2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE warning light

Features and controls
3-65
3
Normal conditionsTo start your vehicle:
Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat belts fas-
tened.
1. Insert the ignition key.
2. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
4. Press and hold the clutch pedal all the way down (manual
transaxle).NOTE
For models equipped with a manual transaxle, the starter
will not operate unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed
(Clutch interlock). This is a safety feature.
5. On vehicles with manual transaxle, place the gearshift
lever in the “N” (Neutral) position.
On vehicles with automatic transaxle, make sure the
selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) position.
6. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and make cer-
tain that all warning lights are functioning properly before
starting the engine.
7. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without
pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key when the
engine starts. NOTE
Minor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.
At extremely cold ambient temperatureIf the engine won’t start, press the accelerator pedal about half-
way down while cranking the engine. Release the accelerator
pedal when the engine starts.
CAUTION
!
When starting the engine, make sure that you hold
the brake pedal down. During very cold weather, if
you start the engine with your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal, switch to the brake pedal as soon as the
engine has started.
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Features and controls
3-81
3
Power brakes
N00517600247
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes for more braking
force with minimal brake pedal effort.
Your brakes are designed to operate at full capacity, even if the
power assist is lost.
If the power assist is lost, the effort needed to press the brake
pedal is greater.
If you should loose the power assist for some reason, the
brakes will still work.
If the power brake unit or either of the two brake hydraulic sys-
tems stops working properly, the rest of the brake system will
still work, but the vehicle will not slow down as quickly.
You will know this has happened if you find you need to
depress the brake pedal down further, or harder when slowing
down or stopping, or if the brake warning light comes on.
Brake pad wear alarm
N00532500087
The disc brakes have an alarm that makes a metallic squeal
when the brake pads have worn down enough to need service.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads replaced at an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
WA R N I N G
!
Never coast downhill with the engine OFF. Keep the
engine running whenever your vehicle is in motion.
If you turn off the engine while driving, the power
brake booster will stop working and your brakes
will not work as well.
If the power assist is lost or if either brake hydraulic
system stops working properly, take your vehicle to
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice immediately.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with worn brake pads will make it harder to
stop, and can cause an accident.
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Features and controls
3-83
3
Anti-lock braking system warning light
N00531600313
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the anti-
lock braking system. It will also come on as a self-check for a
few seconds when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. Always make sure that the light goes out before beginning
to drive.
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00531700473

Since there is always a risk of your vehicle becoming
unstable if you apply the brakes suddenly, be sure to brake
gently and do not attempt high-speed driving. Be sure to
stop the vehicle in a safe place. Test the system by restart-
ing the engine and driving at a speed of about 12 mph (20
km/h) or higher.

If the light goes out, there is no abnormal condition. If the
light does not go out after driving as instructed here, or if
it comes on again, the anti-lock braking system is not
functioning. Only the ordinary braking system is function-
ing. If this happens, take your vehicle to an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice and have the system checked as soon as possible.
CAUTION
!
If the anti-lock braking system warning light comes
on and stays on after starting the engine or while
driving, it means that the anti-lock braking system is
not working and that only the standard brake sys-
tem is available. (The standard brake system will
still work properly.) If this happens, take your vehi-
cle to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.
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Features and controls
3-85
3 Active stability control (ASC)
N00559100088
The active stability control (ASC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock braking system, traction control function and skid
control function to help maintain the vehicle’s control and trac-
tion. Also refer to the following pages on the anti-lock braking
system, traction control function and skid control function.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) → P.3-82
Traction control function → P. 3 - 8 5
Skid control function → P. 3 - 8 6
NOTE
A whining sound may be heard from the engine compart-
ment in the following situations. The sound is associated
with the ASC self-check operations. It does not indicate a
malfunction.
• When the ignition key is set to the “ON” position.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while after the engine is
turned on.

When the ASC is activated, you may feel a vibration in
the vehicle body or hear a whining sound from the engine
compartment.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.

When the anti-lock braking system warning light is illu-
minated, the ASC is not active.Traction control function
N00559200050
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessively, thus helping the vehi-
cle to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides
sufficient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the acceleration pedal.
CAUTION
!
Do not over-rely on the ASC. Even the ASC cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle. This system, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstances. Reckless
driving can lead to accidents. It is the driver’s
responsibility to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environmental
conditions.
Be sure to use the same specified type and size of tire
on all four wheels. Otherwise, the ASC may not
work properly.
Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ASC may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!
When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.
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3-98 Features and controls
3
Tire pressure monitoring system warning light
N00554800093
When the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position, this light
normally illuminates and goes off a few seconds later.
If one or more of the vehicle tires (except for the compact spare
tire) is significantly under-inflated, however, this light will
remain illuminated while the key is in the “ON” position.
Refer to “If the warning light illuminates while driving” on
page 3-100 and take the necessary measures.
CAUTION
!
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
does not illuminate when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position, it means that the tire pressure
monitoring system is not working properly. Have
the system inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer.
In such situations, a malfunctioning of the system
may be preventing the monitoring of the tire pres-
sure. Avoid sudden braking, sharp turning and
high-speed driving.

If a malfunction is detected in the tire pressure mon-
itoring system, the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated. The
warning light will issue further warnings each time
the engine is restarted as long as the malfunction
exists.
Check to see whether the warning light goes off after
few minutes of driving.
If it then goes off during driving, there is no prob-
lem.
However, if the warning light does not go off, or if it
blinks again when the engine is restarted, have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer.
In such situations, a malfunctioning of the system
may be preventing the monitoring of the tire pres-
sure. For safety reasons, when the warning light
appears while driving, avoid sudden braking, sharp
turning and high-speed driving.
CAUTION
!
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3-100 Features and controls
3
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00532800341
1. If the low tire pressure monitoring system warning light
illuminates, avoiding hard braking, sharp steering maneu-
vers and high speeds. You should stop and adjust the tires
to the proper inflation pressure as soon as possible. Adjust
the spare tire at the same time. Refer to “Tires” on page 7-
20.NOTE
When inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, do not
apply excessive force to the valve stem to avoid breakage.

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, always
reinstall the valve cap on the valve stem.
Without the valve cap, dirt or moisture could get into the
valve, resulting in damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensor.

Do not use metal valve caps, which may cause a metal
reaction, resulting in corrosion and damage of the tire
inflation pressure sensors.

Once adjustments have been made, the warning light will
go off after a few minutes of driving.
2. If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
remains illuminated after you have been driving for about
20 minutes after you adjust the tire inflation pressure, one
or more of the tires may have a puncture. Inspect the tire
and if it has a puncture, have it repaired by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE
To avoid the risk of damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensors, have any punctured tire repaired by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer. If the tire repair is not done by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer, it is not covered
by your warranty.

Do not use an aerosol puncture-repair spray on any tire.
Such a spray could damage the tire inflation pressure sen-
sors. Have any puncture repaired by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
WA R N I N G
!
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
illuminates while you are driving, avoid hard brak-
ing, sharp steering maneuvers and high speeds.
Driving with an under-inflated tire adversely affects
vehicle performance and can result in an accident.
CAUTION
!
If a tire has a puncture, replace that tire with the
spare tire. Driving on a punctured tire could lead to
an accident.
The tire pressure monitoring system warning light
may not illuminate immediately in the event of a tire
blowout or rapid leak.
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Features and controls
3-101
3
The tire pressure monitoring system may not work normally in
the following circumstances:

A wireless facility or device using the same frequency is
near the vehicle.

Snow or ice is stuck inside the fenders and/or on the
wheels.

The tire inflation pressure sensors’ battery is exhausted.

Wheels other than Mitsubishi Motors genuine wheels are
being used.

Wheels that are not fitted with tire inflation pressure sen-
sors are being used.

Wheels whose ID codes are not memorized by the vehicle
are used.

Compact spare tire is fitted on a road wheel.

A window tint that affects the radio wave signals is
installed.NOTE
Tire inflation pressures vary with the ambient tempera-
ture. If the vehicle is subjected to large variations in ambi-
ent temperature, the tire inflation pressures may be under-
inflated (causing the warning light to come on) when the
ambient temperature is relatively low. If the warning light
comes on, adjust the tire inflation pressure.
Whenever the tires and wheels are replaced with
new ones
N00532900036
If you use new wheels with new tire inflation pressure sensors,
their ID codes must be programmed into the tire pressure mon-
itoring system. Have tire and wheel replacement performed by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer to avoid the risk of
damaging the tire inflation pressure sensors. If the wheel
replacement is not done by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer, it is not covered by your warranty.
CAUTION
!
The use of non-genuine wheels will prevent the
proper fit of the tire inflation pressure sensors,
resulting air leakage or damage of the sensors.
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Features and controls
3-109
3
Fuel gauge
N00519600225
This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the fuel tank when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position.NOTE
It takes a little time after refueling for the gauge to register
the newly added fuel.

If you refuel when the ignition key is in the “ON” posi-
tion, the gauge may differ from the actual level.
Fuel tank filler door markThe arrow (A) indicates that the fuel tank filler door is located
on the left side of the vehicle (Refer to “Filling the fuel tank”
on page 1-4).Low-fuel warning light
N00532000226
The warning light (B) comes on with the ignition key in the
“ON” position when the fuel level is getting low. Refuel as
soon as possible.NOTE
On inclines or curves, due to the movement of fuel in the
tank, the low-fuel warning light may indicate incorrectly.
CAUTION
!
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Run-
ning out of gas could cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
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