2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT key battery

Features and controls
3-37
3 Starting
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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. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
4. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
5. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and make cer-
tain that all warning lights are functioning properly before
starting the engine.
6. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without
pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key when the
engine starts.
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
3-39
3 Automatic transaxle
N00513200098
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.
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
N00513800355
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.
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
3-59
3
2. Pull the lever (B) down while driving at the desired speed.NOTE
If the main switch is on when the ignition key is turned
off, cruise control will be on automatically the next time
you start the engine. The “CRUISE” indicator will also be
on. You will need to reset the speed however, if you want
to use cruise control.

If the battery voltage is insufficient, the memory data for
the main switch will be erased.
As a result, the “CRUISE” indicator may not come on
when you restart the engine.
If this happens, push in the main switch once again to acti-
vate the system.
To increase the set speed
N00518500243
There are 2 ways to increase the set speed.Cruise control lever Pull the cruise control lever up and hold it while driving at the
set speed, and your speed will then gradually increase.
When you reach your desired speed, release the switch. Your
cruising speed is now set.
To increase your speed in small amounts, press the cruise con-
trol lever up for less than 1 second and release it. Each time
you press the lever up, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
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Features and controls
3-79
3
Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”)
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This indicator is a part of the onboard diagnostic (OBD) sys-
tem which monitors the emissions, engine, and automatic tran-
saxle control systems. If a problem is detected in one of these
systems, this indicator comes on. When the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position, this indicator normally comes on
and goes off a few seconds later.
This indicator will come on if the fuel tank filler cap is not
properly tightened. If the indicator comes on and stays on after
refueling, stop the engine and check that the cap is properly
tightened. (Turn the cap clockwise until you hear clicking
sounds.)
If this indicator does not go off after several seconds or lights
up while driving, have the system checked as soon as possible
at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice.
NOTE
Do not disconnect the battery cable when the Engine mal-
function indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE SOON” or
“Check engine light”) is on.
The engine electronic control module stores critical OBD
information (especially exhaust emission data), which
may be lost if the battery cable is disconnected while the
engine malfunction indicator is on. This will make it diffi-
cult to diagnose the cause of future problems.

The vehicle should be brought to a stop in the fol-
lowing manner when brake performance has deteri-
orated while driving.
• Press the brake pedal harder than usual.
• Should the brakes fail, shift down to a lower gear
to reduce your speed and slowly pull the parking
brake lever to park your vehicle. Press the brake
pedal to operate your rear brake lights to alert
vehicles behind you.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!
Driving for a long time with the engine malfunction
indicator on may cause more damage to the emission
control system. This could also affect fuel economy
and drivability.
If this indicator does not come on when the ignition
key is turned to the “ON” position, have the system
checked by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
If the indicator comes on while the engine is run-
ning, avoid driving at high speeds.
During vehicle operation with the indicator on, the
vehicle may not accelerate when you depress the
accelerator pedal.
When the vehicle is stationary with the indicator on,
you must depress the brake pedal more firmly than
usual since the engine idling speed is higher than
usual and the vehicle with an automatic transaxle
has a stronger tendency to creep forward.
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3-80 Features and controls
3
Charging system warning light
N00520600209
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the charg-
ing system or when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion (engine off). When the engine is started, the light should
go out. Check to make sure that the light has gone out before
driving.Oil pressure warning light
N00520700170
This light comes on when the engine oil pressure is below nor-
mal. If the light stays on while driving, stop the engine as soon
as possible. Do not run the engine until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected.
Door-ajar warning light and buzzer
N00520900299
This light comes on when any door is open or not completely
closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5 mph (8 km/h) and
any door is open or ajar, a tone will sound 4 times and the
warning light will flash 4 times to inform the driver that a door
is not properly shut.NOTE
The light goes out automatically after about 30 minutes.
Refer to “Interior light auto-shutoff function (dome light
and other lights)” on page 3-130.

For vehicles equipped with the Mitsubishi Multi-Commu-
nication System, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication Sys-
tem can be used to stop the warning lamp from flashing
and to stop the tone from functioning.
For details, refer to the separate owner’s manual.
CAUTION
!
If the charging light stays on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be mal-
functioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice and have the system checked.
CAUTION
!
If this light comes on when the engine oil level is not
low, have your vehicle checked at an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
This warning light does not show the amount of oil
in the crankcase. This can only be determined by
checking the oil level with the dipstick with the
engine turned off.
CAUTION
!
Before driving, make sure that the door-ajar warn-
ing light is off.
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Features and controls
3-85
3
NOTE
A light in the instrument panel flashes to show when the
front and rear turn signal lights are working properly.
If this light flashes faster than usual, check for a burned
out lamp bulb or malfunctioning connection.
If the panel light does not come on when the lever is
moved, check for a blown fuse or a burned out bulb in the
panel.
Have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.

For vehicles equipped with the Mitsubishi Multi-Commu-
nication System, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication Sys-
tem can be used to select whether the tone will sound or
not sound when the turn signal lights are activated.
For details, refer to the separate owner’s manual.
Hazard warning flasher switch
N00522700262
If you press the flasher switch, the front and rear turn signals
will flash intermittently, and so will the hazard warning lights.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be used
when the vehicle is in motion, except for emergencies.
If you need to leave your vehicle, the flashers will keep work-
ing after the ignition key is removed. NOTE
If you keep the flashers on for several hours with the
engine turned off, the battery will run down.

For vehicles equipped with the Mitsubishi Multi-Commu-
nication System, Mitsubishi Multi-Communication Sys-
tem can be used to select whether the tone will sound or
not sound when the hazard warning flashers are activated.
For details, refer to the separate owner’s manual.
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For emergencies
6-3
6
3. You could be injured if the vehicles move. Set the parking
brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an automatic transaxle
in “P” (PARK) or a manual transaxle in “N” (Neutral).
Turn the ignition key to the “LOCK” position. NOTE
Turn off all lights, heater, and other electrical loads. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
4. Make sure your battery electrolyte is at the proper level.
(Refer to “Battery” on page 7-15.)5. Connect one end of one jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery (A), and the other end
to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery (B).
NOTE
Open the terminal cover before connecting the jumper
cable to the positive terminal of the battery.
(Refer to “Battery” on page 7-15.)

Use the proper cables suitable for the battery size.
Otherwise heat damage to the cables could result.

Check the jumper cables for damage and corrosion before
use.
WA R N I N G
!
Turn the ignition key to the “LOCK” position on
both vehicles. Make sure that the cables or your
clothes cannot be caught by the fan or drive belt.
Personal injury could result.
WA R N I N G
!
If the electrolyte fluid is not visible, or looks frozen,
DO NOT ATTEMPT JUMP STARTING!!
The battery might split open or explode if the tem-
perature is below the freezing point or if it is not
filled to the proper level.
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7-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Service precautions
N00937300156
Taking regular care of your vehicle will preserve its value and
appearance as long as possible.
You can do some of the maintenance work yourself, and the
rest should only be performed by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
If you discover a malfunction or other problem, have it cor-
rected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice.
This section describes the maintenance inspections that you
can do yourself, if you so desire. Follow the instructions and
precautions for each procedure.
Have you purchased the Mitsubishi Motors Diamond Care Pro-
tection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warran-
ties. See your authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer for details.
WA R N I N G
!
When checking or servicing the inside of the engine
compartment, be sure the engine is stopped and has
had a chance to cool down.
If you need to work in the engine compartment with
the engine running, be especially careful that your
clothing, hair, etc. does not get caught in the fan,
drive belts, or other moving parts.
The fan can turn on automatically even if the engine
is not running. Turn the ignition key to the “LOCK”
position and remove the key to be safe while you
work in the engine compartment.
Do not smoke or allow open flames around fuel or
the battery. The fumes are flammable.

Be extremely careful when working around the bat-
tery. It contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric
acid.
Do not get under your vehicle while it is on a jack.
Always use properly rated automotive jack stands.
Handling your vehicle’s parts and materials in the
wrong way can injure you. Ask an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice if you have questions.
WA R N I N G
!
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