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3
7. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and make cer-
tain that all warning lights are functioning properly before
starting the engine.
8. Turn the ignition key to the “START” position without
pressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key when the
engine starts. NOTEMinor noises may be heard on engine start-up. These will
disappear as the engine warms up.
Startability of automatic transaxle vehicle with ambient
temperature of -31
°F (-35
°C) or lower
When the ambient temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower, it
may not be possible to start from a standstill even with the
selector lever in the “D” (DRIVE) position.
This phenomenon occurs because the transaxle has not warmed
up sufficiently; it does not indicate a problem. If it occurs,
place the selector lever in the “P” (PARK) position and let the
engine idle for at least 10 minutes.
The transaxle will warm up, and you will be able to start nor-
mally.
Do not leave the vehicle during warm-up operation.Using the MIVEC engine The MIVEC engine automatically switches its intake-valve
control between a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode in
accordance with driving conditions for maximum engine per-
formance.NOTETo protect the engine, the high-speed mode may not be
selected while the engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do not rise to over
5,000 rpm even if the accelerator pedal is depressed.
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3
NOTEDuring the break-in period or immediately after recon-
necting the battery, your vehicle may not shift smoothly.
This does not indicate a problem in the transaxle. Shifting
will become smoother once the transaxle has been shifted
several times by the electronic control system.Selector lever operation
N00513800182
As an additional safety precaution, models equipped with an
automatic transaxle 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.NOTEThe selector lever cannot be moved from “P” (PARK) to
another position if the ignition key is at the “LOCK” posi-
tion, or has been removed, or if the brake pedal is not
pressed and held down.The transaxle has 4 forward (4-speed automatic transaxle) or 5
forward (5-speed automatic transaxle) gears and 1 reverse gear.
The individual gears are selected automatically, depending on
the position of the gear selector lever, the speed of the vehicle
and the position of the accelerator pedal.
The selector lever has 2 “gates”: the main gate (A) and the
manual gate (B).
NOTEFor information on manual gate operation, refer to “Sports
mode” on page 3-76.
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3
NOTEIf 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.
Selector lever position indicator
N00513900327
When the ignition key is turned to the “ON” position, the cur-
rently position of the selector lever is indicated by the indicator
(A) shown on the instrument cluster {i.e. “P” (PARK), “R”
(REVERSE), “N” (NEUTRAL) or “D” (DRIVE)}.
In sports mode, the currently selected gear is indicated by the
indicator (A).
Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into a gear from the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position. When beginning to drive, do not shift the
selector lever from the “N” (NEUTRAL) position
while depressing the accelerator pedal. This will
cause the vehicle to “jump” forward or backward.
WA R N I N G
!
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3-82 Features and controls
3
Anti-lock braking system warning light
N00531600313
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.
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00531700473
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.
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.
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3-84 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00559100088
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 (ABS) → P. 3 - 8 1
Traction control function → P. 3 - 8 4
Skid control function → P. 3 - 8 5
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
N00559200050
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 acceleration 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.
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3
Skid control function
N00546800036
The skid control function is designed to help the driver main-
tain control of the vehicle on slippery roads or during rapid
steering maneuvers. It works by controlling the engine output
and the brake on each wheel.NOTEThe skid control function operates at speeds of about 9
mph (15 km/h) or higher.
ASC OFF switch
N00559400225
The ASC is automatically activated when the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position. You can deactivate the system by
pressing down the ASC OFF switch for 3 seconds or longer.
When the ASC is deactivated, the / indicator will be illu-
minated. To reactivate the ASC, momentarily press the ASC
OFF switch; the / indicator is turned off. Except for vehicles with headlight leveling
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3-86 Features and controls
3
NOTEUsing the ASC OFF switch turns off both the skid control
function and the traction control function.
When moving out of mud, sand or fresh snow, pressing
the accelerator pedal may not allow the engine speed to
increase. In such situations, temporarily deactivate the
ASC, using the ASC OFF switch.
If you continue to press the ASC OFF switch after the
ASC is turned off, the “mistaken operation protection
function” will activate and the ASC will turn back on.
After the “mistaken operation protection function” is acti-
vated, it will not be possible to turn the ASC off.
To turn the system off again, return the ignition key to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position, restart the engine and press
the ASC OFF switch.
CAUTION
!For safety reasons, the ASC OFF switch should be
operated when your vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep the ASC on while driving in normal
circumstances.Vehicles with headlight leveling
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3
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3
ASC indicator, ASC OFF indicator
N00546900037
The indicators should illuminate when the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position, and should turn off after a few
seconds.
If the indicator stays on or does not illuminate when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position, have the vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice as soon as possible.
/ indicator blinks when the ASC is operating.
/ indicator is illuminated when the ASC is deactivated.
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.
Type 1 Type 2
Type 1 Type 2
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.
CAUTION
!If an abnormal condition occurs in the system while
driving, the and / and indicators will illu-
minate at the same time, or the / indicator will
blink.
In these cases, follow these procedures:
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