2004 MITSUBISHI L200 Owner's Manual (in English)

STARTING AND DRIVING
5-19 Passing acceleration
EI04F-Bb
For quick acceleration when passing, de-
pressing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor will cause the transmission to
automatically shift from 4th gear to 3rd
gear, from 3rd gear to 2nd gear or from
2nd gear to 1st gear, in accordance with
the driving speed, without having to move
the selector lever from either the “D” or “2”
positions.
Possible driving speedEI04IPDd
In order to avoid damage to the engine
due to excessively high rpm, do not ex-
ceed the possible driving speed when the
selector lever is set to the “2” (SECOND)
position, the “L” (LOW) position or the “D”
(DRIVE) position.
2WD
*1: With overdrive switched OFF
4WD
*1: With overdrive switched OFF
WaitingEI04G-Bj
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic
signals, the vehicle can be left in gear and
held stationary with the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine
running, the selector lever should be place
in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
CAUTION(1) Never hold the vehicle station-
ary while in gear on a hill with
the accelerator; always apply
the parking brake and/or service
brake.
(2) Unexpected acceleration may
occur if the selector lever is in a
position other than “P” (PARK)
or “N” (NEUTRAL).
Prior to moving off after having
stopped the vehicle, make sure
that the selector lever is in “D”
(DRIVE) position.

Drive range
Speed limit km/h (mph)

“L” (LOW)

40 (24)
“2” (SECOND)

74 (46)
“D” (DRIVE)

115 (71)*
1
Drive range
Speed limit km/h (mph)
Vehicles with
205/80R16
tyre sizeVehicles with
265/70R16
tyre size
2H, 4H4L2H, 4H4L
“L”
(LOW)45 (27) 25 (15) 45 (27) 25 (15)
“2”
(SECOND)85 (52) 45 (27) 90 (55) 45 (27)
“D”
(DRIVE)125 (77)*165 (40)*1130 (80)*170 (43)*1
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-20 Parking
EI04H-Be
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a com-
plete stop, fully engage the parking brake,
and then move the selector lever to the “P”
(PARK) position.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unat-
tended, always switch off the engine and
remove the ignition key.
NOTE
On a slope, be sure to apply the parking
brake before moving the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position. If you move the
selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position
without first applying the parking brake, a
stronger than normal resistance force may
be encountered. In this situation, move
the selector lever strongly when you next
wish to drive.
Transfer shift lever
(4WD vehicles)
EI03B-W
Shifting to rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel
drive can be made by operating the trans-
fer shift lever(A). Shift the transfer shift
lever to an appropriate position according
to the road surface conditions. In addition,
the 4WD indication lamp indicates the
transfer shift lever shifting state. Refer to
the “4WD indication lamp” on page 5-22.Lever position
2H (Rear-wheel drive)
When driving on normal roads and ex-
pressway.
4H (High range 4-wheel drive)
When driving on deep snow, sand or
rough roads with normal speed.
4L (Low range 4-wheel drive)
When driving up or descending steep
slopes or rough roads such as muddy
road (Especially when increased drive
power is required).
CAUTIONUse 1st gear in the “4L” position for
very low-speed off-road driving.
I31A015
A
LHD (Vehicles with M/T)
I31A016
A
RHD / LHD (Vehicles with A/T)
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STARTING AND DRIVING
EI31D-Nb
5-21
TYPE A : M/T (RHD), A/T (LHD)
TYPE B : M/T (LHD)
Transfer shift lever operation
I31D025
4L 4L
4H 4H
2H 2H
Type A Type B
To shift
transfer
case fromToProcedure
Vehicles with manual transmissionVehicles with automatic transmission
2H 4HThe transfer shift lever can be operated while the vehicle is either
moving or stationary.
In case lever operation is necessary while the vehicle is moving,
place the vehicle in a straight ahead position and depress the
clutch pedal to the floor before operating the lever.
The transfer shift lever can be operated while the vehicle is either
moving or stationary.
When the vehicle is not in motion, shift the selector lever to the “N”
(NEUTRAL) position before operation of the shift lever; When the
vehicle is in motion, place the vehicle in a straight ahead position
and release the accelerator pedal before operating the shift lever.
4H 2H
4H 4L
Stop the vehicle, depress the clutch pedal to the floor and
operate the transfer shift lever.Stop the vehicle, shift the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position and operate the transfer shift lever. If operation is made
with the selector lever placed in any other position than “N”
(NEUTRAL), a gear noise may be generated, with a possible
failure to shift into a proper gear. 4L 4H
NOTE
(1) Shifting of the lever between “2H”↔”4H” should be made at the speed below 100 km/h.
(2) During driving, never attempt to shift from “4H” to “4L” or vice versa.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
NOTE
(1) When shifting from “2H” to “4H” soon
after driving the vehicle in a cold
weather district, the transmission
gear may make a noise. So try to shift
the gear while the vehicle is stopped.
(2) The 4WD operation indication lamp
will go out momentarily during shifting
process from “4H” to “4L” or vice
versa, as the shift lever passes
through the neutral position.
Be sure to operate the shift lever until
the 4WD operation indicator lamp illu-
minates again.
(3) There may be a case that the transfer
shift lever fees heavy when it is
moved from “4H” to “2H” with the
steering wheel in turned position. This
is normal and not any indication of
trouble.
4WD indication lamp
(4-wheel drive vehicles)
EI48BPDb
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, the 4WD indication lamp in the
meter illuminates in the event that the
transfer shift lever is shifted to the four-
wheel driving position (either the “4H” or
the “4L” position).
NOTE
In case the operation indication lamp does
not change quickly even if the shift lever is
shifted from “4H” to “2H”, depress the
accelerator slowly a few times with the
vehicle running straight ahead.
5-22
I30A007
CAUTION(1) Do not operate the transfer shift
lever while the rear wheels of a
vehicle are slipping on a snow
covered road.
(2) Do not drive your vehicle in the
“4H” or “4L” position on paved
roads and highway; this would
result in early wear of the tyres,
increased fuel consumption and
possible noise generation.
It may also increase the differen-
tial oil temperature, resulting in
possible damage to the driving
system parts. It is necessary to
operate the lever “2H” position
while driving under these condi-
tions.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-23
Rear differential lock*EI34A-D
The rear differential lock is a device which
makes it easy for the vehicle to get moving
when, with one of the rear wheels idling,
the vehicle has stuck and can not move
even with transfer shift lever in Low-range
4WD.
In case of operating the rear
differential lock:
1. Turn on the rear differential lock by
pushing the right side (1) of the rear
differential lock switch.
2. Illumination of the operation indication
lamp (A) indicates that the rear differ-
ential lock is operating.
In case of the operating indication
lamp keeps flickerring even if the
rear differential lock switch has
been turned on:
(1) If the vehicle speed is more than
12 km/h (7 mph), reducing the speed
below 6 km/h (4 mph) will make the
rear differential lock operate and the
lamp illuminate.
(2) Move the steering wheel to right and
left if speed of the vehicle speed is
below 12 km/h (7 mph). Repeat mov-
ing the vehicle backward and forward
if it is stuck in muddy roads.
In case of releasing the rear
differential lock:
1. To release the rear differential lock,
push the left hand side (2) of the rear
differential lock switch.
2. When disengaged, lamp (A) will go
off.
NOTE
If the transfer shift lever is set to “2H”
position while the differential lock is
locked, the lock will be automatically
released.
If the operation indicator lamp keeps
flashing even if the rear differential
lock has been turned off:
Keep depressing or easing the acceler-
ator pedal while driving straight ahead. NOTE
Maintain the vehicle speed below 20 km/h
(12 mph) during operation of the rear dif-
ferential lock.
CAUTION(1) The rear differential lock does
not operate when the transfer
shift lever is in “2H” position.
(2) For safety sake, the rear differ-
ential lock can not be locked if
the rear differential lock switch
is operated at the speed of more
than 12 km/h (7 mph). Reduce
speed to lock.
(3) Operate the rear differential
switch after stopping the wheels
idling. Operating the switch with
the wheels idling may cause the
vehicle to dart to unexpected
directions.
(4) When the rear differential lock is
operated on the vehicles with
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS),
the ABS may not function suffi-
ciently. Refer to “Anti-lock Brake
System”on page 5-33.
I34A006
2 1 A
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-24Examples of effective use of the
rear differential lock
EI34B-Ab
1. When one of the wheels has fallen in
a ditch.
2. When driving on rocky roads.
When the vehicle is unable to move
because one of the wheels is sus-
pended in the air.
3. When getting out of snow.
When the vehicle is unable to get
going because one of the wheels is
on the snow and the other on a paved
road.
I34B010
1
2
3
I34B011
(1)
(2)
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-25 Examples of incorrect use of the
rear differential lock
EI34C-Ab
WARNINGDo not use the rear differential lock
when driving on normal roads.
Incorrect use of it may make the
vehicles difficult to turn or may
change its direction abruptly. Be
sure to confirm that the operation
indication lamp is off when driving
on normal roads.
(1) If the rear differential lock is
used by mistake when driving
on a paved road: With the rear
differential lock on, the power to
drive the vehicle straight ahead
becomes very strong, which
may make it difficult to turn the
steering wheel.
(2) If the rear differential lock is
used by mistake when turning a
curve or making a right or left
turn at a crossing or the like: The
vehicle is unable to make a turn
and may go straight ahead.
(3) If the rear differential lock is
used by mistake except when
making an emergency escape
on snow or frozen road: It be-
comes difficult to make a steady
turn.
(4) In the case where the condition
of the road is different for the
right tyre to drive on than that
from the left tyre (such as one
tyre on a paved road and the
other on ice), direction of the
vehicle may change abruptly
when engine braking or acceler-
ating.
Do not use the rear differential
lock except when making an
emergency escape on a snow or
frozen road, but drive with 4WD.
I34B012
(3)
(4)
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-26
Correct 4-wheel drive
operation
EI32ABDa
By shifting lock to 4-wheel drive (4H, 4L),
both axles of the vehicle are rigidly con-
nected with each other. This improves the
traction characteristics. When turning
sharp corners or moving forward and
backward repeatedly, however, the drive
line is stressed, which is felt as a braking
effect. A 4-wheel drive vehicle can accele-
rate more quickly and smoothly.
However, note that the braking distance is
not shorter than that of a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
When using 4-wheel drive on rough roads
(snow, mud, sand, etc.), it is important to
operate the vehicle correctly.
NOTE
(1) The driving posture should be more
upright and closer to the wheel than
usual; adjust the seat to a good posi-
tion for easy steering and pedal oper-
ation. Be sure to wear the seat belt.
(2) After driving on rough roads, check
each part of the vehicle and wash it
thoroughly with water. Refer to the
“Vehicle care” section and “Inspection
and maintenance following rough
road operation” sections.Driving on dry paved road and highway
Select 2WD (2H) to drive on dry paved
roads. Especially on dry highway, never
select the 4WD (4H or 4L).
CAUTIONSelecting 4-wheel drive to drive on
dry paved road will increase the fuel
consumption with possible noise
generation and early tyre wear.
It may also increase the differential
oil temperature, resulting in possible
damage to the driving system. Fur-
ther, the drive train will be subjected
to excessive loading, possibly lead-
ing to oil leakage, component
seizure, or other serious faults.
Driving on snowy or icy roads
Set the transfer shift lever to “4H” or “4L” in
accordance with the road conditions, and
then gradually depress the accelerator
pedal for a smooth start.
NOTE
(1) The use of snow tyres and/or tyre
chains is recommended.
(2) Maintain a safe distance between
vehicles, avoid sudden braking, and
use engine braking (downshifting).
CAUTIONAvoid sudden braking, sudden ac-
celeration, and sharp turning; such
operations could cause skidding
and spinouts.
Driving on sandy or muddy roads
Set the transfer shift lever to “4H” or “4L”,
and then gradually depress the accelera-
tor pedal for a smooth start. Keep the
pressure on the accelerator pedal as con-
stant as possible, and drive at low speed.
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