2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Owners Manual

3-66 Features and controls
3Manual transaxle
N00512700025
The shift pattern below is shown on the gearshift lever. Press
the clutch pedal all the way down while shifting gears.NOTE
During 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.
NOTE
If 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
3-67
3
Vehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transaxlePull up the pull-ring (A), then move the gearshift lever to the
“R” (Reverse) position with the pull-ring still pulled.The pull-ring will return to its original position when you
return the gearshift lever to the “N” (Neutral) position.
CAUTION
!
Do not pull up the pull-ring (A) when moving the
gearshift lever to any position other than the “R”
(Reverse) position. If you always pulled up the pull-
ring (A) when moving the gearshift lever, you could
unintentionally move the gearshift lever to the “R”
(Reverse) position and cause an accident and/or a
problem in the transaxle.
CAUTION
!
If the pull-ring will not return from the pulled-up
position, have the vehicle inspected at an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or at a repair facility of
your choice.
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3-68 Features and controls
3
Proper shift points
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Always use care to change the gear with the vehicle speed
matched to the engine speed. Proper shifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.Upshifting
N00512900030
For the best fuel economy and performance in using your man-
ual transaxle, upshift as listed below.
At low altitude locations, shift at the vehicle speeds listed.
Upshifting earlier during cruise conditions (relatively steady
speeds) will improve your fuel economy.Vehicles equipped with 5-speed manual transaxleVehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transaxle
CAUTION
!
Avoid downshifting that may cause the tachometer
pointer to enter the red zone.
This puts the engine at risk of being damaged.
Shift point
Upshift speeds
Acceleration
Cruise
1st gear to 2nd gear 15 mph (24 km/h) 13 mph (21 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 23 mph (37 km/h) 18 mph (29 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 34 mph (55 km/h) 33 mph (53 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 43 mph (69 km/h) 40 mph (64 km/h)
Shift point
Upshift speeds
Acceleration
Cruise
1st gear to 2nd gear 13 mph (21 km/h) 16 mph (26 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 22 mph (35 km/h) 28 mph (45 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 33 mph (53 km/h) 38 mph (61 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 44 mph (71 km/h) 46 mph (74 km/h)5th gear to 6th gear 47 mph (76 km/h) 49 mph (79 km/h)
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Features and controls
3-69
3
At high altitude locations, upshift as listed below.Vehicles equipped with 5-speed manual transaxle
Vehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transaxle
Downshifting
N00513000096
It is recommended that you downshift to a lower gear when
needed to maintain the desired speed, according to the table.
Avoid downshifting at too high a speed. The engine may suffer
damage.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift down to
2nd or 1st when descending a steep hill.
Downshifting is also important to avoid “lugging” the engine
at too low a speed, such as when turning a corner or when driv-
ing up a steep hill.Recommended downshifting speed
Shift point
Upshift speeds
1st gear to 2nd gear 15 mph (24 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 25 mph (40 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 40 mph (64 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 45 mph (72 km/h)
Shift point
Upshift speeds
1st gear to 2nd gear 15 mph (24 km/h)2nd gear to 3rd gear 25 mph (40 km/h)3rd gear to 4th gear 40 mph (64 km/h)4th gear to 5th gear 45 mph (72 km/h)5th gear to 6th gear 50 mph (80 km/h)
Downshifting speed
Shift point
Under 20 mph (32 km/h)Shift down from current gear to
2nd gear.20 to 30 mph (32 to 48 km/h)Shift down from current gear to
3rd gear.
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3-70 Features and controls
3
Driving precautions
N00513100101

The table below shows the maximum recommended driv-
ing speed for in each gear. Do not drive near or at these
speeds for prolonged periods of time.Possible driving speed
Do not use the gearshift lever as a handrest. This can
result in premature wear of the transaxle shift forks.
Automatic transaxle
N00513200102
Designed for the most efficient control and equipped with self-
adapting capabilities, the electronically controlled transaxle
used in your vehicle selects the most favorable gear for each
type of driving and road condition.DRIVING UPHILLThe transaxle may not shift to a higher gear if the computer
determines your current speed would be affected.
For smoother operation, the transaxle may not shift if you
release the throttle while climbing a steep hill. This is normal
because the computer controls the shifting. After reaching the
top of the hill, your normal gear shift function will resume.DRIVING DOWNHILLWhen traveling down steep grades and using the brakes, the
computer may automatically select a lower gear. This helps
engine braking efforts, reducing your need to use the brakes.
Shift
points
Possible driving speed
Vehicles equipped with
5-speed manual tran-
saxle
Vehicles equipped with
6-speed manual tran-
saxle
1st gear 30 mph (50 km/h) 37 mph (60 km/h)2nd gear 55 mph (90 km/h) 55 mph (90 km/h)3rd gear 80 mph (130 km/h) 80 mph (130 km/h)4th gear 108 mph (175 km/h) 108 mph (175 km/h)5th gear — 130 mph (210 km/h)
CAUTION
!
The electronically controlled transaxle system is
strictly intended to provide supplementary func-
tions. When driving downhill under certain condi-
tions, when the automatic transaxle is cold
immediately after starting, no automatic downshift
may be made. The driver should move the selector
lever to shift down to a lower gear (3rd gear or 2nd
gear), which will permit the engine to begin braking.
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Features and controls
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3
NOTE
During 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.NOTE
The 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).
NOTE
For information on manual gate operation, refer to “Sports
mode” on page 3-76.
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3-72 Features and controls
3
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4 positions, and is
equipped with a lock button (C) to prevent inadvertent selec-
tion of the wrong gear.
The lock button must be pushed while the brake pedal is
depressed to move the selector lever.
The selector lever will move without pushing the lock
button.
The lock button must be pushed to move the selector
lever. WA R N I N G
!
If the lock button is always pressed when using the
selector lever, the lever may be accidentally shifted
into the “P” (PARK) or “R” (REVERSE) position.
Do not press the lock button when making shifts
shown by in the illustration.
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Features and controls
3-73
3
NOTE
If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock
device activates to prevent the selector lever from being
moved from the “P” (PARK) position.
Selector lever position indicator
N00513900327
When the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position, the cur-
rently position of the selector lever is indicated by the indicator
(A) shown on the instrument cluster {i.e. “P” (PARK), “R”
(REVERSE), “N” (NEUTRAL) or “D” (DRIVE)}.
In sports mode, the currently selected gear is indicated by the
indicator (A).

Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into a gear from the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position. When beginning to drive, do not shift the
selector lever from the “N” (NEUTRAL) position
while depressing the accelerator pedal. This will
cause the vehicle to “jump” forward or backward.
WA R N I N G
!
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