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3
To adjust the mirror positionThe outside rearview mirrors can be adjusted when the ignition
key is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
Move the lever (A) to the same side as the mirror you wish to
adjust.
Press the switch (B) to adjust the mirror position. NOTEAfter adjusting, return the lever to the “•” (off) position.
To fold the mirrorThe outside mirror can be folded in toward the side window to
prevent damage when parking in tight locations.
L- Left outside mirror adjustment
R- Right outside mirror adjustment
1- Up
2- Down
3- Right
4- Left
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3-60 Features and controls
3
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.
Ignition switch
N00512400631
LOCKThe engine is off and the steering wheel is locked. The key can
be inserted and removed only when the switch is in this posi-
tion. ACCAllows operation of electrical accessories with the engine off. ON The engine runs and all accessories can be used.
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).
Manual transaxle Automatic transaxle
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3
START Engages the starter. After the engine starts, release the key and
it will return automatically to the “ON” position.NOTEYour vehicle is equipped with ignition switch illumina-
tion.
• The ignition switch illumination comes on while the
driver’s door is opened and remains on for about 30 sec-
onds after the driver’s door is closed.
• When you remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch, it will be illuminated for about 30 seconds.
However, it will go off even while the illumination
comes on if the ignition switch is turned to “ON” posi-
tion.
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic immobilizer.
To start the engine, the ID code which the transponder
inside the key sends must match the one registered to the
immobilizer computer.
(Refer to “Electronic immobilizer” on page 3-3.)
To remove the key
N00550900070
For vehicles with a manual transaxle, when removing the key,
push the key in at the “ACC” position and keep it depressed
until it is turned to the “LOCK” position, and remove.Manual transaxle
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3-62 Features and controls
3
For vehicles with an automatic transaxle, when removing the
key, first set the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position, and
then turn the key to the “LOCK” position and remove it.NOTEFor vehicles with an automatic transaxle, the key cannot
be removed unless the selector lever is set in the “P”
(PARK) position.
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.
Automatic transaxle
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.
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3-64 Features and controls
3Starting
N00512600633
Tips for starting Do not operate the starter motor continuously for longer
than 15 seconds as this could run the battery down or
damage the starter motor. If the engine does not start, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position, wait a
few seconds, and then try again. Trying repeatedly with
the engine or starter motor still turning will damage the
starter mechanism.
If the engine will not start because the battery is weak or
discharged, refer to “Jump-starting the engine” (on page
6-2) for instructions.
The engine is warmed up enough for driving when the
coolant temperature gauge indicator starts to move. A
longer warm up period will only consume extra fuel.
Starting the engineYour vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system, which automatically controls the release of
fuel. There is usually no need to depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a
time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
WA R N I N G
!Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
!Do not push-start the vehicle.Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.
Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts.
Otherwise, the starter motor will be damaged.
CAUTION
!
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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).NOTEFor 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. NOTEMinor 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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3-66 Features and controls
3
Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle with ambient
temperature of -31
°F (-35
°C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This phenomenon occurs because the transaxle has not warmed
up sufficiently; it does not indicate a problem. If it occurs,
place the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the
engine idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.Flooded engineIf the engine has flooded during starting, first run the starter for
5 to 6 seconds while holding down the accelerator pedal.
Release the ignition key (return to “ON” position) and the
accelerator pedal. Wait a moment, then without depressing the
accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the “START” posi-
tion for another 5 to 6 seconds. Release the ignition key if the
engine starts. Repeat as necessary if the engine fails to start, or
contact your local Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility
of your choice for assistance.
Using the MIVEC engine The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.NOTETo protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
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3-72 Features and controls
3
NOTEDuring the break-in period or immediately after recon-
necting the battery, your vehicle may not shift smoothly.
This does not indicate a problem in the transaxle. Shifting
will become smoother once the transaxle has been shifted
several times by the electronic control system.Selector lever operation
N00513800182
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with an
automatic transaxle have a shift-lock device that holds the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position. To move the selector
lever from the “P” (PARK) position to another position, follow
the steps below.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the selector lever to the desired position.NOTEThe selector lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition key is at the “LOCK” posi-
tion, or has been removed, or if the brake pedal is not
pressed and held down.The transaxle has 4 forward (4-speed automatic transaxle) or 5
forward (5-speed automatic transaxle) gears and 1 reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected automatically, depending on
the position of the gear selector lever, the speed of the vehicle
and the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever has 2 “gates”: the main gate (A) and the
manual gate (B).
NOTEFor information on manual gate operation, refer to “Sports
mode” on page 3-77.
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