2012 MITSUBISHI GALANT ESP

Features and controls
3-15
3 “Child safety locks” for rear door
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Except for vehicles sold in CanadaFor vehicles sold in Canada
Child safety locks help prevent rear passengers, especially chil-
dren, from opening the rear door using the inside door handle.
A lock lever for the child safety lock is provided on each rear
door.
When the lever is in the lock position (1), the rear door cannot
be opened using the inside door handle.
To open the rear door when the child safety lock lever is in the
lock position, pull the outside door handle.
When the lever is in the release position (2), the child safety
lock is released and the rear door can be opened using the
inside door handle.1- To lock
2- To release
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3-16 Features and controls
3Trunk lid
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WA R N I N G
!
Always keep the doors tightly closed and locked
when driving. An unlocked door may be acciden-
tally opened by a passenger, especially by a child
who could fall out. Also, if the doors are not locked,
there is a greater risk of someone being thrown from
the vehicle in an accident.
WA R N I N G
!
It is dangerous to drive with the trunk lid open since
carbon monoxide (CO) gas can enter the cabin. CO
is an invisible, odorless gas that can cause uncon-
sciousness and even death.
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. If
trapped in the trunk, it is possible to escape from the
trunk by using the inside emergency trunk release
handle. (See “Inside emergency trunk lid release” on
page 3-18.)
CAUTION
!
Do not stand behind the exhaust pipe when loading
and unloading luggage. Heat from the exhaust could
lead to burns.
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Features and controls
3-19
3
You and your family should familiarize yourselves with the
location and operation of the emergency trunk lid release han-
dle. Children should be taught not to play in or around vehi-
cles.To open the trunk from the inside, pull the handle in the direc-
tion of the arrow on the handle. Push up on the trunk lid to
open the trunk and climb out.
WA R N I N G
!
Children should never be left unsupervised in or
around vehicles.
Unsupervised children could lock themselves in an
open vehicle or trunk.
People trapped inside a vehicle or trunk, even if only
for a short period of time, can quickly die from suf-
focation or heat stroke, especially on hot days. Inte-
rior temperatures in vehicles can rise in minutes.
Keep your vehicle doors locked and the trunk lid
closed when not in use. Keep your vehicle keys away
from children.
CAUTION
!
When loading the trunk, place your things so that
they will not touch the emergency trunk lid release
handle when you close the trunk. Otherwise you
could damage the handle and make it unusable.
Always keep the handle in its holder when driving so
that your cargo cannot accidentally bump it and
open the trunk.
Handle
Holder
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Features and controls
3-45
3

Move the selector lever gently between the manual and
main gates and between positions in the manual gate.
Excessive force could damage the selector lever.

When sports mode is selected, the “D” indicator goes out.Sports mode indicatorIn sports mode, the currently selected gear is indicated by the
indicator shown on the instrument cluster.
Operation of the automatic transaxle
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CAUTION
!
Before selecting a gear with the engine running and
the vehicle stationary, fully depress the brake pedal
to prevent the vehicle 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.
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) position.
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.
This can damage the transaxle.
Also, when the vehicle is stationary, the engine revo-
lutions may not rise to the same revolutions as mea-
sured in normal starting even if the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the brake pedal is being
pressed.
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Features and controls
3-47
3
Parking
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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.When the automatic transaxle makes no speed change
N00515300165
If 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, select the 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).NOTE
When 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.
Service brake
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Brake pedalOveruse of the brake can cause poor brake response and pre-
mature wear of the brake pads.
When driving down a long or steep hill, use engine braking by
shifting the transaxle into a lower gear of the sports mode.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not leave any objects near the brake pedal or let
a floor mat slide under it; doing so could prevent the
full pedal stroke that would be necessary in an emer-
gency. Make sure that the pedal can be operated
freely at all times. Make sure the floor mat is
securely held in place.
CAUTION
!
It is important not to drive the vehicle with your foot
resting on the brake pedal when braking is not
required. This practice can result in very high brake
temperatures, premature pad wear, and possible
damage to the brakes.
BK0139500US.book 47 ページ ２０１１年４月１９日　火曜日　午後１時４８分

Features and controls
3-49
3 Anti-lock braking system
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The anti-lock braking system helps prevent the wheels from
locking up when braking. This helps you keep control of your
vehicle and its direction. Driving hints
When using the anti-lock brakes (sudden braking), steer-
ing is slightly different from normal driving conditions.
Use the steering wheel carefully.

Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. If your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock braking
system, leave a greater braking distance when:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving on uneven road surfaces.

Operation of anti-lock braking system is not restricted to
situations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also prevent the wheels from locking when you drive
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.

When the anti-lock braking system is in use, you may feel
the brake pedal vibrating and hear a unique sound. You
may also feel as if the pedal resists being pressed.
In this situation, simply hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Do not pump the brake, which will result in
reduced braking performance.
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.
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Features and controls
3-51
3 Active stability control (ASC)
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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 - 4 9
Traction control function → P. 3 - 5 2
Skid control function → P. 3 - 5 3
FrontRear
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.
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Features and controls
3-57
3 Cruise control
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Cruise control is an automatic speed control system. It lets you
keep the same driving speed. Cruise control can be used at
speeds of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. It is especially use-
ful for freeway driving. Cruise control does not work at speeds
below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
NOTE
Cruise control may not be able to keep your speed on
uphills or downhills.

Your speed may drop on a steep uphill. You may have to
use the accelerator pedal if you want to stay at your set
speed.

Your speed may increase to more than the set speed on a
steep downhill. You must use the brake to control your
speed. If your speed increases too much, turn off the
cruise control. (Refer to “To deactivate” on page 3-62.)
A - Main switch
B - Cruise control lever
CAUTION
!
For safety reasons, deactivate cruise control system
using the main switch (A) when you are not using
the cruise control system.
(Refer to “To deactivate” on page 3-62.)

Cruise control is not recommended when driving
conditions will not allow you to stay at the same
speed, such as in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, wet, or slippery, or on a
steep downhill.
CAUTION
!
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