2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE maintenance

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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7
Vehicle care and maintenance
Service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 2
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 3
Engine hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 4
View of the engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 6
Engine oil and oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 7
Engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 10
Air cleaner filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 11
Automatic transaxle fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . .7- 12
Manual transaxle oil (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . .7- 14
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 14
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid (if so equipped) . . . . . . . .7- 15
Power steering fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 16
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 16
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 20
Clutch pedal free play (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . .7- 29
Brake pedal free play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 30
Parking brake lever stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 30
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 31
Emission-control system maintenance. . . . . . . . . .7- 31
General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 33
For cold and snowy weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 37Fuse links. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 37
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 38
Replacement of light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 47
Vehicle care precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 71
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 71
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 7- 73
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7-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Service precautions
N00937300156
Taking regular care of your vehicle will preserve its value and
appearance as long as possible.
You can do some of the maintenance work yourself, and the
rest should only be performed by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
If you discover a malfunction or other problem, have it cor-
rected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice.
This section describes the maintenance inspections that you
can do yourself, if you so desire. Follow the instructions and
precautions for each procedure.
Have you purchased the Mitsubishi Motors Diamond Care Pro-
tection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warran-
ties. See your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer for details.
WA R N I N G
!
When checking or servicing the inside of the engine
compartment, be sure the engine is stopped and has
had a chance to cool down.
If you need to work in the engine compartment with
the engine running, be especially careful that your
clothing, hair, etc. does not get caught in the fan,
drive belts, or other moving parts.
The fan can turn on automatically even if the engine
is not running. Turn the ignition key to the “LOCK”
position and remove the key to be safe while you
work in the engine compartment.
Do not smoke or allow open flames around fuel or
the battery. The fumes are flammable.

Be extremely careful when working around the bat-
tery. It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric
acid.
Do not get under your vehicle while it is on a jack.
Always use properly rated automotive jack stands.
Handling your vehicle’s parts and materials in the
wrong way can injure you. Ask an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice if you have questions.
WA R N I N G
!
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7 Catalytic converter
N00937400391
The catalytic converter requires you to use unleaded fuel only.
Leaded gasoline will destroy the emission-control effective-
ness of the converter.
Normally, the catalytic converter does not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine properly tuned for
the converter to continue to work properly. To reduce the possibility of catalytic converter damage:

Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type of rec-
ommended in “Fuel selection”.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Running
out of gas could damage the catalytic converter.

Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. If the battery is weak or run down, use jumper
cables to properly start the engine.

Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires discon-
nected or removed, such as when performing diagnostic
tests.

Do not idle the engine for a long time if it is idling
roughly or otherwise obviously malfunctioning.

To prevent the catalytic converter from being damaged
from unburned gas, do not race the engine when turning
off the ignition switch.

Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance is
noticeably low, or the engine has a malfunction. If you are
not able to stop driving immediately, slow down and drive
for only a short time. Have an inspection made by an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice as soon as possible.

In unusual situations involving major engine problems, a
burning odor may indicate severe and abnormal catalytic
converter overheating. If this occurs, stop in a safe place,
shut the engine off and let the vehicle cool. Once the
engine is cool, immediately take your vehicle to an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice for service.
CAUTION
!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. If
the engine malfunctions or misfires, or if your vehi-
cle performance suffers, have it serviced promptly.
Running your vehicle when it is overheated may
result in damage to the converter and vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not park or run your vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as dry grass or leaves can
come in contact with a hot exhaust, since a fire could
occur.
Do not put undercoat paint on the catalytic con-
verter.
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7-4 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Engine hood
N00937500350
To openUse the engine hood release lever (located under the instrument
panel near the driver’s door) to unlock the engine hood.
Pull the lever toward you to release the engine hood latch.Release the safety lever and lift the engine hood.
NOTE
To prevent damage to the engine hood and wipers, make
sure the wipers are at resting position when you open the
engine hood.
WA R N I N G
!
Never use the release lever to unlatch the engine
hood while the vehicle is in motion.
Do not drive your vehicle unless the engine hood is
locked.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-5
7
Support the engine hood with the hood prop. Insert the hood
prop securely in the opening under the hood marked with an
arrow.
To closeUnlatch the prop from the engine hood and put it back in its
retainer.
Slowly lower the engine hood about 12 inches (30 cm), then let
it drop from its own weight. NOTE
If this does not close the engine hood properly, drop it
again from a slightly higher position.
CAUTION
!
Always insert the support prop into the hole spe-
cially made for it. Propping the engine hood at any
other place could cause the prop to slip out and lead
to an accident.
The hood prop can fall out if the hood is lifted by a
strong wind.
CAUTION
!
Be careful not to trap your hands or fingers when
closing the engine hood.
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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7View of the engine compartment
N00937600540
2.4 liter engine
1- Power steering fluid reservoir
2- Brake fluid/Clutch fluid reservoir (if so equipped)
3- Battery
4- Windshield and rear window washer (ECLIPSE only) fluid
reservoir
5- Engine oil level dipstick
6- Engine oil filler cap
7- Radiator cap
8- Automatic transaxle fluid level dipstick (if so equipped)
9- Engine coolant reservoir
10- Air cleaner filter3.8 liter engine
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-7
7 Engine oil and oil filter
N00937700828
To check and refill engine oil It is normal for an engine to use oil. You may need to add oil
between the recommended oil change intervals. Before starting
the engine, check the engine oil level. Refill if necessary.
To check the oil level, remove the dipstick, wipe it off, and
gently insert it all the way into the crankcase. Slowly remove it
again. The oil level must not go above the line on the dipstick.
If the level does not reach the line, which shows the smallest
amount of oil required, remove the oil filler cap on the engine
valve cover, and fill to within the “Good” range. 2.4 liter engine
Good
CAUTION
!
Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration and
loss of oil pressure, which could damage the engine.
WA R N I N G
!
Used engine oil is poisonous, and can damage your
skin. Prolonged and repeated contact may cause
serious skin disorders, including dermatitis and can-
cer. Don’t let used oil touch your skin. Wash thor-
oughly after working with it.
Keep used oil out of the reach of children.
Good 3.8 liter engine
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