2000 MITSUBISHI CARISMA brake

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–8
NOTE
Fitting of a towing bar requires specialized
skills and equipment. Contact an authorized
MITSUBISHI dealer for details.
If you are going to tow a trailer, pay careful
attention to the following points.
Maximum towable weight with brake
and maximum trailer-nose weight
Never exceed the maximum towable weight
with brake and the maximum trailer-nose
weight as listed in the specifications. (Refer
to pages from 10–6 to 10–9)
If you tow a trailer at an altitude of more than
1000m above sea-level, reduce your weight
by 10% of the gross combination weight for
every increase of 1000m above sea-level,
as the engine output is lowered owing to de-
crease in atmospheric pressure.C21A015a
Towing bar mounting
specifications
See the following table for fixing points (A) for
the towing bar.
mm
12345
1,0908051908580
678910
30518515535
1112131415
288187.5439501940
161718
4709401,002
C21A014a
Operating hints
(1) Do not let the clutch slip (vehicles with a
manual transmission only) and do not
increase the engine speed more than
necessary when starting.
(2)Be sure that the driving speed does not
exceed the 100 km/h for trailer oper-
ation.
It is also recommended that you obey
the local regulations in case driving
speed with a trailer is limited to less than
100 km/h.
(3)To prevent shocks from the overrun
brake, depress the brake pedal lightly at
first and then more strongly.
(4) To make full use of engine braking,
change to a lower gear before descend-
ing a slope.
(5) The body, brakes, clutch, and chassis
will be under additional strain when tow-
ing a trailer.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–9
(6) The heavier weight and higher rolling
and air resistance will increase fuel con-
sumption.
Additional precautions for vehicles
equipped with an automatic
transmission
The “2” position (INVECS–II 4A/T) or 2nd
gear (INVECS–II Sport Mode 4A/T) is re-
commended on slopes or at low speed. Use
the “L” position (INVECS–II 4A/T) or 1st gear
(INVECS–II Sport Mode 4A/T) in mountain-
ous areas in order to make better use of en-
gine braking and to assist the brake system.
However, be sure that the speed does not
exceed the maximum speed limit for the se-
lected gear.
For maximum speed of the vehicles
equipped with INVECS–II 4A/T, refer to the
description of the “Possible driving speed”
on page 5–24.Vehicles with automatic transmission
I21A070a
Ignition switchEI21AAGe
1-The engine is stopped, and the steer-
ing wheel is locked. The key can only
be inserted and removed only when
the switch is in this position.
2-The engine is stopped, but the radio,
cigarette lighter and other electrical
devices can be operated.
3-The engine is running and all the ve-
hicle’s electrical devices can be oper-
ated.
4-The starter motor operates. After the
engine has started, release the key
and it will automatically return to the
“ON” position.
Vehicles with manual transmission
I21A031a

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–11
CAUTION
(1) Do not remove the ignition key
from the ignition switch while
driving. The steering wheel will
lock, causing loss of control.
(2) If the engine is stopped while
driving, the brake servomechan-
ism will cease to function and
braking efficiency will deterio-
rate. Also, the power steering
system will not function and it will
require greater manual effort to
operate the steering.
(3) Do not leave the key in the “ON”
position for a long time when the
engine is not running, doing so
will cause the battery to be dis-
charged.
(4) Do not turn the key to the
“START” position when the en-
gine is running, doing so could
damage the starter motor.
I01B015a
How to lock and unlock the steer-
ing wheel
EI01B-Kb
To lockRemove the key at the “LOCK” position.
Turn the steering wheel until it is locked.
To unlockTurn the key to the “ACC” position while
moving the steering wheel slightly.
CAUTION
Remove the key when leaving the ve-
hicle.
NOTEIf the front wheels are turned, the anti-theft
lock may sometimes make it difficult to turn
the key from “LOCK” to “ACC”. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the left or to the right as
you turn the key.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–13
I27A036a
Starting the engine
(Petrol-powered vehicles)
This vehicle is equipped with an electroni-
cally controlled fuel injection system which
is automatically controlled. When starting
the engine, do not depress the accelerator
pedal.
Normal conditions
The starting procedure is as follows :
1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the
seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Place the gearshift lever (manual
transmission) in the “N” (Neutral) or
the selector lever (automatic trans-
mission) in the “P” (PARK) position.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal (man-
ual transmission).
6. After turning the ignition key to the
“ON” position, make certain that all
warning lamps are functioning proper-
ly before starting the engine.
7. Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the accel-
erator pedal, and release it when the
engine starts.
NOTE
A ticking noise may be heard after starting
the engine. This is not an abnormal condi-
tion. The noise will disappear after a short
time of engine running.
If the ticking noise continues after the engine
is warmed up, have your vehicle checked at
an authorized MITSUBISHI dealer.
Flooded engine
If the engine has become flooded during
starting, first operate the starter for 5 to 6 sec-
onds while fully depressing the accelerator
pedal, then start the engine without depres-
sing the accelerator pedal.
At extreme cold ambient
temperature
If the engine won’t start, depress the accel-
erator pedal about halfway while cranking
the engine. Once the engine starts, re-
lease the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
When starting the engine, make sure
that you press on the brake pedal. At
extreme cold ambient temperature,
move your foot to the brake pedal im-
mediately after the engine has
started.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–14
I27A075a
Starting the engine
(Diesel-powered vehicles)
1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the
seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. Place the gearshift lever in the “N”
(Neutral) position.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” posi-
tion. The diesel preheat indication
lamp will first illuminate in amber, and
then after a short time go out, indicat-
ing that preheating is completed.
7. Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the accel-
erator pedal, and release it when the
engine starts.NOTE
(1) If the engine is cold, the diesel preheat
indication lamp is on for a longer time.
(2) When the engine has not been started
within about 5 seconds after the diesel
preheat indication lamp will go out, re-
turn the ignition key to the “LOCK” posi-
tion. Then, turn the key to the “ON” posi-
tion to preheat the engine again.
(3) When the engine is warm, the diesel
preheat indication lamp does not come
on, even if the ignition key is placed in
the “ON” position.
Start the engine by turning the ignition
key right to the “START” position.
Type 1
I29A014a
Manual transmissionEI29A–Jd
The shift pattern is shown on the gearshift
lever knob. Be sure to always fully depress
the clutch pedal before attempting to shift the
lever.
For smooth gearchanging

Depress the clutch pedal completely.

1st and 2nd gear: first move the gear
lever fully left and then forward or back
into 1st and 2nd gear.

3rd and 4th gear: move the gear lever
forward or back from neutral (N).

5th gear: first move the gear lever right
and then into 5th gear.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–17
NOTE
During running–in period or immediately
after reconnection of the battery cable, there
may be a case where gearshifts are not
made smoothly. This does not indicate a
faulty transmission.
Gearshifts will become smooth after the
transmission has been shifted several times
by the electronic control system.
I04A235a
Selector lever operation
Except for vehicles with Sports modeThe transmission has 4 forward gears and 1
reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected automati-
cally, depending on the position of the gear
selector lever, the speed of the vehicle and
the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever has 7 positions, and is
equipped with a lock button (A) to avoid inad-
vertent selection of the wrong gear.
Button must be pushed and brake
pedal must be depressed to move
the lever
Button must be pushed to move the
lever.
Button need not be pushed to move
the lever.
I04B008a
Vehicles with Sports modeThe transmission has 4 forward gears and 1
reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected automati-
cally, depending on the position of the gear
selector lever, the speed of the vehicle and
the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever has 2 gates; the main gate
(1) and the manual gate (2).
NOTE
For information on manual gate operation,
please refer to “Sports mode (Vehicles with
Sports mode)” on page 5–22.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–18
I04A187a
In the main gate, selector lever has 4 posi-
tions, and is equipped with a lock button (A)
to avoid inadvertent selection of the wrong
gear.
I04A209a
Button must be pushed while the
brake pedal is depressed to move
the lever.
Button must be pushed to move the
lever.
Button need not be pushed to move
the lever.
WARNING
(1) If the button is always depressed
to operate the selector lever, the
lever may be accidentally shifted
into the “P”, “R”, “2”, or “L” posi-
tion. Be sure not to depress the
button (A) when performing the
operations indicated by
 in the
illustration.
(2) Always depress the brake pedal
when shifting the selector lever
into a gear from the “P” (PARK) or
“N” (NEUTRAL) position.
When beginning to drive, do not
shift the selector lever form the
“P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL)
position while depressing the ac-
celerator pedal, doing so is dan-
gerous because the vehicle will
“jump” forward or backward.
NOTE
If the brake pedal is not depressed and held,
the shift-lock device activates to prevent the
selector lever from being moved from the “P”
(PARK) position to another position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
5–20
CAUTION
[The “N” indicator lamp flashes slow-
ly (once per second)]
The automatic transmission safety
device may be operating due to a mal-
function.
Have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized MITSUBISHI dealer as
soon as possible.
Selector positionsEI04BALb
P - PARKThis position locks the transmission to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving. The engine
can be started in this position.
R - REVERSEMove the lever to this position only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
CAUTION
Never shift into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle
is in motion. If the lever is shifted into
the “P” or “R” position while the ve-
hicle is in motion, the transmission
may be damaged.
N - NEUTRALAt this position, the transmission is disen-
gaged. It is the same as the neutral position
on a manual transmission, and should be
used when the vehicle is stationary for an ex-
tended length of time during driving, such as
in a traffic jam.
WARNING
(1) Never move the selector lever to
the “N” position while driving.
A serious accident could occur
since you could accidentally
move the lever into the “P” or “R”
position and engine braking
would be lost.
(2) On a slope gradient, the engine
should be started in the “P”
(PARK) position, not in the “N”
(NEUTRAL) position.
(3) Always keep your right foot on
the brake pedal when the vehicle
is in “N” (NEUTRAL), or when
shifting into or out of “N” (NEU-
TRAL), to minimize the risk of
loss of control.
D - DRIVEThis position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for your speed and acceler-
ation.
Engine braking is automatically applied
when necessary, depending on road condi-
tions.
Please refer to “Uphill/downhill driving” on
page 5–24.