2010 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER Owners Manual

3-98 Features and controls
3
Selector lever positions (Main gate)
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“P” PARKThis position locks the transaxle to prevent the vehicle from
moving. The engine can be started from the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.“R” REVERSEMove the lever to this position only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.“N” NEUTRALAt this position, the transaxle is disengaged. It is the same as
the neutral position on a manual transaxle and should be used
when the vehicle is not moving for an extended length of time
during driving, such as in a traffic jam.
CAUTION
!

If a malfunction occurs in the automatic transaxle
while driving, the warning display or the
warning display will appear on the information
screen in the multi-information display.
In this case, immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and follow these procedures:
When warning display is showing
The automatic transaxle fluid is overheating. Stop
your vehicle in a safe place, put the selector lever in
the “P” position, and open the engine hood with the
engine running to allow the engine to cool down.
After a while, confirm that the warning display is
no longer showing. It is safe to continue driving if
the display is no longer showing. If the warning dis-
play remains or flashes frequently, have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
When warning display is showing
It may be that there is something unusual happening
in the automatic transaxle, causing a safety device to
activate. Have your vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of
your choice as soon as possible.
CAUTION
!

Never shift into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion.
If the lever is shifted into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in motion,
the transaxle may be damaged.WA R N I N G
!

Never move the selector lever to the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position while driving since you could acci-
dentally slip it into the “P” (PARK) or “R”
(REVERSE) position, damaging the transaxle.
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Features and controls
3-99
3
“D” DRIVEThis position is used for most city and highway driving. Engine
shifting and braking are done automatically as needed, depend-
ing on road conditions.NOTE

For information on manual gate operation, please refer to
“Sports mode” on page 3-99.
Sports mode
N00514400358
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, sports mode is
selected by gently pushing the selector lever from the “D”
(DRIVE) position into the manual gate. To return to “D” opera-
tion, gently push the selector lever back into the main gate.
In sports mode, rapid gear shifting is possible simply by oper-
ating the selector lever or sportronic steering wheel paddle
shifter.
Unlike the manual transaxle, sports mode allows gear shifts
with the accelerator pedal depressed.NOTE

For vehicles equipped with the sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter, sports mode can be selected by shifting
gears even when the selector lever is in the main gate (2).
Also, you can return to the “D” operation in any of fol-
lowing ways.
When returning to “D” operation, the selector lever posi-
tion display will change to “D” (DRIVE) position.
 Pull the + (SHIFT UP) side sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter forward (toward the driver) for over 2 sec-
onds.
 Stop the vehicle
 Push the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE) position
into the manual gate (A) and push the selector lever
back into the main gate (B).


To prevent the vehicle from rolling when stopped on
a slope, the engine should be started in the “P”
(PARK) position, not in “N” (NEUTRAL) position.


Always keep your foot on the brake pedal when the
vehicle is in “N” (NEUTRAL) position, or when
shifting into or out of “N” (NEUTRAL) position, to
prevent rolling.CAUTION
!

Never shift into the “D” (DRIVE) position from the
“R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in
motion to avoid a transaxle damage.WA R N I N G
!
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3-100 Features and controls
3
NOTE

Gears can only be selected in a forward direction from 1st
gear to 6th gear. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the
selector lever to the “R” or “P” position.


To maintain good running performance, the transaxle may
refuse to perform an upshift when the selector lever is
moved to the “+ (SHIFT UP)” position at certain vehicle
speeds. Also, to prevent over-revving of the engine, the
transaxle may refuse to perform a downshift when the
lever is moved to the “- (SHIFT DOWN)” position at cer-
tain vehicle speeds. When this happens, a buzzer sounds
to indicate that a downshift is not going to take place.


When pulling away from a standstill on a slippery road,
push the selector lever forward to the + (SHIFT UP) posi-
tion to select 2nd gear. Push the selector lever to the -
(SHIFT DOWN) side to shift back to 1st gear.
+ (SHIFT UP)
The transaxle shifts up by one gear with each operation.
- (SHIFT DOWN)
The transaxle shifts down by one gear with each operation.
CAUTION
!

Upward shifts do not take place automatically in
sports mode. The driver must make upward shifts in
accordance with prevailing road conditions, making
sure the engine revolutions remain below the red
zone on the tachometer.


Repeated continuous operation of the selector lever
or the sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter will
continuously switch shift position.
SHIFT
DOWNSHIFT
DOWN
SHIFT
UP SHIFT
UP


On vehicles with a sportronic steering wheel paddle
shifter, gears may not change when the lateral pad-
dle shifters are operated at the same time. CAUTION
!
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Features and controls
3-101
3
Sports mode display
N00538800095
In sports mode, the currently selected gear is displayed on the
information screen in the multi-information display.NOTE

While driving in sports mode, the sports mode display
may change to show “D” and shifting in sports mode may
no longer be possible.
This indicates that controls to drive in the “D” position are
operating normally in order to lower the temperature of
the automatic transaxle fluid; it does not indicate a mal-
function. Once the temperature of the automatic transaxle
fluid drops, shifting in the sports mode will be possible
again.
Operation of the automatic transaxle
N00514500261
CAUTION
!

Before selecting a gear with the engine running and
the vehicle stationary, firmly 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 or idle
speed is high, or with the air conditioning operating.
Do not release the brake pedal until 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
when the vehicle is stationary.
This can damage the transaxle.
Also, when you depress the accelerator pedal while
holding down the brake pedal with the selector lever
in the “D” (DRIVE) position, the engine revolutions
may not rise as high as when performing the same
operation with the selector lever in the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position.
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3-102 Features and controls
3
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.NOTE

In 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, place the
selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and apply the
parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary with the
service brake.
Prior to moving off after having stopped the vehicle, make sure
that the selector lever is in “D” (DRIVE) position or Sports
mode 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.When the automatic transaxle makes no gear changeIf the transaxle does not change gears while driving, or your
vehicle does not pick up enough speed when starting on an
uphill slope, it may be that there is something unusual happen-
ing in the transaxle, causing a safety device to activate. Have
your vehicle checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.NOTE

When the warning display and “SLOW DOWN” or the
warning display and “SERVICE REQUIRED” appear
on the information screen in the multi-information dis-
play, there could be a malfunction in the automatic tran-
saxle. Refer to “Automatic transaxle: Warning display”
on page 3-97.
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.


Do not rev the engine unnecessarily while the vehicle
is stationary. Unexpected acceleration may occur if
the selector lever is in a position other than “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL).
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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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3-104 Features and controls
3
The CVT selects an optimum ratio automatically when the
selector lever is in the “D” (DRIVE) position, depending on 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.
Set the selector lever in the gate to operate while the
brake pedal is depressed.
Set the selector lever in the gate to operate.WA R N I N G
!

Always press the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into a selector position from the “N”
(NEUTRAL) position.
When beginning to drive, do not shift the selector
lever from the “N” (NEUTRAL) position while
pressing the accelerator pedal. This will cause the
vehicle to “jump” forward or backward.
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Features and controls
3-105
3
NOTE

To prevent mistakes in operating the lever, make sure you
stop briefly at each position. After operating, check the
position in the multi-information display.


If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock
device activates to prevent the selector lever from being
moved from the “P” (PARK) position.


For a shift indicated by in the illustration, depress the
brake pedal before moving the selector lever. If you
attempt to move the selector lever before depressing the
brake pedal, the selector lever may be immovable.
When the selector lever cannot be shifted from the “P”
(PARK) position
N00563300010
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.
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