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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-11 How to lock and unlock the
steering wheel
EI01B-Ka
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.
CAUTIONRemove 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.
CAUTION(1) Do not attempt to start the en-
gine by pulling or pushing the
vehicle. This can be very dan-
gerous.
(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 operat-
ing 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
performed.
Refer to the section “What to do if the en-
gine speed becomes unstable after the
battery is replaced” on page 8-30.
StartingEI02FAGe
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 mo-
tor still turning will damage the starter
mechanism.
(2) If the engine cannot be started be-
cause the battery is weak or dead,
refer to the “Emergency starting”
section for instructions on starting the
engine.
(3) The engine is sufficiently warmed up
if the coolant temperature gauge nee-
dle 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 of the area. Carbon monox-
ide
gases are odourless and can be
fatal.
I01B013
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-12
Starting (petrol-powered vehicles)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic-
ally 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 in the “N”
(Neutral) position.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6. After turning the ignition key to the
“ON” position, make certain that all
warning lamps are functioning prop-
erly before starting the engine.
7. Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the accel-
erator pedal, and release the key
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 en-
gine 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 de-
pressing the accelerator pedal.
At extreme cold ambient
temperature
If the engine won’t start, depress the
accelerator pedal about halfway during
cranking the engine. Once the engine
starts, release the accelerator pedal.
CAUTIONWhen 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.
I27A088
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-13 Starting (diesel-powered vehicles)
EI02BAH
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 prop-
erly 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.8.
Operate the accelerator pedal as de-
scribed below in accordance with the
atmospheric temperature and/or en-
gine condition and then start the en-
gine.
(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 while following the proce-
dures:
• 2WD with turbocharger, 4WD with
catalytic converter
While depressing the accelerator
pedal, start the engine.
• 2WD without turbocharger, 4WD
without catalytic converter
Start the engine without depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. 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 start-
ed within about 5 seconds
after the diesel preheat warning lamp
went out, return the ignition key to the
“LOCK” position. Then, turn the key to
the “ON” position to preheat the en-
gine 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
ignition key right to the “START” posi-
tion.
I27A032
PN
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-14
Shift pointSpeed limit km/h (mph)
With
TurbochargerWithout
Turbocharger
1st to 2nd 10 (6) 15 (9)
2nd to 3rd25 (15) 25 (15)
3rd to 4th40 (24) 45 (27)
4th to 5th55 (34) 65 (40)
Manual transmissionEI29A-Af
The shift pattern is shown on the gearshift
lever knob. Be sure to always fully de-
press the clutch pedal before attempting
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.
NOTE
(1) If it is hard to shift into 1st gear,
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.
Changing gearsEI03CPDg
Always use care to change 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 recommen-
ded to assist fuel economy. The driver
may vary these points to suit driving condi-
tions and load.
2WD
I29A011
2
4
RN5 3 1
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-15
Diesel-powered vehicles
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. 4WD
Petrol-powered vehicles
Diesel-powered vehiclesPossible driving speed
2WD
4WD
Petrol-powered vehicles
Shift point
Speed limit km/h (mph)
2H, 4H4L
1st to 2nd25
(15)10
(6)
2nd to 3rd
50
(31)25
(15)
3rd to 4th
75
(46)40
(24)
4th to 5th
105
(65)55
(34)
Shift point
Speed limit km/h (mph)
Vehicles with
205/80R16
tyre sizeVehicles with
265/70R16
tyre size
2H, 4H4L2H, 4H4L
1st to 2nd10
(6)5
(3)10
(6)5
(3)
2nd to 3rd25
(15)10
(6)25
(15)10
(6)
3rd to 4th40
(24)20
(12)40
(24)20
(12)
4th to 5th55
(34)25
(15)55
(34)30
(18)
Drive range
Speed limit km/h (mph)
With
TurbochargerWithout
Turbocharger
1st 30 (18) 30 (18)
2nd
60 (37) 55 (34)
3rd
95 (59) 85 (52)
4th
130 (80) 130 (80)
Drive range
Speed limit km/h (mph)
2H, 4H4L
1st40
(24)20
(12)
2nd
75
(46)35
(21)
3rd
115
(71)60
(37)
4th
160
(99)80
(49)
Drive range
Speed limit km/h (mph)
Vehicles with
205/80R16
tyre sizeVehicles with
265/70R16
tyre size
2H, 4H4L2H, 4H4L
1st30
(18)15
(9)35
(21)15
(9)
2nd
55
(34)30
(18)60
(37)30
(18)
3rd
95
(59)50
(31)95
(59)50
(31)
4th
130
(80)65
(40)135
(83)70
(43)
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-16
Automatic transmission
EI04ABA
The transmission has 4 forward gears and
1 reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected auto-
matically, depending on the position of the
gear selector lever, the speed of the vehi-
cle and the position of the accelerator
pedal.
The selector lever has 6 positions, and is
equipped with a lock button (A) to avoid in-
advertent selection of the wrong position.
Button must be pressed to move the
lever.
Button need not be pushed to move
the selector lever.
WARNING(1) If the button is always de-
pressed to operate the selector
lever, the lever may be acciden-
tally shifted into the “P”, “R”,
“2”, or “L” position.
Be sure not to depress the but-
ton when performing the opera-
tions indicated by in the illus-
tration.
(2) Always depress the brake pedal
when shifting the selector lever
into another gear from “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) posi-
tion.
When beginning to drive, do not
shift the selector lever from “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) posi-
tion while depressing the accel-
erator pedal, doing so is danger-
ous because the vehicle will
“jump” forward or backward.
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamps in the instrument
panel are for indicating the selector lever
position and one of them will illuminate
when the ignition is switched “ON”, de-
pending on the position of the shift lever.
I04A279
A
I04A071
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-17 Selector positions
EI04B-Cp
P - PARK
This position locks the transmission to
prevent the vehicle from moving. The en-
gine can be started in this position.
R - REVERSE
Move the lever to this position only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
CAUTIONNever 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 vehicle is in motion, the
transmission may be damaged.
N - NEUTRAL
At this position the transmission is disen-
gaged. It is the same as the neutral posi-
tion on a manual transmission, and should
be used when the vehicle is stationary for
an extended length of time during driving,
such as in a traffic jam.
L - LOW
This position is for driving up very steep
hills and for engine braking at low speeds
when descending steep gradients.
WARNINGThis position can be used for max-
imum engine braking.
Be very careful not to shift into “L”
suddenly. Sudden engine braking
may cause the tyres to slip.
Select this position according to the
road conditions and vehicle speed.
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 brak-
ing would not be provided.
(2) 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 - DRIVE
This position is for normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a suit-
able gear for your speed and acceleration.
2 - SECOND
This position is for extra power when driv-
ing up moderately steep hills, and for en-
gine braking when descending moder-
ately steep gradients.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-18
Operation of the automatic
transmission
EI04D-Cg
CAUTION(1) Before selecting a gear with the
engine running and the vehicle
stationary, fully depress the
brake pedal to prevent the vehi-
cle from creeping.
The vehicle will begin to move as
soon as the gear is engaged, es-
pecially when the engine speed
is high, at fast idle or the air con-
ditioning operating, the brakes
should only be released when
you are ready to drive away.
(2) Depress the brake pedal with the
right foot at all times.
Using the left foot could cause
driver movement delay in case
of an emergency.
(3) To prevent sudden acceleration,
never race the engine when
shifting from the “P” (PARK) or
“N” (NEUTRAL).
(4) Operating the accelerator pedal
while the other foot is resting on
the brake pedal will affect brak-
ing efficiency and may cause
premature wear of brake pads.
Do not race the engine with
brake pedal pressed.
This can damage the transmis-
sion.
Overdrive control switchEI04C-Bc
During ordinary driving, the overdrive
switch should be left in the pressed-in po-
sition (the indicator lamp in the instrument
panel is not illuminated).
Automatic shifting will be performed in the
range from 1st gear through 4th gear if the
selector lever is set at “D”.
When you need quick acceleration or en-
gine braking power on a downhill grade, or
when you are going to go up a long hill,
press the overdrive switch once again to
cancel the overdrive function.The indicator lamp in the instrument panel
illuminates and automatic shifting will be
performed in the range from 1st gear
through 3rd gear only.
I04C033I04C034
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