Page 289 of 370

WARNING
l To  prevent  entry  of  exhaust  gas  from  the
towing vehicle, set your air selection lever
to the recirculation position.
l Avoid  sudden  braking,  sudden  accelera-
tion  and  sharp  turning;  such  operation
could  cause  damage  to  the  towing  hooks
or the tow rope.
People  in  the  vicinity  could  be  injured  as
a result.
l When towing or being towed down a long
slope,  the  brakes  may  overheat  reducing
the  effectiveness.  In  this  situation,  have
your vehicle transported by a tow truck.
l When  the  vehicle  with  automatic  trans-
mission  is  to  be  towed  by  another  vehicle
with  all  the  wheels  on  the  ground,  make
sure  that  the  towing  speed  and  distance
given  below  are  never  exceeded,  causing
damage to the transmission.
 
Towing speed: 50 km/h (30 mph)
Towing distance: 50 km (30 miles)
 
For  the  towing  speed  and  the  towing  dis-
tance,  follow  the  local  driving  laws  and
regulations.
If your vehicle tows another vehicle (vehicles with
rear towing hook only)
The 
 rear towing hook is located as shown in the il-
lustration.  Secure  the  tow  rope  to  the  rear  towing
hook. NOTE
l Using 
any part other than the designated tow-
ing  hook  could  result  in  damage  to  the  vehi-
cle body. CAUTION
l
On 
 vehicles  with  super  select  4WD,  when
you  are  going  to  tow  another  vehicle,
move the transfer shift lever to “4H” posi-
tion.
Selecting “2H” drive may increase the dif-
ferential oil temperature, resulting in pos-
sible damage to the driving system.
Further,  the  drive  train  will  be  subjected
to excessive loading possibly leading to oil
leakage, component seizure, or other seri-
ous faults. NOTE
l Your 
vehicle  should  only  be  used  to  tow  an-
other  vehicle  if  the  weight  of  the  other  vehi-
cle is less than the weight of your vehicle. For emergencies
6-23 6    
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Operation under adverse driving
conditions E00801702140
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand,
mud or snow
If 
the  vehicle  becomes  stuck  in  snow,  sand,  or
mud, it can often be moved with a rocking motion.
Move  the  selector  lever  alternately  between  the
“L”  (LOW)  and  “R”  (REVERSE)  position  (with
manual  transmission,  between  1 st
  and  Reverse),
while applying slight pressure to the accelerator ped-
al.
Avoid racing the engine or spinning the wheels. Pro-
longed  efforts  to  free  a  stuck  vehicle  may  result  in
overheating and transmission failure. Allow the en-
gine  to  idle  for  a  few  minutes  to  let  the  transmis-
sion cool between rocking attempts.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking at-
tempts, seek other assistance. WARNING
l When attempting to rock your vehicle out
of 
a  stuck  position,  be  sure  that  the  area
around  the  vehicle  is  clear  of  people  and
physical objects. The rocking motion may
cause  the  vehicle  to  suddenly  launch  for-
ward or backward, causing injury or dam-
age to nearby people or objects.
On 2WD vehicles, it is recommended to start the ve-
hicle 
 with parking brake partially, but not complete-
ly, applied by slightly pulling the parking brake lev-
er.
After  the  vehicle  has  become  free,  do  not  forget  to
release the parking brake. NOTE
l Depress the accelerator pedal gradually when
starting the vehicle.
On a flooded road l Avoid 
flooded  roads.  Water  could  enter  the
brake  discs,  resulting  in  temporarily  ineffec-
tive brakes. In such cases, lightly depress the
brake pedal to see if the brakes operate prop-
erly.  If  they  do  not,  lightly  depress  the  pedal
several  times  while  driving  in  order  to  dry
the brake pads.
l When driving in rain or on a road with many
puddles  a  layer  of  water  may  form  between
the tyres and the road surface.
This  reduces  a  tyre’s  frictional  resistance  on
the road, resulting in loss of steering stability
and braking capability.
 
To cope with this, observe the following items:
  (a) Drive your vehicle at slow speed.
  (b) Do  not  drive  on  worn  tyres.  Always maintain 
 the  specified  tyre  inflation
pressures.
On a snow-covered or frozen road l When 
driving  on  a  snow-covered  or  frozen
road,  it  is  recommended  that  you  use  snow
tyres or tyre chains.
Refer to the “Snow tyres” and “Tyre chains”
sections.
l Avoid  high-speed  operation,  sudden  acceler-
ation, abrupt brake application and sharp cor-
nering. l
Depressing 
 the  brake  pedal  during  travel  on
snowy  or  icy  roads  may  cause  tyre  slippage
and  skidding.  When  traction  between  the
tyres and the road is reduced the wheels may
skid  and  the  vehicle  cannot  readily  be
brought  to  a  stop  by  conventional  braking
techniques.  Braking  will  differ,  depending
upon  whether  you  have  anti-lock  brake  sys-
tem  (ABS).  If  you  do  have  ABS,  brake  by
pressing  the  brake  system  pedal  hard,  and
keeping  it  pressed.  If  you  do  not  have  ABS,
pump  the  brake  pedal  with  short  rapid  jabs,
each  time  fully  applying  and  fully  releasing
for greatest effect.
l Allow  extra  distance  between  your  vehicle
and the vehicle in front of you, and avoid sud-
den braking.
l Accumulation  of  ice  on  the  braking  system
can cause the wheels to lock. Pull away from
a  standstill  slowly  after  confirming  safety
around the vehicle. CAUTION
l
Do 
 not  press  the  accelerator  pedal  rapid-
ly.  If  the  wheels  break  free  of  the  ice,  the
vehicle  could  suddenly  start  moving  and
possibly cause an accident.
On a bumpy or rutted road l Drive 
as  slow  as  possible  when  driving  on
bumpy or rutted roads. For emergencies
6-24
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CAUTION
l
The  impact  on  tyres  and/or  wheels  when
driving  on  a  bumpy  or  rutted  road  can
damage the tyre and/or wheel. For emergencies
6-25 6 
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Vehicle care precautions
............................................................... 7-02
Cleaning the interior of your vehicle ............................................7-02
Cleaning the exterior of your vehicle ...........................................7-03Vehicle care
7
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        Page 294 of 370

Vehicle care precautions
E00900100870
In 
order  to  maintain  the  value  of  your  vehicle,  it  is
necessary to perform regular maintenance using the
proper  procedures.  Always  maintain  your  vehicle
in compliance with environmental pollution control
regulations.  Carefully  select  the  materials  used  for
washing, etc., to be sure that they do not contain cor-
rosives.  If  in  doubt,  we  recommend  you  to  consult
a specialist for selection of these materials. CAUTION
l
Cleaning 
 products  can  be  dangerous.
Some are poisonous. Others can burst in-
to  flame  if  you  strike  a  match  or  drop
them  on  a  hot  part  of  the  vehicle.  Some
are  dangerous  if  you  breathe  their  fumes
in a closed space. When you use anything
in  a  container  to  clean  your  vehicle,  al-
ways  follow  the  instructions  and  always
open your vehicle doors or windows when
you’re  cleaning  the  inside.  Never  use  the
following to clean your vehicle: • Petrol
• Paint Thinner
• Benzine
• Kerosene
• Turpentine
• Naphtha
• Lacquer Thinner
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Nail Polish Remover
• Acetone
l These are all dangerous, and can damage
your vehicle. Cleaning the interior of your
vehicle E00900200288
After 
cleaning the interior of your vehicle with wa-
ter, cleaner or similar, wipe and dry in a shady, well-
ventilated area. CAUTION
l
Do 
 not  use  organic  substances  (solvents,
benzine, kerosene, alcohol, petrol, etc.) or
alkaline or acidic solutions.
These  chemicals  can  cause  discolouring,
staining or cracking of the surface.
If  you  use  cleaners  or  polishing  agents,
make  sure  their  ingredients  do  not  in-
clude the substances mentioned above.
NOTE l Always 
read the instructions on the cleaner la-
bel.
Plastic, vinyl leather, fabric and
flocked parts E00900300377
1. Gently 
wipe  off  with  gauze  or  other  soft
cloth  soaked  with  a  3  %  aqueous  solution  of
neutral detergent.
2. Dip  cloth  in  fresh  water  and  wring  out  well. Using  this  cloth,  wipe  off  the  detergent  thor-
oughly. NOTE
l Do 
not use cleaners, conditioners, and protec-
tants containing silicons or wax.
Such  products,  when  applied  to  the  instru-
ment panels or other parts, may cause reflec-
tions on the windscreen and obscure vision.
Also,  if  such  products  get  on  the  switches  of
the  electrical  accessories,  it  may  lead  to  fail-
ure of these accessories.
Upholstery E00900500018
1. To 
maintain  the  value  of  your  new  vehicle,
handle  the  upholstery  carefully  and  keep  the
interior clean.
Use a vacuum cleaner and brush to clean the
seats.  If  stained,  vinyl  and  synthetic  leather
should  be  cleaned  with  an  appropriate  clean-
er,  and  cloth  fabrics  can  be  cleaned  with  ei-
ther  upholstery  cleaner  or  a  3  %  solution  of
neutral detergent in lukewarm water.
2. Clean  the  carpeting  with  a  vacuum  cleaner and  remove  any  stains  with  carpet  cleaner.
Oil and grease can be removed by lightly dab-
bing with a clean colourfast cloth and stain re-
mover.
Genuine leather* E00900600817
1. Gently 
wipe  off  with  gauze  or  other  soft
cloth  soaked  with  a  5  %  aqueous  solution  of
neutral detergent.
2. Dip  cloth  in  fresh  water  and  wring  it  out well. Using this cloth, wipe off the detergent
thoroughly.
3. Apply leather protecting agent to the genuine leather surface. Vehicle care
7-02
7  
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        Page 295 of 370

NOTE
l If 
genuine leather is wet with water or is wash-
ed in water, wipe off water as quickly as pos-
sible with a dry, soft cloth. If left damp, mil-
dew may grow.
l The genuine leather surface may be damaged
if  a  nylon  brush  or  synthetic  fibre  is  rubbed
hard against it.
l Organic  solvents  such  as  benzine,  kerosene,
alcohol  and  petrol,  acid  or  alkaline  solvents
may  discolour  the  genuine  leather  surface.
Be sure to use neutral detergents.
l Remove dirty patches or oil substances quick-
ly as they can stain genuine leather.
l The  genuine  leather  surface  may  harden  and
shrink  if  it  is  exposed  to  direct  sun  for  long
hours.  When  your  vehicle  is  parked,  place  it
in the shade as much as possible.
l When  the  temperature  of  the  vehicle  interior
rises  in  summer,  vinyl  products  left  on  the
genuine  leather  seat  may  deteriorate  and
stick to the seat. Cleaning the exterior of your
vehicle E00900700010
If 
the  following  is  left  on  your  vehicle,  it  may
cause  corrosion,  discolouration  and  stains,  wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
l Seawater, anti-freeze for road use.
l Soot  and  dust,  iron  powder  from  factories,
chemical  substance  (acids,  alkalis,  coal-tar,
etc.).
l Droppings  from  birds,  carcasses  of  insects,
tree sap, etc.
Washing E00900902016
Chemicals contained in the dirt and dust picked up
from 
the  road  surface  can  damage  the  paint  coat
and body of your vehicle if left in prolonged contact.
Frequent washing and waxing is the best way to pro-
tect  your  vehicle  from  this  damage.  This  will  also
be effective in protecting it from environmental el-
ements such as rain, snow, salt air, etc.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight. Park the
vehicle  in  the  shade  and  spray  it  with  water  to  re-
move  dust.  Next,  using  an  ample  amount  of  clean
water and a car washing brush or sponge, wash the
vehicle from top to bottom.
Use  a  mild  car  washing  soap  if  necessary.  Rinse
thoroughly  and  wipe  dry  with  a  soft  cloth.  After
washing  the  vehicle,  carefully  clean  the  joints  and
flanges of the doors, bonnet, etc., where dirt is like-
ly to remain. CAUTION
l
When 
 washing  the  under  side  of  your  ve-
hicle  or  wheel,  be  careful  not  to  injure
your hands.
l Refrain from using a car wash as its brush-
es  may  scratch  the  paint  surface,  causing
it to lose its gloss.
Scratches  will  be  especially  visible  on
darker coloured vehicles.
l Never spray or splash water on the electri-
cal  components  in  the  engine  compart-
ment,  as  this  may  adversely  affect  engine
starting.
Exercise  caution  also  when  washing  the
underbody; be careful not to spray water
into the engine compartment.
l Some  types  of  hot  water  washing  equip-
ment  apply  high  pressure  and  heat  to  the
vehicle.  They  may  cause  heat  distortion
and damage to the vehicle resin parts and
may  result  in  flooding  of  the  vehicle  inte-
rior. Therefore; observe the following.
• Maintain  a  distance  of  approx.  50  cmor more between the vehicle body and
the washing nozzle.
• When  washing  around  the  door  glass, hold  the  nozzle  at  a  distance  of  more
than  50  cm  and  at  right  angles  to  the
glass surface. Vehicle care
7-03 7 
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        Page 296 of 370

CAUTION
l
After  washing  the  vehicle,  drive  the  vehi-
cle  slowly  while  lightly  depressing  the
brake  pedal  several  times  in  order  to  dry
out the brakes.
Leaving the brakes wet could result in re-
duced  braking  performance.  Also,  there
is  a  possibility  that  they  could  freeze  up
or become inoperative due to rust, render-
ing the vehicle unable to move.
l When  using  an  automatic  car  wash,  pay
attention to the following items, referring
to  the  operation  manual  or  consulting  a
car wash operator. If the following proce-
dure is not followed, it could result in dam-
age to your vehicle.
• The outside mirrors are retracted.
• If your vehicle is equipped with the pil-lar antenna, it can be retracted.
• If  your  vehicle  is  equipped  with  the roof antenna, it can be removed.
During cold weather
Salt 
 and  other  chemicals  spread  on  the  roads  in
some  areas  in  winter  can  have  a  harmful  effect  on
the vehicle body. You should therefore wash the ve-
hicle  as  often  as  possible  in  accordance  with  our
care-instructions. It is recommended to have a pres-
ervative  applied  and  the  underfloor  protection
checked before and after the cold weather season.
After  washing  your  vehicle,  wipe  off  all  water-
drops from the rubber parts around the doors to pre-
vent the doors from freezing. NOTE
l To 
prevent  freezing  of  the  weatherstripping
on the doors, bonnet, etc., they should be trea-
ted with silicone spray.
Waxing E00901000687
Waxing the vehicle will help prevent the adherence
of 
dust and road chemicals to the paintwork. Apply
a wax solution after washing the vehicle, or at least
once every three months to assist displacing of water.
Do  not  wax  your  vehicle  in  direct  sunlight.  You
should wax after the surfaces have cooled. CAUTION
l
Waxes 
 containing  high  abrasive  com-
pounds should not be used. Such waxes re-
move  rust  and  stains  effectively  from  the
paintwork but they are harmful to the lus-
tre  on  the  painted  surface  and  the  plated
surface.
Further, they are harmful to glossy surfa-
ces such as grille, garnish, mouldings, etc.
l Do  not  use  petrol  or  paint  thinners  to  re-
move  road  tar  or  other  contamination  to
the vehicle surface.
l Do  not  apply  wax  on  the  areas  having
black  mat  coating  as  it  can  cause  uneven
discolouration,  patches,  blurs,  etc.  If
stained  with  wax,  immediately  wipe  off
with a piece of soft cloth and warm water. CAUTION
l
On 
 vehicles  with  a  sunroof,  be  careful
when waxing the area around the sunroof
opening, not to put any wax on the weath-
erstrip  (black  rubber).  If  stained  with
wax,  the  weatherstrip  cannot  maintain  a
weatherproof seal with the sunroof.
Polishing E00901100011
The  vehicle  should  only  be  polished  if  the  paint-
work has become stained or lost its lustre. Matt-fin-
ish 
parts and plastic bumpers must not be polished,
polishing  these  parts  will  stain  them  or  damage
their finish.
Damaged paint E00901200155
Small cracks and scratches in the paint coat should
be 
touched  up  as  soon  as  possible  with
MITSUBISHI touch-up paint to prevent corrosion.
Check body areas facing the road or the tyres care-
fully  for  damage  to  the  paint  coat  caused  by  flying
stones, etc. The paint code number for your vehicle
can be found on the vehicle information code plate.
(Refer to “Vehicle labeling” on page 9-02.)
Cleaning plastic parts E00901300446
Use a sponge or chamois leather.
If 
a  car  wax  adheres  on  a  grey  or  black  rough  sur-
face of the bumper, moulding or lamps, the surface
becomes  white.  In  such  a  case,  wipe  it  off  using
lukewarm water and soft cloth or chamois leather. Vehicle care
7-04
7   
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