2008 MITSUBISHI COLT steering

4-14 Starting and driving
4Ignition switch
E00601401164
LOCK
The engine is stopped and the
steering wheel locked. The key
can only be inserted and removed when the switch is in this
position.
ACC
The engine is stopped, but th e radio, accessory socket and
other electrical devices can be operated.
ON
The engine is running, and all the vehicle’s electrical devices
can be operated.
START
The starter motor operates. After the engine has started, release
the key and it will automatically return to the “ON” position.
NOTE● For vehicles equipped with the Daytime Running Lamp,
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the
headlamp low beams etc. are turned on.
Refer to “Headlamps” on page 3-31.
● Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic immobilizer,
to start the engine, the ID code which the transponder
inside the key sends must match the one registered to the
immobilizer computer. (Refer to page 1-3.)
To remove the key
When removing the key, turn the key to the “LOCK” position
and remove it.

Starting and driving4-15
4
Steering wheel lock
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To l o c k
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.
CAUTION!
●
Do not remove the ignition key from the ignition
switch while driving. The steering wheel will locked,
causing loss of control.
●If the engine is stopped while driving, the brake ser-
vomechanism will cease to function and braking
efficiency will deteriorat e. Also, the power steering
system will not function and it will require greater
manual effort to operate the steering.
● Do not leave the key in the “ON” position for a long
time when the engine is no t running, as doing so will
cause the battery to be discharged.
●Do not turn the key to the “START” position when
the engine is running, as doing so could damage the
starter motor.
CAUTION!
●Remove the key when leaving the vehicle.

4-36 Starting and driving
4
When driving downhill
It is important to take advantage of engine braking by shifting
to a lower shift position while driving on steep downhill roads
in order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
Brake pads and linings
●With new brake pads or linings, avoid where possible sud-
den full application of the brakes for the first 200 km (120
miles) of driving.
● The disc brakes are fitted with a warning device which
emits a shrieking metallic sound while braking if the
brake pads have reached their limit.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads replaced.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
E00607100791
Environmental conditions can ha ve an effect on braking. Dur-
ing 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 effectivenes s is reduced and the stopping
distance is increased. The vehicl e may also go into an uncon-
trolled spin.
The ABS helps prevent the wheel s from locking during brak-
ing, thus maintaining directional stability, ensuring controlla-
bility and providing optimum braking force.
Driving hints
● When using the anti-lock brak e system (sudden braking),
steering is slightly different from normal driving condi-
tions. Use the steering wheel carefully.
● Always maintain the same di stance from the vehicle in
front of you as you would for a vehicle not equipped with
ABS.
Compared with vehicles not fitted with ABS, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping distance in the following
cases:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving with tyre chains installed.
• Driving on roads where the road surface is pitted or has
other differences in surface height.
• Driving on bumpy roads or other poor driving surfaces.
WARNING!
●Do not leave any objects ne ar the brake pedal or let
a floor mat slide under it; doing so could prevent the
full pedal stroke that woul d be necessary in an emer-
gency. Make sure that the pedal can be operated
freely at all times. Make sure the floor mat is
securely held in place.
WARNING!
● Driving with worn brake pads will make it harder to
stop, and can cause an accident.

4-40 Starting and driving
4
●The ABS becomes operative after the vehicle has acceler-
ated to a speed in excess of approximately 10 km/h (6
mph). It stops operat ing when the vehicle decelerates to a
speed below approximately 10 km/h (6 mph).Electric power steering system
E00607400026
The electric power steering system reduces the effort required
to turn the steering wheel. It operates while the engine is run-
ning.
NOTE● If you repeatedly turn the st eering wheel fully to either
side (while parking, for example), a protective function
that prevents the system from overheating will be acti-
vated, making the steering action gradually heavier. In this
event, turn the steering wheel as little as possible for a
while. When the system’s temperature decreases, the
steering action will return to normal.
● If you turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is station-
ary with its headlamps on, the headlamps may grow dim.
This phenomenon does not indicate a fault. The head-
lamps will return to their original brightness after a short
while.
CAUTION!
●Do not stop the engine while driving. With the
engine stopped, the steeri ng action would become
extremely heavy and an une xpected accident might
occur.

Starting and driving4-41
4
Electric power steering warning lampE00612400011
The electric power steering wa rning lamp comes on and a
buzzer sounds in the event of a control abnormality in the elec-
tric power steering system.
When the system is normal, th e electric power steering warn-
ing lamp comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes off after a few seconds.
If the warning lamp illuminates while drivingE00613600049
1. Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. If the elec- tric power steering warning lamp comes on then goes off
after a few seconds, there is no abnormality. However, if
the lamp does not go off, or if it comes on again when the
vehicle is driven, we recommend you to have the power
steering inspected by a MI TSUBISHI MOTORS Author-
ized Service Point.
CAUTION!
● If the electric power steering warning lamp comes
on while the vehicle is m oving, the steering action
may become heavy.

Starting and driving4-43
4
Traction control system (TCL)E00611800021
On slippery surfaces, the traction control system (TCL) pre-
vents the drive wheels from exces sive spinning, thus helping
the vehicle to start m oving from a stop. It also provides suffi-
cient driving force and steerin g performance as the vehicle
turns at accelerated speeds.
NOTE● When moving out of mud or fresh snow, pressing the
accelerator pedal may not cause the engine speed to
increase.
Active stability control system (ASC)E00612000020
The active stability control syst em (ASC) is designed to help
maintain the vehicle’s control in slippery conditions, or during
rapid steering manoeuvres. It works by controlling the engine
output and the brake on each wheel.
NOTE● The active stability control system (ASC) functions at
speeds of approximately 10 km/h or higher.CAUTION!
● When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tyre s and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.

Starting and driving4-45
4
Cargo loads
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Cargo load precautions
CAUTION!
●
If the vehicle is towed with the ignition switch in the
“ON” position and only the front wheels or only the
rear wheels are raised off the ground, the traction
control system (TCL) may operate, resulting in an
accident. When towing th e vehicle with the front
wheels raised, keep the ig nition switch in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position. When towing the vehi-
cle with the rear wheels raised, keep the ignition
switch in the “ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-36.
CAUTION!
● Do not load cargo or luggage higher than the top of
the seat-back. Be sure that your cargo or luggage
cannot move once your vehicle is moving.
Having either the rear view blocked, or your cargo
being thrown inside the cabin if you suddenly have
to brake can cause a serious accident or injury.
●Load heavy cargo or luggage in the front of the vehi-
cle. If the load in the back of the vehicle is too heavy,
steering may become unstable.

5
For pleasant driving
Ventilators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 2
Heater* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 7
Automatic air conditioning* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 13
Important operation tips for the air conditioning . .5- 22
Air purifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 23
LW/MW/FM electronic tuning radio with CD player* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 24
Steering wheel remote control switch* . . . . . . . . .5- 52
Error codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 54
Handling compact discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 56
Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 59
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 59
Vanity mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 60
Accessory socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 60
Interior lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 61
Storage spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 64
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 69
Rear shelf panel* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 70
Coat hooks* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 72
Luggage hooks (5-door models)* . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 72
Luggage net (5-door models)* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 73