2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER SE AWC diagnostic

General information
1-7
1
NOTE
If the fuel tank filler cap is not tight while driving, the
engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE ENGINE
SOON” or “Check engine light”) may come on when the
onboard diagnostic (OBD) system performs a self check.
Always tighten the fuel tank filler cap until you hear click-
ing sounds.
The indicator will go off after driving several times. If the
indicator does not go off, contact your authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice as soon as possible.
Modifications to and racing of your vehicle
N00301600048
This vehicle should not be modified with non-Mitsubishi
Motors genuine parts. Mitsubishi Motors designs and manufac-
tures high quality vehicles with an emphasis on safety and
durability. Modifications using non-Mitsubishi Motors genuine
parts may affect the performance, safety and/or durability of
your vehicle, and may violate applicable state and/or federal
regulations.
DAMAGE OR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS RESULT-
ING FROM MODIFICATIONS TO OR RACING OF
YOUR VEHICLE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WAR-
RANTY.
Examples of modifications to your vehicle that can cause dam-
age or performance problems include the following:

Failure to use Mitsubishi Motors genuine parts

Failure to use required fuel and fluids

Failure to use proper size tires and wheels

Modification of the fuel, intake, exhaust, emission, sus-
pension, engine, drive train or electrical wiring systems

Modification of any onboard computer/control module,
including reprogramming, or replacing/adding chips to
any onboard computer/control module
Review the Warranty and Maintenance Manual for further
details regarding warranty coverage.
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2-40 Seat and restraint systems
2
Event Data Recording
N00418600171
Your vehicle is equipped with an “EDR” - Event Data
Recorder which is capable of collecting and storing data in the
event of an airbag deployment.
The EDR may record the following information:

Condition of specific vehicle systems;

Diagnostic code(s)
Driver’s seat position sensor
N00417900164
The driver’s seat position sensor is attached to the seat rail and
provides the airbag control unit with information on the seat’s
fore-aft position. The airbag control unit controls deployment
of the driver’s front airbag in accordance with the information
it receives from this sensor.
If there is a problem involving the driver’s seat position sensor,
the SRS warning in the instrument panel will come on. Refer to
“SRS warning” on page 2-43.
WA R N I N G
!
If the SRS warning comes on, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer as soon as possible.
Please observe the following instructions to ensure
that the driver’s seat position sensor can operate
correctly.
• Adjust the seat to the correct position, and sit well
back against the seatback.
Refer to “Front seats” on page 2-3.
• Do not recline the seatback more than necessary
when driving.
• Do not place metallic objects or luggage under the
front seat.

If the vehicle is involved in a severe impact, have the
SRS sensor inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer as soon as possible.
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Features and controls
3-229
3
Engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”)
N00520500729
This indicator is a part of the onboard diagnostic (OBD) sys-
tem which monitors the emissions, engine control system or
continuously variable transmission (CVT) control system /
Twin Clutch SST control system. If a problem is detected in
one of these systems, this indicator comes on. When the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position, this indicator nor-
mally comes on and goes off after the engine has started.
This indicator will come on if the fuel tank filler cap is not
properly tightened. If this 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.
CAUTION
!
If the brake warning light and the anti-lock braking
system warning light are illuminated at the same
time, the braking force distribution function will not
operate, so the vehicle may be destabilized during
sudden braking under the following conditions.
• When the brake warning light does not go out even
when the parking brake is released.
• When the brake warning light stays on while driv-
ing.
• If the above occurs, avoid sudden braking and
high-speed driving. Park the vehicle in a safe
place, and contact an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible.

The vehicle should be brought to a halt in the follow-
ing manner when brake performance is deterio-
rated.
• Confirm that the vehicle slows down when you
press down on the brake pedal harder than usual.
In some cases, the brake pedal may go all the way
to the floor.
• Should the brakes fail, use engine braking to
reduce your speed and slowly apply the parking
brake.
Depress the brake pedal to illuminate the stop
lights to alert the vehicles behind you.

Do not suddenly apply the parking brake while driv-
ing. This may cause the rear wheels to lock and
cause an accident.
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 at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7 Catalytic converter
N00937400131
The catalytic converter requires you to use unleaded fuel only.
Leaded gasoline will destroy the emission-control effective-
ness of the converter.
Normally, the catalytic converter does not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine properly tuned for
the converter to continue to work properly. To reduce the possibility of catalytic converter damage:

Use UNLEADED GASOLINE ONLY of the type of rec-
ommended in “Fuel selection”.

Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. Running
out of gas could damage the catalytic converter.

Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle. If the battery is weak or run down, use jumper
cables to properly start the engine.

Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires discon-
nected or removed, such as when performing diagnostic
tests.

Do not idle the engine for a long time if it is idling
roughly or otherwise obviously malfunctioning.

To prevent the catalytic converter from being damaged
from unburned gas, do not race the engine when turning
off the ignition switch.

Stop driving the vehicle if you think the performance is
less than normal, the engine is running oddly or there is
any other engine trouble, such as with the ignition, etc. If
you are not able to stop driving immediately, slow down
and drive for only a short time. Have an inspection made
by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice as soon as possible.

In unusual situations involving major engine problems, a
burning odor may indicate severe and abnormal catalytic
converter overheating. If this occurs, stop in a safe place,
shut the engine off and let the vehicle cool. Once the
engine is cool, immediately take your vehicle to a dealer
or a repair facility of your choice for service.
CAUTION
!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. If
the engine malfunctions or misfires, or if your vehi-
cle performance suffers, have it serviced promptly.
Running your vehicle when it is overheated may
result in damage to the converter and vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not park or run your vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as dry grass or leaves can
come in contact with a hot exhaust, since a fire could
occur.
Do not put undercoat paint on the catalytic con-
verter.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-41
7
NOTE
To meet government regulations and promote cleaner air,
your vehicle is equipped with an onboard diagnostic sys-
tem (OBD). The engine electronic control module that
controls OBD functions stores various data (especially
about the exhaust emissions). This data will be erased if
the battery cable is disconnected, which could make a
rapid diagnosis difficult. Do not disconnect the battery
cable when the engine malfunction indicator (“SERVICE
ENGINE SOON” or “Check engine light”) is on.
Spark plugs
N00940900215
Spark plugs must fire properly for good engine performance
and emission-control.
Do not reuse them by cleaning or regapping. Change them at
the mileage listed in the “WARRANTY AND MAINTE-
NANCE MANUAL”. NOTE
Use the spark plugs listed under “Engine specifications”
on page 9-8 or plugs that are exactly the same. Other
plugs could cause engine damage, performance problems
or radio noise.
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