2011 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE oil temperature

Driving safety
4-5
4 Driving during cold weather
N00629400168

Check the battery, including terminals and cables. During
extremely cold weather, the battery will not be as strong.
Also, the battery power level may drop because more
power is used for cold starting and driving.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the engine runs
at the proper speed and if the headlights are as bright as
normally. Charge or replace the battery if necessary. Dur-
ing extreme cold weather, it is possible that a very low
battery could freeze.

Warm the engine sufficiently. After starting the engine,
allow a short warm-up time to distribute oil to all cylin-
ders. Then drive your vehicle slowly.

Stay at low speeds at first so that the manual transaxle oil
or the automatic transaxle fluid has time to spread to all
the lubrication points.

Manual transaxle can be harder to shift in cold weather
conditions. This is normal and shifting will get easier as
the transaxle warms up.
Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from
engine overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze and water. The recommended blend is about 50 %
water and 50 % anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration
(not over 60 %) when the outside temperature is -31 °F
(-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is working very hard
(for example, during mountain driving and/or when the
outside temperature is high), use a 50 % concentration.
This blend will provide adequate protection from corro-
sion and boiling.
WA R N I N G
!
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Any
spark or flame can cause the battery to explode,
which could cause serious injury or death.
Always wear protective clothes and a face mask
when working with your battery, or let a skilled
mechanic do it.
WA R N I N G
!
Never open the radiator cap when the radiator is
hot. You could be seriously burned.
BK0115900US.book 5 ページ ２００９年１０月２７日　火曜日　午後１２時１分

7-10 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Engine coolant
N00937800281
To check the coolant level The coolant reserve system provides a quick visual method for
determining the coolant level. When the engine is cold, the
level of the coolant in the reserve tank should be between the
“F” (FULL) and “L” (LOW) marks. The radiator normally
remains completely full so there is no need to remove the radi-
ator cap except for checking the coolant freeze point or replac-
ing the antifreeze coolant.To add coolant Use Mitsubishi Genuine Coolant or an equivalent.
Mitsubishi Genuine Coolant provides excellent protection
against corrosion and rust formation on all metals, including
aluminum, and prevents blockages in the radiator, heater, cyl-
inder head, engine block, etc.
If you need to add coolant often, or if the level in the reserve
tank does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling system
should be pressure-tested for leaks. Take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice for testing.
CAUTION
!
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants that contain them. Using the wrong
antifreeze can corrode aluminum parts.
When you need to add coolant to the reserve tank,
use at least a 50 % concentration of ethylene-glycol
antifreeze in water. Do not overfill. Use a higher con-
centration (not over 60 %) when the outside temper-
ature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is
working very hard (for example, during mountain
driving and/or when the outside temperature is
high), use a 50 % concentration. You can check the
concentration level with a gauge from an automotive
supply store, or your authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or service station can check it for you. Use
only high quality ethylene-glycol antifreeze coolant
that is made to prevent corrosion of all cooling sys-
tem metals.
Do not top off the tank with plain water only. Water
by itself boils at a lower temperature and does not
stop rust or freezing. If the water freezes, it will
damage your cooling system. Do not use tapwater. It
can cause corrosion and rust.
BK0115900US.book 10 ページ ２００９年１０月２７日　火曜日　午後１２時１分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-11
7
Radiator capThe radiator cap must be tight sealed to prevent losing coolant
which may result in engine damage. Only use a Genuine
Mitsubishi Parts radiator cap, or an approved equivalent.Points to remember
Do not overfill the reserve tank.

Your vehicle uses a special radiator cap that stays sealed
and lets the coolant flow from the reserve tank back to the
radiator when the engine cools down. If you need to
change the cap, use the exact same kind.

Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator with the
proper gauge, and only when it is safe. If you add anti-
freeze, the contents of the reserve tank must be protected
against freezing.

Keep the front of the radiator and condenser clean.

If the temperature of the engine coolant does not rise after
the engine is warmed-up, take your vehicle to an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice to have the thermostat checked, and replaced if
necessary.
Air cleaner filter
N00937900165
The air cleaner filter will get dirty and dusty from use and not
filter properly. Replace it with a new filter using the schedule
in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”. 2.4 liter modelsUnclamp and take out the air cleaner filter.
After replacing the air cleaner filter, put the cover back on in its
original position. 3.8 liter models1. Loosen the bolt of the resonator using a screwdriver.
2. Remove the resonator.
WA R N I N G
!
Wait for the engine to cool down before opening the
radiator cap. Otherwise hot steam or boiling coolant
could spray up from the radiator and scald you.
BK0115900US.book 11 ページ ２００９年１０月２７日　火曜日　午後１２時１分

7-72 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Upholstery
N00945500030
1. To maintain the value of your new vehicle, maintain the
upholstery carefully and keep the interior clean.
Use a vacuum cleaner and brush to clean the seats. If
stained, vinyl and synthetic leather should be cleaned with
an appropriate cleaner. Cloth fabrics can be cleaned with
either upholstery cleaner or a 3% solution of gentle soap
in lukewarm water.
2. Clean the carpeting with a vacuum cleaner and remove
any stains with carpet cleaner. Oil and grease can be
removed by lightly dabbing with a clean white cloth and
spot remover. NOTE
If fuzzing is difficult to remove from the seat upholstery,
draw a suitable defuzzing brush over the surface in one
direction.Genuine leather
(if so equipped)
N00945600246
1. To clean, lightly wipe the leather with a soft cloth soaked
in a 5% solution of gentle soap and water.
2. To rinse, dip the cloth in fresh water, wring it out well, and
wipe off all the soap.
3. To preserve and protect, use a leather protecting agent on
the genuine leather surface. NOTE
If genuine leather is wet with water, wipe it with a dry,
soft cloth.
If left damp, mildew may grow and damage the leather
surface.
The genuine leather surface can be damaged if brushed
with a nylon or synthetic fiber brush.

Organic solvents such as benzine, alcohol, gasoline, acid
or alkaline solvents can discolor the genuine leather sur-
face and should not be used.

Remove dirty patches or oil substances quickly as they
can stain genuine leather.

The genuine leather surface may harden and shrink if it is
exposed to the direct sunlight for long hours. When your
vehicle is parked, place it in the shade as much as possi-
ble.

When the temperature of the vehicle interior rises in sum-
mer, vinyl products left on the genuine leather seat may
deteriorate and stick to the seat.
BK0115900US.book 72 ページ ２００９年１０月２７日　火曜日　午後１２時１分

Alphabetical index
3
E
Electric convertible top 3-31
Electric rear window defogger switch 3-136
Electronic immobilizer (Anti-theft starting system) 3-3
Emission-control system maintenance 7-31
Engine
Compartment 7-6
Coolant 7-10
,9-9
Coolant temperature gauge 3-110
Hood 7-4
Malfunction indicator 3-113
Oil and oil filter 7-7
,9-9
Overheating 6-6
Serial number 9-3
Specifications 9-7
Error codes 5-67
,5-69
Exhaust system 7-36
F
Filling the fuel tank 1-4
Floor console box 3-176
Fluid
Automatic transaxle fluid 7-12
,9-9
Brake fluid 7-15
,9-9
Clutch fluid 7-15
Engine coolant 7-10,9-9
Manual transaxle fluid 9-9
Power steering fluid 7-16
,9-9Washer fluid 7-14
,9-9
Fluid capacities and lubricants 9-9
Fog lights
Bulb capacity 7-48
Indicator 3-112
Replacement 7-57
Switch 3-132
For cold and snowy weather 7-37
Front seats 2-4
Front turn signal lights
Bulb capacity 7-48
Replacement 7-55
Front turn signal, parking and side-marker lights
Bulb capacity 7-48
Replacement 7-56
Fuel
Fuel economy 4-2
Fuel gauge 3-109
Fuel hoses 7-32
Low-fuel warning light 3-109
Modification/alterations to the electrical or fuel systems 1-8
Tank capacity 1-5,9-9
Fuel selection 1-2
Fuse links 7-37
Fuses 7-38
Block location 7-38
Identification 7-44
Load capacities 7-40
Replacement 7-45
BK0115900US.book 3 ページ ２００９年１０月２７日　火曜日　午後１２時１分