3-14 Instruments and controls
3
NOTE●
In certain cases immediately after the engine has been started or when the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly, a noise gen- erated by operation of brake devices may beheard coming from
the engine compart-
ment. This type of noise is normal and there is no need for concer
n. In fact, it indicates
that the corresponding devices are operating normally.
●
The brake system uses
brake fluid pressu-
rized by the pump. Please refer to “Braking” on page 4-56.
CAUTION
!●
In the situations listed below, brake performance may be compromised orthe vehicle may become unstable if brakes are applied suddenly; conse- quently, avoid driving at high speedsor applying the brakes suddenly. Fur- thermore, the vehicle should be brought to a stop in a safe location andto have it checked.• The brake warning lamp does notilluminate when the parking brake is applied or does not turn off when the parking brake is released.• The brake warning lamp remains illuminated during driving. • The brake warning buzzer does notturn off.
●
The vehicle should be brought to a halt in the following manner when brake performance has deteriorated.• Depress the brake pedal harder than usual. Even if the brake pedal moves downto the very end of its possible stroke, keep it pressed down hard. • Should the brakes fail, use enginebraking to reduce your speed and pull the parking brake lever. Depress the brake pedal to operate the stop lamp to
alert the vehicles
behind you.CAUTION
!
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14 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:32 PM
4-2 Starting and driving
4
Economical driving
E00600100561
For economical driving, there ar
e some technical requirements
that have to be met. The prerequisite for low fuel consumption is a properly adjusted engine. In order to achieve longer life ofthe vehicle and the most econo
mical operation, we recommend
you to have the vehicle checked
at regular intervals in accord-
ance with the service standards.Fuel economy and generation of exhaust gas and noise are highly influenced by personal driving habits as well as the par- ticular operating conditions. The following points should beobserved in order to minimize w
ear of brakes, tyres and engine
as well as to reduce environmental pollution.StartingAvoid rapid acceleration and sudden starts; such operation will result in higher fuel consumption.ShiftingShift only at an appropriate
speed and engine speed. Always
use the highest gear possible. The transfer shift lever should be set to “2H” when driving on normal roads and express ways to obtain best possible fueleconomy.City trafficFrequent starting and stopping
increases the average fuel con-
sumption. Use roads with smooth
traffic flow whenever possi-
ble. When driving on congested
roads, avoid use of a low gear
at high engine speeds.
IdlingThe vehicle consumes fuel even during idling. Avoid extended idling whenever possible.SpeedAt higher vehicle speed, more fu
el is consumed. Avoid driving
at full speed. Even a slight re
lease of the accelerator pedal will
save a significant amount of fuel.Tyre inflation pressureCheck the tyre inflation pressure
s at regular intervals. Low tyre
inflation pressure increases ro
ad resistance and fuel consump-
tion. In addition, low tyre pres
sures adversely affect tyre wear
and driving stability.LoadDo not drive with unnecessary articles in the luggage compart- ment. Especially during city dr
iving where frequent starting
and stopping is necessary, the increased weight of the vehicle will greatly affect fuel consumption. Also avoid driving with unnecessary luggage or carriers,
etc., on the roof; the increased
air resistance will increase fuel consumption.Cold engine startingStarting of a cold engine consumes more fuel. Unnecessary fuel consumption
is also caused by keeping a hot
engine running. After the engine is started, commence driving as soon as possible.Air conditioningThe use of the air conditioning
will increase the fuel consump-
tion.
BK-BK2008E1ENUK.en-uk-Section7.fm Page 2 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
4-32 Starting and driving
4
Operation of the A/T
E00604200342
Passing acceleration
E00604500156
To gain extra acceleration in
“D” (DRIVE) position, push the
accelerator to the floor. The auto
matic transmission will auto-
matically downshift.NOTE●
In “Sports mode”, downshifts
do not take place when the
accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.
Uphill/downhill driving
E00610500089
DRIVING UPHILL The transmission may not upshift
to a higher gear if the com-
puter determines the current sp
eed cannot be maintained once a
higher gear is engaged. For smoother vehicle performance, if you release the throttlewhile climbing a steep grade, th
e transmission may not upshift.
This is normal, as the computer
is temporarily preventing shift-
ing. After reaching the top of th
e hill, normal gear shift func-
tion will resume. DRIVING DOWNHILL When travelling down steep grad
es, the computer may auto-
matically select a lower gear. Th
is function assists engine brak-
ing efforts, reducing the need
for using the service brakes.
CAUTION
!●
Before selecting a gear with the engine running and the vehicle stationary, fully depress the brake pedalto prevent the vehicle from creeping. The vehicle will begin to move as soon as the gear is engaged, especially when th
e engine speed is high, at
fast idle or with the ai
r conditioning
operating, the
brakes should only be released when you are ready to drive away.
●
Depress the brake pedal with the right foot at all times. Using the left foot co
uld cause driver movement
delay in case of an emergency.
●
Operating the accelerator
pedal while the other foot
is resting on the brake peda
l will affect braking effi-
ciency and may cause pr
emature wear of brake
pads.
●
To prevent sudden accel
eration, never race the
engine when shifting from
the “P” (PARK) or “N”
(NEUTRAL) position.
●
Do not race the engine wi
th brake pedal pressed
when the vehicle is stationary. This can damage the A/T. Also, when you depress the accelerator pedal whileholding down the brake peda
l with the selector lever
in the “P” (PARK), “N” (NEUTRAL) or “D” (DRIVE) position, the increa
se in engine revolutions
may be limited.
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32 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
Starting and driving
4-33
4
Waiting
E00604600245
For short waiting periods, such as
at traffic signals, the vehicle
can be left in gear and held st
ationary with the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running, place theselector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and apply the parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary with the service brake.
Parking
E00604700161
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully engage the parking brake, and th
en move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, 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 before applying the parking brake, it may be difficult todisengage the selector lever
from the “P” (PARK) position
when next you drive the vehicle, requiring application of a strong force to the selector
lever to move from the “P”
(PARK) position.
CAUTION
!●
Never hold the vehicle statio
nary on a hill using the
accelerator pedal (without
using the brake pedal).
Always apply the parking brake and/or service brakes.
BK-BK2008E1ENUK.en-uk-Section7.fm Page
33 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
Starting and driving
4-51
4
Climbing sharp gradesSet the transfer shift lever to
the “4LLc” position to maximize
the engine torque.NOTE●
Choose as smooth a slope as possible with few stones or other obstacles.
●
Before attempting to drive up the slope, walk up it to con- firm that the vehicle can handle the grade.
Descending sharp gradesSet the transfer shift lever to the “4LLc” position, use the engine brake (downshifting) and descend slowly.
NOTE●
When descending a sharp grade,
if the brakes are applied
suddenly because of an obstacle encountered, control of the vehicle could be lost. Before descending the slope, walk down it and confirm the path.
●
Before descending a grade, it is necessary to choose the appropriate gear. Avoid changi
ng gears or depressing the
clutch while descending the grade.
●
MITSUBISHI MOTORS is not responsible to the opera- tor for any damage or injury caused or liability incurred by the improper and negligent operation of a vehicle. Alltechniques of vehicle operation described herein depend on the skill and experience of the operator and other par- ticipating parties and any deviation from the recom-mended operation instructions above is at their own risk.
Turning sharp cornersWhen turning a sharp corner in
the “4HLc” or “4LLc” position
at low speed, a slight differen
ce in steering may be experienced
similar to as if the brakes were applied. This is called tight cor-ner braking and results from each of the 4 tyres being at a dif- ferent distance fr
om the corner.
The phenomenon is peculiar to 4-wheel drive vehicles. If thisoccurs, either straighten the st
eering wheel, or change to rear-
wheel drive.
WARNING
!●
Go straight up. Do not try to traverse across a steep slope.
●
If you begin to lose traction, ease off the accelerator pedal and gently turn th
e steering wheel alterna-
tively left and right to regain adequate tractionagain.WARNING
!●
Avoid snaking down a sharp grade. Descend the grade as straight as possible.
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51 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
4-52 Starting and driving
4
Crossing a stream4-wheel drive vehicles are not
necessarily waterproof. If the
electrical circuits become wet,
further operation
of the vehicle
will be impossible; therefore,
avoid crossing streams unless
absolutely necessary. If crossi
ng a stream is unavoidable, use
the following procedure:1. Check depths of a stream a
nd geographical features before
attempting to cross a stream
and ford the stream where the
water is as shallow as practicable.
2. Cross at a place where the water is less than 70 cm deep. 3. Set the transfer shift lever to the “4LLc” position. 4. Drive slowly at a speed of
approximately 5 km/h (3mph)
to avoid splashing too much water.
NOTE●
Because the inside of the ve
hicle is flooded with water
when crossing at a place wh
ere the water is more than
50 cm deep, we recommend you to have your vehicle inspected.
●
Frequent crossing of streams
can adversely affect the life
span of the vehicle; we recommend you to take the neces- sary measures to prepare, in
spect, and repair the vehicle.
CAUTION
!●
Do not attempt to cross a stream at a place where the water is more than 70 cm deep.
●
Cross a stream temporar
ily for emergencies and
avoid doing so for a long period of time.
●
After crossing a stream, apply the brakes to be sure they are functioning properl
y. If the brakes are wet
and not functioning properly, dry them out by driv-ing slowly while lightly de
pressing the brake pedal.
Inspect each part of
the vehicle carefully.
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52 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
Starting and driving
4-53
4
Inspection and main
tenance following
rough road operation
E00606700048
After operating the vehicle in rough road conditions, be sure to perform the following inspection and maintenance procedures: ●
Check that the vehicle has not been damaged by rocks, gravel, etc.
●
Carefully wash the vehicle with water. After washing, drive the vehicle slowly while lightlydepressing the brake pedal in order to dry out the brakes. If the brakes still do not function properly, we recommend you to have the brakes checked as soon as possible.
●
Remove the insects, dried grass, etc. clogging the radiator core.
●
After crossing a stream, be sure to have the following items inspected at a MITS
UBISHI MOTORS Authorized
Service Point and take the necessary measures. • Check the brake system and,
if necessary, have it serv-
iced. • Check the engine, transmissi
on, transfer, and differential
oil or grease level and turbid
ity. If the oil or grease is
milky, it indicates water co
ntamination. Replace it with
new oil or grease. • Grease the propeller shaft.• Check the inside of the vehi
cle. If ingress of water is
found, dry the carpet etc. • Inspect the headlamps. If th
e headlamp bulb is flooded
with water, we recommend you to have it drained.
Cautions on handling
of 4-wheel drive
vehicles
E00606800401
Tyres and wheelsSince the driving torque can be
applied to the 4 wheels, the per-
formance of the vehicle when
operating in 4-wheel drive is
greatly affected by th
e condition of the tyres.
Pay close attention to the tyres. ●
Install specified tyres on all
wheels. Refer to “Tyres and
wheels” on page 9-13.
●
Be sure to fit all 4 tyres an
d wheels of the same size and
type. When replacement of any of th
e tyres or wheels is neces-
sary, replace all of them.
●
All tyres should be rotated
whenever the wear difference
between the front and rear tyres is recognizable.
BK-BK2008E1ENUK.en-uk-Section7.fm Page
53 Wednesday, January 9, 2008 4:36 PM
4-56 Starting and driving
4
Braking
E00607000905
All the parts of the brake system
are critical to safety. We rec-
ommend you to have the vehicle
checked at regular intervals
according the service booklet.Brake systemThe service brake is divided in
to two brake circuits so that
when one brake circuit fails, the
other is available to stop the
vehicle. In this situation, even if the brake pedal moves down to the very end of its possible stroke, keep it pressed down hard; stop driving as soon as possible and have the brake sys-tem repaired. For details, refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page 3-13.
Power brakesThe power brakes use brake fl
uid pressurized by the pump to
power-assist the brake.
If the brake system fails during driving,
the brake warning lamp comes
on and a buzzer sounds continu-
ously. In this case, the br
ake may not work properly.
If this buzzer should continue to
sound, park your vehicle in a
safe place and have the system checked. Refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page 3-13.NOTE●
Depressing the brake pedal re
peatedly may turn on the
brake warning lamp, ABS warning lamp and brake warn-ing buzzer. (The ASTC indicat
ion lamp and active stabil-
ity control function OFF indication lamp also turn on.) It is normal if the lamp goes out and the buzzer stops sound-ing after a few seconds.
●
In certain cases immediately after the engine has been started or when the brake peda
l is depressed repeatedly, a
noise generated by operation of brake devices may be heard coming from the engine compartment. This type of noise is normal and there is no
need for concern. In fact, it
indicates that the correspondi
ng devices are operating nor-
mal.
CAUTION
!●
Avoid driving habits that cause heavy braking and never “ride” the brakes by
resting your foot on the
brake pedal while driving. It causes brake overheating and fade.
CAUTION
!●
Bring the vehicle to halt in a safe location by apply- ing the brakes gently. Appl
ying the brakes rapidly
or driving at high speed may make the vehicleunstable.
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