2012 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE traction control

Features and controls
3-77
3
NOTE
In sports mode, only the 4 forward gears (4-speed auto-
matic transaxle) or 5 forward gears (5-speed automatic
transaxle) can be selected. To reverse or park the vehicle,
move the selector lever to the “R” (REVERSE) or “P”
(PARK) position in the main gate.

To maintain the required levels of vehicle performance
and safety, the system may not execute certain gear shifts
when the selector lever is operated, such as 4th or 5th gear
at low speed.

In sports mode, downward shifts are made automatically
when the vehicle slows down. When the vehicle stops, 1st
gear is automatically selected.
When pulling away from a standstill on a slippery road,
push the selector lever forward to the + (SHIFT UP) posi-
tion. This causes the transaxle to select 2nd gear, which is
better for safe driving on slippery roads. Push the selector
lever to the - (SHIFT DOWN) side to shift back to 1st
gear.

Move the selector lever gently between the manual and
main gates and between positions in the manual gate.
Excessive force could damage the selector lever.
CAUTION
!
Upward shifts do not take place automatically in
sports mode. The driver must make upward shifts in
accordance with prevailing road conditions, making
sure the engine rpm remains below the red zone on
the tachometer.
By rapidly moving the selector lever backwards
(SHIFT DOWN) twice, it is possible to skip one gear
(i.e., 3rd to 1st, 4th to 2nd or 5th to 3rd). Since sud-
den engine deceleration or acceleration can cause a
loss of traction, downshifts must be made carefully
in accordance with the vehicle’s speed.
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3-84 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00559100088
The active stability control (ASC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock braking system, traction control function and skid
control function to help maintain the vehicle’s control and trac-
tion. Also refer to the following pages on the anti-lock braking
system, traction control function and skid control function.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) → P. 3 - 8 1
Traction control function → P. 3 - 8 4
Skid control function → P. 3 - 8 5
NOTE
A whining sound may be heard from the engine compart-
ment in the following situations. The sound is associated
with the ASC self-check operations. It does not indicate a
malfunction.
• When the ignition key is set to the “ON” position.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while after the engine is
turned on.

When the ASC is activated, you may feel a vibration in
the vehicle body or hear a whining sound from the engine
compartment.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.

When the anti-lock braking system warning light is illu-
minated, the ASC is not active.Traction control function
N00559200050
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessively, thus helping the vehi-
cle to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides
sufficient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the acceleration pedal.
CAUTION
!
Do not over-rely on the ASC. Even the ASC cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle. This system, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstances. Reckless
driving can lead to accidents. It is the driver’s
responsibility to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environmental
conditions.
Be sure to use the same specified type and size of tire
on all four wheels. Otherwise, the ASC may not
work properly.
Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ASC may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!
When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.
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3-86 Features and controls
3
NOTE
Using the ASC OFF switch turns off both the skid control
function and the traction control function.

When moving out of mud, sand or fresh snow, pressing
the accelerator pedal may not allow the engine speed to
increase. In such situations, temporarily deactivate the
ASC, using the ASC OFF switch.

If you continue to press the ASC OFF switch after the
ASC is turned off, the “mistaken operation protection
function” will activate and the ASC will turn back on.
After the “mistaken operation protection function” is acti-
vated, it will not be possible to turn the ASC off.
To turn the system off again, return the ignition key to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position, restart the engine and press
the ASC OFF switch.
CAUTION
!
For safety reasons, the ASC OFF switch should be
operated when your vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep the ASC on while driving in normal
circumstances.Vehicles with headlight leveling
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
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3-88 Features and controls
3
[If the and / and indicators continuously
illuminate]• Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the
engine. Restart the engine again and check
whether the and / and indicators go out.
If these indicators go out, there is no abnormal
condition.
If the and / and indicators remain on
even after your vehicle is driven a short distance
after re-starting the engine, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as
possible.[If the / indicator blinks]• If the temperature of the braking system increases
excessively, due to continuous brake control on a
slippery road surface, the / indicator will
blinks and operation of the traction control func-
tion will be suspended to protect the brake system.
(Normal operation of the vehicle will not be
affected.) Park your vehicle in a safe place. When
the temperature in the braking system has come
down, the / indicator will be turned off and
the traction control function will start operating
again.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!
If the vehicle is towed with the ignition key in the
“ON” position and only the front wheels or only the
rear wheels raised off the ground, the ASC may
operate, resulting in an accident. When towing the
vehicle with the front wheels raised, keep the igni-
tion key in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position. When
towing the vehicle with the rear wheels raised, keep
the ignition key in the “ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-20.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-23
7
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature GradesTreadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and
C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Tire inflation pressures
N00939300831
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential for the safe and satis-
factory operation of your vehicle. The wrong tire pressure will
cause problems in three major areas:

Safety
Too little pressure increases flexing in the tire and can
cause tire failure. Too much pressure can cause a tire to
lose its ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and
potholes could then cause tire damage that may result in
tire failure.

Economy
The wrong tire pressure can cause uneven wear patterns in
the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
the tread life, and the tire will have to be replaced sooner.
Too little pressure also makes it harder for the tire to roll,
and this uses up more fuel.

Ride comfort and vehicle stability
The superior riding experience built into your vehicle
partly depends on the correct tire pressure. Too much
pressure gives an uncomfortable and jarring ride. Too lit-
tle pressure feels as if your vehicle is slow to respond.
Unequal tire pressures can make steering your vehicle
uneven and unpredictable.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the plac-
ard attached to the driver’s door sill.
(Refer to “Tire and loading information placard” on page 9-4.)
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8-2 Customer assistance/Reporting Safety Defects
8Consumer information (For vehicles sold in
U.S.A.)
N01047100100
This information is provided in compliance with the require-
ments of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Department of Transportation. It provides the purchasers
and/or prospective purchasers with information on reporting
safety defects. Uniform tire quality gradingDOT quality grades - All passenger vehicle tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades. The
specific grade rating in each grade category is shown on the
side wall of the tires on your vehicle. Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and
C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
WA R N I N G
!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
WA R N I N G
!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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Alphabetical index
1
A
Accessory (installation) 1-7
Active stability control 3-84
ASC indicator 3-87
ASC OFF indicator 3-87
ASC OFF switch 3-85
Skid control function 3-85
Traction control function 3-84
Air cleaner filter 7-11
Air conditioning
Automatic air conditioning 5-14
Important operating tips for the air conditioning 5-22
Manual air conditioning 5-5
Air conditioning label 9-2
Aluminum wheels 7-76
Antenna
Glass antenna 5-74
Satellite radio antenna 5-75
Whip antenna 5-74
Anti-lock braking system 3-81
Warning light 3-82
ASC 3-84
ASC indicator 3-87
ASC OFF indicator 3-87
ASC OFF switch 3-85
Audio system 5-24
AM/FM electronically tuned radio with CD autochanger-
Type 2 5-39AM/FM electronically tuned radio with CD player-Type 1
5-26
AM/FM/Satellite electronically tuned radio with CD au-
tochanger-Type 3 5-39
Error codes 5-67
Handling of compact discs 5-71
Steering wheel remote control switch 5-65
Automatic transaxle 3-70
Fluid 7-12
,9-9
Selector lever operation 3-71
Selector lever positions 3-75
Sports mode 3-76
B
Back-up lights
Bulb capacity 7-49
Replacement 7-59
Ball joint, steering linkage seals and drive shaft boots 7-34
Battery 7-16
Charging system warning light 3-113
Checking battery electrolyte level 7-17
Disconnection and connection 7-18
During cold weather 7-18
Specification 9-8
Brake
Anti-lock braking system 3-81
Braking 4-6
Fluid 7-15
,9-9
Hose 7-33
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Alphabetical index
7
Sunroof 3-28
Supplemental Restraint System 2-36
How the Supplement Restraint System works 2-39
Servicing 2-57
Warning light 2-44
T
Tachometer 3-106
Tank capacity 1-5
,9-9
Theft-alarm system 3-22
Timing belt 7-36
Tire pressure monitoring system 3-96
Tires 7-20
How to change a tire 6-9
Inflation pressure 7-23
Maintenance 7-25
Quality grading 8-2
Replacing tires and wheels 7-25
Rotation 7-26
Size (tire and wheel) 9-8
Snow tires 7-28
Tire and loading information placard 4-8
,9-4
Tire chains 7-29
Tread wear indicators 7-26
Tools 6-8
Storage 6-8
Top stack 3-31
Towing 6-20
Traction control function 3-84Trailer towing 4-13
Trip odometer 3-106
Trunk lid 3-16
Turn signal lights
Bulb capacity 7-48
Indicators 3-111
Lever 3-129
Replacement 7-55
,7-56
,7-59V
Vanity mirror 3-167
Vanity mirror lights
Bulb capacity 7-50
,7-51
Replacement 7-70
Vehicle care precautions 7-71
Vehicle dimensions 9-5
Vehicle emission control information label 9-2
Vehicle identification number plate 9-2
Vehicle information code plate 9-2
Vehicle labeling 9-2
Vehicle preparation before driving 4-3
Vehicle weights 9-6
Vents 5-2
W
Warning lights 3-111
Washer
Fluid 7-14
,9-9
Rear window washer 3-134
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