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I21A005A
12
3
4
Ignition switch
EI21AAZc
1- The engine is stopped and the steer-
ing wheel locked. The key can 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 vehi-
cle’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.
I21A058A
A/TNOTE
(1) For vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion, when removing the key, push the
key at the“ACC”position and keep it
depressed until it is turned to the
“LOCK”position, and remove it.
For vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission, when removing the key, first
set the selector lever to the“P”(PARK)
position, and then turn the key to
“LOCK”and remove it.
I21A057A
M/T(2) This vehicle is equipped with ignition
switch illumination.
The ignition switch illumination comes
on while the driver’s door is opened
and remains on for approximately 30
seconds after the driver door is closed.
However, it will go off even before a
lapse of 30 seconds if the ignition
switch is set to“ON”position.
[Vehicle with keyless entry system]
When you get out of the vehicle and
remove the ignition key, it will be illu-
minated for about 30 seconds.
Starting and driving
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(3) For vehicles equipped with the Day-
time Running Lamp, when the igni-
tion switch is“ON”, the headlamp low
beams etc. are turned on.
Refer to“Headlamps”.
(4) As your vehicle is equipped with an
electronic immobilizer, to start the
engine, the ID code which the tran-
sponder inside the key sends must
match the one registered to the immo-
bilizer computer. (Refer to page 2-2).
CAUTION
(1) Do not remove the ignition key
from the ignition switch while
driving. The steering wheel will
be locked, causing loss of con-
trol.
(2) If the engine is stopped while
driving, the brake servomecha-
nism will cease to function and
braking efficiency will deterio-
rate. Also, power steering sys-
tem 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
engine is running; doing so
could damage the starter motor.
I01B016A
How to lock and unlock the steer-
ing wheel
EI01B-K
To lock
Remove the key at the“LOCK”position.
Turn the steering wheel until it is locked.
To unlock
Turn the key to the“ACC”position while
moving the steering wheel slightly.
CAUTION
Remove the key when leaving the
vehicle.
NOTE
If 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
EI02FOH
Tips for starting(1) Do not operate the starter motor con-
tinuously for anything longer than 10
seconds; doing so could run down the
battery. If the engine does not start, turn
the ignition switch back to“LOCK”, wait
a few seconds, and then try again.
Trying repeatedly with the starter motor
still turning will damage the starter
mechanism.
(2) If the engine cannot be started because
the battery is weak or dead, refer to the
“Emergency starting”section for
instructions on starting the engine.
(3) The engine is well warmed up if the
coolant temperature gauge needle
starts to move (the engine speed
decreases). Extended warming-up
operation will result in excessive fuel
consumption.
WARNING
Never run the engine in a closed or
poorly ventilated area any longer
than is needed to move your vehicle
in or out the area. Carbon monox-
ide gases are odorless and can be
fatal.
Starting and driving
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CAUTION
(1) Never attempt to start the engine
by pushing or pulling the
vehicle. Especially in vehicles
with the automatic transmis-
sion, it is not possible to start
the engine by using this tech-
nique since the structure is dif-
ferent from a manual
transmission. Never attempt this
or it could damage the auto-
matic transmission.
(2) Do not run the engine at high
rpm or drive the vehicle at high
speed until the engine has had a
chance to warm up.
(3) Release the ignition key as soon
as the engine starts to avoid
damaging the starter motor.
(4) If your vehicle is equipped with
a turbocharger, do not stop the
engine immediately after oper-
ating the vehicle at high speeds.
Allow the engine to idle for
approximately 60 seconds or
more to give the turbocharger a
chance to cool down.NOTE
After replacing the battery, the electronic
control system data for the engine will be
erased. As a result, the engine speed may
become unstable.
If the engine speed becomes unstable, ini-
tial engine adjustments will need to be per-
formed.
Refer to the section“What to do if the
engine speed becomes unstable after the
battery is replaced”on page 8-28.
I27A072A
M/T A/TStarting 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 accelera-
tor pedal.
Starting and driving
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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 transmission)
in the“P”(PARK) position.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission).
6. After turning the ignition key to the“ON”
position, make certain that all warning
lamps are functioning properly 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 start-
ing the engine. This is not an abnormal
condition. 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 was flooded during starting,
first operate the starter for 5 to 6 seconds
while fully depressing the accelerator pedal,
then start the engine without depressing the
accelerator pedal.
At extreme cold ambient temperature
If the engine won’t start, depress the accel-
erator pedal about halfway while crank-
ing the engine. Once the engine starts,
release 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
immediately after the engine has
started.
I27A072A
M/T A/TStarting the engine (diesel-powered
vehicles)
EI02BAI
1. Insert the ignition key and fasten the
seat belt.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
4. On vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion, place the gearshift lever in the“N”
(Neutral) position and depress the clutch
pedal all the way.
On vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission, place the selector lever in the
“P”(PARK) position.
5. Turn the ignition key to the“ON”posi-
tion.
The diesel preheat warning lamp will first
illuminate, and then after a short time go
out, indicating that preheating is com-
pleted.
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NOTE
(1) If the engine is cold, the diesel pre-
heat warning lamp is on for a longer
time.
(2) When the engine has not been started
within about 5 seconds after the die-
sel preheat warning lamp went out,
return the ignition key to the“LOCK”
position. Then, turn the key to the“ON”
position to preheat the engine again.
(3) When the engine is warm, the diesel
preheat warning lamp does not come
on even if the ignition key is placed in
the“ON”position.
Start the engine by turning the igni-
tion key right to the“START”position.
6. Operate the accelerator pedal as
described below in accordance with the
atmospheric temperature and/or engine
condition and then start the engine.
(1) When the atmospheric temperature is
moderate or the engine is warm, start
the engine without depressing the
accelerator pedal.
(2) When the atmospheric temperature is
low and the engine is cold, start the
engine following procedures:
2500 models: Without depressing the
accelerator pedal, start the
engine.
3200 models: While depressing the accel-
erator pedal about halfway,
start the engine.
I29A012A
Manual transmission
EI29A-M
The shift pattern is shown on the gear-
shift lever knob. Be sure to always fully
depress the clutch pedal before attempt-
ing to shift the lever.
CAUTION
(1) Do not move the gearshift lever
into reverse while the vehicle is
moving forward; doing so will
damage the transmission.
(2) Do not rest your foot on the
clutch pedal while driving as this
will cause premature clutch wear
or damage.
CAUTION
(3) If the clutch is engaged sud-
denly while the engine revolu-
tion is high, an extremely large
load will be applied instanta-
neously to the power train, pos-
sibly leading to the breakage of
that component. Please ensure,
therefore, that the clutch pedal is
always applied in a slow yet firm
manner.
The 3200models have a special
feature to protect the power train
from damage; the engine is con-
trolled in such a way that exces-
sive increase in engine
revolution is prevented in situa-
tions where the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the
gearshift lever is in the 1st posi-
tion and the clutch pedal has
been depressed.
NOTE
(1) If it is hard to shift into 1st, depress the
clutch pedal again; the shift will then be
easier to make.
(2) To shift into reverse from 5th gear,
move the gearshift lever to the“N”
(Neutral) position, and then shift it into
reverse.
Starting and driving
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Changing gears
EI03COIa
Always take care to change the gear with
the vehicle speed matched to the engine
speed. Proper shifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.
Avoid shifting down at high speed, as this
may cause excessive engine speed (the
tachometer needle into the red zone) and
damage the engine.Economical driving speed
The following shift points are recommended to assist fuel economy. The driver may vary
these points to suit driving conditions and load.
km/h (mph)
Drive range2500 models 3200 models 3500 models
2H, 4H 4L
2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc 2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc
2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc
1st to 2nd 10 (6) 5 (3) 15 (9) 5 (3) 30 (19) 15 (9)
2nd to 3rd 25 (16) 10 (6) 30 (19) 15 (9) 55 (34) 30 (19)
3rd to 4th 40 (25) 20 (12) 45 (28) 25 (16) 90 (56) 45 (28)
4th to 5th 55 (34) 25 (16) 65 (40) 35 (22) 125 (78) 65 (40)Possible driving speed
km/h (mph)Drive range2500 models 3200 models 3500 models
2H, 4H 4L
2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc 2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc
2H, 4H, 4HLc 4LLc
1st 30 (19) 15 (9) 35 (22) 15 (9) 45 (28) 25 (16)
2nd 60 (37) 30 (19) 65 (40) 35 (22) 90 (56) 45 (28)
3rd 95 (59) 50 (31) 105 (65) 55 (34) 145 (90) 75 (47)
4th 135 (84) 70 (43) 145 (90) 75 (47) 205 (127) 105 (65)5th gear is an overdrive ratio and its use reduces engine speed below that of the 4th gear.
Use 5th gear whenever vehicle speed allows, for maximum fuel economy.
Starting and driving
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Automatic transmission
INVECS—II Sport Mode 5A/T(Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle
Electronic Control System II)
EI28A-Pb
Designed for optimum control and
equipped with adaptive control capabili-
ties, the electronically controlled transmis-
sion optimally matches gear shifts to almost
all driving and road conditions.
CAUTION
This system is strictly intended to
provide supplementary functions.
When travelling downhill under cer-
tain conditions or immediately after
starting off when the automatic trans-
mission is cold, no automatic shift-
down may be made. The driver
should shiftdown to a lower gear to
use engine braking. Try to drive
safely at all times.NOTE
During running-in period or immediately
after reconnection of the battery cable,
there may be a case where gear shifts are
not made smoothly. This does not indi-
cate a faulty transmission.
Gear shifts will become smooth after the
transmission has been shifted several times
by the electronic control system.
I04B005A
Selector lever operationThe transmission has 5 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 opera-
tion, please refer to“Sports mode”on page
5-20.
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I04A206A
In the main gate, the selector lever has 4
positions, and is equipped with a lock but-
ton (A) to avoid inadvertent selection of the
wrong gear.
I04A294A
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 shifted acciden-
tally into the“P”or“R”posi-
tion.
Be sure not to depress the but-
ton when performing the opera-
tions 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 from the
“P”(PARK) or“N”(NEUTRAL)
position while depressing the
accelerator pedal, doing so is
dangerous because the vehicle
will“jump”forward or back-
ward.
NOTE
If the brake pedal is not depressed and
held, the shift-lock device activates to pre-
vent the selector lever from being moved
from the“P”(PARK) position to another
position.
Starting and driving
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