2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE engine overheat

6-6 For emergencies
6Engine overheating
N00836500222
If the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator moves to the
“H” (hot) position (red zone), the engine may be overheated. If
this happens:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place. Turn on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
2. With the engine still running, carefully raise the engine
hood to vent the engine compartment.
3. Check that the cooling fan is running. If the fan is not
turning, stop the engine immediately and contact an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice for assistance.
4. If you see steam or spray coming from under the hood,
turn off the engine.5. If you do not see steam or spray coming from under the
hood, leave the engine on until the temperature indicator
on the instrument panel moves below the red zone. When
it is in the middle of the normal zone, you can start driving
again. If the indicator stays in the red zone, turn off the
engine.
WA R N I N G
!
To avoid personal injury, keep hands, hair, jewelry
and clothes away from the cooling fan. The cooling
fan can start at any time.
WA R N I N G
!
Before raising the engine hood, check to see if there
is steam or spray coming from under the hood.
Steam or spray coming from an overheated engine
could seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood until there is no steam or
spray.
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6-22 For emergencies
6
Towing with front wheels off the ground (Type C)Release the parking brake.
Place the gearshift lever in the “Neutral” position (manual tran-
saxle) or the selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position
(automatic transaxle).
Operation under adverse driving conditions
N00837200721
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Move the gearshift lever
(manual transaxle) or selector lever (automatic transaxle)
rhythmically between 1st and Reverse position (with manual
transaxle) or “Sports mode” and “R” (REVERSE) position
(with automatic transaxle), while pressing lightly on the accel-
erator pedal.
Do not race the engine nor spin the wheels. Constant efforts to
free a stuck vehicle can cause overheating and transaxle fail-
ure. Let the engine idle for a few minutes to cool the transaxle
before trying again.
If your vehicle is still stuck after several rocking attempts, call
for a commercial tow truck service.
WA R N I N G
!
To prevent entry of exhaust gas from the towing
vehicle, set the selection switch to the recirculation
position.
WA R N I N G
!
When trying to rock your vehicle out of a stuck posi-
tion, make sure that there are no people nearby. The
rocking motion can make your vehicle suddenly
lurch forward or backward, and injure any
bystanders.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7 Catalytic converter
N00937400391
The catalytic converter requires you to use unleaded fuel only.
Leaded gasoline will destroy the emission-control effective-
ness of the converter.
Normally, the catalytic converter does not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine properly tuned for
the converter to continue to work properly. To reduce the possibility of catalytic converter damage:

Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type of rec-
ommended in “Fuel selection”.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Running
out of gas could damage the catalytic converter.

Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. If the battery is weak or run down, use jumper
cables to properly start the engine.

Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires discon-
nected or removed, such as when performing diagnostic
tests.

Do not idle the engine for a long time if it is idling
roughly or otherwise obviously malfunctioning.

To prevent the catalytic converter from being damaged
from unburned gas, do not race the engine when turning
off the ignition switch.

Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance is
noticeably low, or the engine has a malfunction. If you are
not able to stop driving immediately, slow down and drive
for only a short time. Have an inspection made by an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice as soon as possible.

In unusual situations involving major engine problems, a
burning odor may indicate severe and abnormal catalytic
converter overheating. If this occurs, stop in a safe place,
shut the engine off and let the vehicle cool. Once the
engine is cool, immediately take your vehicle to an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice for service.
CAUTION
!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. If
the engine malfunctions or misfires, or if your vehi-
cle performance suffers, have it serviced promptly.
Running your vehicle when it is overheated may
result in damage to the converter and vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not park or run your vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as dry grass or leaves can
come in contact with a hot exhaust, since a fire could
occur.
Do not put undercoat paint on the catalytic con-
verter.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-19
7
NOTE
Check each battery terminal for corrosion. You can stop
more corrosion by washing with a solution of baking soda
and water. Grease the posts and clamps after cleaning or
tightening them.

Check to see that the battery is securely installed and can-
not be moved. Also check each terminal for tightness.

If you will not be driving your vehicle for a long period of
time, remove the battery and store it in a place where the
battery fluid will not freeze. The battery only should be
stored with a full charge.
WA R N I N G
!
Never disconnect the battery while the engine is run-
ning, or you could damage the vehicle’s electrical
parts.
Never short-circuit the battery. This could cause it
to overheat and be damaged.
Keep sparks, cigarettes, and flames away from the
battery because the battery could explode.
Electrolyte (battery acid) is made of corrosive
diluted sulfuric acid. If it spills on nearby parts, it
can crack, stain, or discolor them. And if gets on
your skin or in your eyes, it can cause burns or
blindness. Please observe the following handling
instructions:
• If electrolyte gets on plastic parts or other nearby
parts, wipe it off with a soft cloth or chamois
soaked in a solution of water and neutral detergent
then immediately rinse the affected parts with
plenty of water.
• If electrolyte gets on your hands or clothes, rinse
thoroughly with water. If electrolyte gets in your
eyes, flush them with water immediately and get
immediate medical attention.

Open doors and windows in any closed space where
you may be charging or working with the battery.
Always wear protective clothing and goggles when
working with the battery, or have a skilled automo-
bile technician do it.
If you are quick-charging your battery, first discon-
nect the battery cables.

In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to discon-
nect the negative (-) terminal first, and reconnect it
last.
If the electrolyte level is very low, have the battery
checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
Battery terminals and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after han-
dling.
WA R N I N G
!
BK0132701US.book 19 ページ ２０１０年１２月６日　月曜日　午後２時３分

Alphabetical index
3
E
Electric convertible top 3-31
Electric rear window defogger switch 3-135
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 3-109
Hood 7-4
Malfunction indicator 3-112
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 3-111
Replacement 7-57
Switch 3-131
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 3-108
Fuel hoses 7-32
Low-fuel warning light 3-108
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
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Alphabetical index
5
Replacement 7-66
Light dimmer control 3-109
Loading information 4-7
Low-fuel warning light 3-108
Lubricants 9-9
Luggage hooks 3-180
M
Manual transaxle 3-66
Fluid 9-9
Oil 7-14
Shift points (recommended speed) 3-68
Mirror
Inside rearview mirror 3-56
Outside rearview mirrors 3-58
Modifications to and racing of your vehicle 1-7
Multi center display 3-114
N
Notepad holder 3-177
O
Octane requirement 1-2
Odometer 3-106
Oil
Engine oil 7-7
Manual transaxle oil 7-14
Oil pressure warning light 3-113
Operation under adverse driving conditions 6-22Outside rearview mirrors 3-58
Overheating 6-6
P
Parking 4-6
Parking brake 3-54
Parking brake lever stroke 7-30
Parking and side-marker lights
Bulb capacity 7-48
Replacement 7-53
Pen holder 3-177
Polishing 7-75
Power brakes 3-80
Power door locks 3-15
Power outlet 3-168
Power steering
Fluid 7-16
,9-9
System 3-89
Power windows 3-26
Puncture (Tire changing) 6-9
R
Radiator cap 7-11
Radio
AM/FM electronically tuned radio with CD autochanger-
Type 2 5-39
AM/FM electronically tuned radio with CD player-Type 1
5-26
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