2004 MITSUBISHI L200 ABS

SEAT AND SEAT BELTS
3-18
5. After confirming that the belt is
locked, grab the shoulder part of the
belt near the buckle and pull up to re-
move any slack from the lap part of
the belt. Remember, if the lap part of
the belt is not tight, the child restraint
will not be secure. It may help to put
weight on the child restraint, or push
on the seatback while pulling up on
the belt.
6. Before putting the child in the re-
straint, push and pull the restraint in
all directions to be sure it is secure.
Do this before each use.
7. To deactivate the ALR mode in order
to remove a child restraint etc., after
removing the child from the restraint,
unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat
belt, let the belt fully retract, and
rewind the belt.NOTE
If the seat belt does not lock, rewind it fully
then perform step 1 to 6 again.
WARNING(1) Before putting the child in the re-
straint, be absolutely sure to
make the conversion of the re-
tractor from the ELR mode to the
ALR mode. By doing so, the
child restraint system is always
tightly secured to the seat by the
automatic lock. If the conversion
to ALR is not made, the child re-
straint system could move for-
ward in the event of sudden
braking or an accident, seri-
ously injuring the child or other
occupants.
(2) If a person wearing the seat belt
moves one’s upper body signifi-
cantly such that the belt com-
pletely unwinds, the retractor
may switch to its ALR mode and
lock, thus preventing further
movement. If this happens, the
person should switch the retrac-
tor back to its ELR mode by tak-
ing off the seat belt and fully
rewinding it. The person should
then wear the seat belt again.
Installing a child restraint system
to a 3-point type seat belt
(with emergency locking
mechanism) or a lap belt*
EG20E-L
For safety, you are advised to install the
child restraint system using a 3-point type
seat belt with emergency/automatic lock-
ing mechanism. If you cannot avoid in-
stalling it using another type of seat belt,
follow the instructions given below.
G18C056G18C082
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SEAT AND SEAT BELTS
3-25 Deployment of front air bags
The front air bags ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY when...
The front air bags are designed to deploy when the vehicle suffers
a moderate to severe frontal impact. A typical condition is shown
in the illustration:
1 - Head-on collision with a solid wall at speed of approximately
25 km/h or higher
2 - Moderate to severe frontal impact within the shaded area
between the arrows
The air bags will deploy if the severity of impact is above the de-
signed threshold level, comparable to an approximately 25 km/h
collision when impacting straight into a solid wall that does not
move or deform. If the severity of the impact is below the above
threshold level, the air bags may not deploy. However, this
threshold speed will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object that absorbs the impact by either deforming or moving
(for example, another stationary vehicle, pole or a guard rail).Because frontal collisions can easily move you out of position, it is
important to always properly wear your seat belts; Your seat belts
will help keep you a safe distance from the steering wheel and in-
strument panel during the initial stages of air bag deployment.
The initial stage of air bag inflation is the most forceful, and can
possibly cause serious or fatal injuries. Moreover, the seat belts in
your vehicle are your primary means of protection in a collision.
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) air bags are designed
to provide additional protection. Therefore, for your safety and the
safety of all occupants, be sure to always properly wear your seat
belts.
1
G28L125
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SEAT AND SEAT BELTS
3-26 The front air bags MAY NOT DEPLOY when...
With certain types of frontal collisions, the vehicle’s body structure
is designed to absorb the shock to help protect the occupants
from harm. (The vehicle body’s front area may deform signifi-
cantly as it absorbs the impact.) Under such circumstances, the
air bags may not deploy irrespective of the deformation and dam-
age to the vehicle body.
Examples of some typical conditions are shown in the illustration:
1 - Collision with a utility pole, tree or other narrow object
2 - Vehicle slides under the rear body of a truck
3 - Oblique frontal impacts
Because the front air bags do not protect the occupant in all types
of frontal collisions, be sure to always properly wear your seat
belts.
G28L126
12 3
03engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:01 Page 3-26

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Indication and warning lampsED50APDc
1 - Automatic transmission indication lamp
(vehicle with automatic transmission) →p. 5-16
2 - Turn-signal indication lamps / Hazard warning indication
lamps
3 - High-beam indication lamp
4 - Low fuel indication lamp
5 - Check engine indication lamp (diesel-powered vehicles)*
6 - Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning lamp*
→p. 3-29
7 - Door ajar warning lamp
8 - Anti-lock brake (ABS) warning lamp
(diesel-powered vehicles)* →p. 5-34
9 - Overdrive off indication lamp
(vehicle with automatic transmission) →p. 5-18
10 - Rear fog lamp indication lamp*11 - A/T (automatic transmission) temperature warning lamp*
12 - 4WD indication lamp (4-wheel drive vehicles) →p. 5-22
13 - Charge warning lamp
14 - Oil pressure warning lamp
15 - Fuel filter indication lamp (diesel-powered vehicles)
16 - Brake warning lamp
17 - Diesel preheat warning lamp (diesel- powered vehicles)
18 - Check engine indication lamp (petrol-powered vehicles)
19 - Anti-lock brake (ABS) warning lamp
(petrol-powered vehicles)* →p. 5-34
NOTE
To find information concerning the indication or warning lamps
marked by the symbol “ →p. x-xx”, refer to the specified pages.
For the other indication and warning lamps, refer to the subse-
quent pages.
4-6
D50A467
12 32
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
04engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:19 Page 4-6

Running-in recommendations .................... 5-2
Fuel selection ............................................... 5-3
Filling the fuel tank ...................................... 5-3
Catalytic converter* ..................................... 5-5
Economical driving ...................................... 5-6
Trailer towing ............................................... 5-7
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-9
Starting ......................................................... 5-11
Manual transmission ................................... 5-14
Automatic transmission .............................. 5-16
Operation of the automatic transmission .. 5-18
Transfer shift lever (4WD vehicles) ............ 5-20
Rear differential lock* .................................. 5-23
Correct 4-wheel drive operation ................. 5-26
Cautions on handling of 4WD vehicles ...... 5-29
Parking brake ............................................... 5-30
Parking .......................................................... 5-32
Braking.......................................................... 5-32
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)* ................... 5-33
Limited-slip differential* .............................. 5-35
Steering wheel height adjustment .............. 5-36
Power steering system* .............................. 5-37
Day/Night type inside rearview mirror ....... 5-37
Manual outside rear-view mirrors* ............. 5-37
Electric remote-controlled outside
rear-view mirrors* .................................. 5-38
Starting and driving
5
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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
5-28 Climbing sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to “4L” to max-
imize the engine torque.
WARNING(1) Go straight up. Do not try to
traverse across a steep slope.
(2) If you begin to lose traction,
ease off the accelerator pedal
and gently turn the steering
wheel alternately left and right to
regain adequate traction again.
NOTE
(1) Choose as smooth a slope as possi-
ble with few stones or other obsta-
cles.
(2) The climbing ability is approximate
35° grade on dry pavement.
(3) Before attempting to drive up the
slope, walk up it to confirm that the
vehicle can handle the gradient.
Descending sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to “4L”, use the
engine brake (downshifting) and descend
slowly.
WARNINGAvoid snaking down a sharp gra-
dient. Descend the grade as straight
as possible.
NOTE
(1) When descending a sharp grade, if the
brakes are applied suddenly because
of an obstacle encountered, control of
the vehicle could be lost. Before de-
scending the slope, walk down it and
confirm the path.
(2) Before descending a grade, it is neces-
sary to choose the appropriate gear.
Avoid changing gears or depressing the
clutch while descending the grade.
(3) MITSUBISHI is not responsible to the
operator for any damage or injury
caused or liability incurred by the im-
proper and negligent operation of a ve-
hicle. All techniques of vehicle opera-
tion described herein depend on the
skill and experience of the operator
and other participating parties, and any
deviation from the recommended oper-
ating instructions above is at their own
risk.
Turning sharp corners
When turning a sharp corner in “4H” or
“4L” position at low speed, a slight differ-
ence in steering may be experienced
similar to as if the brakes were applied.
This is called tight corner braking and
results from each of the four tyres being at
a different distance from the corner.
The phenomenon is peculiar to 4-wheel
drive vehicles. If this occurs, either
straighten the steering wheel, or change
to rear-wheel drive.
Crossing a stream (fording)
4-wheel drive vehicles are not necessarily
waterproof. If the electrical circuits be-
come wet, further operation of the vehicle
will be impossible; therefore, avoid cross-
ing streams unless absolutely necessary.
If crossing a stream is unavoidable, use
the following procedure:
(1) Check depths of a stream and geo-
graphical features before attempting
to cross a stream and ford the stream
where the water is as shallow as prac-
ticable.
(2) Set the transfer shift lever to “4L”.
(3) Drive slowly at a speed of approxi-
mately 5 km/h (3 mph) to avoid
splashing too much water.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
5-33 Brake pads and linings
(1) With new brake pads or linings, avoid
where possible sudden full applica-
tion of the brakes for the first 200 km
(125 miles) of driving.
(2) The disc brakes are provided with a
warning device which emits a shriek-
ing metallic sound while braking if the
brake pads have reached their limit.
If you hear this sound, have the brake
pads replaced by your MITSUBISHI
dealer.
CAUTION(1) Do not leave any objects or
place a thick floor mat around
the brake pedal; doing so could
prevent the full pedal stroke that
would be necessary in an emer-
gency. Make sure that the pedal
can be operated freely at all
times.
(2) Avoid driving habits that may
lead to sudden braking and
never “ride” the brakes by rest-
ing your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
It causes brake overheating and
fade.
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered
roads.
• Driving with tyre chains installed.
• Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differ-
ences in surface height.
• Driving on bumpy roads or other
poor driving surfaces.
(3) Operation of the ABS is not restricted
to situations where brakes are applied
suddenly. This system may also oper-
ate to prevent wheel lock when you
are driving over manholes, steel road-
work plates, or the vehicle is driven
over steps or level differences in the
road, road markings, or other sur-
faces which are difficult for the wheels
to grip.
(4) When the ABS is activated, you may
feel the brake pedal pulsating and
hear a characteristic noise. Also at
this time, it may feel as if the pedal at-
tempts to resist being depressed.
In this situation, to let the ABS
work for you, just hold the brake
pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake. This will result in
reduced braking performance.Anti-lock brake system
(ABS)*
EI24APD
Environmental conditions can have an ef-
fect on braking. During sudden braking
when there is snow, ice, oil, water etc; on
the road surface, a skid may occur. In this
situation, steering control and braking ef-
fectiveness is reduced and the stopping
distance is increased. The vehicle may
also go into an uncontrolled spin.
The ABS helps prevent the wheels from
locking during braking, thus maintaining
directional stability, ensuring controllabi-
lity, and providing optimum braking force.
Driving hints
(1) With ABS fitted, steering during sud-
den braking (when the ABS functions)
differs slightly from when the brakes
are not being applied.
Steer the vehicle carefully in these
conditions.
(2) Always maintain the same distance
from the vehicle in front of you as you
would for a vehicle not equipped with
an ABS.
Compared with vehicles not fitted
with ABS, your vehicle may require a
longer stopping distance in the follow-
ing cases:
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