2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE tires

For emergencies
6-15
6
4. Insert the bar (D) into the wheel nut wrench (E). Then put
the end of the bar into the shaft’s jack end, as shown in the
illustration.
Slowly rotate the wheel nut wrench until the tire is raised
slightly off the ground surface.
5. Remove the wheel nuts with the wheel nut wrench, then
take the wheel off.
WA R N I N G
!
Stop jacking up the vehicle as soon as the tire is
raised off the ground. It is dangerous to raise the
vehicle any higher.
Do not get under your vehicle while using the jack.
Do not bump the raised vehicle or leave it sitting on
the jack for a long time. Both are very dangerous.
Do not use a jack except the one that came with your
vehicle.
The jack should not be used for any purpose other
than to change a tire.

No one should be in your vehicle when using the
jack.
Do not start or run the engine while your vehicle is
on the jack.
Do not turn the raised wheel. The tires that are still
on the ground could turn and make your vehicle fall
off the jack.
CAUTION
!
Handle the wheel carefully when changing the tire,
to avoid scratching the wheel surface.
WA R N I N G
!
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For emergencies
6-23
6
On wet roads On snowy or icy roads

When driving on a road covered with snow or ice, use
snow tires. Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle.
There may be state or local regulations about using snow
tires. Always check the regulations in your local area
before using them. Refer to the section entitled “Snow
tires” on page 7-28 and “Tire chains” on page 7-29.

Drive slowly. Do not make sudden starts or stops, sharp
turns, or slam on the brakes.

Pressing the brake pedal when driving on snowy or icy
roads can make your tires slip and skid. When a skid
occurs, take your foot off the accelerator. Steer gently into
the skid. As your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock
braking system (ABS), brake by pressing the brake pedal
firmly and keep it depressed.

Allow extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you, and avoid sudden braking.

After parking on snowy or icy road, it may be difficult to
move your vehicle due to freeze-up of the brake. Depress
the accelerator pedal little by little to move the vehicle
after confirming safety of the vehicle.
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,
then check them again.
When driving in rain, a layer of water may form
between the tires and the road surface (aquaplan-
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.
CAUTION
!
Do not depress the accelerator pedal rapidly. The
vehicle could start moving when it breaks free from
the ice, possibly resulting in an accident.
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6-24 For emergencies
6
On a bumpy or rutted roadDrive as slow as possible when driving on bumpy or rutted
roads or over pothole etc.
CAUTION
!
Driving on bumpy, rutted roads or over potholes can
damage the tires and wheels.
Wheels with low-profiles tires or under-inflated tires
are especially at risk for damage.
The vehicle’s body, bumper, muffler and other parts
may suffer damage if the vehicle is
• driven over a step (for example, at the entrance or
exit of a parking lot);
• parked against a curb or parking block, or by the
side of a road with curbstones;
• driven on a steep slope;
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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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7-20 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Tires
N00939200478
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms:

Cold tire pressure:
• The measured pressure after the vehicle has been parked
for at least three hours,
or
• The measured pressure when the vehicle is driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km) after having been parked for three
hours.

Maximum inflation pressure: the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.

Recommended inflation pressure: the inflation pressure
for optimum tire performance.
Intended outboard sidewall:
• The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white let-
tering or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name
molding that is higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire,
or
• The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.

Passenger car tire: a tire intended for use on passenger
cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that
have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000
pounds or less.

Light truck (LT) tire: a tire designated by its manufacturer
as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or mul-
tipurpose passenger vehicles.

Tread: portion of a tire that comes into contact with the
road.

Tread rib: a tread section running circumferentially
around a tire.

Tread separation: pulling away of the tread from the tire
carcass.

Carcass: the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rub-
ber which, when inflated, bears the load.

Sidewall: portion of a tire between the tread and bead.

Section width: the linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due
to labeling, decoration, or protective bands.

Bead: the part of the tire that is made of steel wires,
wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to
fit the rim.

Ply: a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with tires that are worn, damaged or
improperly inflated is dangerous.
These type tire conditions will adversely affect vehi-
cle performance.
These type tire conditions can also cause a tread sep-
aration or blowout which may result in an accident
causing serious injury or death.
Tires, including spare tire, degrade over time with
age even when they are not being used. It is recom-
mended that tires over 6 years generally be replaced
even if damage is not obvious.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-21
7

Cord: the strands forming the plies in the tire.

Rim: a metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.

Rim diameter: nominal diameter of the bead seat.

Groove: the space between two adjacent tread ribs.Tire Markings
Size Designation
EXAMPLE:P215/65R15

NOTE

European/Japanese metric tire sizing is based on
European/Japanese design standards. Tires designed
to these standards have the tire size molded into the
sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter
“P” is absent from this tire size designation. Exam-
ple: 215/65R15 96H.

LT (Light Truck) -metric tire sizing is based on
U.S.A. design standards. The size designation for
LT-metric tires is the same as for P-metric tires
except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the
sidewall preceding the size designation. Example:
LT235/85R16.


Temporary spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
PPassenger car tire size based on U.S.A. design
standards
215 Section width in millimeters (MM.)
65Aspect ratio in percent (%)
Ratio of section height to section width of tire.
RConstruction code
• “R” means radial construction.
• “D” means diagonal or bias construction.
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)
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7-22 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Service Description
EXAMPLE: 95H

Maximum Load
Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is
designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN
may be found on both sides of the tire but the
date code and optional code may only be on one side.
Look for the TIN on the outboard side of tires as mounted
on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard
side then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire
.
EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504

95Load index
A numerical code associated with the maxi-
mum load a tire can carry.
HSpeed symbol
A symbol indicating the range of speeds at
which a tire can carry a load corresponding to
its load index under certain operating condi-
tions.
The maximum speed corresponding to the
speed symbol should only be achieved under
specified operating conditions. (i.e. tire pres-
sure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits)
WA R N I N G
!

Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Over-
loading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle
handling, and increase your stopping distance.
Use tires of the recommended load capacity for
your vehicle. Never overload them.
DOTDepartment of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with the U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion tire safety standards, and is approved for
highway use.
MACode representing the tire manufacturing
location. (2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits)
15Number representing the week in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
04Number representing the year in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-23
7
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature GradesTreadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and
C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Tire inflation pressures
N00939300772
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential for the safe and satis-
factory operation of your vehicle. The wrong tire pressure will
cause problems in three major areas:

Safety
Too little pressure increases flexing in the tire and can
cause tire failure. Too much pressure can cause a tire to
lose its ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and
potholes could then cause tire damage that may result in
tire failure.

Economy
The wrong tire pressure can cause uneven wear patterns in
the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
the tread life, and the tire will have to be replaced sooner.
Too little pressure also makes it harder for the tire to roll,
and this uses up more fuel.

Ride comfort and vehicle stability
The superior riding experience built into your vehicle
partly depends on the correct tire pressure. Too much
pressure gives an uncomfortable and jarring ride. Too lit-
tle pressure feels as if your vehicle is slow to respond.
Unequal tire pressures can make steering your vehicle
uneven and unpredictable.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the plac-
ard attached to the driver’s door sill.
(Refer to “Tire and loading information placard” on page 9-4.)
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