STARTING AND DRIVING
5-9
mm
*
1: Single cab, double cab
*2: Club cab
NOTE
The values under item 10 are applicable
to unladen vehicles. These values can
also be varied depending on the tyre size,
optional equipment and suspension con-
ditions.
Ignition switchEI01ABGa
1 - The engine is stopped, and the steer-
ing wheel locked. The key can only 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.
Operating hints
(1) Do not let the clutch slip (vehicles with
a manual transmission only) and do
not increase the engine speed more
than necessary when starting.
(2) Be sure that the driving speed does
not exceed the maximum speed for
trailer operation.
(3) To prevent shocks from the overrun
brake, depress the brake pedal lightly
at first and then more strongly.
(4) To make full use of engine braking,
change to a lower gear before de-
scending a slope.
(5) The body, brakes, clutch, and chassis
will be under additional strain when
towing a trailer.
(6) The heavier weight and higher rolling
and air resistance will increase fuel
consumption.
Additional precautions for vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission
It is recommended to use the “2” position
on slopes or at low speed. Use the “L” po-
sition in mountainous areas in order to
make better use of engine braking and to
assist the brake system. However, be sure
that the speed does not exceed the maxi-
mum speed limit for the selected gear.
For maximum speed, refer to the descrip-
tion of the “Possible driving speed” on
page 5-19.
2WD models4WD models
1 19.5 19.5
214 14
323 23
4 88 188
535 35
660 60
785 85
8 145 145
9 322 275
10 342 to 392 372 to 422
11 965 956*
1, 1,071*2
12 1,287 1,231*1, 1,346*2
13 30 30
14 525 525
15 1,050 1,050
I21A042
2
13
4
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:04 Page 5-9
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
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:04 Page 5-12
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
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:04 Page 5-13
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
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:04 Page 5-14
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.
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:05 Page 5-21
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.
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:05 Page 5-28
STARTING AND DRIVING
5-30
CAUTIONAlways use tyres of the same size,
same type, and same brand, and
which have no wear differences. Us-
ing tyres which differ in size, type,
brand or the degree of wear will in-
crease the differential oil tempera-
ture, resulting in possible damage to
the driving system.
Further, the drive train will be sub-
jected to excessive loading, possi-
bly leading to oil leakage, compo-
nent seizure, or other serious faults.
Jacking up vehicle on 4-wheel
drive vehicles
CAUTIONDo not crank the engine while jack-
ing up the vehicle.
The tyre on the ground may turn and
the vehicle may roll off the jack.
Operate clutch pedal slowly and
positively
Quick or slight clutch engagement made
while the engine is running at high speed
will cause damage to the clutch and trans-
mission because the tractive force is very
great.
Operate the pedal slowly and positively.
Parking brakeEI07A-Tb
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a com-
plete stop, fully engage the parking brake,
and then move the gearshift level to 1st
(on an uphill) or Reverse (on a downhill)
position for vehicles with a manual trans-
mission or set the selector lever to the “P”
(PARK) position on automatic transmis-
sion vehicles.
Type 1
To apply
1 - Pull the lever up without pushing the
button at the end of the hand grip.
I07A008
1
Type 1
05engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:05 Page 5-30
Engine oil ................................................................ 9-2
Automatic transmission fluid* .............................. 9-4
Engine coolant ....................................................... 9-5
Battery ..................................................................... 9-6
Brake fluid............................................................... 9-8
Power steering fluid* ............................................. 9-9
Clutch fluid* ............................................................ 9-9
Washer fluid............................................................ 9-10
Wheel condition ..................................................... 9-10
Tyre inflation pressure .......................................... 9-11
Tyre rotation ........................................................... 9-11
Snow tyres .............................................................. 9-12
Tyre chains ............................................................. 9-13
Fuel, engine coolant, oil and exhaust gas
leakage ............................................................. 9-14
Exterior and interior lamp operation .................... 9-14
Meter, gauge and indication/warning lamp
operation .......................................................... 9-14
Clutch pedal free play* .......................................... 9-14
Brake pedal free play ............................................. 9-15
Parking brake lever stroke .................................... 9-15
Hinges and latches lubrication ............................. 9-16
Wiper blades ........................................................... 9-16
Ventilation slots ..................................................... 9-17
Weatherstripping.................................................... 9-17
Additional equipment
(For regions where snow is encountered) .... 9-17
Maintenance
9
09engL2_240082_4 22-01-2004 13:12 Page 9-1