4-18 Driving safety
4
Trailer hitchesChoose a proper hitch and ball, and make sure it is installed at a
height that is compatible with the trailer.
Use a good equalizing hitch which uniformly distributes the
trailer tongue load throughout the frame.NOTE
Mitsubishi Motors recommends that sway control be used
whenever you are towing, to improve towing stability.
For further information, please contact your authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
Safety chainsA safety chain must always be used between the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns.
The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes dam-
aged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedures, consult your authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.Maintenance when trailer towingYour vehicle will need service more often when you’re towing
a trailer. Refer to “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
MANUAL”. Especially important in trailer operation are man-
ual transaxle oil, automatic transaxle fluid, engine oil, rear axle
oil, belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual.
For details, please refer to the “Vehicle care and maintenance”
section.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
WA R N I N G
!
If you make any holes in the body of your vehicle for
installing a trailer hitch, be sure to seal the holes
later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal
them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can enter your vehicle. Refer to “Exhaust
system” on page 7-40.
CAUTION
!
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain
securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle.
If the coupling unit or hitch ball experiences a prob-
lem, the trailer may separate from your vehicle.
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Driving safety
4-19
4
Trailer brakesMitsubishi Motors recommends that any trailer having a total
weight of 1,250 lbs (567 kg) or more (2400 models), 1,400 lbs
(635 kg) or more (3000 models) be equipped with its own elec-
tric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electrically actu-
ated. Do not attempt to tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic sys-
tem. No matter how successful it may seem, any attempt to
attach trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic system will
lower braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.Trailer lightsTrailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state,
and local regulations. Check with your local recreational vehi-
cle dealer for the requirements in your area, and use only
equipment designed for your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by trailer type and brand, you
should have a qualified technician install a suitable connector
between the vehicle and the trailer. Improper equipment or
installation can cause damage to your vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem and affect your vehicle warranty.Additional trailer equipmentMany states and Canadian provinces require special outside
mirrors when towing a trailer. Even if they do not, you should
install special mirrors if you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your towing situation.
Operating hints
Driver preparationTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know
your trailer. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal
longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is without a
trailer.
WA R N I N G
!
If you have a rear window open and you tow a
trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide gas
which you cannot see or smell could come into your
vehicle. It can cause unconsciousness or death. Refer
to “Exhaust system” on page 7-40.
To maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for leaks, and
make necessary repairs before starting on your trip.
Keep the rear windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle through a
window or another opening, drive with your front,
main heating or cooling system on and with the
blower on any speed. This will bring fresh, outside
air into your vehicle. Do not use recirculation
because it only recirculates the air inside your vehi-
cle. Refer to “
““ “Air selection switch”
”” ” on page 5-8, 5-18,
5-28, 5-38.
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Driving safety
4-21
4
When towing at high altitudes, engine coolant and automatic
transaxle oil will overheat at a lower temperature than at nor-
mal altitudes.
If you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked (preferably on level ground) with the automatic tran-
saxle in the “P” (PARK) position for a few minutes before turn-
ing the engine off.
If the engine coolant temperature indicator flashes on
the information screen in the multi-information display or
the engine power drops suddenly, refer to “Engine over-
heating” on page 6-5.
If the warning display or warning display illumi-
nates, refer to “Warning display” on page 3-97.
Driving on hillsReduce speed and downshift before you start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, over using the
brakes can cause reduced brake efficiency.
You can tow in “D” (DRIVE) position. You may want to shift
the selector lever to the 3rd or a lower position, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
ParkingAlways place chocks or blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels when parking. Be sure that the parking brake is
firmly set and that the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion. Avoid parking on a hill with a trailer, but if it cannot be
avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place chocks or blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the chocks or blocks are in place, release your
brakes slowly until the chocks or blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Set the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position and turn
off the engine.
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4-22 Driving safety
4
When restarting out after parking on a hill:
1. Check that the selector lever is set to the “P” (PARK)
position.
2. Start the engine. Be sure to keep the brake pedal
depressed.
3. Set the selector lever to the “D” (DRIVE) position or “R”
(REVERSE) position.
4. Release the parking brake and brake pedal and slowly pull
or back away from the chocks or blocks. Stop and apply
your brakes.
5. Have someone retrieve the chocks or blocks.SC00000600-4.fm 22 ページ 2010年2月17日 水曜日 午前11時40分
5-10 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00731000377
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
NOTE
If a problem is detected in the air conditioning compres-
sor, the air conditioning indicator light (A) blinks. Press
the air conditioning switch once to turn it off, then once
more to turn it back on. If the air conditioning indicator
light (A) does not blink, there is no problem. If it does
blink, have it checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice.
Sometimes, for example after using a high-pressure car
wash, the condenser can get wet, and the air conditioning
indicator light (A) blinks temporarily. Wait for a while,
press the air conditioning switch once to turn the system
off, then once more to turn it back on. Once the water
evaporates, the blinking will stop.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the tran-
saxle into drive.
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Comfort controls
5-19
5
Personalizing the air selection (Changing the function
setting)
N00702100044
You can change the following functions to match your prefer-
ence.
Enable automatic air control:
When the air conditioning operates, the air selection
switch will be automatically controlled.
Disable automatic air control:
Even when the air conditioning operates, the air selection
switch will not be automatically controlled.
Changing the settings
Press the air selection switch for about 10 seconds or
longer.
When the setting has changed, the system will beep and
the indicator light will flash.
When the setting has changed from enabled to disabled,
the system will beep three times and the indicator will
flash three times.
When the setting has changed from disabled to enabled,
the system will beep two times and the indicator light
will flash three times.
NOTE
The factory setting is “Enable automatic air control”.
While the mode selection dial is set to the “ ” position,
the air selection will automatically change to the outside
air position, even if the system is set to “Disable auto-
matic air control”, in order to prevent windows from fog-
ging up.
Air conditioning switch
N00731000364
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the tran-
saxle into drive.
BK0115300US.book 19 ページ 2009年7月16日 木曜日 午前9時13分
5-30 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00737300200
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
NOTE
If a problem is detected in the air conditioning compres-
sor, the air conditioning indicator light (A) blinks. Press
the air conditioning switch once to turn it off, then once
more to turn it back on. If the air conditioning indicator
light does not blink there is no problem. If it does blink,
have it checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
Sometimes, for example after using a high-pressure car
wash, the condenser can get wet, and the air conditioning
indicator light (A) blinks temporarily. Wait for a while,
press the air conditioning switch once to turn the system
off, then once more to turn it back on. Once the water
evaporates, the blinking will stop.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the tran-
saxle into drive.
BK0115300US.book 30 ページ 2009年7月16日 木曜日 午前9時13分
5-40 Comfort controls
5
Air conditioning switch
N00737300239
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
A sound will be made every time you push the switch.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
NOTE
If a problem is detected in the air conditioning compres-
sor, the air conditioning indicator light (A) blinks. Press
the air conditioning switch once to turn it off, then once
more to turn it back on. If the air conditioning indicator
light does not blink there is no problem. If it does blink,
have it checked at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
Sometimes, for example after using a high-pressure car
wash, the condenser can get wet, and the air conditioning
indicator light (A) blinks temporarily. Wait for a while,
press the air conditioning switch once to turn the system
off, then once more to turn it back on. Once the water
evaporates, the blinking will stop.
CAUTION
!
Using the air conditioning slightly increases the
engine idle speed. Therefore, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal when shifting the tran-
saxle into drive.
BK0115300US.book 40 ページ 2009年7月16日 木曜日 午前9時13分