wheel MITSUBISHI ASX 2009 1.G Owner's Guide

4-wheel drive operation
E00606600887
Your
vehicle has been designed primarily for use
on paved roads.
But its unique 4-wheel drive system allows you to
occasionally travel on unpaved roads, to camp-
grounds, picnic sites, and similar locations.
Not only does this ensure better handling on dry,
paved roads but also permits better traction when
driving on slippery, wet or snow-covered roads and
when moving out of mud.
But it is not suitable for heavy off road use or tow-
ing in rough conditions.
It is particularly important to note that 4-wheel
drive may not give sufficient hill climbing ability
and engine braking on steep slopes. You should try
to avoid driving on steep slopes.
Also, you must exercise caution when driving on
sand and mud and when driving through water be-
cause sufficient traction may not be available in cer-
tain circumstances.
Please avoid driving the vehicle through areas
where the tyres may get stuck in deep sand or mud. WARNING
l Do
not over-rely on the 4-wheel drive ve-
hicles. Even 4-wheel drive vehicles have
limits to the system and ability to main-
tain control and traction. Reckless driv-
ing may lead to accidents. Always drive
carefully, taking account of the road con-
ditions.
l Improperly operating this vehicle on or
off-paved roads can cause an accident or
rollover in which you and your passen-
gers could be seriously injured or killed. WARNING
• Follow
all instructions and guidelines in the owner’s manual.
• Keep your speed low and do not drive faster than conditions allow you to.
NOTE l Driving

on rough roads can be hard on a ve-
hicle. Before you leave paved roads, be sure
all scheduled maintenance and service has
been done, and that you have inspected your
vehicle. Pay special attention to the condi-
tion of the tyres, and check the tyre pressures.
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 depend on the skill
and experience of the operator and other par-
ticipating parties. Any deviation from the rec-
ommended operating instructions above is at
their own risk.
l Note that the stopping distance required of a
4-wheel drive vehicle differs very little from
that of a 2-wheel drive vehicle. When driv-
ing on a snow-covered road or a slippery,
muddy surface, make sure that you keep a suf-
ficient distance between your vehicle and the
one ahead of you.
l The driving posture should be more upright;
adjust the seat to a good position for easy
steering and pedal operation. Be sure to wear
the seat belt. l
After
driving on rough roads, check each
part of the vehicle and wash it thoroughly
with water. Refer to the “Inspection and main-
tenance following rough road operation” sec-
tion and “Maintenance” section. CAUTION
l
Setting
the drive mode-selector to “4WD
LOCK” to drive on dry paved road will
increase fuel consumption, with possible
noise generation.
Turning sharp corners
When
turning a sharp corner in “4WD LOCK” po-
sition 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 re-
sults from each of the 4 tyres being at a different
distance from the corner. The phenomenon is typi-
cal of 4-wheel drive vehicles. If this occurs, either
straighten out the steering wheel, or change to
“2WD” or “4WD AUTO” mode.
On snowy or icy roads
Set the drive mode-selector to “4WD AUTO” or
“4WD LOCK” in accordance with the road condi-
tions, and then gradually depress the accelerator ped-
al for a smooth start.
NOTE
l The use of snow tyres is recommended.
l Maintain a safe distance between vehicles,
avoid sudden braking, and use engine brak-
ing (downshifting). Starting and driving
4-31 4

CAUTION
l
Avoid sudden braking, sudden accelera-
tion and sharp turning. Skidding occurs
and control of the vehicle could be lost.
Driving on sandy or muddy roads
Set
the drive mode-selector to “4WD LOCK” and
then gradually depress the accelerator pedal for a
smooth start. Keep the pressure on the accelerator
pedal as constant as possible, and drive at low speed. CAUTION
l
Do
not force the vehicle or drive reckless-
ly on sandy surfaces. In comparison with
normal road surfaces, the engine and oth-
er drive-system components are put un-
der excessive strain when driving on such
a surface. This could lead to accidents.
l If the engine coolant temperature display flashes on the information screen in
the
multi-information display or the en-
gine power drops suddenly while the vehi-
cle is being driven, park your vehicle im-
mediately in a safe place.
Refer to “Engine overheating” on page
6-04 for details and take the required meas-
ures. 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.
NOTE l Avoid

sudden braking, sudden acceleration
and sharp turning; such operations could re-
sult in the vehicle becoming stuck.
l If the vehicle becomes stuck in sandy or mud-
dy roads, it can often be moved with a rock-
ing motion. Move the gearshift lever alter-
nately between the 1 st
and “R” (Reverse) po-
sitions (M/T), the “D” (DRIVE) and “R” (RE-
VERSE) positions (CVT), while pressing
lightly on the accelerator pedal.
l Driving on rough roads can cause rust on the
vehicle; wash the vehicle thoroughly as soon
as possible after such use.
Climbing/descending sharp grades
Your vehicle may not provide sufficient hill climb-
ing ability and engine braking on steep slopes.
Avoid driving on steep slopes even though the vehi-
cle is a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Driving through water E00618900076
If the electrical circuits become wet, further opera-
tion

of the vehicle will be impossible; therefore,
avoid driving through water unless absolutely nec-
essary. If driving through water is unavoidable, use
the following procedure:
Check

the depth of the water and the terrain before
attempting to drive through it. Drive slowly to
avoid creating excessive water splashing. CAUTION
l
Never
drive through water that is deep
enough to cover wheel hubs, axles or ex-
haust pipe. Do not change the gearshift
lever position (M/T) or the selector lever
position (CVT) while driving through wa-
ter.
Frequent driving through water can ad-
versely affect the life span of the vehicle;
we recommend you to take the necessary
measures to prepare, inspect, and repair
the vehicle.
l After driving through water, 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. Starting and driving
4-32
4

Inspection and maintenance
following rough road operation E00606700338
After
operating the vehicle in rough road condi-
tions, be sure to perform the following inspection
and maintenance procedures:
l Check that the vehicle has not been damaged
by rocks, gravel, etc.
l Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
Drive the vehicle slowly while lightly depress-
ing the brake pedal in order to dry out the
brakes. If the brakes still do not function prop-
erly, we recommend you to have the brakes
checked as soon as possible.
l Remove the insects, dried grass, etc. clog-
ging the radiator core.
l After driving through water, check the en-
gine, transmission and differential oil. If the
oil or grease is milky or cloudy because of
water contamination, it must be replaced
with new oil or grease.
l Check the inside of the vehicle. If water en-
try is found, dry the carpet etc.
l Inspect the headlamps, If the headlamp bulb
is flooded with water, we recommend you to
have it drained. Cautions on handling of 4-wheel
drive vehicles E00606800746
Tyres and wheels
Since
the driving torque can be applied to the 4
wheels, the driving performance of the vehicle
when operating in 4-wheel drive is greatly affected
by the condition of the tyres.

Pay close attention to the tyres.
l Install only the specified tyres on all wheels.
Refer to “Tyres and wheels” on page 9-12.
l Be sure all 4 tyres and wheels are the same
size and type.
When it is necessary to replace any of the
tyres or wheels, replace all 4 tyres.
l All tyres should be rotated before the wear
difference between the front and rear tyres is
recognizable.
Good vehicle performance cannot be expected if
there is a difference in wear between tyres. Refer to
“Tyre rotation” on page 8-13. l Check the tyre inflation pressure regularly. CAUTION
l
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
increase the differential oil temperature,
resulting in possible damage to the driv-
ing system. Further, the drive train will
be subjected to excessive loading possibly
leading to oil leakage, component seizure,
or other serious faults.
Towing Starting and driving
4-33 4

CAUTION
l
Do not tow 4-wheel drive vehicles with
the front or rear wheels on the ground
(Type A or Type B) as illustrated. This
could result in damage to the drivetrain,
or unstable towing.
If you tow 4-wheel drive vehicles, use
Type C or Type D equipment.
l Even in “2WD” drive mode, the vehicle
cannot be towed with the front or the
rear wheels on the ground.
Jacking up a 4-wheel drive vehicle WARNING
l Do
not crank the engine while the vehicle
is jacked up.
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. Braking
E00607001784
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 display
The
brake warning lamp illuminates to indicate a
fault in the braking system. A warning is also dis-
played on the multi-information display. Refer to
“Brake warning lamp” on page 3-41 and “Brake
warning display” on page 3-42.
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
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 driv-
ing slowly while lightly depressing 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
4-34
4

l
When the brake assist system is in use, you
may feel as if the depressed brake pedal is
soft, the pedal moves in small motions in con-
junction with the sound of the ABS opera-
tion, or the vehicle body and the steering
wheel vibrate. This occurs when the brake as-
sist system is operating normally and does
not indicate faulty operation. Continue to
firmly depress the brake pedal.
l You may hear an operation noise when the
brake pedal is depressed suddenly while sta-
tionary. This does not indicate a malfunction
and the brake assist system is operating nor-
mally. Emergency stop signal system
E00626000018
This
is a device that reduces the possibility of rear
end collisions by the rapid and automatic blinking
of the hazard warning lamps to alert vehicles ap-
proaching from behind during sudden braking.
When the emergency stop signal system operates,
the hazard warning indication lamp in the instru-
ment cluster blinks rapidly at the same time. CAUTION
l
If
the ABS warning or ASC warning is dis-
played, the emergency stop signal system
may not operate.
Refer to “ABS warning lamp/display” on
page 4-38.
Refer to “ASC warning display” on page
4-42.
NOTE l [Activating

condition for the emergency stop
signal system]
It activates when all of the following condi-
tions are met. • The vehicle speed is approximately55 km/h (34 mph) or higher.
• The brake pedal has been depressed, and the system judges that it was sudden brak-
ing from the vehicle deceleration and the
operating condition of the anti-lock brake
system (ABS).
[Deactivating condition for the emergency
stop signal system]
It deactivates when one of the following con-
ditions is met. • The brake pedal is released.
• The

hazard warning flasher switch is
pressed.
• The system judges that it was not sudden braking from the vehicle deceleration and
the operating condition of the anti-lock
brake system (ABS). Starting and driving
4-37 4

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
E00607101046
The
anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps prevent
the wheels from locking up when braking. This
helps maintain vehicle drivability and steering
wheel handling.
Driving hints
l Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle
in front of you. Even if your vehicle is equip-
ped with ABS, leave a greater braking dis-
tance when:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving with tyre chains installed.
• Driving on uneven road surfaces.
l Operation of ABS is not restricted to situa-
tions where brakes are applied suddenly.
This system may also prevent the wheels
from locking when you drive over manholes,
steel roadwork plates, road markings, or any
uneven road surface.
l When the ABS is activated, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsation and the vibrations of
the vehicle body and steering wheel. It may
also feel as if the pedal resists being pressed.
In this situation, simply hold the brake ped-
al down firmly. Do not pump the brake,
which will result in reduced braking per-
formance.
l An operation noise is emitted from the en-
gine compartment or you can feel a shock
from the brake pedal when start driving im-
mediately after starting the engine. These are
normal sounds or operations that the ABS
makes when performing a self-check. It does
not indicate a malfunction. l
The ABS can be used after the vehicle has
reached a speed over approximately 10 km/h
(6 mph). It stops working when the vehicle
slows below approximately 5 km/h (3 mph). CAUTION
l
The
ABS cannot prevent accidents. It is
your responsibility to take safety precau-
tions and to drive carefully.
l To prevent failure of the ABS, be sure all
4 wheels and tyres are the same size and
the same type.
l Do not install any aftermarket limited-
slip differential (LSD) on your vehicle.
The ABS may stop functioning properly. ABS warning lamp/display
E00607201135
Warning lamp Warning display type 1
Warning display type 2
If there is a malfunction in the system, the ABS
warning

lamp will come on and the warning dis-
play will appear on the information screen in the
multi-information display.
Under normal conditions, the ABS warning lamp
only comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position or the operation mode is put
in ON and goes off a few seconds later. CAUTION
l
Any
of the following indicates that the
ABS is not functioning and only the stand- Starting and driving
4-38
4

CAUTION
ard brake system is working. (The stand-
ard
brake system is functioning normal-
ly.) If this happens, we recommend you to
have your vehicle inspected as soon as pos-
sible. • When the ignition switch is turned tothe “ON” position or the operation
mode is put in ON, the warning lamp
does not come on or it remains on and
does not go off.
• The warning lamp comes on while driv- ing
• The warning display appears while driving
If the warning lamp/display illuminate
while driving E00607301295
If only the ABS warning lamp/display illuminate
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 driving; if it then
remains off during driving, there is no problem.
However, if the warning lamp/display do not disap-
pear, or if they come on again when the vehicle is
driven, we recommend you to have the vehicle
checked. If the ABS warning lamp/display and brake warn-
ing lamp/display illuminate at the same time
Warning lamp Warning display type 1
Warning display type 2
The ABS and brake force distribution function 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 we recommend you
to have it checked. NOTE
l The

ABS warning lamp and brake warning
lamp illuminate at the same time and the warn-
ing displays appear alternately on the infor-
mation screen in the multi-information dis-
play.
After driving on icy roads E00618800150
After driving on snow or icy roads, remove any
snow

and ice which may have accumulated around
the wheels. On vehicles that have an ABS, be care-
ful not to damage the wheel speed sensors (A) or
the cables located at each wheel.
Front
Rear Starting and driving
4-39 4

Electric power steering system
(EPS) E00629200037
The
electric power steering system (EPS) uses an
electric motor to assist the turning of the steering
wheel.
NOTE
l During repeated full-lock turning of the steer-
ing wheel (for example, while you are ma-
noeuvring the vehicle into a parking space),
a protection function may be activated to pre-
vent overheating of the power steering sys-
tem. This function will make the steering
wheel gradually harder to turn. In this event,
limit your turning of the steering wheel for a
while. When the system has cooled down,
the steering action will return to normal.
l If you turn the steering wheel while the vehi-
cle is stationary with the headlamps on, the
headlamps may become dim. This behaviour
is not abnormal. The headlamps will return
to their original brightness after a short while.
Electric power steering system warn-
ing display Type 1 Type 2
When there is a malfunction in the system, the warn-
ing display will appear on the information screen in
the multi-information display.
CAUTION
l
If
the warning display appears during
driving, it may become harder to turn the
steering wheel.
If the warning display appears while driving 1. Stop
the vehicle in a safe place and turn off
the engine.
2. Wait approximately 30 seconds and then re- start the engine to check whether the warning
display goes out; if it then remains off, there
is no problem.
If the warning display does not go out, or it
appears again while driving, we recommend
you to have your vehicle inspected. Active stability control (ASC)*
E00616700331
The

Active Stability Control (ASC) takes overall
control of the anti-lock brake system, traction con-
trol function and stability control 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, traction control func-
tion and stability control function.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ® p. 4-38
Traction control function ® p. 4-41
Stability control function ® p. 4-41 CAUTION
l
Do
not over-rely on the ASC. Even the
ASC cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.
This system, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain
traction and control of the vehicle in all
circumstances. Reckless driving may lead
to accidents. It is the driver’s responsibil-
ity to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environ-
mental conditions.
l Be sure to use the same specified type and
size of tyre on all 4 wheels. Otherwise, the
ASC may not work properly.
l Do not install any aftermarket limited-
slip differential (LSD) on your vehicle.
The ASC may stop functioning properly. Starting and driving
4-40
4

NOTE
l An
operation noise may be emitted from the
engine compartment in the following situa-
tions. The sound is associated with checking
the operations of the ASC. At this time, you
may feel a shock from the brake pedal if you
depress it. These do not indicate a malfunc-
tion. • When the ignition switch is turned to the“ON” position or the operation mode is
put in ON.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while af- ter the engine is turned on.
l When the ASC is activated, you may feel a
vibration in the vehicle body or hear a whin-
ing sound from the engine compartment.
This indicates that the system is operating nor-
mally. It does not indicate a malfunction.
l When the anti-lock brake system warning
lamp is illuminated, the ASC is not active.
Traction control function E00619000087
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function
prevents

the drive wheels from spinning excessive,
thus helping the vehicle to start moving from a stop-
ped condition. It also provides sufficient driving
force and steering performance as the vehicle turns
while pressing the acceleration pedal. 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. Stability control function
E00619100017
The

stability control function is designed to help
the driver maintain control of the vehicle on slip-
pery roads or during rapid steering manoeuvres. It
works by controlling the engine output and brake
on each wheel.
NOTE
l The stability control function operates at
speeds of about 15 km/h (9 mph) or higher.
“ASC OFF” switch E00619200353
The ASC is automatically activated when the igni-
tion

switch is turned to the “ON” position or the op-
eration mode is put in ON. You can deactivate the
system by pressing down the “ASC OFF” switch
for 3 seconds or longer.
When the ASC is deactivated, the display/indica-
tor

will turn on. To reactivate the ASC, momentari-
ly press the “ASC OFF” switch; the display/indi-
cator is turned off. CAUTION
l
For
safety reasons, the “ASC OFF”
switch should be operated when your ve-
hicle is stopped.
l Be sure to keep the ASC on while driving
in normal circumstances.
NOTE l When

moving out of mud, sand or fresh
snow, pressing the accelerator pedal may not
allow the engine speed to increase. In such sit-
uations, temporarily turning off the ASC
with the “ASC OFF” switch will make it eas-
ier to move out your vehicle.
l Using the “ASC OFF” switch turns off both
the stability control function and the traction
control function.
l If you continue to press the “ASC OFF”
switch after the ASC is turned off, the “mis-
taken operation protection function” will ac-
tivate and the ASC will turn back on.
ASC operation display or ASC OFF
display E00619300426 ASC operation display/ASC indicator
The

display/indicator will blink when the
ASC is operating. ASC OFF display/ASC OFF indicator
This

display/incicator will turn on when
the ASC is turned off with the “ASC
OFF” switch. Starting and driving
4-41 4

NOTE
l The
combination of items shown on the dis-
play varies depending on the vehicle model. CAUTION
l
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 happens, drive
slower with less accelerator input.
l If the temperature in the braking system
continues to increase due to continuous
brake control on a slippery road surface,
the display/indicator will blink. To pre-
vent

the brake system from overheating,
the brake control of the traction control
function will be temporarily suspended.
The engine control of the traction control
function and normal brake operation will
not be affected. Park your vehicle in a
safe place. When the temperature in the
braking system has come down, the dis-
play/indicator

will be turned off and the
traction control function will start operat-
ing again.
NOTE l The display/indicator may turn on when
you

start the engine. This means that the bat-
tery voltage momentarily dropped when the
engine was started. It does not indicate a mal-
function, provided that the display goes out
immediately. l
When
a compact spare tyre has been put on
your vehicle, the gripping ability of the tyre
will be lower, making it more likely that the display/indicator will blink.
ASC warning display E00619400443
If an abnormal condition occurs in the system, the
following display/indicator will turn on. -
ASC indicator -
ASC OFF display/ASC OFF indica-
tor
Warning display type 1 Warning display type 2
NOTE
l The

combination of items shown on the dis-
play varies depending on the vehicle model. CAUTION
l
The system may be malfunctioning.
Park

your vehicle in a safe place and stop
the engine.
Restart the engine and check whether the
display/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 we recommend you to have your vehi-
cle inspected.
Towing E00624400050 CAUTION
l
When
towing the vehicle with only the
front wheels or only the rear wheels
raised off the ground, do not place the ig-
nition switch in the “ON” position or do
not put the operation mode in ON. Plac-
ing the ignition switch in the “ON” posi-
tion or putting the operation mode in ON
could cause the ASC to operate, resulting
in an accident.
Note that the correct towing method de-
pends on the transmission type and the ve-
hicle’s drive configuration.
For details, refer to “Towing” on page
6-19. Starting and driving
4-42
4