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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
3-107
3
Warning display
N00560500037
Ty p e 1
or
Ty p e 2
or
When the warning display or the warning display
appears on the information screen in the multi-information dis-
play while you are driving, there could be a malfunction in the
CVT.
CAUTION
!
If a malfunction occurs in the CVT while driving,
the warning display or the warning display
will appear on the information screen in the multi-
information display.
In this case, follow these procedures:
[When warning display is showing]
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid
is overheating. The engine control may activate to
lower the CVT fluid temperature, causing the
engine revolutions and vehicle speed to decrease, In
this case, take one of the following procedures. Slow down your vehicle.
Stop your vehicle in a safe place, put the selector-
lever in the “P” (PARK) 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 CVT, causing a safety device to activate. Have
your vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible.
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3-108 Features and controls
3
Selector lever positions (Main gate)
N00560600025
“P” PARKThis position locks the transmission to prevent the vehicle
from moving. The engine can be started from the “P” (PARK)
position.“R” REVERSEMove the lever to this position only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.“N” NEUTRALAt this position, the transmission 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.
“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.
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 transmission 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 transmission.
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 transmission damage.WA R N I N G
!
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Features and controls
3-109
3
Sports mode
N00560700039
Whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, sports mode is
selected by pushing the selector lever from the “D” (DRIVE)
position into the manual gate (1). To return to “D” (DRIVE)
operation, push the selector lever back into the main gate (2).
In sports mode, rapid shifting is possible simply by operating
the selector lever or sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter.
Unlike the manual transaxle, sports mode allows shifting with
the accelerator pedal depressed.NOTE
For vehicles equipped with the sportronic steering wheel
paddle shifter, sports mode can be operated even when the
selector lever is in the main gate (2). Also, you can return
to the “D” operation in any of following ways. When
returning to “D” operation, the selector lever position dis-
play 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).+ (SHIFT UP)
Transmission shifts up once by each operation.
- (SHIFT DOWN)
Transmission shifts down once by 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 rpm remains 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
UP
SHIFT
UP SHIFT
DOWN
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3-110 Features and controls
3
NOTE
Shift ranges can only be selected in a forward direction
from 1st to 6th. To reverse or park the vehicle, move the
selector lever to the “R” or “P” position.
To maintain good running performance, the transmission
may refuse to perform an upshift when the selector lever
or sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter is moved to the
“+ (SHIFT UP)” position at certain vehicle speeds. Also,
to prevent over-revving of the engine, the transmission
may refuse to perform a downshift when the shift lever or
sportronic steering wheel paddle shifter is moved to the “-
(SHIFT DOWN)” position at certain vehicle speeds.
When this happens, a buzzer sounds to indicate that a
downshift is not going to take place.
Sports mode display
N00560900028
In sports mode, the currently selected shift range is displayed
on the information screen in the multi-information display.
On vehicles with a sportronic steering wheel paddle
shifter, shift ranges may not change when the lateral
paddle shifters are operated at the same time.CAUTION
!
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Features and controls
3-111
3
Operation of the CVT
N00560800014
Passing accelerationTo gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) position (when
passing another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The
CVT 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 selector lever position 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.
CAUTION
!
Before selecting a position 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 CVT 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 CVT.
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.
CAUTION
!
To avoid transmission 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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3-112 Features and controls
3
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 CVT makes no speed changeIf the CVT does not shift 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 happening in the trans-
mission, 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 CVT. Refer to
“Continuously variable transmission (CVT): Warning dis-
play” on page 3-107.
Electronically controlled 4WD system
(if so
equipped)N00517200126
The electronically controlled 4WD system is an all-wheel drive
system that allows one of three drive modes to be selected with
a switch, in accordance with the driving conditions.
The following drive modes are available.
4-wheel drive operation requires special driving skills.
Carefully read the “4-wheel drive operation” section on page 3-
121 and take care to drive safely.
Drive mode
Function
2WDThis mode is for economical
driving on normal dry roads
and freeways.
Driving in front-wheel drive.
4WD AUTOThe default mode.
This mode is for automatically
controlling the distribution of
driving torque to all four
wheels according to the driving
conditions.
4WD LOCKThis mode is for driving in slip-
pery conditions such as on
snow-covered roads or sand.
The large amount of driving
torque that is applied to the rear
tires enables getting out of slip-
pery areas and powerful driving
is possible across all ranges.
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Features and controls
3-113
3
Drive mode-selectorThe drive mode can be switched by turning the dial while the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The drive mode is displayed as an interrupt display on the
information screen in the multi-information display when the
drive mode is switched.
After a few seconds, the information screen returns from the
drive mode display to the previous screen.
NOTE
The drive mode can be switched while driving or stopped.
1- 2WD
2- 4WD AUTO
3- 4WD LOCK
Drive mode
Display
2WD
4WD AUTO
4WD LOCK
CAUTION
!
Do not operate the drive mode-selector with the
front wheels spinning on a snowy road or in similar
conditions. The vehicle could lunge in an unexpected
direction.
Driving on dry, paved roads in “4WD LOCK” mode
causes increased fuel consumption, noise, and pre-
mature tire wear.
Do not drive with the tires spinning in “2WD” mode.
Doing so could generate heat in the drive-system
components.
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