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Features and controls
3-91
3
Starting the engineThis model is equipped with an electronically controlled fuel
injection system. This is a system that automatically controls
fuel injection. There is usually no need to depress the accelera-
tor pedal when starting the engine.
The starter should not be run for more than 15 seconds at a
time.
To prevent battery drain, wait a few seconds between attempts
to restart the engine.
Normal conditionsTo start your vehicle:
Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat belts fas-
tened.
1. Insert the ignition key.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
3. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and make
certain that all warning lights are functioning properly
before starting the engine.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without
pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the ignition switch
when the engine starts.NOTE
Minor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.
At extremely cold ambient temperatureIf the engine won’t start, press the accelerator pedal about half-
way down while cranking the engine. Release the accelerator
pedal when the engine starts.
WA R N I N G
!
Never run the engine in a closed or poorly ventilated
area any longer than is needed to move your vehicle
out of the area. Carbon monoxide gas, which is
odorless and extremely poisonous, could build up
and cause serious injury or death.CAUTION
!
Do not push-start the vehicle.
Do not run the engine at high rpms or drive at high
speeds until the engine has had a chance to warm
up.
Release the ignition switch as soon as the engine
starts. Otherwise, the starter motor will be dam-
aged.
CAUTION
!
When starting the engine, make sure that you hold
the brake pedal down. During very cold weather, if
you start the engine with your foot on the accelera-
tor pedal, move your foot to the brake pedal as soon
as the engine has started.
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3-92 Features and controls
3
Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle and CVT
vehicle with ambient temperature of -31
°F (-35
°C) or
lower
When the ambient temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This occurs because the transaxle has not warmed up suffi-
ciently; it does not indicate a problem. If this occurs, place the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the engine
idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.
Flooded engineIf the engine has flooded during starting, first run the starter for
5 to 6 seconds while holding down the accelerator pedal.
Return the ignition switch to the “ON” position and release the
accelerator pedal. Wait a moment, then without depressing the
accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the “START” posi-
tion for another 5 to 6 seconds. Release the ignition switch if
the engine starts. Repeat as necessary. Contact your Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice for assistance.Using the MIVEC engine (3.0 liter models)The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.NOTE
To protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
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3-94 Features and controls
3
Selector lever operation
N00513800296
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with an
automatic transaxle have a shift-lock device that holds the
selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position. To move the selector
lever from the “P” (PARK) position to another position, follow
the steps below.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the selector lever to the desired position.NOTE
The selector lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition switch is set to the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position, or if the key has been
removed, or if the brake pedal is not pressed and held
down.The transaxle has 6 forward gears and 1 reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected automatically, depending on
the position of the gear selector lever, the speed of the vehicle
and the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever (A) has “2 gates”: The main gate (B) and the
manual gate (C).
NOTE
There are 4 selector lever positions in the main gate.
For information on manual gate operation, please refer to
“Sports mode” on page 3-99.
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3-96 Features and controls
3
When the selector lever cannot be shifted from the “P”
(PARK) position
N00563100034
When the selector lever cannot be shifted from the “P” (PARK)
position to another position while the brake pedal is pressed
and held down with the ignition switch at the “ON” position,
the battery may be flat or the shift-lock mechanism may be
malfunctioning.
Immediately have your vehicle checked by an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
If you need to move the vehicle, shift the selector lever as fol-
lows.
1. Make sure the parking brake is fully applied.
2. Stop the engine if it is running.
3. Insert a screwdriver with a cloth over its tip into the notch
(A) of the cover. Pry gently as shown to remove the cover.4. Depress the brake pedal with the right foot.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position.
NOTE
For vehicles with the Free-hand Advanced Security
Transmitter (F.A.S.T.-key), turn the ignition switch to the
“ACC” position with the emergency key if the vehicle
battery is flat.
6. Insert a screwdriver in the shift-lock release hole (B).
Shift the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL) position
while pressing the screwdriver down.
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Features and controls
3-103
3 Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped)
N00560200021
The CVT is capable of changing the engine speed to vehicle
speed ratio automatically and steplessly to suit driving condi-
tions in all phases of vehicle operation. It therefore realizes
smooth, shock-free operation and excellent fuel efficiency.DRIVING UPHILLThe transmission may not shift to a higher ratio if the computer
determines your current speed would be affected.
For smoother operation, the transmission may not shift if you
release the throttle while climbing a steep hill. This is normal
because the computer controls the shifting. After reaching the
top of the hill, your normal shift function will resume.DRIVING DOWNHILLWhen traveling down steep grades and using the brakes, the
computer may automatically shift to a lower ratio. This helps
engine braking efforts, reducing your need to use the brakes.
Selector lever operation
N00560300022
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with a
continuously variable transmission have a shift-lock device
that holds the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position. To
move the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) position to
another position, follow the steps below.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the selector lever to the desired position.NOTE
The selector lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition switch is set to the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position, or if the key has been
removed, or if the brake pedal is not pressed and held
down.
CAUTION
!
Automatic downshifts may not take place if the con-
tinuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid is still
cool immediately after you start driving. To cause a
downshift, depress the brake pedal or shift down
manually.
Always drive safely in accordance with road condi-
tions.
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3-106 Features and controls
3
4. Depress the brake pedal with the right foot.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” position.NOTE
For vehicles with the Free-hand Advanced Security
Transmitter (F.A.S.T.-key), turn the ignition switch to the
“ACC” position with the emergency key if the vehicle
battery is flat.
6. Insert a screwdriver in the shift-lock release hole (B).
Shift the selector lever to the “N” (NEUTRAL) position
while pressing the screwdriver down.
Selector lever position display
N00560400023
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the
selector lever position is shown on the multi-information dis-
play.
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Features and controls
3-165
3
NOTE
If there is no warning display, the switching sequence is:
odometer/tripmeter → odometer/tripmeter → ser-
vice reminder → odometer/tripmeter .
Both tripmeters and can count up to 9999.9
miles/kilometers.
When a tripmeter goes past 9999.9 miles/kilometers, it
returns to 0.0 miles/kilometers.
When disconnecting the battery terminal, the memories of
tripmeter displays and are cleared, and their dis-
plays return to “0.0 miles/kilometers”.
Service reminder
N00555500013
Shows the distance and number of months until the next peri-
odic inspection.
Refer to “Service reminder” on page 3-177.
Interrupt display screen (With ignition switch in
the “OFF” position)
N00559600142
When there is information to be announced, such as a key
reminder, the buzzer sounds and switches to the warning dis-
play screen. Refer to the appropriate page and take the neces-
sary measures.
When the cause of the warning display is eliminated, the warn-
ing display goes out automatically.
Refer to “Warning display list (With ignition switch in the
“OFF” position)” on page 3-200.1- Information generated
2- Cause eliminatedTy p e 1
Ty p e 2
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3-198 Features and controls
3
Warning display list (With ignition switch in the “OFF” position)
N00558000152
Screen type 1
Screen type 2
Cause
Do this (Reference)
You have forgotten to remove the key
from the ignition switch.Remove the key.
Refer to “Key reminder system” on
page 3-56.
You have forgotten to turn off the
lights.Refer to “Light auto-cutout function (head-
lights and other lights)” on page 3-217.
The theft-alarm is operating.
Immobilizer is registered.Refer to “Theft-alarm system” on page 3-66.
Refer to “Electronic immobilizer (Anti-theft
starting system)” on page 3-24.
Refer to “Emergency key” on page 3-35.
After turning off the engine, an attempt
was made to open the driver’s door
with the ignition switch in any position
other than “LOCK” (PUSH OFF).Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” (PUSH OFF) position.
Refer to “Ignition switch return
reminder system” on page 3-57.
An attempt was made to lock all the
doors and the tailgate with the ignition
switch in any position other than
“LOCK” (PUSH OFF).Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” (PUSH OFF) position.
Refer to “Ignition switch turn-off
reminder system” on page 3-31.
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