The washer fluid will be sprayed onto the wind-
screen by pulling the lever towards you. The wip-
ers operate automatically several times while the
washer fluid is being sprayed.
On a vehicle equipped with a headlamp washer, the
headlamp washer operates together with the wind-
screen washer the first time the windscreen washer
is used if the headlamps are on.CAUTIONl If the washer is used in cold weather, the
washer fluid sprayed against the glass
may freeze resulting in poor visibility.
Heat the glass with the defroster or demis-
ter before using the washer.
NOTE
l It is possible to spray washer fluid without ac-
tivating the wipers. To do so, hold the lever
in the pulled position and turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” or “ACC” position.
l It is possible to cause the wipers never to op-
erate when washer fluid is sprayed. For fur-
ther information, we recommend you to con-
sult a MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized
Service Point.Headlamp washer switch* E00510100273
The headlamp washer can be operated when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position and
the headlamps are on.
Push the button once and the washer fluid will be
sprayed on to the headlamps.
NOTE
l If the ignition switch is in the “ON” or
“ACC” position and the headlamps are on,
the headlamp washer operates together with
the windscreen washer the first time the wind-
screen washer lever is pulled.
Precautions to observe when using wip-
ers and washers E00507600014
l If the moving wipers become blocked by ice
or other deposits on the glass, the motor may
burn out even if the wiper switch is turned to
OFF. If obstruction occurs, park your vehicle
in a safe place, turn off the ignition, and
clean the deposits from the glass so that the
wipers operate smoothly.
l Do not use the wipers when the glass is dry.
They may scratch the glass surface and the
blades wear out prematurely.
l Before using the wipers in cold weather,
check that the wiper blades are not frozen on-
to the glass. The motor may burn out if the
wipers are used with the blades frozen onto
the glass.
l Avoid using the washer continuously for
more than 20 seconds. Do not operate the
washer when the fluid reservoir is empty.
Otherwise, the motor may burn out.
l Periodically check the level of washer fluid
in the reservoir and refill if required.
During cold weather, add a recommended
washer solution that will not freeze in the
washer reservoir. Failure to do so could re-
sult in loss of washer function and frost dam-
age to the system components.
Instruments and controls
3-39
3
Economical drivingE00600100620
For economical driving, there are some technical re-
quirements that have to be met. The prerequisite
for low fuel consumption is a properly adjusted en-
gine. In order to achieve longer life of the vehicle
and the most economical operation, we recommend
you to have the vehicle checked at regular intervals
in accordance with the service standards.
Fuel economy and generation of exhaust gas and
noise are highly influenced by personal driving hab-
its as well as the particular operating conditions.
The following points should be observed in order
to minimize wear of brakes, tyres and engine as
well as to reduce environmental pollution.
Starting
Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden starts; such op-
eration will result in higher fuel consumption.
Shifting
Shift only at an appropriate speed and engine
speed. Always use the highest gear possible.
The transfer shift lever should be set to “2H” when
driving 4WD vehicles on normal roads and express
ways to obtain best possible fuel economy.
City traffic
Frequent starting and stopping increases the aver-
age fuel consumption. Use roads with smooth traf-
fic flow whenever possible. When driving on con-
gested roads, avoid use of a low gear at high en-
gine speeds.
Idling
The vehicle consumes fuel even during idling.
Avoid extended idling whenever possible.Speed
The higher the vehicle speed, the more fuel con-
sumed. Avoid driving at full speed. Even a slight re-
lease of the accelerator pedal will save a significant
amount of fuel.
Tyre inflation pressure
Check the tyre inflation pressures at regular inter-
vals. Low tyre inflation pressure increases road re-
sistance and fuel consumption. In addition, low
tyre pressures adversely affect tyre wear and driv-
ing stability.
Load
Do not drive with unnecessary articles in the cargo
area. Especially during city driving where frequent
starting and stopping is necessary, the increased
weight of the vehicle will greatly affect fuel con-
sumption.
Cold engine starting
Starting of a cold engine consumes more fuel.
Unnecessary fuel consumption is also caused by
keeping a hot engine running. After the engine is
started, commence driving as soon as possible.
Air conditioning*
The use of the air conditioning will increase the
fuel consumption.Driving, alcohol and drugs E00600200012
Driving after drinking alcohol is one of the most fre-
quent causes of accidents.
Your driving ability can be seriously impaired even
with blood alcohol levels far below the legal mini-
mum. If you have been drinking, don’t drive. Ride
with a designated non-drinking driver, call a cab or
a friend, or use public transportation.
Drinking coffee or taking a cold shower will not
make you sober.
Similarly, prescription and nonprescription drugs af-
fect your alertness, perception and reaction time.
Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before driv-
ing while under the influence of any of these medi-
cations.WARNINGl NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Your perceptions are less accurate, your
reflexes are slower and your judgment is
impaired.
Starting and driving
4-02
4
CAUTIONlIf the warning lamp comes on, reduce the
engine speed and stop the vehicle in a safe
area.
Then set the selector lever to “P” (PARK)
position and idle the engine until the warn-
ing lamp goes off.
When the warning lamp goes off, resume
normal driving.
If the warning lamp does not go off, we
recommend you to have your vehicle in-
spected.Operation of the automatic transmis-
sion E00604200515CAUTIONlBefore selecting a gear with the engine
running and the vehicle stationary, fully
depress the brake pedal to prevent the ve-
hicle from creeping.
The vehicle will begin to move as soon as
the gear is engaged, especially when the
engine speed is high, at fast idle or with
the air conditioning operating, the brakes
should only be released when you are
ready to drive away.
l Depress the brake pedal with the right
foot at all times.
Using the left foot could cause driver move-
ment delay in case of an emergency.CAUTIONl To prevent sudden acceleration, never
race the engine when shifting from the
“P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
l Operating the accelerator pedal while the
other foot is resting on the brake pedal
will affect braking efficiency and may
cause premature wear of brake pads.
Do not race the engine with brake pedal
pressed.
This can damage the transmission.
l Use the selector lever in the correct shift
position in accordance with driving condi-
tions.
Never coast downhill backward with the
“D” (DRIVE) position or coast forward
with the “R” (REVERSE) position.
The engine stops and the brake pedal ef-
fort or the steering wheel handling weight
increasing could lead to an accident.Passing acceleration E00604500127
To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) posi-
tion (when passing another vehicle), push the accel-
erator to the floor. The automatic transmission will
automatically downshift.
Waiting E00604600128
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic signals,
the vehicle can be left in gear and held stationary
with the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the engine running,
the selector lever should be placed in the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position.
CAUTIONl Never hold the vehicle stationary on a hill
using the accelerator pedal (without us-
ing the brake pedal). Always apply the
parking brake and/or service brakes.
l Unexpected acceleration may occur if the
selector lever is in a position other than
“P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
Prior to moving off after having stopped
the vehicle, make sure that the selector lev-
er is in “D” (DRIVE) position.Parking E00604700246
To 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.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, al-
ways switch off the engine and remove the ignition
key.
NOTE l On a slope, be sure to apply the parking
brake before moving the selector lever to the
“P” (PARK) position. If you move the selec-
tor lever to the “P” (PARK) position before
applying the parking brake, it may be diffi-
cult to disengage the selector lever from the
“P” (PARK) position when next you drive
the vehicle, requiring application of a strong
force to the selector lever to move from the
“P” (PARK) position.
Starting and driving
4-19
4
CAUTIONlOperating the accelerator pedal while the
other foot is resting on the brake pedal
will affect braking efficiency and may
cause premature wear of brake pads.
l Use the selector lever in the correct shift
position in accordance with driving condi-
tions.
Never coast downhill backward with the
driving shift position {“D” (DRIVE) or
sports mode} or coast forward with the
“R” (REVERSE) position.
The engine stops and the brake pedal ef-
fort or the steering wheel handling weight
increasing could lead to an accident.
l Do not race the engine with brake pedal
pressed when the vehicle is stationary.
This can damage the automatic transmis-
sion.Passing acceleration E00604500329
To gain extra acceleration in “D” (DRIVE) posi-
tion, push the accelerator to the floor. The automat-
ic transmission will automatically downshift.
NOTE l In “Sports mode”, downshifts do not take
place when the accelerator is depressed all
the way to the floor.
Waiting E00604600304
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic signals,
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) po-
sition..CAUTIONl Never hold the vehicle stationary on a hill
using the accelerator pedal (without us-
ing the brake pedal). Always apply the
parking brake and/or service brakes.
l Unexpected acceleration may occur if the
selector lever is in a position other than
“P” (PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL). Prior
to moving off after having stopped the ve-
hicle, make sure that the selector lever is
in the “D” (DRIVE) position.Parking E00604700262
To 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.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, al-
ways switch off the engine and remove the ignition
key.
NOTE
l On a slope, be sure to apply the parking
brake before moving the selector lever to the
“P” (PARK) position. If you move the selec-
tor lever to the “P” (PARK) position before
applying the parking brake, it may be diffi-
cult to disengage the selector lever from the
“P” (PARK) position when next you drive
the vehicle, requiring application of a strong
force to the selector lever to move from the
“P” (PARK) position.When the automatic transmission makes no speed
change E00604800683
If the transmission does not change speeds 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
transmission, causing a safety device to activate.
We recommend you to have your checked as soon
as possible. 1.If your vehicle has difficulty moving uphill,
shift the selector lever into 2 nd
gear of the
“Sports mode”.
This method might not work depending on
the type of transmission malfunction.
2. Once the vehicle is moving on a level road,
move the selector lever back to “D” (DRIVE).
NOTE l When the selector lever position indicator in
the instrument panel blinks, it means that
there is an abnormal condition in the trans-
mission. Refer to “When the selector lever po-
sition indicator blinks” on page 4-18.
Starting and driving
4-24
4
Crossing a stream
4-wheel drive vehicles are not necessarily water-
proof. If the electrical circuits become wet, further
operation of the vehicle will be impossible; there-
fore, avoid crossing streams unless absolutely nec-
essary. If crossing a stream is unavoidable, use the
following procedure: 1.Check depths of a stream and geographical
features before attempting to cross a stream
and ford the stream where the water is as shal-
low as practicable.
2. Set the transfer shift lever to “4L” position
(easy select 4WD), “4LLc” position (super se-
lect 4WD).
3. Drive slowly at a speed of approximately
5 km/h (3 mph) to avoid splashing too much
water.CAUTIONl Never cross a stream where the water is
deep.
Do not change gears while crossing the
stream.
Frequent crossing of streams can adverse-
ly affect the life span of the vehicle; we rec-
ommend you to take the necessary meas-
ures to prepare, inspect, and repair the ve-
hicle.
After crossing a stream, apply the brakes to be sure
they are functioning properly. If the brakes are wet
and not functioning properly, dry them out by driv-
ing slowly while lightly depressing the brake pedal.
Inspect each part of the vehicle carefully.
Inspection and maintenance
following rough road operation E00606700048
After operating the vehicle in rough road condi-
tions, be sure to perform the following inspection
and maintenance procedures:
l Check that the vehicle has not been damaged
by rocks, gravel, etc.
l Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
After washing, drive the vehicle slowly
while lightly depressing the brake pedal in or-
der to dry out the brakes. If the brakes still
do not function properly, we recommend you
to have the brakes checked as soon as possible.
l Remove the insects, dried grass, etc. clog-
ging the radiator core.
l After crossing a stream, be sure to have the
following items inspected at a MITSUBISHI
MOTORS Authorized Service Point and take
the necessary measures. •Check the brake system and, if necessary,
have it serviced.
• Check the engine, transmission, transfer,
and differential oil or grease level and tur-
bidity. If the oil or grease is milky, it indi-
cates water contamination. Replace it
with new oil or grease.
• Grease the propeller shaft.
• Check the inside of the vehicle. If ingress
of water is found, dry the carpet etc.
• Inspect the headlamps. If the headlamp
bulb is flooded with water, we recom-
mend you to have it drained.Cautions on handling of 4-wheel
drive vehicles E00606800368
Tyres and wheels
Since the driving torque can be applied to the 4
wheels, the performance of the vehicle when oper-
ating in 4-wheel drive is greatly affected by the con-
dition of the tyres.
Pay close attention to the tyres.
l Install specified tyres on all wheels. Refer to
“Tyres and wheels” on page 9-17.
l Be sure to fit all 4 tyres and wheels of the
same size and type.
When replacement of any of the tyres or
wheels is necessary, replace all of them.
l All tyres should be rotated whenever the
wear difference between the front and rear
tyres is recognizable.
Good vehicle performance cannot be expected if
there is a difference in wear between tyres. Refer to
“Tyre rotation” on page 8-13.
l Check the tyre inflation pressure regularly.
Starting and driving
4-40
4
CAUTIONlAlways use tyres of the same size, same
type, and same brand, and which have no
wear differences. Using tyres of different
size, type, brands or degree of wear, will
increase the differential oil temperature,
resulting in possible damage to the driv-
ing system. Further, the drive train will
be subjected to excessive loading, possibly
leading to oil leakage, component seizure,
or other serious faults.
Towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to have
it done by your MITSUBISHI MOTORS Author-
ized Service Point or a commercial tow truck service.
In the following cases, transport the vehicle using a
tow truck.
l The engine runs but the vehicle does not
move or abnormal noise is produced.
l Inspection of the vehicle’s underside reveals
that oil or some other fluid is leaking.
Only when you cannot receive a towing service
from a MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized Serv-
ice Point or commercial tow truck service, tow
your vehicle carefully in accordance with the in-
structions given in “Towing” on page 6-20 .CAUTIONl Be sure to shift the transfer shift lever to
“2H” position and transport the vehicle
with the driving wheels on a carriage
(Type A, C or D) as illustrated.
Never try to tow with the transfer shift lev-
er in “4H” or “4L” position (easy select
4WD), “4H”, “4HLc” or “4LLc” position
(super select 4WD) and with the front or
rear wheels on the ground (Type A or B)
as illustrated. This could result in dam-
age to the drivetrain, or unstable towing.
If you cannot shift the transfer shift lever
to “2H” position or the transmission is
malfunctioning or damaged, transport
the vehicle with all the wheels on a car-
riage (Type C or D) as illustrated.
Jacking up a 4-wheel drive vehicle
WARNINGl Do not crank the engine while jacking up
the vehicle.
The tyre on the ground may turn and the
vehicle may roll off the jack.
Clutch operation
Quick or slight clutch engagement made while the
engine is running at high speed will cause damage
to the clutch and transmission because the tractive
force is very great.
Operate the pedal slowly and positively.
Starting and driving
4-41
4
Limited-slip differential*E00606900037
A limited-slip differential is applied for the rear
wheel differential only. The features of this limited-
slip differential are described below:
Just as with a conventional differential, the wheel
on one side is allowed to turn at a different speed
from the wheel on the other side when the vehicle
is cornering. The difference between the limited-
slip differential and a conventional differential is
that if the wheel on one side of the vehicle loses trac-
tion, a greater amount of torque is applied to the
wheel on the other side to improve traction.
NOTE l Even if there is a difference in the amount of
traction the wheels can get, if both of them
are spinning, the limited-slip differential will
not be effective.CAUTIONl Never start the engine while one of the
rear wheels is jacked up and the other in
contact with the ground; doing so may
cause the vehicle to jump forward.
l When attempting to extract the vehicle
from snow, mud, etc., and the engine is
run continuously at high speed, the limi-
ted-slip differential will be adversely af-
fected.Braking E00607001494
All the parts of the brake system are critical to safe-
ty. We recommend you to have the vehicle
checked at regular intervals according to the serv-
ice booklet.CAUTIONl Avoid driving habits that cause heavy
braking and never “ride” the brakes by
resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
It causes brake overheating and fade.
Brake system
The service brake is divided into two brake cir-
cuits. And your vehicle is equipped with power
brakes. If one brake circuit fails, the other is availa-
ble to stop the vehicle. If you should lose the pow-
er assist for some reason, the brakes will still work.
In these situations, even if the brake pedal moves
down to the very end of its possible stroke or re-
sists being depressed, keep depressing the brake ped-
al down harder and further than usual; stop driving
as soon as possible and have the brake system re-
paired.
WARNINGl Do not turn off the engine while your ve-
hicle is in motion. If you turn off the en-
gine while driving, the power assistance
for the braking system will stop working
and your brakes will not work effectively.WARNINGl If the power assist is lost or if either
brake hydraulic system stops working
properly, have your vehicle checked im-
mediately.
Warning lamp
The brake warning lamp illuminates to indicate a
fault in the braking system. Refer to “Brake warn-
ing lamp” on page 3-08.
When brakes are wet
Check the brake system while driving at a low
speed immediately after starting, especially when
the brakes are wet, to confirm they work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake discs
or brake drums and prevent normal braking after
driving in heavy rain or through large puddles, or
after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry the
brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depress-
ing the brake pedal.
When driving downhill
It is important to take advantage of the engine brak-
ing by shifting to a lower shift position while driv-
ing on steep downhill roads in order to prevent the
brakes from overheating.
Starting and driving
4-42
4
CAUTIONlNever install a limited-slip differential,
which is not a MITSUBISHI MOTORS
genuine part, as the ABS may not func-
tion normally.
We recommend you to consult a
MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized
Service Point.ABS warning lamp E00607201164
The ABS warning lamp should illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned “ON”, and should go off
in a few seconds.
CAUTIONl If the warning lamp stays on or does not
illuminate when you start the vehicle, it in-
dicates that the ABS is not functioning
and that only the standard brake system
is in operation. (In this condition the stand-
ard hydraulic brake system will still func-
tion.) We recommend you to have your ve-
hicle inspected as soon as possible.
NOTE
l On vehicles with the rear differential lock,
ABS and the active stability & traction con-
trol (ASTC) functions are suspended while
the rear differential lock is activated.
ASTC indication lamp, Active Stability Con-
trol function OFF indication lamp, ABS warn-
ing lamp and brake warning lamp are illumi-
nated while these functions are suspended.
It does not indicate a problem. When the rear
differential lock is disengaged, these lamps
go out and function again.
Refer to “ ASTC indication lamp, ASTC OFF
indication lamp” on page 4-47.
l On vehicles with rear differential lock, ABS
functionality is suspended while the rear dif-
ferential lock is operating.
The ABS warning lamp is illuminated while
ABS functionality is suspended. It does not
indicate a problem. When the rear differen-
tial lock is disengaged, the ABS warning
lamp goes off and the ABS functions again.
Refer to “Rear differential lock” on page
4-34.
If the warning lamp illuminates while
driving E00607300663
If only the ABS warning lamp illuminates l Avoid hard braking and high-speed driving.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Restart the engine and check to see whether
the lamp goes out after a few minutes driv-
ing; if it then remains off during driving,
there is no problem.
However, if the lamp does not go out, or if it
lights up again when the vehicle is driven,
we recommend you to have the vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
l The ABS warning lamp can illuminate if the
battery voltage is insufficient when the en-
gine is started. In this case, it does not indi-
cate an ABS fault.
Charge the battery by allowing the engine to
idle for a while.
If the battery has been charged but the ABS
warning lamp continues to illuminate or illu-
minates intermittently, have the vehicle in-
spected.
If the ABS warning lamp and brake warning
lamp illuminate at the same time
l The ABS and brake force distribution func-
tion may not work, so hard braking could
make the vehicle unstable.
Avoid hard braking and high-speed driving.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact a
MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized Service
Point.
Starting and driving
4-44
4