500111
NOTE
Do not use the wipers when the windshield is dry. This
could scratch the glass and wear the wiper blades prema-
turely.

Before using the wipers in cold weather, check to be sure
that the wiper blades are not frozen to the windshield or
rear window. Using the wipers while the blades are frozen
could cause the wiper motor to burn out.
OFF- Off
INT- The wiper operates continuously for several seconds then
operates intermittently at intervals of about 8 seconds.
-Washer fluid will be sprayed onto the rear window glass
while the knob is turned fully in either direction.
When the washer fluid is sprayed, the wiper will automati-
cally operate 2 or 3 times.
CAUTION
!
If the washer is used in cold weather, the washer
fluid sprayed onto the glass might freeze, blocking
your view. In cold weather, heat the glass with the
defroster before using the washer.
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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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6-2 For emergencies
6If the vehicle breaks down
N00836300073
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. Turning the steering wheel requires
more effort than usual. 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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