Quick index
7
Problem
Do this
Ref. page
The engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge indicator is at the
“H” (hot) position.
Steam comes out of the engine
compartment.
The engine is overheated.
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe place.P. 6 - 5
The vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, or snow.Move the selector lever rhythmically between “Sports Mode” and “R” (REVERSE) posi-
tions, while pressing lightly on the accelerator pedal.P.6-25
WA R N I N G
!When attempting to rock your vehicle out of a stuck position, be sure that no one is near the vehicle. The rocking
motion may cause the vehicle to suddenly lurch forward or backward, possibly injuring bystanders.Avoid revving the engine or spinning the wheels. Prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle may result in overheating
and transaxle failure.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking attempts, have a towing service pull the vehicle out.
BK0102600US.book 7 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
Seat and restraint systems
2-9
2
To adjust the lumbar support (Driver’s side only)
N00402200143
A lumbar support is included in the seatback of the driver’s
seat.
Heated seats
(if so equipped)
N00435600222
The heated seats can be operated when the ignition key is in the
“ON” position.
The indicator light (A) will illuminate while the heater is on.
1- Strong
2- Weak
1- Heater high (for quick heating)
2- Heater off
3- Heater low (to keep the seat warm)
BK0102600US.book 9 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
2-10 Seat and restraint systems
2Rear seats
N00402500058
Folding the seatbacks forward
N00402900111
The rear seatbacks can be folded forward to provide additional
luggage compartment space.
Pull the left and/or right release knobs, and fold the rear seat-
backs forward.NOTEConfirm that the seatback locks securely when it is
returned.
CAUTION
!Switch off the seat heaters when not in use. Operate
the heaters at high for quick heating. After the seat
has become warm, set the heater to low to keep it
warm. Slight variations in the seat temperature may
be felt while using the heated seats. This is caused by
the operation of the heater’s internal thermostat and
does not indicate a malfunction.
If the following types of persons use the heated seats,
they might become too hot or receive minor burns
(red skin, heat blisters, etc.):
• Children, elderly persons, ill persons
• Person with sensitive skin
• Excessively fatigued persons
• Persons under the influence of alcohol or sleep-
inducing medication (cold medicine, etc.)
Do not place heavy objects on the seat or stick pins,
needles, or other pointed objects into it.Do not use a blanket, cushion, or other material with
high heat insulation properties on the seat while
using the heater; doing so could cause the heater ele-
ment to overheat.When cleaning the seat, do not use benzene, gaso-
line, alcohol, or other organic solvents; doing so
could damage not only the surface of the seat, but
also the heater.If water or any other liquid is spilled on the seat,
allow it to dry thoroughly before attempting to use
the heater. Turn the heater off immediately if it
appears to be malfunctioning during use.
BK0102600US.book 10 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
3-46 Features and controls
3
Operation of the automatic transaxle
N00514500229
Passing accelerationTo gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position (when
passing another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift.NOTEIn sports mode, downshifts do not take place when the
accelerator is depressed all the way to the floor.WaitingFor short waiting periods, such as at traffic lights, the vehicle
can be left in gear and held stationary with the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running, the selec-
tor lever should be placed in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position.ParkingTo park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully
engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.
CAUTION
!Before selecting a gear with the engine running and
the vehicle stationary, fully depress the brake pedal
to prevent the vehicle from creeping.
The vehicle will begin to move as soon as the gear is
engaged, especially when the engine speed is high, at
fast idle or with the air 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 could cause driver movement
delay in case of an emergency.To prevent sudden acceleration, never run the
engine at high rpms when shifting from the “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL).Operating the accelerator pedal while the other foot
is resting on the brake pedal will affect braking effi-
ciency and may cause premature wear of brake
pads.
Do not rev the engine with the brake pedal pressed.
This can damage the transaxle.
CAUTION
!To avoid transaxle overheating, never try to keep
your vehicle stationary on a hill by using the acceler-
ator pedal. Always apply the parking brake and/or
service brake.Unexpected acceleration may occur if the selector
lever is in a position other than “P” (PARK) or “N”
(NEUTRAL).
Prior to moving off after having stopped the vehicle,
make sure that the selector lever is in “D” (DRIVE)
position or “Sports mode” position.
BK0102600US.book 46 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
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
Features and controls
3-81
3
Engine coolant temperature gauge
N00519700095
This gauge shows the engine coolant temperature. If the tem-
perature is low when the ignition key is turned to the “ON”
position, the indicator will remain at the “C” (cold) position
until the engine begins to warm up.
The indicator will normally stay near the center while driving,
but may rise slightly in stop-and-go traffic or when the engine
is under a heavy load.
CAUTION
!Take care to keep the engine operating temperature
within the normal range while driving. If the indica-
tor enters the “H” (hot) position, the engine is over-
heating (Refer to “Engine overheating” on page 6-5).
BK0102600US.book 81 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
Features and controls
3-163
3 Electric rear window defogger switch
N00523700328
The electric rear window defogger can be used with the igni-
tion key in the “ON” position.
The indicator light (A) will come on when you press the elec-
tric rear window defogger switch. Electric current will flow
through the heating wires on the rear window to help clear
away moisture or frost.
After about 17 minutes of operation, the defogger will shut off
automatically.
To switch the defogger OFF before 17 minutes have passed,
press the switch again. The indicator light will go out and the
defogger will turn off.
If you need the defogger for more than 17 minutes, press the
switch again. This will add 17 more minutes.
NOTEIf your vehicle is equipped with heated mirrors, mist can
also be removed from the outside rearview mirrors when
the rear window defogger switch is pressed. (Refer to
“Heated mirror” on page 3-33.)
CAUTION
!The rear window defogger is not designed to melt
snow. Remove any snow manually before using the
rear window defogger.Use the rear window defogger only after the engine
has started and is running. Be sure to turn the
defogger switch off immediately after the window is
clear to save on battery power.Do not place stickers, tape, or other items that are
attached with adhesive over the grid wires on the
rear window.When cleaning the inside rear window, use a soft
cloth and wipe lightly over the grid wires.
BK0102600US.book 163 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分
4-6 Driving safety
4
Check the engine antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak or from
engine overheating, add high-quality ethylene glycol anti-
freeze and water. The recommended blend is about 50 %
water and 50 % anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration
(not over 60 %) when the outside temperature is -31 °F
(-35 °C) or lower. When the engine is working very hard
(for example, during mountain driving and/or when the
outside temperature is high), use a 50 % concentration.
This blend will provide adequate protection from corro-
sion and boiling.
Braking
N00629500420
All the parts of the brake system are critical to safety. Have the
vehicle serviced by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or
a repair facility of your choice at regular intervals according to
the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.When brakes are wetCheck the brake system while driving at a low speed immedi-
ately after starting, especially when the brakes are wet, to con-
firm they work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake discs and prevent
normal braking after driving in heavy rain or through large
puddles, or after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry the
brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake
pedal.When driving in cold weatherOn snowy roads, ice can form on the braking system, making
the brakes less effective. While driving in such conditions, pay
close attention to preceding and following vehicles and to the
condition of the road surface. From time to time, lightly
depress the brake pedal and check how effective the brakes are.When driving downhillIt is important to take advantage of the engine braking by shift-
ing to a lower gear of the sports mode while driving on steep
downhill roads in order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
WA R N I N G
!Never open the radiator cap when the radiator is
hot. You could be seriously burned.
BK0102600US.book 6 ページ 2009年3月30日 月曜日 午後2時2分