Page 160 of 494

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).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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Page 162 of 494

Features and controls
3-67
3 Manual transaxle
N00512700025
The shift pattern below is shown on the gearshift lever. Press
the clutch pedal all the way down while shifting gears.NOTEDuring cold weather, shifting may be difficult until the
transaxle lubricant has warmed up. This is normal and not
harmful to the transaxle.To startPress the clutch pedal all the way down and shift into 1st. Then
gradually release the clutch pedal while depressing the acceler-
ator pedal.
NOTEIf it is hard to shift into 1st, depress the clutch pedal a sec-
ond time; the shift will then be easier.Moving the gearshift lever to the “R” (Reverse)
position
N00538400017
Vehicles equipped with 5-speed manual transaxleTo shift into the “R” (Reverse) position from 5th gear, move
the gearshift lever to the “N” (Neutral) position, and then move
it to the “R” (Reverse) position.
5-speed manual transaxle 6-speed manual transaxle
CAUTION
!Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal because
this will cause premature clutch wear or damage.Do not coast in the “N” (Neutral) position (illegal in
many states).Do not use the gearshift lever as a handrest, because
this can result in premature wear of the transaxle
shift forks.
CAUTION
!Do not move the gearshift lever to the “R” (Reverse)
position while the vehicle is moving forward. This
could damage the transaxle.
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Features and controls
3-91
3
NOTECruise control may not be able to keep your speed on
uphills or downhills.
Your speed may drop on a steep uphill. You may have to
use the accelerator pedal if you want to stay at your set
speed.
Your speed may increase to more than the set speed on a
steep downhill. You must use the brake to control your
speed. If your speed increases too much, turn off the
cruise control. (Refer to “To deactivate” on page 3-95.)
Cruise control indicator
N00550100186
This indicator comes on when cruise control is activated by
operation of the cruise control main switch.
Cruise control is not recommended when driving
conditions will not allow you to stay at the same
speed, such as in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, wet, or slippery, or on a
steep downhill. For vehicles with manual transaxle, if you shift to
“N” (Neutral) in cruise control mode without press-
ing the clutch first, the engine will run too fast and
might be damaged.
CAUTION
!
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Page 190 of 494
Features and controls
3-95
3
To accelerate for passing
N00518700072
Press the accelerator pedal as you would normally. When you
release the pedal, the cruise control will return to your set
speed.
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.
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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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7-6 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
7-15
7 Brake fluid/Clutch fluid
(if so equipped)
N00938700229
The brake fluid and the clutch fluid share the reservoir tank.To check the fluid levelThe fluid level must be between the “MAX” and “MIN” marks
on the reservoir.
The fluid level is monitored by a float. When the brake fluid
level falls below the “MIN” mark, the brake fluid warning
lamp lights up.
The fluid level falls slightly with wear of the brake pads, but
this does not indicate any abnormality.
The fluid in the master cylinder should be checked when doing
other work under the engine hood. The brake system should
also be checked for leaks at the same time.If the fluid level falls markedly in a short length of time, it indi-
cates leaks from the brake system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle checked by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
Fluid typeUse the brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or DOT 4. The reser-
voir cap must be tightly sealed to keep dirt and water out.
CAUTION
!Do not let any petroleum-based fluid touch, mix
with, or get into the brake fluid. This will damage
the seals.Be careful when handling brake fluid. It can damage
painted surfaces.Use only the listed brake fluid. Different brands of
brake fluid have different additives, and these can
cause a chemical reaction. Do not mix brands of
brake fluid.Keep the reservoir tank cap closed to keep the brake
fluid from evaporating.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-29
7
Tire chains
N00940100015
Clutch pedal free play
(if so equipped)
N00940200045
To check the clutch pedal free play (A), turn off the engine and
press the pedal until you feel resistance.
Clutch pedal free play:
.2 to .5 inch (6 to 13 mm)
CAUTION
!Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle. The
clearance between the chains and the body is not
sufficient to allow proper clearance, and the vehicle
body might be damaged.
BK0115900US.book 29 ページ 2009年10月27日 火曜日 午後12時1分