2004 MITSUBISHI L200 4WD

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.
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:05 Page 5-26

STARTING AND DRIVING
5-29
CAUTIONNever cross a stream where the
water is deep.
Do not change gears while crossing
the stream.
Frequent crossing of streams can
adversely affect the life span of the
vehicle; consult an authorized
MITSUBISHI dealer and take the ne-
cessary measures to prepare, in-
spect, and repair the vehicle.
After crossing a stream, apply the brakes
to be sure they are functioning properly. If
the brakes are wet and not functioning
properly, dry them out by driving slowly
while lightly depressing the brake pedal.
Inspect each part of the vehicle carefully.
Refer to the “Inspection and maintenance
following rough road operation” section.
Cautions on handling of
4WD vehicles
EI49A-Ce
Tyres and wheels
Since the driving torque can be applied to
the 4 wheels, the performance of the vehi-
cle when operating in 4WD is greatly
affected by the condition of the tyres.
Pay close attention to the tyres.
• Install specified tyres on all wheels. Re-
fer to the “Tyres and wheels” on page
10-8, 10-14, 10-22.
• All tyres should be rotated whenever the
wear difference between front and rear
tyres is recognizable.
Good vehicle performance cannot be
expected if there is a difference in wear
between tyres. Refer to the “Tyre rota-
tion” on page 9-11.
• Check the tyre inflation pressure regu-
larly.
Inspection and maintenance
following rough road operation
After operating the vehicle in rough road
conditions, be sure to perform the following
inspection and maintenance procedures:
(1) Check that the vehicle has not been
damaged by rocks, gravel, etc.
(2) Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
Drive the vehicle slowly while lightly
depressing the brake pedal in order to
dry out the brakes. If the brakes still
do not function properly, contact an
authorized MITSUBISHI dealer as
soon as possible to have the brakes
checked.
(3) Remove the insects, dried grass, etc.
clogging the radiator core.
(4) If a stream has been crossed, check
the engine, transmission, and differ-
ential oil and propeller shaft grease. If
the oil or grease is milky or cloudy
because of water contamination, it
must be replaced with new oil.
(5) Check the inside of the vehicle. If
ingress of water is found, dry the car-
pet etc.
(6) Inspect the headlamps. If the head-
lamp bulb is flooded with water, have
the headlamp drained off at an autho-
rized MITSUBISHI dealer.
(7) Have an authorized MITSUBISHI
dealer replace grease in the wheel
bearing.
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:05 Page 5-29

FOR EMERGENCIES
4. Insert the jack handle in the bracket of
the jack and hook the notch (C) pro-
vided on the jack handle end on the
claw (D) of the bracket.
5. Operate the jack handle up and down
and confirm that the ram contacts the
appropriate jacking point.6.Push the jack with the jack handle to
set the jack at the jacking point shown
in the illustration. Use the jacking point
closest to the tyre to be changed.
E - Front jacking point (2WD vehicles)F - Front jacking point (4WD vehicles)
However, if the ground clearance is insuf-
ficient at location (F), use location (G).
8-10
N22A064
E
N22A091
F G
4WD vehicles 2WD vehicles
N22A067
D
C
08engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:10 Page 8-10

FOR EMERGENCIES
4. Insert the wheel nut wrench through
the end of the jack handle hole, and
then turn it anti-clockwise to lower the
spare wheel completely to the ground
and to slack the chain.5. Remove the holding bracket from the
spare wheel.
8-14
N03A217N03A070
2WD vehicles 4WD vehicles
N03A067
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FOR EMERGENCIES
Reinstalling the spare wheel
1. Install the holding bracket in wheel
disc hole.
2. Turn the wheel nut wrench clockwise
to wind up the chain.
NOTE
Confirm that the holding bracket is se-
curely fitted in the wheel disc hole when
the wheel is just lifted off the ground.
3. After the wheel is lifted up completely,
secure it using the wheel nut wrench.
Check to ensure that the spare wheel
is free from any looseness, and pull
out the jack handle while paying
attention not to turn in unwinding
direction.
Wheel capsEN03B-Va
To remove
Type 1 – Wheel caps with notches
Type 2 – Wheel caps without notches
Type 1
Wrap the tip of the bar with a cloth, insert it
into the notch (A) provided in the wheel
cap, and pry the cap away from the wheel.CAUTIONThe spare wheel should always be
securely in position.
If a flat tyre is changed, put the flat
tyre in the spare wheel mounting po-
sition with the wheel outer surface
upward, and use the wheel nut
wrench to secure it firmly.
8-15
N03B022
A
N03A218
4WD vehicles Type 1
N03A071
2WD vehicles
08engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:10 Page 8-15

FOR EMERGENCIES
Emergency towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend
you to have it done by your MITSUBISHI
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, your vehicle may be tem-
porarily towed by a cable or chain secured
to one of the following parts:
A - Front towing hook
B - Spring shackleIf your vehicle is to be towed, pay care-
ful attention to the following points:
(1) For vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion, check the automatic transmis-
sion fluid level. (Refer to “Automatic
transmission fluid” on page 9-4.)
If the fluid level is low, transport the
vehicle with all wheels off the ground.
CAUTIONIf the vehicle is out of automatic
transmission fluid, the transmission
could be damaged.
(2) Move the gearshift lever (manual
transmission) or the selector lever
(automatic transmission) to the “Neu-
tral” or “N” (NEUTRAL).
(3) If your vehicle is a 4-wheel drive vehi-
cle, move the transfer shift lever to
“2H” position.
CAUTIONIf the vehicle is towed with the trans-
fer shift lever in “4H” or “4L” posi-
tion, the drive mechanism may be
damaged.
NOTE
(1) Use care that the towing rope is kept
as horizontal as possible. An angled
towing rope can damage the vehicle
body.
(2) Never attempt to tow out a ditched ve-
hicle, because the towing rope cannot
be kept horizontal.
8-21
N25A104
BB
Rear (4WD vehicles)
N25A096
A
4WD vehicles
08engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:10 Page 8-21

FOR EMERGENCIES
If your vehicle tows another vehicle
The spring shackles are located as shown
in the illustration. Attach the tow rope to
the spring shackles (4-wheel drive models
only).Engine overheatingEN26AABc
If the water temperature gauge indication
remains in the overheating zone for a long
time, the engine may be overheating. If
this occurs, take the following corrective
measures:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
CAUTION(1) Towing another vehicle using
the shackles to attach the tow-
ing rope is only possible on 4-
wheel drive models. On 2-wheel
drive models, this method will
cause bumper deformation.
(2) 2-wheel drive models can only
tow other vehicles when fitted
with a tow bar. When using the
tow bar, ensure that the rope is
securely fitted and that the
weight of the vehicle to be towed
does not exceed the maximum
allowed trailer weight listed on
the tow bar.
NOTE
Your vehicle should only be used to tow
another vehicle if the weight of the other
vehicle is less than your vehicle.
8-23
N25A104
BB
Rear (4WD vehicles)
08engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:10 Page 8-23