Features and controls
3-47
3
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.
1. If your vehicle has difficulty moving uphill, shift the
selector lever into 2nd gear of the sports mode.
This method might not work depending on the type of
transaxle malfunction.
2. Once the vehicle is moving on a level road, move the
selector lever back to “D” (DRIVE).NOTEWhen the “N” indicator in the instrument cluster blinks, it
means that there is an abnormal condition in the transaxle.
Refer to “Selector lever position indicator/“N” indicator”
on page 3-42.
Full-time all-wheel drive
(if so equipped)
N00517200025
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement.
But its unique all-wheel drive system allows you to occasion-
ally travel on unpaved roads, to campgrounds, picnic sites, and
similar locations.
Not only does this ensure better handling on dry, paved roads
but also permits better traction when driving on slippery, wet or
snow-covered roads and when moving out of mud.
But it is not suitable for heavy off road use or towing in rough
conditions.
It is particularly important to note that full-time all-wheel drive
may not give sufficient hill climbing ability and engine braking
on steep slopes. You should try to avoid driving on steep slopes
with full-time all-wheel drive.
Also, you must exercise caution when driving on sand and mud
and when driving through water because sufficient traction
may not be available in certain circumstances.
Please avoid driving the vehicle through areas where the tires
may get stuck in deep sand or mud.
All-wheel drive operation requires special driving skills.
Carefully read the “All-wheel drive operation” section on page
3-48 and take care to drive safely.
BK0121600US.book 47 ページ 2010年4月12日 月曜日 午前10時39分
3-50 Features and controls
3
Driving through water
N00537800069
If the electrical circuits become wet, further operation of the
vehicle will be impossible; therefore, avoid driving through
water unless absolutely necessary. If driving through water is
unavoidable, use the following procedure:
Check the depth of the water and the terrain before attempting
to drive through it. Drive slowly to avoid creating excessive
water splashing.
Inspection and maintenance following
rough road operation
N00530700072
After operating the vehicle in rough road conditions, be sure to
perform the following inspection and maintenance procedures:
Check that the vehicle has not been damaged by rocks,
gravel, etc.
Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
Drive the vehicle slowly while lightly depressing the
brake pedal in order to dry out the brakes. If the brakes
still do not function properly, contact an authorized Mit-
subishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your choice as
soon as possible to have the brakes checked.
Remove the insects, dried grass, etc. clogging the radiator
core.
After driving through water, check the engine, transaxle
and differential oil. If the oil or grease is milky or cloudy
because of water contamination, it must be replaced with
new oil.
Check the inside of the vehicle. If water entry is found,
dry the carpet etc.
Inspect the headlights. If water is in the headlight housing,
have it drained at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer
or a repair facility of your choice.
Have an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice replace the grease in the wheel
bearings.
CAUTION
!Never drive through water that is deep enough to
cover wheel hubs, axles or exhaust pipe. Do not
change gears while driving through water.
Frequent driving through water can adversely affect
the life span of the vehicle; consult an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice and take the necessary measures to prepare,
inspect, and repair the vehicle.After driving through water, apply the brakes to be
sure they are functioning properly. If the brakes are
wet and not functioning properly, dry them out by
driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake
pedal. Inspect each part of the vehicle carefully.
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Features and controls
3-55
3
Anti-lock braking system warning light
N00531600414
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the anti-
lock braking system. It will also come on as a self-check for a
few seconds when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. Always make sure that the light goes out before beginning
to drive.
CAUTION
!The anti-lock braking system cannot prevent acci-
dents. It is your responsibility to take safety precau-
tions and to drive carefully. To prevent failure of the anti-lock braking system,
be sure all four wheels and tires are the same size
and the same type.
CAUTION
!If the anti-lock braking system warning light comes
on and stays on after starting the engine or while
driving, it means that the anti-lock braking system is
not working and that only the standard brake sys-
tem is available. (The standard brake system will
still work properly.) If this happens, take your vehi-
cle to an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.
or
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3-56 Features and controls
3
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00531700356
Since there is always a risk of your vehicle becoming
unstable if you apply the brakes suddenly, be sure to brake
gently and do not attempt high-speed driving. Be sure to
stop the vehicle in a safe place. Test the system by restart-
ing the engine and driving at a speed of about 12 mph
(20 km/h) or higher.
If the light goes out, there is no abnormal condition. If the
light does not go out after driving as instructed here, or if
it comes on again, the anti-lock braking system is not
functioning. Only the ordinary braking system is function-
ing. If this happens, take your vehicle to an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice and have the system checked as soon as possible.
NOTEAfter your vehicle is driven a short distance after starting
the engine, you will hear a whining sound and the sound
of a motor operating coming from the engine compart-
ment. These are the normal sounds the anti-lock braking
system makes when performing a self-check. It does not
indicate a malfunction.
The anti-lock braking system can be used after the vehicle
has reached a speed over approximately 6 mph (10 km/h).
It stops working when the vehicle slows below approxi-
mately 3 mph (5 km/h).
After driving on snow or icy roads, remove any snow and
ice which may have be left around the wheels. On vehi-
cles that have an anti-lock braking system, be careful not
to damage the wheel speed sensors (A) or the cables
located at each wheel.
BK0121600US.book 56 ページ 2010年4月12日 月曜日 午前10時39分
3-58 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00505900083
The active stability control (ASC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock braking system, traction control function and skid
control function to help maintain the vehicle’s control and trac-
tion. Also refer to the following pages on the anti-lock braking
system, traction control function and skid control function.
Anti-lock braking system → P. 3 - 5 4
Traction control function → P. 3 - 5 8
Skid control function → P. 3 - 6 0
NOTEA whining sound may be heard from the engine compart-
ment in the following situations. The sound is associated
with the ASC self-check operations. It does not indicate a
malfunction.
• When the ignition key is set to the “ON” position.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while after the engine is
turned on.
When the ASC is activated, you may feel a vibration in
the vehicle body or hear a whining sound from the engine
compartment.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.
When the anti-lock braking system warning light is illu-
minated, the ASC is not active.Traction control function
N00506000036
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessively, thus helping the vehi-
cle to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides
sufficient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION
!Do not over-rely on the ASC. Even the ASC cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle. This system, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstances. Reckless
driving can lead to accidents. It is the driver’s
responsibility to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environmental
conditions.Be sure to use the same specified type and size of tire
on all four wheels. Otherwise, the ASC may not
work properly.Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ASC may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.When a tire such as a compact spare tire that is dif-
ferent in size from the standard tire has been
installed, make sure that the traction control func-
tion is turned off.
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Features and controls
3-61
3
NOTEWhen a spare tire has been put on your vehicle, the grip-
ping ability of the tire will be lower, making it more likely
that the indicator will blink.
CAUTION
!When indicator blinks, the ASC is operating,
which means that the road is slippery or that your
vehicle’s wheels are beginning to slip. If this hap-
pens, drive slower with less accelerator input.
CAUTION
!If an abnormal condition occurs in the system while
driving, the and indicators or indicator
alone will illuminate.
In these cases, follow these procedures:
[If the and indicators continuously illumi-
nate]• If the temperature of the braking system increases
excessively due to continuous brake control on a
slippery road surface, the and indicators
will illuminate, and operation of the ASC will be
suspended to protect the brake system. (Normal
operation of the vehicle will not be affected.) Park
your vehicle in a safe place. When the temperature
in the braking system has come down, the and
indicators will be turned off and the ASC will
start operating again.
• If the and indicators do not go out even
through the above procedure is followed, there
could be a problem in the system.
Stop the engine and restart the engine again and
check whether the and indicators go out. If
the indicators go out, there is no abnormal condi-
tion.
If the and indicators remain on even after
your vehicle is driven a short distance after
restarting the engine, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.CAUTION
!
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3-62 Features and controls
3
[If the indicator alone illuminates]• Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the
engine. Restart the engine again and check
whether the indicator goes out. If the indicator
goes out, there is no abnormal condition.
If the indicator alone remains on even after
your vehicle is driven a short distance after
restarting the engine, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a
repair facility of your choice as soon as possible.CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!If the front-wheel drive vehicle is towed with the
ignition key in the “ON” position and only the front
wheels or only the rear wheels raised off the ground,
the ASC may operate, resulting in an accident.
When towing the vehicle with the front wheels
raised, keep the ignition key in the “LOCK” or
“ACC” position. When towing the vehicle with the
rear wheels raised, keep the ignition key in the
“ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-23.
BK0121600US.book 62 ページ 2010年4月12日 月曜日 午前10時39分
Features and controls
3-71
3
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure.
If a malfunction is detected in the tire pressure mon-
itoring system, the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated. The
warning light will issue further warnings each time
the engine is restarted as long as the malfunction
exists.
Check to see whether the warning light goes off after
few minutes of driving.
If it then goes off during driving, there is no prob-
lem.
However, if the warning light does not go off, or if it
blinks again when the engine is restarted, have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi
Motors dealer.
In such situations, a malfunctioning of the system
may be preventing the monitoring of the tire pres-
sure. For safety reasons, when the warning light
appears while driving, avoid sudden braking, sharp
turning and high-speed driving.
CAUTION
!
BK0121600US.book 71 ページ 2010年4月12日 月曜日 午前10時39分