2010 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE tow

3-60 Features and controls
3
To fold the mirrorThe outside mirror can be folded in toward the side window to
prevent damage when parking in tight locations.
Heated mirror
(if so equipped)
N00549300146
When the rear window defogger switch is pressed, the outside
rearview mirrors are defogged or defrosted. Current will flow
through the heater element inside the mirrors, thus clearing
away frost or condensation.
The indicator light (C) will illuminate while the defogger is on.
The heater will be turned off automatically in about 17 min-
utes.
CAUTION
!
Electric current will flow through the heating wires
on the rear window to help clear away moisture or
frost when the rear defogger switch is pressed.
When the top is completely lowered, keep the rear
window defogger turned off to avoid damage to the
top (ECLIPSE SPYDER only).
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Features and controls
3-63
3
Key reminder buzzer
N00551000049
If the driver’s door is opened while the ignition key is in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position, a tone will sound.
Steering wheel lock
N00512500108
To l o c kRemove the key at the “LOCK” position.
Turn the steering wheel until it is locked.To u n l o c kTurn the key to the “ACC” position while moving the steering
wheel slightly.
CAUTION
!
Do not remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch while driving. The steering wheel will lock,
causing loss of control.
If the engine is turned off while driving, the power
brake booster will stop functioning and braking effi-
ciency will be reduced. Also, the power steering sys-
tem will not function and it will require greater
effort to manually steer the vehicle.
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position for a long
time when the engine is not running. This will cause
the battery to run down.
Do not turn the key to the “START” position when
the engine is running. It will damage the starter
motor.
CAUTION
!
Remove the key when leaving the vehicle.
If your vehicle needs to be towed, turn the key to the
“ACC” position to unlock the steering wheel.
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3-90 Features and controls
3Power steering system
N00518000206
The power steering system has mechanical steering capability
in case the power assist is lost. If the hydraulic pressure is
interrupted for some reason (such as engine stalling), you will
still be able to steer your vehicle.
If the power assist is lost, you will notice it takes much more
effort to steer and that there is much more “free play” in the
steering wheel. If this happens, take your vehicle to an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
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.
WA R N I N G
!
Never turn off the engine while the vehicle is mov-
ing, or your ability to steer the vehicle may be seri-
ously reduced.
CAUTION
!
Do not leave the steering wheel turned all the way in
one direction. This can cause damage to the power
steering system.
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3-96 Features and controls
3
To deactivate
N00518800464
The cruise control can be turned off as follows:

Push the main switch (A) at the end of the lever.
(Main switch OFF)

Pull the cruise control lever (B) toward you.
The cruise control can be turned off automatically in any of the
following ways:

By slightly tapping the brake pedal or pressing down on it
to slow your speed.

By pressing the clutch pedal down (for vehicles with man-
ual transaxle).

By moving the selector lever to “N” (NEUTRAL) posi-
tion (for vehicles with automatic transaxle).

When your speed slows to about 10 mph (15 km/h) or
more below the set speed because of a hill, etc.
When your speed slows to about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
less.

When the active stability control starts operating.
Refer to “Active stability control (ASC)” on page 3-85.
WA R N I N G
!
For vehicles with automatic transaxle, although the
cruise control can be turned off by moving the selec-
tor lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL) position, never
move the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position while driving.
You would have no engine braking and could cause
a serious accident.
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Features and controls
3-129
3
When you want to keep the lights on: If the light switch is turned to the “ ” or “ ” position again
after the engine is turned off, the 3 minute auto-cutout function
described above will not work. The lights (the parking lights,
tail lights and license plate lights) will stay on and will not turn
off automatically. NOTE
When the driver’s door is opened, a continuous high-
pitched tone will sound if the key has been removed; a
continuous low-pitched tone will sound if the key is in the
ignition switch.
The tone stops sounding when the driver’s door is closed.Headlight reminder buzzer
N00549800138
If the driver’s door is opened with the key in the “LOCK” or
“ACC” position or removed from the ignition switch while the
lights are on, the tone will sound to remind you to turn off the
lights. The lights will turn off automatically and so will the
tone. Or you can turn the light switch to the “OFF” position to
stop the tone.
Dimmer (high/low beam change)
N00549900168
To change the headlights from high beam to low beam and vice
versa, turn the light switch to the “ ” position, then pull the
turn signal lever to fully toward you (1). Switch the headlights
to low beam as a courtesy whenever there are oncoming vehi-
cles, or when there is traffic moving ahead of you. An illumi-
nated blue light in the instrument cluster indicates when the
headlights are on high beam.
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3-130 Features and controls
3
Headlight flasher
N00550000156
You can flash the high beams by pulling the lever gently
toward you (2). The lights will go back to normal when you let
go. While the high beam is on, you will see a blue light on the
instrument panel.NOTE
You can flash the high beams by pulling the lever toward
you, even if the light switch is off.

If you turn the lights off with the headlights set to high-
beam illumination, the headlights are automatically
returned to their low-beam setting when the light switch is
next turned to the “ ” position.
Headlight levelling switch
(if so equipped)
N00537100046
The direction of the headlight beam (the direction which the
light shines in) alters according to the number of people and
the load in the vehicle. Lower the headlight angle if it is too
high due to the number of people and/or the load in the vehicle
so that the headlights’ glare does not distract the drivers of
approaching vehicles. First set the light switch to the “ ”
position, then turn the headlight levelling switch knob to lower
the beam. The greater the number on the headlight levelling
switch knob, the lower the beam will point.
Set the switch to the appropriate position so that the headlight
beam is level with the road.
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Features and controls
3-135
3
Misting functionMove the lever in the direction of the arrow and release, and
the wipers will operate once.
Use this function when you are driving in mist or drizzle.
If the lever is held in the upward position (MIST), the wipers
continue operating until the lever is released.
Windshield washer
N00504600096
To turn on the windshield washer, pull the lever toward you
with the ignition key in either the “ON” or “ACC” position.
The wipers will wipe automatically several times when the
washer fluid is sprayed.
To turn off the spray, release the lever.
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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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