2015 MITSUBISHI L200 Owner's Manual (in English)

When one of the wheels has fall-en in a ditch
When driving on rocky roads
When the vehicle is unable to move because
one of the wheels is suspended in the air.
When getting out of snow
When the vehicle is unable to get going be-
cause one of the wheels is on the snow and
the other on a paved road.
Examples of incorrect use of
the rear differential lock
E00606500059
WARNINGl If the “4L” or “4H” position (easy select
4WD), “4LLc” or “4HLc” position (superselect 4WD) is selected along with the reardifferential lock, the following phenomena
appear and it is very dangerous.
Please be sure to release the rear differen-
tial lock on normal roads.WARNING• If the rear differential lock is used by
mistake when driving on a paved road: With the rear differential lock on, thepower to drive the vehicle straight
ahead becomes very strong, which may
make it difficult to turn the steering
wheel.WARNINGl If the rear differential lock is used by mis-
take when turning a curve or making a
right or left turn at a crossing or the like:
The vehicle is unable to make a turn and may go straight ahead.
Rear differential lock*
6-37OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

WARNINGlIf the rear differential lock is used by mis-
take except when making an emergencyescape on snow or frozen road: It be-
comes difficult to make a steady turn.
l In the case where the condition of the
road is different for the right tyre to drive from the left tyre (such as one tyre on a
paved road and the other on ice), direc- tion of the vehicle may change abruptly
when engine braking or accelerating.
Do not use the rear differential lock ex- cept when making an emergency escape
on a snow or frozen road, but drive with 4WD.4-wheel drive operation
E00606601028
By selecting 4-wheel drive, both axles of the
vehicle are rigidly connected with each other. This improves the traction characteristics. When turning sharp corners or moving for-
ward and backward repeatedly, however, the drive line is stressed, which is felt as a brak-
ing effect. A 4-wheel drive vehicle can accel-
erate more quickly and smoothly.
However, note that the braking distance is not shorter than that of a rear-wheel drive ve-hicle.
When using 4-wheel drive on rough roads
(snow, mud, sand, etc.), it is important to op- erate the vehicle correctly.
NOTEl The driving posture should be more upright
and closer to the wheel than usual; adjust the
seat to a good position for easy steering and pedal operation. Be sure to wear the seatbelt.
l After driving on rough roads, check each
part of the vehicle and wash it thoroughlywith water. Refer to the “Vehicle care” sec-
tion and “Inspection and maintenance fol-
lowing rough road operation” on page 6-41.
Driving on dry paved road and
highway
Select “2H” position (easy select 4WD),
“2H” or “4H” position (super select 4WD) to drive on the dry paved road. Especially on dry highway, never select the “4H” or “4L”
position (easy select 4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (super select 4WD).
4-wheel drive operation
6-38OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

CAUTIONlSelecting “4H” or “4L” position (easy select
4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (super
select 4WD) to drive on dry paved road will
increase the fuel consumption with possible noise generation and early tyre wear.
It may also increase the differential oil tem- perature, resulting in possible damage to the
driving system.
Further, the drive train will be subjected to excessive loading, possibly leading to oilleakage, component seizure, or other serious faults.
Driving on snowy or icy roads
Set the transfer shift lever to “4H” or “4L”
position (easy select 4WD), “4H” or “4HLc” position (super select 4WD) in accordance
with the road conditions, and then gradually
depress the accelerator pedal for a smooth start.
NOTEl The use of snow tyres and/or tyre chains is
recommended.
l Maintain a safe distance between vehicles,
avoid sudden braking, and use engine brak-
ing (downshifting).CAUTIONl Avoid sudden braking, sudden acceleration,
and sharp turning; such operations could
cause skidding and spinouts.
Driving on sandy or muddy
roads
Set the transfer shift lever to “4H” or “4L”
position (easy select 4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (super select 4WD) and then
gradually depress the accelerator pedal for a
smooth start. Keep the pressure on the accel-
erator pedal as constant as possible, and drive at low speed.
CAUTIONl Do not force the vehicle or drive recklessly
on sandy surfaces. In comparison with nor-
mal road surfaces, the engine and other
drive-system components are put under ex- cessive strain when driving on such a sur-
face, and this could lead to accidents.
l If any of following conditions occur while
the vehicle is being driven, immediately park your vehicle in a safe place and follow these procedures:
• The needle in the temperature gauge ap-
proaches the overheating zone.
Refer to “Engine overheating” on page
8-04.CAUTION• Automatic transmission fluid temperature
warning lamp comes on.
Refer to “When the A/T (automatic trans-
mission) fluid temperature warning lamp comes on” on page 6-23.WARNINGl 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 damage to nearby people or objects.NOTEl Avoid sudden braking, acceleration, and
turning; such operations could result in thevehicle becoming stuck.
l If the vehicle becomes stuck in sandy or
muddy roads, it can often be moved a rock-
ing motion. Move the selector lever rhythmi- cally between the “D” (DRIVE) and “R”
(REVERSE) position (with M/T, between 1 st
and Reverse), while applying slight pressure
to the accelerator pedal.
4-wheel drive operation
6-39OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

NOTElIt is recommended to start the vehicle with
parking brake partially, but not completely,applied by slightly pulling the parking brake
lever.
After the vehicle has become free, do not forget to release the parking brake.
l If it is necessary to drive in extremely mud-
dy conditions, the use of tyre chains is rec-
ommended. Because the extent of muddy conditions is difficult to judge and the vehi- cle could become bogged down very deeply,
operation should be at a low speed. If possi-
ble, get out of the vehicle and check the con- ditions ahead before proceeding.
l Driving over roads in coastal areas or roads
on which anti-skid preparations have been spread can cause rust on the vehicle; wash
the vehicle thoroughly as soon as possible
after such use.
Climbing sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to “4L” position
(easy select 4WD), “4LLc” position (super
select 4WD) to maximize the engine torque.
WARNINGl Go straight up. Do not try to traverse
across a steep slope.WARNINGl If you begin to lose traction, ease off the
accelerator pedal and gently turn the
steering wheel alternatively left and right to regain adequate traction again.NOTEl Choose as smooth a slope as possible with
few stones or other obstacles.
l Before attempting to drive up the slope,
walk up it to confirm that the vehicle canhandle the grade.
Descending sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to “4L” position
(easy select 4WD), “4LLc” position (super
select 4WD), use the engine brake (down- shifting) and descend slowly.
WARNINGl Avoid snaking down a sharp grade. De-
scend the grade as straight as possible.NOTEl When descending a sharp grade, if the
brakes are applied suddenly because of an
obstacle encountered, control of the vehicle
could be lost. Before descending the slope,
walk down it and confirm the path.NOTEl Before descending a grade, it is necessary to
choose the appropriate gear. Avoid changing
gears or depressing the clutch while de-
scending the grade.
l MITSUBISHI
MOTORS is not responsible
to the operator for any damage or injury caused or liability incurred by improper and
negligent operation of a vehicle. All techni- ques of vehicle operation described herein depend on the skill and experience of the op- erator and other participating parties and any
deviation from the recommended operation
instructions above is at their own risk.
Turning sharp corners
When turning a sharp corner in “4H” or “4L”
position (easy select 4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (super select 4WD) at low speed, a slight difference in steering may be
experienced similar to as if the brakes were applied. This is called tight corner braking and results from each of the 4 tyres being at a
different distance from the corner.
The phenomenon is peculiar to 4-wheel drive vehicles. If this occurs, either straighten the steering wheel, or change to rear-wheel drive.
4-wheel drive operation
6-40OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

Crossing a stream
4-wheel drive vehicles are not necessarilywaterproof. If the electrical circuits become
wet, further operation of the vehicle will be impossible; therefore, avoid crossing streams
unless absolutely necessary. If crossing a stream is unavoidable, use the following pro-
cedure: 1. Check depths of a stream and geographi-
cal features before attempting to cross a stream and ford the stream where the
water is as shallow as practicable.
2. Set the transfer shift lever to “4L” posi-
tion (easy select 4WD), “4LLc” position (super select 4WD).
3. Drive slowly at a speed of approximate-
ly 5 km/h (3 mph) to avoid splashing too
much water.
CAUTIONl Never cross a stream where the water is
deep.
Do not change gears while crossing the stream.
Frequent crossing of streams can adversely
affect the life span of the vehicle; we recom- mend you to take the necessary measures toprepare, inspect, and repair the vehicle.After crossing a stream, apply the brakes to
be sure they are functioning properly. If the
brakes are wet and not functioning properly,
dry them out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake pedal.
Inspect each part of the vehicle carefully.Inspection and maintenance
following rough roadoperation E00606700048
After operating the vehicle in rough road
conditions, be sure to perform the following inspection and maintenance procedures:
l Check that the vehicle has not been dam-
aged by rocks, gravel, etc.
l Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
After washing, drive the vehicle slowly
while lightly depressing the brake pedal in order to dry out the brakes. If the brakes still do not function properly, we
recommend you to have the brakes
checked as soon as possible.
l Remove the insects, dried grass, etc.
clogging the radiator core.
l After crossing a stream, be sure to have
the following items inspected at a
MITSUBISHI MOTORS Authorized
Service Point and take the necessary
measures.
• Check the brake system and, if neces-
sary, have it serviced.
• Check the engine, transmission, trans-
fer, and differential oil or grease level
and turbidity. If the oil or grease is
milky, it indicates water contamina-
tion. Replace it with new oil or grease.
• Grease the propeller shaft.
• Check the inside of the vehicle. If in-
gress of water is found, dry the carpetetc.
• Inspect the headlamps. If the head-
lamp bulb is flooded with water, we
recommend you to have it drained.Cautions on handling of 4-
wheel drive vehicles E00606800368
Tyres and wheels
Since the driving torque can be applied to the
4 wheels, the performance of the vehicle when operating in 4-wheel drive is greatly af- fected by the condition of the tyres.

Pay close attention to the tyres.
l Install specified tyres on all wheels. Re-
fer to “Tyres and wheels” on page
11-19.
Inspection and maintenance following rough road operation
6-41OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

lBe sure to fit all 4 tyres and wheels of
the same size and type.
When replacement of any of the tyres or wheels is necessary, replace all of them.
l All tyres should be rotated whenever the
wear difference between the front and rear tyres is recognizable.
Good vehicle performance cannot be expec- ted if there is a difference in wear between
tyres. Refer to “Tyre rotation” on page 10-14.
l Check the tyre inflation pressure regular-
ly.CAUTIONl Always use tyres of the same size, same
type, and same brand, and which have no wear differences. Using tyres of different
size, type, brands or degree of wear, will in- crease the differential oil temperature, result-
ing in possible damage to the driving sys-
tem. Further, the drive train will be subjec-
ted to excessive loading, possibly leading to oil leakage, component seizure, or other seri-
ous faults.
Towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend you to
have it done by your MITSUBISHI
MOTORS Authorized Service Point or a
commercial tow truck service.
In the following cases, transport the vehicle
using a tow truck.
l The engine runs but the vehicle does not
move or abnormal noise is produced.
l Inspection of the vehicle’s underside re-
veals that oil or some other fluid is leak- ing.Only when you cannot receive a towing serv-ice from a MITSUBISHI MOTORS Author-
ized Service Point or commercial tow truck
service, tow your vehicle carefully in accord- ance with the instructions given in “Towing”
on page 8-22 .
Cautions on handling of 4-wheel drive vehicles
6-42OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

CAUTIONlBe sure to shift the transfer shift lever to
“2H” position and transport the vehicle with the driving wheels on a carriage (Type A, C
or D) as illustrated.
Never try to tow with the transfer shift lever
in “4H” or “4L” position (easy select 4WD), “4H”, “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (super se-
lect 4WD) and with the front or rear wheels
on the ground (Type A or B) as illustrated. This could result in damage to the drivetrain,
or unstable towing.
If you cannot shift the transfer shift lever to “2H” position or the transmission is mal-
functioning or damaged, transport the vehi- cle with all the wheels on a carriage (Type C
or D) as illustrated.
Jacking up a 4-wheel drive ve-
hicle
WARNINGl Do not crank the engine while jacking up
the vehicle.
The tyre on the ground may turn and the
vehicle may roll off the jack.
Clutch operation
Quick or slight clutch engagement made
while the engine is running at high speed will
cause damage to the clutch and transmission because the tractive force is very great.
Operate the pedal slowly and positively.Limited-slip differential*
E00606900037
A limited-slip differential is applied for therear wheel differential only. The features of
this limited-slip differential are described be- low:

Just as with a conventional differential, the wheel on one side is allowed to turn at a dif-
ferent speed from the wheel on the other side
when the vehicle is cornering. The difference between the limited-slip differential and aconventional differential is that if the wheelon one side of the vehicle loses traction, a greater amount of torque is applied to the wheel on the other side to improve traction.
NOTEl 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.CAUTIONl 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 ve- hicle to jump forward.
l When attempting to extract the vehicle from
snow, mud, etc., and the engine is run con-
tinuously at high speed, the limited-slip dif- ferential will be adversely affected.Braking
E00607001928
All the parts of the brake system are critical
to safety. We recommend you to have the ve- hicle checked at regular intervals according
to the service booklet.
CAUTIONl Avoid driving habits that cause heavy brak-
ing and never “ride” the brakes by resting
your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
It causes brake overheating and fade.
Limited-slip differential*
6-43OKTE15E3Starting and driving6

Brake system
The service brake is divided into two brake
circuits. And your vehicle is equipped with
power brakes. If one brake circuit fails, the
other is available to stop the vehicle. If you should lose the power 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 resists being
depressed, keep depressing the brake pedal down harder and further than usual; stop
driving as soon as possible and have the
brake system repaired.
WARNINGl 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.
l If the power assist is lost or if either brake
hydraulic system stops working properly, have your vehicle checked immediately.
Warning lamp
The brake warning lamp illuminates to indi-
cate a fault in the braking system. Refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page 5-08.
When brakes are wet
Check the brake system while driving at a
low speed immediately after starting, espe- cially when the brakes are wet, to confirmthey 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 depressing the brake pedal.
When driving downhill
It is important to take advantage of the en- gine braking by shifting to a lower shift posi-tion while driving on steep downhill roads in
order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
WARNINGl 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 operatedfreely 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
moderate 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 replaced.
WARNINGl 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 assistingdrivers who cannot depress the brake pedalfirmly when it is necessary to do so (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 thanusual.
Brake assist system*
6-44OKTE15E3Starting and driving6