2012 MITSUBISHI L200 Owner's Manual (in English)

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. CAUTION
l
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. CAUTION
l
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. WARNING
l 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. WARNING
l 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
4-43 4
OCRE12E1

WARNING
l Do not leave any objects near the brake
pedal or let a floor mat slide under it; do-
ing so could prevent the full pedal stroke
that would be necessary in an emergency.
Make sure that the pedal can be operated
freely at all times. Make sure the floor
mat is securely held in place.
Brake pads and linings l Avoid hard braking situations.
New

brakes need to be broken-in by moder-
ate use for the first 200 km (124 miles).
l The disc brakes are provided with a warning
device which emits a shrieking metallic
sound while braking if the brake pads have
reached their wear limit.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads re-
placed immediately. WARNING
l Driving
with worn brake pads will make
it harder to stop, and can cause an acci-
dent. Brake assist system*
E00627000392
The brake assist system is a device assisting drivers
who

cannot depress the brake pedal firmly when it
is necessary to do so (such as in emergency stop sit-
uations) and provides greater braking force.
If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the brakes
will be applied with more force than usual. CAUTION
l
The
brake assist system is not a device de-
signed to exercise braking force greater
than its capacity. Make sure to always
keep a sufficient distance between vehi-
cles in front of you without relying too
much on the brake assist system.
NOTE l Once

the brake assist system is operational,
it maintains great braking force even if the
brake pedal is lightly released.
To stop its operation, completely remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
l When the brake assist system is in use while
driving, you may feel the brake pedal at-
tempt to resist, the pedal moves in small mo-
tions in conjunction with the operation noise,
or the vehicle body and the steering wheel vi-
brate. This occurs when the brake assist sys-
tem is operating normally and does not indi-
cate faulty operation. Continue to firmly de-
press the brake pedal.
l When the active stability & traction control
(ASTC) indication lamp is illuminated, the
brake assist system may not function. Anti-lock brake system (ABS)*
E00607100775
Environmental

conditions can have an effect on
braking. During sudden braking when there is
snow, ice, oil, water etc. on the road surface, a skid
may occur. In this situation, steering control and
braking effectiveness is reduced and the stopping
distance is increased. The vehicle may also go into
an uncontrolled spin.
The ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking dur-
ing braking, thus maintaining directional stability,
ensuring controllability and providing optimum
braking force.
Driving hints
l With ABS fitted, steering during sudden brak-
ing (when the ABS functions) differs slightly
from when the brakes are not being applied.
Steer the vehicle carefully in these conditions.
l Always maintain the same distance from the
vehicle in front of you as you would for a ve-
hicle not equipped with ABS.
Compared with vehicles not fitted with ABS,
your vehicle may require a longer stopping
distance in the following cases:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving with tyre chains installed.
• Driving on roads where the road surfaceis pitted or has other differences in sur-
face height.
• Driving on bumpy roads or other poor driv- ing surfaces. Starting and driving
4-44
4
OCRE12E1

l
Operation of ABS is not restricted to situa-
tions where brakes are applied suddenly.
This system may also operate to prevent
wheel lock when you are driving over man-
holes, steel road-work plates, or the vehicle
is driven over steps or level differences in
the road, road markings, or other surfaces
which are difficult for the wheels to grip.
l When the ABS is activated, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsation and hear a characteris-
tic noise. Also at this time, you may feel as if
the pedal attempts to resist being depressed.
In this situation, to let the ABS work for
you, just hold the brake pedal down more
firmly. Do not pump the brake. This pump-
ing will result in reduced braking perform-
ance. CAUTION
l
Even
the ABS cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehi-
cle. It cannot for instance avoid accidents
that may result from excessive speed on
bends or following another vehicle too
closely or aquaplaning. It should remain
the driver’s task to observe safety precau-
tions to judge speeds and brake applica-
tions correctly in such conditions.
l Be sure to use tyres of the same type and
size on 4 wheels.
If tyre types or sizes are mixed, ABS may
not function normally. CAUTION
l
Never
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. CAUTION
l
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 4-48.
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
4-35. Starting and driving
4-45 4
OCRE12E1

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. NOTE
l Immediately
after the vehicle starts moving
after engine start up, a whining sound of a mo-
tor will be heard from the engine compart-
ment. If the brake pedal is depressed at that
moment, you can feel the brake pedal pulsat-
ing.
This pulsation is due to the self-diagnosis op-
eration of the ABS and does not indicate a
malfunction.
l After driving on snowy roads, remove any
snow and ice which may have become ad-
hered to the wheel areas.
When doing this, be careful not to damage
the wheel speed sensors (A) and cables loca-
ted at each wheel on vehicles equipped with
an ABS.
Front
Rear l
The ABS becomes operative after the vehicle
has

accelerated to a speed in excess of approx-
imately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops operating
when the vehicle decelerates to a speed be-
low approximately 7 km/h (4 mph). Starting and driving
4-46
4
OCRE12E1

Power steering system
E00607400260
The
power steering system operates while the en-
gine is running. It helps reduce the effort needed to
turn the steering wheel.
The power steering system has mechanical steering
capability in case the power assist is lost. If the pow-
er assist is lost for some reason, you will still be
able to steer your vehicle. If the power assist is
lost, you will notice it takes much more effort to
steer and that there is much more “free play” in the
steering wheel. If this happens, take your vehicle to
an authorized MITSUBISHI MOTORS dealer. WARNING
l Do
not stop the engine while the vehicle is
moving. Stopping the engine would make
the steering wheel extremely hard to
turn, possibly resulting in an accident. CAUTION
l
Do
not leave the steering wheel turned all
the way in one direction. This can cause
damage to the power steering system. Active Stability & Traction
Control (ASTC)* E00616700344
The

active stability & traction control (ASTC)
takes overall control of the anti-lock brake system,
traction control function and Active Stability Con-
trol function to help maintain the vehicle’s control
and traction. Please read this section in conjunction
with the page on the anti-lock brake system, trac-
tion control function and Active Stability Control
function.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ® p. 4-44
Active Traction Control function ® p. 4-48
Active Stability Control function ® p. 4-48 CAUTION
l
Do
not over-rely on the ASTC. This sys-
tem, like any other system, has limits and
cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstan-
ces. Reckless driving may lead to acci-
dents. Always drive carefully, taking into
account the traffic, road and environmen-
tal conditions.
l Be sure to use the same specified type and
size of tyre on all 4 wheels. Otherwise, the
ASTC may not work correctly.
NOTE l After

your vehicle is driven a short distance
after starting the engine, a click is heard from
the engine compartment; however, this is on-
ly the sound of ASTC being checked. l
Some
vibration will be felt in the vehicle
body and a whining sound of a motor will be
heard from the engine compartment when
the ASTC functions. This is a normal result
of the ASTC operation, and does not indicate
a malfunction.
l The ASTC does not operate while the ABS
warning lamp is illuminated.
l On vehicles with the rear differential lock,
the ASTC and ABS functions are suspended
while the rear differential lock is activated.
ASTC indication lamp, ASTC OFF indica-
tion lamp and ABS 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 “ABS warning lamp” on page 4-45,
“ASTC indication lamp, ASTC OFF indica-
tion lamp” on page 4-48.
Driving hints E00616800039
When extricating the vehicle from mud, sand or
fresh

snow, you may find that operation of the
ASTC prevents the engine speed from increasing
in response to depression of the accelerator pedal.
If this happens and the vehicle remains stuck as a
result, deactivate the ASC function by pressing the
“ASC OFF” switch. The vehicle will then be easier
to extricate. (Brake control of the ATC function is
still working to prevent wheel spins when the ASC
function is deactivated by pressing the “ASC OFF”
switch.) Starting and driving
4-47 4
OCRE12E1

Active Stability Control function
E00616900056
The
Active Stability Control function is designed
to improve the vehicle’s stability by restraining its
tendency to slip sideways (for example, when round-
ing a curve in slippery conditions, or when the driv-
er takes rapid steering action to avoid an obstacle).
It works by controlling the engine output and brake
on each wheel.
NOTE
l On vehicles with the rear differential lock,
the Active Stability Control function does
not operate when the rear differential lock is
activated. “ASC OFF” switch
The
Active Stability Control function is automati-
cally activated when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position. You can deactivate the system
by pressing the “ASC OFF” switch when the vehi-
cle speed is below about 40 km/h (25 mph). To re-
activate the Active Stability Control function, press
the “ASC OFF” switch again. It is strongly recom-
mended that the Active Stability Control function
normally be kept activated.
Type 1
Type 2 NOTE
l If

the vehicle speed increases to about
120 km/h (74 mph) with the Active Stability
Control function deactivated, the Active Sta-
bility Control function automatically starts op-
erating. To subsequently stop the Active Sta-
bility Control function, stop the vehicle and
press the “ASC OFF” switch again. Active Traction Control function
E00617000025
On

slippery surfaces, active traction control func-
tion prevents the drive wheels from excessive spin-
ning, thus helping the vehicle to start moving from
a stop. It also provides sufficient driving force and
steering performance as the vehicle turns at acceler-
ated speeds. CAUTION
l
When
driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy
road, be sure to install snow tyres and
drive the vehicle at moderate speeds.
ASTC indication lamp, ASTC OFF in-
dication lamp E00617100071
The Active Stability Control function and active
traction

control function share the same indication
lamp.
The indication lamps should illuminate when the ig-
nition switch is turned to the “ON” position and
should go off after a few seconds.
If the indication lamps stay on or do not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” po-
sition, we recommend you to have your vehicle in-
spected as soon as possible. indication lamp blinks when the Active Stabili-
ty

Control function or active traction control func-
tion is operating. Starting and driving
4-48
4
OCRE12E1

indication lamp is illuminated when the Active
Stability Control function is OFF. CAUTION
l
When indication lamp blinks, Active
Stability
Control function or active trac-
tion control function is operating, which
means that the road is slippery or that
your vehicle’s wheels are slipping exces-
sively. If this happens, drive slower with
less accelerator input.
l If an abnormal condition occurs in the sys-
tem while driving, the indication lamp
will illuminate.
In these cases, follow these procedures: CAUTION
• If
the temperature in the braking sys-
tem continues to increase due to con-
tinuous brake control on a slippery
road surface, the indication lamp
will

illuminate, and operation of the
Active Stability Control function and
active traction control function will be
suspended to protect the brake sys-
tem. (Normal operation of the vehicle
will not be affected.) Park your vehi-
cle in a safe place. When the tempera-
ture in the braking system has come
down, the indication lamp will go
off

and the Active Stability Control
function and active traction control
function will start operating again.
• If the indication lamp does not go
out

even though the above procedure
is followed, there could be a problem
in the system.
Stop the engine and start the engine
again and check whether the indi-
cation

lamp goes out. If the indication
lamp goes out, there is no abnormal
condition.
If the indication lamp illuminates
even

after your vehicle is driven a
short distance after restarting the en-
gine, we recommend you to have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. CAUTION
l
If
the vehicle is towed with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position and only the
front wheels or only the rear wheels
raised off the ground, the ASTC may op-
erate, resulting in an accident. When tow-
ing the vehicle with the front wheels
raised, keep the ignition switch in the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position. When tow-
ing the vehicle with the rear wheels
raised, keep the ignition switch in the
“ACC” position.
Refer to “Towing” on page 6-20. Starting and driving
4-49 4
OCRE12E1

Cruise control*
E00609100779
Cruise
control is an automatic speed control system
that keeps a set speed. It can be activated at about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more. CAUTION
l
When
you do not wish to drive at a set
speed, turn off the cruise control for safety.
l Do not use cruise control 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, slippery, on a steep down-
hill slope.
l On vehicles with manual transmission, do
not move the gearshift lever to the “N”
(Neutral) position while driving at a set
speed without depressing the clutch ped-
al. The engine will run too fast and might
be damaged.
NOTE l Cruise

control may not be able to keep your
speed on uphills or downhills.
l Your speed may decrease on a steep uphill.
You may use the accelerator pedal if you
want to stay at your set speed.
l Your speed may increase to more than the
set speed on a steep downhill. You must use
the brake to control your speed. As a result,
the set speed driving is deactivated. Cruise control switches
E00624100103 A- “ON OFF” switch
Used to turn on and off the cruise control.

B- “COAST SET” switch
Used

to reduce the set speed and to set the desired
speed.

C- “ACC RES” switch
Used to increase the set speed and to return to the
original set speed.

D- “CANCEL” switch
Used to deactivate the set speed driving.
NOTE
l When operating the cruise control switches,
press the cruise control switches correctly.
The set speed driving may be deactivated au-
tomatically if two or more switches of the
cruise control are pressed at the same time. To activate
E00609300771
1. With

the ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion, press the “ON OFF” switch (A) to turn
on the cruise control. The “CRUISE” indica-
tion lamp in the meter cluster will come on. NOTE
l If

the cruise control is on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “LOCK” or “ACC” po-
sition, cruise control will be on automatically
the next time you start the engine.
The “CRUISE” indication lamp will also be
on.
l If the battery voltage is insufficient, the mem-
ory data for the cruise control may be erased.
As a result, the “CRUISE” indication lamp
may not come on when you restart the engine.
If this happens, press the “ON OFF” switch
once again to turn on the cruise control. Starting and driving
4-50
4
OCRE12E1