4-wheel drive operationE00606602344
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 6-33.
Driving on dry paved road and
highway
Select the “2H” or “4H” position to drive on
the dry paved road. Especially on dry high- way, never select the “4HLc” or “4LLc” po-sition.
CAUTIONl Selecting the “4HLc” or “4LLc” position to
drive on dry paved road will increase the
fuel consumption with possible noise gener- ation 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 oil leakage, component seizure, or other serious faults.
Driving on snowy or icy roads
Set the transfer shift lever to the “4H” or
“4HLc” position in accordance with the road conditions, and then gradually depress the ac-
celerator pedal for a smooth start.
NOTEl The use of snow tyres and/or tyre chains is
recommended.
l In order to ensure that the anti-lock brake
system (ABS) will operate correctly in situa-tions where tyre chains have been fitted, drive in the “4H”, “4HLc” or “4LLc” posi-tion.
l Maintain a safe distance between vehicles,
avoid sudden braking, and use engine brak- ing (downshifting).
4-wheel drive operation
6-30OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
CAUTIONlAvoid 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 the “4HLc” or “4LLc” position and then gradually depress
the accelerator pedal for a smooth start. Keep
the pressure on the accelerator pedal as con- stant 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• A/T fluid temperature warning lamp illu-
minates.
Refer to “When the A/T fluid temperature
warning lamp comes on” on page 6-19.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 with a
rocking motion. Move the selector lever rhythmically between the “D” (DRIVE) and
“R” (REVERSE) position, while applying slight pressure to the accelerator pedal.
l It 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.NOTEl 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 the “4LLc” po-
sition to maximize the engine torque.
WARNINGl Go straight up. Do not try to traverse
across a steep slope.
l 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.
4-wheel drive operation
6-31OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
NOTElBefore attempting to drive up the slope,
walk it up to confirm that the vehicle canhandle the grade.
Descending sharp grades
Set the transfer shift lever to the “4LLc” po-
sition, use the engine brake (downshifting)
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 it down and confirm the path.
l Before descending a grade, it is necessary to
choose the appropriate gear. Avoid changing
gears or depressing the clutch while de- scending the grade.NOTEl 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 the “4HLc”
or “4LLc” position at low speed, a slight dif-
ference in steering may be experienced simi- lar 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 dis-tance 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.
Crossing a stream
4-wheel drive vehicles are not necessarily waterproof. 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. Cross at a place where the water is less
than 70 cm deep.
3. Set the transfer shift lever to the “4LLc”
position.
4. Drive slowly at a speed of approximate-
ly 5 km/h (3 mph) to avoid splashing too
much water.CAUTIONl Do not attempt to cross a stream at a place
where the water is more than 70 cm deep.
l Cross a stream temporarily for emergencies
and avoid doing so for a long period of time.
l 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.NOTEl Because the inside of the vehicle is flooded
with water when crossing at a place where
the water is more than 50 cm deep, we rec- ommend you to have your vehicle inspected.
4-wheel drive operation
6-32OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
NOTElFrequent 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.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 E00606802144
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
11-11.
l Be 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 10-13.
l Check the tyre inflation pressure regular-
ly.
l If the tyre inflation pressure is inappro-
priate, the transfer gear may make some
noise and shock while changing the drive mode.CAUTIONl Always use tyres of the same size, same
type, and same brand, and which have no wear differences. Using tyres which differ in
size, type, brand or the degree of wear will
cause excessive loading, resulting in possi- ble damage to the drive system.
Inspection and maintenance following rough road operation
6-33OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
Towing
If towing is necessary, we recommend you tohave 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 8-16.
CAUTIONl Be sure to shift the transfer shift lever to the
“2H” position. Never try to tow with the transfer shift lever in the “4H”, “4HLc” or
“4LLc” positions and with any of the wheels
on the ground (Type A or B). This could re- sult in damage to the vehicle’s driving sys- tem, or the vehicle could become separated from the tow truck and unexpected accident
might result.
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.If you can shift the transfer shift lever to the “2H” position.If you cannot shift the transfer shift lever to the “2H”
position.
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.
Cautions on handling of 4-wheel drive vehicles
6-34OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
BrakingE00607001524
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.
Brake system
The service brake is divided into two brake
circuits so that when one brake circuit fails, the other is available to stop the vehicle. In
this situation, even if the brake pedal moves down to the very end of its possible stroke,
keep depressing the brake pedal down harder than usual; stop driving as soon as possible
and have the brake system repaired.
For details, refer to “Brake warning lamp” on
page 5-10.
Power brakes
The power brakes use brake fluid pressurized
by the pump to power-assist the brake. If the brake system fails during driving, the brake
warning lamp comes on and a buzzer sounds continuously. In this case, the brake may not
work properly.
If this buzzer should continue to sound, park your vehicle in a safe place and have the sys-tem checked.
Refer to “Brake warning lamp” on page 5-10.
CAUTIONl Bring the vehicle to halt in a safe location by
applying the brakes gently. Applying the
brakes rapidly or driving at high speed may
make the vehicle unstable.NOTEl Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly may
turn on the brake warning lamp, ABS warn-ing lamp and brake warning buzzer. (The
ASTC indication lamp and Active Stability
Control function OFF indication lamp also
turn on.) It is normal if the lamp goes out and the buzzer stops sounding after a few
seconds.NOTEl In certain cases immediately after the engine
has been started or when the brake pedal is
depressed repeatedly, a noise generated by operation of brake devices may be heard coming from the engine compartment, or the
brake pedal vibration may be felt. This type
of noise or vibration is normal and there is
no need for concern. In fact, it indicates that
the corresponding devices are operating nor-
mal.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
l The brake warning lamp illuminates to
indicate a fault in the braking system.
Read “Brake warning lamp” on page
5-10.
Braking
6-35OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
NOTElOnce 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 vibrate. This occurs when the brake
assist system is operating normally and does not indicate faulty operation. Continue to
firmly depress the brake pedal.
l When the anti-lock brake system warning
lamp is illuminated, the brake assist system is not functioning.Anti-lock brake system
(ABS) E00607101248
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 in-
creased. The vehicle may also go into an un- controlled spin.
The ABS helps prevent the wheels from lock-
ing during braking, thus maintaining direc-
tional stability, ensuring controllability and
providing optimum braking force.
Driving hints
l Always maintain the same distance from
the vehicle in front of you as you would
for a vehicle 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 sur-
face is pitted or has other differencesin surface height.
• Driving on bumpy roads or other poor
driving surfaces.
l In order to ensure that the ABS will op-
erate correctly in situations where tyre chains have been fitted, drive in the“4H”, “4HLc”, or “4LLc” position.
l Operation of ABS is not restricted to sit-
uations where brakes are applied sud- denly. This system may also operate to
prevent wheel lock when you are driving over manholes, steel road-work plates,
or the vehicle is driven over steps or lev-
el 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 the vi- brations of the vehicle body and steering
wheel. You may also hear a characteris-
tic noise. At this time, you may feel as if
the pedal attempts to resist being de- pressed.
This is a normal result of the ABS oper- ation, and does not indicate a problem.
In this situation, to let the ABS work for you, just hold the brake pedal
down more firmly. Do not pump the brake. This will result in reduced
braking performance.
l When the engine starts and after starting
to drive, you might hear operation noise from the engine compartment or feel a shock from the brake pedal. This is nor-
mal. The ABS is performing self-check.
l The ABS will operate after the vehicle
has accelerated to a speed in excess ofapproximately 10 km/h (6 mph). It stops
operating when the vehicle decelerates
to a speed below about 5 km/h (3 mph).
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
6-37OVWX17E1Starting and driving6
If the warning lamp illuminateswhile driving
E00607300416
If only the ABS warning lamp illuminates
l Avoid hard braking and high-speed driv-
ing. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
Restart the engine and check to see whether the lamp goes out after a few
minutes driving; 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 engine is started. In this case, it doesnot indicate an ABS fault.
Charge the battery by allowing the en- gine to idle for a while.
If the battery has been charged but the
ABS warning lamp continues to illumi-
nate or illuminates intermittently, we recommend you to 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
function will not work, so hard braking
could make the vehicle unstable.
Avoid hard braking and high-speed driv- ing. Stop the vehicle in a safe place and we recommend you to have it checked.
Inspection following snowy
road operation
E00618300012
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.
FrontRear
Power steering system
E00607401528
The power steering system operates while the
engine 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 power assist is lost for some rea-
son, you will still be able to steer your vehi-
cle, but you will notice it takes much more effort to steer. If this happens, have your ve-
hicle inspected at a MITSUBISHI MOTORS
Authorized Service Point.
WARNINGl 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.
Power steering system
6-39OVWX17E1Starting and driving6