tow MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER XL 2012 Service Manual

Driving safety
4-17
4 Trailer towing
N00629800319
Towing a trailer will adversely affect your vehicle’s handling,
performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel
consumption, etc.).
If you do tow a trailer with this vehicle, be sure to use proper
equipment and cautious steering and braking for safe driving.
Weight limitsNever exceed the vehicle capacity weight, maximum trailer
weight (A), maximum tongue weight (B) and Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).Vehicle capacity weightThe vehicle capacity weight is printed on the tire and loading
information placard as “combined weight of occupants and
cargo”.
The weight includes the weight of all occupants and the total
weight it can carry.
For more information, refer to “Tire and loading information
placard” on page 4-10.
CAUTION
!
Do not lose control of your vehicle when towing a
trailer.
• Always use proper equipment.
• Always drive carefully

Damage to your vehicle caused by improper equip-
ment or driving is not covered by your warranty.
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4-18 Driving safety
4
Maximum trailer weightRecommendations for towing up to this limit are as follows.
2.4 liter models

3.0 liter models

Tongue weightThe tongue weight of any trailer is important because it affects
the vehicle capacity weight.
The vehicle capacity weight includes any cargo you may carry,
and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you will tow
a trailer, you must include the tongue weight of the trailer in
your calculation of the vehicle capacity weight. For more infor-
mation regarding vehicle capacity weight, refer to “Tire and
loading information placard” on page 4-10.
Do not exceed the maximum tongue weight for your vehicle.
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.
Keep the trailer tongue load at 10% of the loaded trailer weight
for dead weight hitches. Tongue loads can be adjusted by
proper distribution of the load in the trailer. This can be
checked by separately weighing the loaded trailer and then the
tongue.Gross axle weight rating (GAWR)The GAWRs are printed on the certification label which is riv-
eted on the door sill on the driver’s side.
Refer to “Vehicle labeling” on page 9-2.
Total trailer weight
Trailer brake requirement
Up to 1,250 lbs. (567 kg) Trailer brake unneccessary
From 1,250 lbs. (567 kg) to
1,500 lbs. (680 kg)Trailer brake necessaryTotal trailer weight
Trailer brake requirement
Up to 1,400 lbs. (635 kg) Trailer brake unneccessary
From 1,400 lbs. (635 kg) to
2,000 lbs. (907 kg)Trailer brake necessary
(Front-wheel drive vehicles)
From 1,400 lbs. (635 kg) to
3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)Trailer brake necessary
(All-wheel drive vehicles)
Trailer brake
Maximum tongue weight
2.4 liter models
3.0 liter models
With trailer brake
(All-wheel drive vehicles)
150 lbs. (68 kg)350 lbs. (159 kg)
With trailer brake
(Front-wheel drive vehicles)200 lbs. (91 kg)
Without trailer brake 125 lbs. (57 kg) 140 lbs. (64 kg)
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Driving safety
4-19
4
Trailer hitchesChoose a proper hitch and ball, and make sure it is installed at a
height that is compatible with the trailer.
Use a good equalizing hitch which uniformly distributes the
trailer tongue load throughout the frame.NOTE
Mitsubishi Motors recommends that sway control be used
whenever you are towing, to improve towing stability.
For further information, please contact your authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.
Safety chainsA safety chain must always be used between the towing vehi-
cle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns.
The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from dropping to the ground in case it becomes dam-
aged or separated.
For correct safety chain procedures, consult your authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer.Maintenance when trailer towingYour vehicle will need service more often when you’re towing
a trailer. Refer to “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
MANUAL”. Especially important in trailer operation are man-
ual transaxle oil, automatic transaxle fluid, engine oil, rear axle
oil, belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual.
For details, please refer to the “Vehicle care and maintenance”
section.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
WA R N I N G
!
If you make any holes in the body of your vehicle for
installing a trailer hitch, be sure to seal the holes
later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal
them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your
exhaust can enter your vehicle. Refer to “Exhaust
system” on page 7-38.
CAUTION
!
Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain
securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle.
If the coupling unit or hitch ball experiences a prob-
lem, the trailer may separate from your vehicle.
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4-20 Driving safety
4
Trailer brakesMitsubishi Motors recommends that any trailer having a total
weight of 1,250 lbs (567 kg) or more (2400 models), 1,400 lbs
(635 kg) or more (3000 models) be equipped with its own elec-
tric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be sure they are electrically actu-
ated. Do not attempt to tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic sys-
tem. No matter how successful it may seem, any attempt to
attach trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic system will
lower braking effectiveness and create a potential hazard.Trailer lightsTrailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state,
and local regulations. Check with your local recreational vehi-
cle dealer for the requirements in your area, and use only
equipment designed for your vehicle.
Since lighting and wiring vary by trailer type and brand, you
should have a qualified technician install a suitable connector
between the vehicle and the trailer. Improper equipment or
installation can cause damage to your vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem and affect your vehicle warranty.Additional trailer equipmentMany states and Canadian provinces require special outside
mirrors when towing a trailer. Even if they do not, you should
install special mirrors if you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Ask your trailer sales or rental agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your towing situation.
Operating hints
Driver preparationTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know
your trailer. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal
longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is without a
trailer.
WA R N I N G
!
If you have a rear window open and you tow a
trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide gas
which you cannot see or smell could come into your
vehicle. It can cause unconsciousness or death. Refer
to “Exhaust system” on page 7-38.
To maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for leaks, and
make necessary repairs before starting on your trip.
Keep the rear windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle through a
window or another opening, drive with your front,
main heating or cooling system on and with the
blower on any speed. This will bring fresh, outside
air into your vehicle. Do not use recirculation
because it only recirculates the air inside your vehi-
cle. Refer to “Air selection switch” on page 5-8, 5-18,
5-28, 5-38.
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Driving safety
4-21
4
Vehicle preparationBefore you start, check the trailer hitch, safety chains, tires and
mirror adjustment.TireBe sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the cold inflation
pressure listed in the manual. You’ll find these numbers on the
tire and loading information placard at the sill of the driver’s
door.
Refer to “Tire inflation pressures” on page 7-27.Following distanceStay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would
when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you
avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns.PassingYou’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re tow-
ing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll
need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you
can return to your lane.Backing upHold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to
move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To
move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide
you.
Making turnsWhen you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than nor-
mal to help prevent the trailer from striking shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.OverheatingTowing a trailer puts additional burden on the engine and tran-
saxle, which may cause overheating. Following are some sug-
gestions to reduce overheating:
CAUTION
!
Making sharp turns while towing a trailer could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making sharp
turns while towing a trailer.Cause of overheating
Solution
Air conditioning on Turn off
Highway speeds Reduce speed
Going up hills Select lower position
Stop-and-go city traffic With the vehicle stopped, shift
to the “N” (NEUTRAL) posi-
tion and idle the engine at high
idle.
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4-22 Driving safety
4
When towing at high altitudes, engine coolant and automatic
transaxle oil will overheat at a lower temperature than at nor-
mal altitudes.
If you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked (preferably on level ground) with the automatic tran-
saxle in the “P” (PARK) position for a few minutes before turn-
ing the engine off.

If the engine coolant temperature indicator flashes on
the information screen in the multi-information display or
the engine power drops suddenly, refer to “Engine over-
heating” on page 6-5.

If the warning display or warning display illumi-
nates, refer to “Warning display” on page 3-98.Driving on hillsReduce speed and downshift before you start down a long or
steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, over using the
brakes can cause reduced brake efficiency.
You can tow in “D” (DRIVE) position. You may want to shift
the selector lever to the 3rd or a lower position, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
ParkingAlways place chocks or blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels when parking. Be sure that the parking brake is
firmly set and that the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion. Avoid parking on a hill with a trailer, but if it cannot be
avoided, do so only after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
2. Have someone place chocks or blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the chocks or blocks are in place, release your
brakes slowly until the chocks or blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Set the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position and turn
off the engine.
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Comfort controls
5-15
5
For quick defrosting

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set your blower to the maximum speed.
3. Set the temperature to the highest position.
NOTE
While the mode selection dial is set between “ ” and
“ ” position, the air conditioning compressor will run
automatically. The outside air position will also be auto-
matically selected. (In this case, the air conditioning indi-
cator will not chage.)

While the between “ ” and “ ” position is selected,
you cannot turn the air conditioning off or select the recir-
culation position. This prevents the windows from fog-
ging up.

To defog quickly, direct the air flow from the side vents
toward the door windows.

When defrosting, do not set the temperature control dial
near the “MAX A/C” cool position. This would blow cool
air on the window glass and fog it up.
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5-24 Comfort controls
5
For quick defrosting

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set your blower to the maximum speed.
3. Set the temperature to the highest position.
NOTE
While the mode selection dial is set to the “ ” position,
the air conditioning compressor will run automatically.
The outside air position will also be automatically
selected.

While the “ ” position is selected, you cannot turn the
air conditioning off or select the recirculation position.
This prevents the windows from fogging up.

To defog quickly, direct the air flow from the side vents
toward the door windows.

When defrosting, do not set the temperature control dial
near the maximum cool position. This would blow cool
air on the window glass and fog it up.
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5-34 Comfort controls
5
For quick defrosting

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set your blower to the maximum speed.
3. Set the temperature to the highest position.
NOTE
While the mode selection dial is set between “ ” and
“ ” position, the air conditioning compressor will run
automatically. The outside air position will also be
selected automatically.

If the mode selection dial is set between “ ” and “ ”
you cannot turn the air conditioning off or select the recir-
culation position. This prevents the windows from fog-
ging up.

To defog quickly, direct the air flow from the side vents
toward the door windows.

When defrosting, do not set the temperature control dial to
the maximum cool position. This will blow cool air on the
window glass and fog it up.
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5-44 Comfort controls
5
For quick defrosting

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set your blower to the maximum speed.
3. Set the temperature to the highest position.
NOTE
While the mode selection dial is set to the “ ” position,
the air conditioning compressor will run automatically.
The outside air position will also be selected automati-
cally.

While the “ ” position is selected, you cannot turn the
air conditioning off or select the recirculation position.
This prevents the windows from fogging up.

To defog quickly, direct the air flow from the side vents
toward the door windows.

When defrosting, do not set the temperature control dial to
the maximum cool position. This will blow cool air on the
window glass and fog it up.
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