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.
NOTEAvoid 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.
BK0102600US.book 49 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
3-56 Features and controls
3
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00531700356
Since there is always a risk of your vehicle becoming
unstable if you apply the brakes suddenly, be sure to brake
gently and do not attempt high-speed driving. Be sure to
stop the vehicle in a safe place. Test the system by restart-
ing the engine and driving at a speed of about 12 mph
(20 km/h) or higher.
If the light goes out, there is no abnormal condition. If the
light does not go out after driving as instructed here, or if
it comes on again, the anti-lock braking system is not
functioning. Only the ordinary braking system is function-
ing. If this happens, take your vehicle to an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice and have the system checked as soon as possible.
NOTEAfter your vehicle is driven a short distance after starting
the engine, you will hear a whining sound and the sound
of a motor operating coming from the engine compart-
ment. These are the normal sounds the anti-lock braking
system makes when performing a self-check. It does not
indicate a malfunction.
The anti-lock braking system can be used after the vehicle
has reached a speed over approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
It stops working when the vehicle slows below approxi-
mately 3 mph (5 km/h).
After driving on snow or icy roads, remove any snow and
ice which may have be left around the wheels. On vehi-
cles that have an anti-lock braking system, be careful not
to damage the wheel speed sensors (A) or the cables
located at each wheel.
BK0102600US.book 56 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
3-58 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00505900083
The active stability control (ASC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock braking system, traction control function and skid
control function to help maintain the vehicle’s control and trac-
tion. Also refer to the following pages on the anti-lock braking
system, traction control function and skid control function.
Anti-lock braking system → P. 3 - 5 4
Traction control function → P. 3 - 5 8
Skid control function → P. 3 - 6 0
NOTEA whining sound may be heard from the engine compart-
ment in the following situations. The sound is associated
with the ASC self-check operations. It does not indicate a
malfunction.
• When the ignition key is set to the “ON” position.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while after the engine is
turned on.
When the ASC is activated, you may feel a vibration in
the vehicle body or hear a whining sound from the engine
compartment.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti-lock braking system warning light is illu-
minated, the ASC is not active.Traction control function
N00506000036
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessively, thus helping the vehi-
cle to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides
sufficient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
!Do not over-rely on the ASC. Even the ASC cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle. This system, 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. It is the driver’s
responsibility to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environmental
conditions.Be sure to use the same specified type and size of tire
on all four wheels. Otherwise, the ASC may not
work properly.Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ASC may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.When a tire such as a compact spare tire that is dif-
ferent in size from the standard tire has been
installed, make sure that the traction control func-
tion is turned off.
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Features and controls
3-61
3
NOTEWhen a spare tire has been put on your vehicle, the grip-
ping ability of the tire will be lower, making it more likely
that the indicator will blink.
CAUTION
!When indicator blinks, the ASC is operating,
which means that the road is slippery or that your
vehicle’s wheels are beginning to slip. If this hap-
pens, drive slower with less accelerator input.
CAUTION
!If an abnormal condition occurs in the system while
driving, the and indicators or indicator
alone will illuminate.
In these cases, follow these procedures:
[If the and indicators continuously illumi-
nate]• If the temperature of the braking system increases
excessively due to continuous brake control on a
slippery road surface, the and indicators
will illuminate, and operation of the ASC will be
suspended to protect the brake system. (Normal
operation of the vehicle will not be affected.) Park
your vehicle in a safe place. When the temperature
in the braking system has come down, the and
indicators will be turned off and the ASC will
start operating again.
• If the and indicators do not go out even
through the above procedure is followed, there
could be a problem in the system.
Stop the engine and restart the engine again and
check whether the and indicators go out. If
the indicators go out, there is no abnormal condi-
tion.
If the and indicators remain on even after
your vehicle is driven a short distance after
restarting the engine, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.CAUTION
!
BK0102600US.book 61 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
3-62 Features and controls
3
[If the indicator alone illuminates]• Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the
engine. Restart the engine again and check
whether the indicator goes out. If the indicator
goes out, there is no abnormal condition.
If the indicator alone remains on even after
your vehicle is driven a short distance after
restarting the engine, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!If the front-wheel drive vehicle is towed with the
ignition key in the “ON” position and only the front
wheels or only the rear wheels raised off the ground,
the ASC may operate, resulting in an accident.
When towing the vehicle with the front wheels
raised, keep the ignition key in the “LOCK” or
“ACC” position. When towing the vehicle with the
rear wheels raised, keep the ignition key in the
“ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-23.
BK0102600US.book 62 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
3-72 Features and controls
3
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels
on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that
the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.BK0102600US.book 72 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
Features and controls
3-83
3 Indicator
N00519900042
Turn signal indicators/Hazard warning lights
N00520000144
The arrows will flash in time with the corresponding exterior
turn signals when the turn signal lever is used.
Both arrows will flash when the hazard warning flasher switch
is pressed. NOTEIf the indicator flashes faster than usual or if the indicator
stays on without flashing, check for a malfunctioning turn
signal light bulb or turn signal connection.High beam indicator
N00520100031
A blue light comes on when the headlights are on high beam.Front fog light indicator
(if so equipped)
N00520200159
This indicator comes on while the front fog lights are on.
Warning lights
N00520300121
Brake warning light
N00520400294
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position (engine off).
When the engine is started, the light should go off.
The light will illuminate under the following conditions:
When the parking brake pedal is engaged.
When the brake fluid level in the reservoir falls to a low
level.
When the brake circuit is not operating correctly.
Before driving your vehicle, release the parking brake and
make certain that the brake warning light has gone out.
CAUTION
!Brake performance or your ability to control the
vehicle may be compromised or the vehicle may
become unstable if the brakes are applied suddenly
in the following situations:
• The brake warning light does not illuminate when
the parking brake is applied or does not turn off
when the parking brake is released.
• The brake warning light remains illuminated dur-
ing driving.
• If any of the above situations occur, stop the vehi-
cle in a safe location, avoiding any sudden brake
application, and contact your nearest authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice.
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Features and controls
3-85
3
Charging system warning light
N00520600166
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the charg-
ing system or when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion (engine off). When the engine is started, the light should
go out. Check to make sure that the light has gone out before
driving.
Oil pressure warning light
N00520700154
This light comes on when the engine oil pressure is below nor-
mal. If the light stays on while driving, stop the engine as soon
as possible. Do not run the engine until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected.Door-ajar warning light and buzzer
N00520900286
This light comes on when any door, the liftgate is open or not
completely closed.
When the vehicle is moving at more than 5 mph (8 km/h) and
any door, the liftgate is open or ajar, a tone will sound 4 times
and the warning light will flash 4 times to inform the driver
that any door, the liftgate is not properly shut.
CAUTION
!If the warning light stays on after the engine has
started, the battery charging system may be mal-
functioning. In this case, take your vehicle to an
authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice and have the system checked.
CAUTION
!If this light comes on when the engine oil level is not
low, have your vehicle checked at an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice.This warning light does not show the amount of oil
in the crankcase. This can only be determined by
checking the oil level with the dipstick with the
engine turned off.
CAUTION
!Before driving, make sure that the door-ajar warn-
ing light is off.
BK0102600US.book 85 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分