2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION Owners Manual

3-130 Features and controls
3
Traction control function
N00559200021
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessive, thus helping the vehicle
to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides suffi-
cient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the acceleration pedal.Skid control function
N00546800010
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.NOTE
The skid control function operates at speeds of about
9 mph (15 km/h) or higher.
ASC OFF switch
N00559400209
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the
ASC automatically turns ON. If the ASC OFF switch is
pressed to turn OFF the ASC, the display in the meter
comes on. Press the switch again to turn ON the ASC.
CAUTION
!
When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.
CAUTION
!
For safety reasons, press the ASC OFF switch when
the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to turn ON the ASC for normal driving.
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Features and controls
3-131
3
NOTE
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 turning off the
ASC with the “ASC OFF” switch will make it easier to
move out your vehicle.

By pressing the ASC OFF switch, both the skid control
function and the traction control function are turned OFF.

By pressing down the “ASC OFF” switch for 3 seconds or
longer, you can deactivate the ASC and the braking con-
trol of the AYC.
At this time, the display will appear for a few sec-
onds.
Then, the previous screen will return and the “!” mark will
come on.
Press the ASC OFF switch again to turn ON the ASC.

If the ASC OFF switch is continuously pressed after the
ASC has been turned OFF or the ASC and the braking
control of AYC have been turned off, an erroneous opera-
tion prevention function operates and the ASC is automat-
ically turned ON.
ASC operation display or ASC OFF display
N00546500091
NOTE
The display may come on when you start the engine.
This means that the battery voltage momentarily dropped
when the engine was started. It does not indicate a mal-
function, provided that the display goes out immediately.

When a compact spare tire has been put on your vehicle,
the gripping ability of the tire will be lower, making it
more likely that the display/indicator will blink.
- ASC operation display/ASC indicator
The display/indicator will blink when the ASC is operat-
ing.
-ASC OFF display
The display is displayed when the ASC has been deac-
tivated with the “ASC OFF” switch.
CAUTION
!
When display/indicator blinks, 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.
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3-132 Features and controls
3
ASC warning display
N00546600092
If an abnormal condition occurs in the system, the following
display/indicator will turn on.
Warning display
Limited-slip differential
N00517400014
A limited-slip differential is applied for front wheel differen-
tial. 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 differ-
ential 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
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.
- ASC indicator
-ASC OFF display
CAUTION
!
The system may be malfunctioning.
Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the engine.
Restart the engine again and check whether the dis-
play/indicator goes out. If they go out, there is no
abnormal condition. If they do not go out or appear
frequently, it is not necessary to stop the vehicle
immediately, but you should have your vehicle
inspected by an authorized Mitsubishi Motors
dealer or a repair facility of your choice as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
!
Never start the engine while one of the front or rear
wheels is jacked up and the other in contact with the
ground; doing so may cause the vehicle to jump for-
ward.
Continuously attempting to extract the vehicle from
snow, mud, etc. while using high engine rpm may
damage the limited-slip differential.
Using a compact spare wheel will adversely affect
the limited-slip differential; replace the compact
spare wheel with a standard size wheel as soon as
possible.
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Features and controls
3-133
3 Service brake
N00517500291
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
downshifting.
Power brakes
N00517600380
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes for more braking
force with minimal brake pedal effort.
Your brakes are designed to operate at full capacity, even if the
power assist is lost.
If the power assist is lost, the effort needed to press the brake
pedal is greater.
If you lose the power assist for some reason, the brakes will
still work.
If the power brake unit or either of the two brake hydraulic sys-
tems stops working properly, the rest of the brake system will
still work, but the vehicle will not slow down as quickly.
You will know this has happened if you find you need to
depress the brake pedal down further, or harder when slowing
down or stopping, or if the brake warning light and the warning
display in the multi-information display come on.
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.
WA R N I N G
!
Never coast downhill with the engine OFF. Keep the
engine running whenever your vehicle is in motion.
If you turn off the engine while driving, the power
brake booster will stop working and your brakes
will not work as well.
If the power assist is lost or if either brake hydraulic
system stops working properly, take your vehicle to
an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice immediately.
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3-134 Features and controls
3
Brake pad wear alarm
N00532500117
The disc brakes have an alarm that makes a metallic squeal
when the brake pads have worn down enough to need service.
If you hear this sound continuously, have the brake pads
inspected at an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice.NOTE
When the brakes are applied, a faint noise may be heard,
but this is a characteristic of high-performance brakes; it
does not indicate a problem.
Brake assist system
N00567300034
The brake assist system is a device assisting drivers who can-
not depress the brake pedal firmly such as in emergency stop
situations and provides greater braking force.
If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the brakes will be
applied with more force than usual.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with worn brake pads will make it harder to
stop, and can cause an accident.
CAUTION
!
The brake assist system is not a device designed to
exercise braking force greater than its capacity.
Make sure to always keep a sufficient distance
between vehicles in front of you without relying too
much on the brake assist system.
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Features and controls
3-135
3
NOTE
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.

The brake assist system may become operational when the
brake pedal is fully depressed even if it has not been
depressed suddenly.

When the brake assist system is in use while driving, you
may feel as if the depressed brake pedal is soft, the pedal
moves in small motions in conjunction with the operation
noise, or the vehicle body and the steering wheel vibrate.
This occurs when the brake assist system is operating nor-
mally and does not indicate faulty operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal.

You may hear an operation noise when the brake pedal is
depressed suddenly while stationary. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction and the brake assist system is operating
normally.
Power steering system
N00518000293
The power steering system operates while the engine is run-
ning. 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 power 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 or a repair facility of your choice.
WA R N I N G
!
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 acci-
dent.
CAUTION
!
Do not leave the steering wheel turned all the way in
one direction. This can cause damage to the power
steering system.
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3-136 Features and controls
3Cruise control
N00518300472
Cruise control is an automatic speed control system that keeps
a set speed. It can be activated at speeds from about 25 mph
(40 km/h). 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 decrease on a steep uphill. You may 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 have to use the brake to control your
speed. As a result, the set speed driving is deactivated.
Cruise control switchesA- “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.
CAUTION
!
When you do not wish to drive at a set speed, turn
off the cruise control for safety.
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 downhill
slope.
On vehicles with manual transaxle, do not move the
gearshift lever to the “N” (Neutral) position while
driving at a set speed without depressing the clutch
pedal. The engine will run too fast and might be
damaged.
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Features and controls
3-137
3
NOTE
When operating the cruise control switches, press the
cruise control switches correctly. The set speed driving
may be deactivated automatically if two or more switches
of the cruise control are pressed at the same time.
To activate
N00518400327
1. With the ignition switch in the “ON” position, press the
“ON OFF” switch (A) to turn on the cruise control. The
“CRUISE” indicator light in the meter cluster will come
on.
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