2010 MITSUBISHI ENDEAVOR Owners Manual

3-48 Features and controls
3All-wheel drive operation
N00530600101
All-wheel drive vehicles provide better traction and control
than front-wheel drive vehicles on slippery surfaces (for exam-
ple, snow, sand, mud etc.). However, their capabilities are not
without limits.
When using all-wheel drive on rough roads (snow, sand, mud
etc.), it is important to operate the vehicle correctly.
NOTE
Driving on rough roads can be hard on a vehicle. Before
you leave the pavement, be sure all scheduled mainte-
nance and service has been done, and that you have
inspected your vehicle. Pay special attention to the condi-
tion of the tires, and check the tire pressures.

Mitsubishi is not responsible to the operator for any dam-
age or injury caused or liability incurred by improper and
negligent operation of a vehicle. All techniques of vehicle
operation depend on the skill and experience of the opera-
tor and other participating parties. Any deviation from the
recommended operating instructions above is at their own
risk.

Note that the stopping distance required of the all-wheel
drive vehicle differs very little from that of the front-
wheel drive vehicle. When driving on a snow-covered
road or a slippery, muddy surface, make sure that you
keep a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the
one ahead of you.

The driving posture should be more upright; adjust the
seat to a good position for easy steering and pedal opera-
tion. Be sure to wear the seat belt.

After driving on rough roads, check each part of the vehi-
cle and wash it thoroughly with water. Refer to the
“Inspection and maintenance following rough road opera-
tion” section and “Vehicle care and maintenance” sec-
tions.Driving on snowy or icy roadsGradually depress the accelerator pedal for a smooth start.NOTE
The use of snow tires is recommended.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not over-rely on the all-wheel drive vehicles.The
all-wheel drive vehicles, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstances.
Reckless driving can lead to accidents. Always drive
carefully, taking into account the traffic, road and
environmental conditions.
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off-pave-
ment can cause an accident or rollover in which you
and your passengers could be seriously injured or
killed.
• Follow all instructions and guidelines in the
owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low and don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.
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Features and controls
3-49
3

Maintain a safe distance between vehicles, avoid sudden
braking, and use engine braking (downshifting).Driving on sandy or muddy roads Gradually depress the accelerator pedal for a smooth start.
Keep the pressure on the accelerator pedal as constant as possi-
ble, and drive at low speed.
NOTE
Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, and turning; such
operations could result in the vehicle becoming stuck.

If the vehicle becomes stuck in sandy or muddy roads, it
can often be moved with a rocking motion. Move the
selector lever alternately between “Sports mode” and “R”
(REVERSE) position, while applying slight pressure to
the accelerator pedal.

Driving rough road can cause rust on the vehicle; wash the
vehicle thoroughly as soon as possible after such use.Climbing/descending sharp gradesYour vehicle may not provide sufficient hill climbing ability
and engine braking on steep slope. Avoid driving on steep
slopes even though your vehicle has full-time all-wheel drive.Turning sharp cornersOn rough roads, the basic turning technique is to drive at a low
speed and gradually steer to suit the surface.
CAUTION
!
Avoid sudden braking, sudden acceleration, and
sharp turning; such operations could cause skidding
and loss of control.
CAUTION
!
Do not force the vehicle or drive recklessly on sandy
surfaces. In comparison with normal road surfaces,
the engine and other drive-system components are
put under excessive strain when driving on such a
surface. This could lead to accidents.
If the needle in the temperature gauge approaches
the overheating zone or the “N” indicator starts to
blink quickly (i.e., about twice every second) while
the vehicle is being driven, immediately locate a safe
place, stop the vehicle there, and begin the appropri-
ate procedure to rectify the overheating problem.
(Refer to the “Engine overheating” on page 6-5 and
the “Automatic transaxle fluid temperature warning
light” on page 3-43.)
WA R N I N G
!
When attempting to rock your vehicle out of a stuck
position, be sure that the area around the vehicle is
clear of people and physical objects. The rocking
motion may cause the vehicle to suddenly launch
forward or backward, causing injury or damage to
nearby people or objects.
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3-50 Features and controls
3
Driving through water
N00537800069
If the electrical circuits become wet, further operation of the
vehicle will be impossible; therefore, avoid driving through
water unless absolutely necessary. If driving through water is
unavoidable, use the following procedure:
Check the depth of the water and the terrain before attempting
to drive through it. Drive slowly to avoid creating excessive
water splashing.
Inspection and maintenance following
rough road operation
N00530700072
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.
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 Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible to have the brakes checked.

Remove the insects, dried grass, etc. clogging the radiator
core.

After driving through water, check the engine, transaxle
and differential oil. If the oil or grease is milky or cloudy
because of water contamination, it must be replaced with
new oil.

Check the inside of the vehicle. If water entry is found,
dry the carpet etc.

Inspect the headlights. If water is in the headlight housing,
have it drained at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.

Have an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice replace the grease in the wheel
bearings.
CAUTION
!
Never drive through water that is deep enough to
cover wheel hubs, axles or exhaust pipe. Do not
change gears while driving through water.
Frequent driving through water can adversely affect
the life span of the vehicle; consult an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice and take the necessary measures to prepare,
inspect, and repair the vehicle.
After driving through water, 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.
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Features and controls
3-51
3 Cautions on the handling of all-wheel drive
vehicles
N00530800129
Tires and wheelsSince the driving torque can be applied to the four wheels, the
driving performance of the vehicle when operating in all-wheel
drive is greatly affected by the condition of the tires.
Pay close attention to the tires.

Install only the specified tires on all wheels. Refer to
“Tires and wheels” on page 9-7.

Be sure all four tires and wheels are the same size and
type.
When it is necessary to replace any of the tires or wheels,
replace all four.

All tires should be rotated before the wear difference
between the front and rear tires is recognizable.
Good vehicle performance cannot be expected if there is a dif-
ference in wear between tires. Refer to the “Tire rotation” on
page 7-27.

Check the tire inflation pressure regularly.
CAUTION
!
Always use tires of the same size, type, and brand
that have no wear differences. Using tires of differ-
ent size, type, brand or degree of wear, will increase
the differential oil temperature and result in possi-
ble damage to the driving system. Further, the drive
train will be subject to excessive loading, possibly
leading to oil leakage, component seizure, or other
serious problems.
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3-52 Features and controls
3
Towing Jacking up all-wheel drive vehicles
CAUTION
!
Do not tow full-time all-wheel drive vehicles with the
front or rear wheels on the ground (Type A or Type
B) as illustrated. This could result in damage to the
drivetrain, or unstable towing.
If you tow full-time all-wheel drive vehicles, use
Type C or Type D equipment.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not crank the engine while jacking up the vehi-
cle.
The tire on the ground may turn and the vehicle
may roll off the jack.
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Features and controls
3-53
3 Service brake
N00517500204
Brake pedalOveruse of the brake can cause poor brake response and pre-
mature wear of the brake pads.
When driving down a long or steep hill, use engine braking by
shifting the transaxle into a lower gear of the sports mode.
Power brakes
N00517600247
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes for more braking
force with minimal brake pedal effort.
Your brakes are designed to operate at full capacity, even if the
power assist is lost.
If the power assist is lost, the effort needed to press the brake
pedal is greater.
If you should loose the power assist for some reason, the
brakes will still work.
If the power brake unit or either of the two brake hydraulic sys-
tems stops working properly, the rest of the brake system will
still work, but the vehicle will not slow down as quickly.
You will know this has happened if you find you need to
depress the brake pedal down further, or harder when slowing
down or stopping, or if the brake warning light comes on.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not leave any objects near the brake pedal or let
a floor mat slide under it; 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. Make sure the floor mat is
securely held in place.
CAUTION
!
It is important not to drive the vehicle with your foot
resting on the brake pedal when braking is not
required. This practice can result in very high brake
temperatures, premature pad wear, and possible
damage to the brakes.
WA R N I N G
!
Never coast downhill with the engine OFF. Keep the
engine running whenever your vehicle is in motion.
If you turn off the engine while driving, the power
brake booster will stop working and your brakes
will not work as well.
If the power assist is lost or if either brake hydraulic
system stops working properly, take your vehicle to
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice immediately.
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3-54 Features and controls
3
Brake pad wear alarm
N00532500087
The disc brakes have an alarm that makes a metallic squeal
when the brake pads have worn down enough to need service.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads replaced at an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.
Anti-lock braking system
N00517900224
The anti-lock braking system helps prevent the wheels from
locking up when braking. This helps you keep control of your
vehicle and its direction. Driving hints
When using the anti-lock brakes (sudden braking), steer-
ing is slightly different from normal driving conditions.
Use the steering wheel carefully.

Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock
braking system, leave a greater braking distance when:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving on uneven road surfaces.

Operation of anti-lock braking system is not restricted to
situations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also prevent the wheels from locking when you drive
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.

When the anti-lock braking system is in use, you may feel
the brake pedal vibrating and hear a unique sound. You
may also feel as if the pedal resists being pressed.
In this situation, simply hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Do not pump the brake, which will result in
reduced braking performance.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with worn brake pads will make it harder to
stop, and can cause an accident.
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Features and controls
3-55
3
Anti-lock braking system warning light
N00531600414
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the anti-
lock braking system. It will also come on as a self-check for a
few seconds when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. Always make sure that the light goes out before beginning
to drive.
CAUTION
!
The anti-lock braking system cannot prevent acci-
dents. It is your responsibility to take safety precau-
tions and to drive carefully.
To prevent failure of the anti-lock braking system,
be sure all four wheels and tires are the same size
and the same type.
CAUTION
!
If the anti-lock braking system warning light comes
on and stays on after starting the engine or while
driving, it means that the anti-lock braking system is
not working and that only the standard brake sys-
tem is available. (The standard brake system will
still work properly.) If this happens, take your vehi-
cle to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.
or
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