2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Owners Manual

3-178 Features and controls
3Cup holder
N00527300188
The cup holder is located the middle of the floor console.
The cup holder is designed for holding cups or drink-cans
securely in its holes.
To use the cup holder, open the lid (A).
Rear shelf panel (ECLIPSE only)
N00528200083
The rear shelf panel is provided for covering the cargo area and
to protect its contents from direct sunlight.NOTE
Do not place luggage or other items on the rear shelf
panel. Any items on the rear shelf panel would obstruct
your rearward view, and they could fly forward and cause
an injury or other mishap in the event of hard braking.
When opening the rear hatch, the rear shelf panel (A) will be
lifted together with the rear hatch.
CAUTION
!
Do not drink beverages while driving your vehicle.
This is distracting and could cause an accident.
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Features and controls
3-179
3
NOTE
When closing the rear hatch, make sure no luggage
touches the rear shelf panel. If you close the rear hatch
with the rear shelf panel pressing against luggage, the rear
shelf panel could break.
Remove the rear shelf panel when loading large items of lug-
gage.To remove1. Unlock the cord from the rear hatch.2. Unsnap by lifting the rear shelf panel pivoting points (B).
To r e f i tRefit the rear shelf panel by performing the removal steps in
reverse.
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3-180 Features and controls
3Coat hooks (ECLIPSE only, if so equipped)
N00553600023
There are two hooks on the rear pillar for use in hanging
clothes.
Luggage hooks (ECLIPSE only)
N00528500233
There are four hooks on the side of the trunk for use in securing
luggage.NOTE
Do not hang heavy items {more than about 6.6 lbs. (3
kg)} on the hook. Doing so could damage the hook.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not put a hanger or any heavy or pointed object
on the coat hook. If the curtain air bag was acti-
vated, any such item could be propelled away with
great force and could prevent the curtain air bag
from inflating correctly. Hang clothes directly on the
coat hook (without using a hanger). Make sure there
are no heavy or sharp objects in the pockets of
clothes that you hang on the coat hook.
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4
Driving safety
Fuel economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 2
Driving, alcohol and drugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 2
Vehicle preparation before driving. . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 3
Safe driving techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 4
Driving during cold weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 5
Braking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 6
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 6
Loading information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 7
Cargo loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 12
Trailer towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4- 13
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4-2 Driving safety
4Fuel economy
N00628800107
Fuel economy is dependent on many factors. Your personal
driving habits can have a significant effect on your fuel use.
Several recommendations for achieving the greatest fuel econ-
omy are listed below.

Whenever accelerating from a stop, always accelerate
slowly and smoothly.

When parked for even a short period, do not idle the
engine. Shut it off.

Plan your trips to avoid unnecessary stops.

Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.

For freeway driving, maintain a speed of approximately
50 mph (80 km/h) when traffic, roadway and weather con-
ditions safely permit.

Keep your air filter clean and your vehicle lubricated
according to the recommendations in this manual.

Always keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly
maintained engine wastes fuel and costs money.

Do not overload your vehicle.
Driving, alcohol and drugs
N00628900010
Drunk driving is one of the most frequent causes of accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired even with blood
alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you have been
drinking, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking
driver, call a cab or a friend, or use public transportation.
Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will not make you
sober.
Similarly, prescription and nonprescription drugs affect your
alertness, perception and reaction time. Consult with your doc-
tor or pharmacist before driving while under the influence of
any of these medications.
WA R N I N G
!
NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Your perceptions are less accurate, your reflexes are
slower and your judgment is impaired.
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Driving safety
4-3
4 Vehicle preparation before driving
N00629000500
For a safer and more enjoyable trip, always observe the follow-
ing: Seat belts and seats
Before starting the vehicle, make certain that you and all
passengers are seated and wearing their seat belts properly
(with children in the rear seat, in appropriate restraints),
and that all the doors and the rear hatch are locked.

Move the driver’s seat as far backward as possible, while
still keeping good visibility, and good control of the steer-
ing wheel, brakes, accelerator, and controls. Check the
instrument panel indicators for any possible problem.

Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

Make sure that infants and small children are properly
restrained in accordance with all laws and regulations.Floor matAlways properly position floor mat and assure it does not inter-
fere with operation of the pedals.
Always use retaining clip on the driver’s floorboard to secure
the Mitsubishi genuine floor mat. When used, this clip will
help prevent the floor mat from moving forward and possibly
interfering with the operation of the pedals.
To prevent the floor mat from moving forward and possibly
interfering with the operation of the pedals, Mitsubishi genuine
floor mats are recommended.
WA R N I N G
!
Always properly position floor mat and assure it
does not interfere with operation of the pedals.
Always use retaining clip on the driver’s floorboard
to secure the Mitsubishi genuine floor mat.
Always install the mat with the correct side facing
down.
Never install a second mat over an existing floor
mat.
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4-4 Driving safety
4
DefrostersCheck these by selecting the defroster mode, and set the blower
switch on high. You should be able to feel the air blowing
against the windshield.
(Refer to “Defrosting or defogging the windshield and door
windows” on page 5-12, 5-20.)TiresCheck all the tires for heavy tread wear or uneven wear pat-
terns. Look for stones, nails, glass, or other objects stuck in the
tread. Look for any tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check the
wheel nuts for tightness, and the tires (including spare tire) for
proper pressures. Replace your tires before they are heavily
worn out.
As your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, there is a risk of damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensors when the tire is replaced on the rim. Tire replacement
should, therefore, be performed only by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.LightsHave someone watch while you turn all the exterior lights on
and off. Also check the turn signal indicators and high-beam
indicators on the instrument panel. Fluid leaksCheck the ground under the vehicle after parking overnight, for
fuel, water, oil, or other leaks. Make sure all the fluid levels are
correct. Also, if you can smell fuel, you need to find out why
immediately and have it fixed.
Safe driving techniques
N00629200078
Even this vehicle’s safety equipment, and your safest driving,
cannot guarantee that you can avoid an accident or injury.
However, if you give extra attention to the following areas, you
can better protect yourself and your passengers:

Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and weather
conditions. Leave plenty of stopping distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and use your
turn signal light.

While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers, bicy-
clists, and pedestrians.

Always obey applicable laws and regulations. Be a polite
and alert driver. Always leave room for unexpected
events, such as sudden braking.

If you plan to drive in another country, obey their vehicle
registration laws and make sure you will be able to get the
right fuel.
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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.
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