2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE Motor

3-38 Features and controls
3
2. Pull down both sun visors.
3. Firmly return the latch handles (B) until they click and
lock into position. Return the sun visors to their original
positions.NOTE
If you lock the driver’s-side latch handle (B) while listen-
ing to the audio system, an audible beep will sound and
the audio system’s sound equalization will change to set-
tings that are optimized for operation with the electric
convertible top closed.
Part-open warning buzzer
N00505400033
If you start to drive the vehicle with the top partly open, the
operation indicator lamp will flash rapidly (approximately two
flashes per second) and a tone will sound for approximately 5
seconds to indicate that the top is partly open. Stop the vehicle
in a safe place and completely open or close the top.If the electric convertible top malfunctions
N00505500018
If the electric convertible top malfunctions, the operation indi-
cator lamp will flash rapidly (approximately two flashes per
second) and a tone will sound intermittently and slowly
(approximately once per second) to indicate the system fault
when either top switch is operated. If the operation indicator
lamp does not go off when a period of 10 minutes or longer has
elapsed, have the vehicle inspected by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
WA R N I N G
!
Make sure the latch handles (B) are securely locked
in place. Driving the vehicle without first locking the
latch handles in position could cause the top to open,
resulting in a serious accident.
B
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Features and controls
3-45
3
6. Fold the split halves forward in the direction of bold
arrows.
Operate the electric convertible top manually
N00505600019
If the top fails to close by means of switch operation, check
whether the requirements for operation are all satisfied. Refer
to “Requirements for operation” on page 3-32. If the require-
ments are all satisfied but the top is failing to close by means of
switch operation, you can close the top by hand.NOTE
The top cannot be opened by hand. If the top fails to open
by means of switch operation, have the vehicle inspected
by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer.

For manual closing of the electric convertible top, it is
advisable for two people to work together. In particular,
the task of folding up the top and extending it forward is
much easier for two people than for one. If no assistance
is available, you may find it easiest to position yourself on
the rear seat and lift up the electric convertible top by
grasping it at the center.

When the top has been closed by hand, it can become
inoperable (neither openable nor closable) by means of
switch operation. After closing the top by hand, be sure to
have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer.
CAUTION
!
Do not manually close the top when there is a strong
wind.
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Features and controls
3-53
3
22. Lift up the cover on each side. Locate the holes (J) on
each side into which you will insert the emergency tool.23. Insert the stamped end of the emergency tool into the
holes (J). Push the emergency tool upward in the direction
of the arrow to secure the rear window.
Do this on both sides.
24. Return the emergency tool to its original position. Install
the speaker cover.
NOTE
When the work is complete, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
JJ
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3-62 Features and controls
3
For vehicles with an automatic transaxle, when removing the
key, first set the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position, and
then turn the key to the “LOCK” position and remove it.NOTE
For vehicles with an automatic transaxle, the key cannot
be removed unless the selector lever is set in the “P”
(PARK) position.
Key reminder buzzer
N00551000049
If the driver’s door is opened while the ignition key is in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position, a tone will sound.
Automatic transaxle
CAUTION
!
Do not remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch while driving. The steering wheel will lock,
causing loss of control.
If the engine is turned off while driving, the power
brake booster will stop functioning and braking effi-
ciency will be reduced. Also, the power steering sys-
tem will not function and it will require greater
effort to manually steer the vehicle.
Do not leave the key in the “ON” position for a long
time when the engine is not running. This will cause
the battery to run down.
Do not turn the key to the “START” position when
the engine is running. It will damage the starter
motor.
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3-64 Features and controls
3Starting
N00512600734
Tips for starting
Do not operate the starter motor continuously for longer
than 15 seconds as this could run the battery down or
damage the starter motor. If the engine does not start, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK” position, wait a
few seconds, and then try again. Trying repeatedly with
the engine or starter motor still turning will damage the
starter mechanism.

If the engine will not start because the battery is weak or
discharged, refer to “Jump-starting the engine” (on page
6-2) for instructions.

The engine is warmed up enough for driving when the
coolant temperature gauge indicator starts to move. A
longer warm up period will only consume extra fuel.
Starting the engineYour vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system, which automatically controls the release of
fuel. There is no need to depress the accelerator pedal when
starting the engine.
The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a
time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened.
2. Insert the ignition key.
3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
5. Press and hold the clutch pedal all the way down (manual
transaxle).NOTE
For 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.
6. 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.
WA R N I N G
!
Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
!
Do not push-start the vehicle.
Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.

Release the ignition key as soon as the engine starts.
Otherwise, the starter motor will be damaged.
CAUTION
!
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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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3-74 Features and controls
3
When the selector lever position indicator flashes while you are
driving, there could be a malfunction in the automatic tran-
saxle.NOTE
In sports mode, the indication of the currently selected
gear flashes.

If the selector lever position is in the “P” (PARK), “R”
(REVERSE) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position, the indicator
does not flash.
or through or
CAUTION
!
If a malfunction occurs in the automatic transaxle
while driving, the selector lever position indicator
will flash.
In this case, immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and follow these procedures:
{The selector lever position indicator warning func-
tion does not operate with the selector lever in the
“P” (PARK), “R” (REVERSE) or “N” (NEUTRAL)
position.}
[The selector lever position indicator flashes rapidly
(twice per second)]
The automatic transaxle fluid is overheating.
Park your vehicle in a safe place but do not turn off
the engine. Move the selector lever to the “P”
(PARK) position and open the engine hood. Keep
the engine idling.
After a while, move the selector lever to the “D”
(DRIVE) position and confirm that the selector
lever position indicator stops flashing. It is safe to
continue driving if the selector lever position indica-
tor no longer flashes.
If the selector lever position indicator continues
flashing or flashes intermittently, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
[The selector lever position indicator flashes slowly
(once per second)]
The automatic transaxle safety device may be oper-
ating due to a malfunction.
Have your vehicle inspected by an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice as soon as possible.
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Features and controls
3-79
3
Parking
N00515100017
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully
engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.When the automatic transaxle makes no speed change
N00515300064
If the transaxle does not change gears while driving, or your
vehicle does not pick up enough speed when starting on an
uphill slope, it may be that there is something unusual happen-
ing in the transaxle, causing a safety device to activate. Have
your vehicle checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.
1. If your vehicle has difficulty moving uphill, shift the
selector lever into 2nd gear of the sports mode.
This method might not work depending on the type of
transaxle malfunction.
2. Once the vehicle is moving on a level road, move the
selector lever back to “D” (DRIVE) position.NOTE
When the selector lever position indicator in the instru-
ment cluster flashes, it means that there is an abnormal
condition in the transaxle. Refer to “Selector lever posi-
tion indicator” on page 3-73.
Service brake
N00517500187
Brake pedalOveruse of the brake can cause poor brake response and pre-
mature wear of the brake pads.
When driving down a long or steep hill, use engine braking by
shifting the transaxle into a lower gear (manual transaxle) or a
lower gear of the sports mode (automatic transaxle).
WA R N I N G
!
Do not leave any objects near the brake pedal or let
a floor mat slide under it; doing so could prevent the
full pedal stroke that would be necessary in an emer-
gency. Make sure that the pedal can be operated
freely at all times. Make sure the floor mat is
securely held in place.
CAUTION
!
It is important not to drive the vehicle with your foot
resting on the brake pedal when braking is not
required. This practice can result in very high brake
temperatures, premature pad wear, and possible
damage to the brakes.
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