WARNING
- Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream reduces coordination, slows reaction time, and impairs judgment. Driving after consuming alcohol significantly increases the risk of an accident that could injure you, your passengers, or other road users. If an accident does occur, alcohol may also increase the severity of resulting injuries.
Mitsubishi Motors strongly supports responsible and safe driving.
Ultimately, however, every driver must make the decision not to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. Each year, thousands of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related crashes. Laws defining legal intoxication vary by jurisdiction, but alcohol affects individuals differently, and many people underestimate how much their driving ability has been reduced.
Alcohol and driving do not mix, and the same principle applies to drugs, including over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, and illegal substances. Do not drive the Mitsubishi Outlander if alcohol, medication, drugs, fatigue, or any other physical condition reduces your ability to operate the vehicle safely.
Driving safety precautions
The Mitsubishi Outlander is designed for normal road use as well as occasional driving away from paved surfaces. However, it should not be driven into areas where the tires could become deeply embedded in sand or mud, because the vehicle is intended primarily for paved-road operation rather than the type of severe off-road use expected from a dedicated off-road vehicle.
Keep in mind that 2-wheel drive models have less traction capability than 4-wheel drive vehicles when traveling on muddy, slippery, wet, or snow-covered roads.
Observe the following precautions whenever driving in challenging or off-road conditions:
WARNING
- Drive cautiously when leaving paved roads and avoid hazardous terrain whenever possible. The driver and every passenger must remain properly seated with their seat belts fastened. Wearing seat belts helps keep occupants securely positioned when the Mitsubishi Outlander travels over rough or uneven surfaces.
- Do not drive sideways across steep slopes. Whenever possible, travel directly up or directly down the slope. Vehicles with a higher center of gravity can tip sideways more easily than they can tip forward or backward.
- Some hills are too steep for any vehicle to negotiate safely. When climbing, the vehicle may stall. When descending, it may become difficult to control speed. Driving across a steep slope can increase the risk of rollover.
- Do not shift between different transmission ranges while descending a steep grade, as doing so could contribute to loss of vehicle control.
- Remain especially alert when approaching the crest of a hill.
A sudden drop-off, obstruction, or other unseen hazard may be present on the opposite side and could cause an accident.
- If the engine stalls or the Mitsubishi Outlander cannot reach the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn around on the slope. The vehicle could tip or roll over. Back straight down the hill in R (Reverse). Never descend backward in N (Neutral) while relying only on the brakes, because this can result in loss of control.
- Heavy or continuous braking while descending a hill can overheat the brakes and reduce braking effectiveness, which may lead to loss of control and an accident.
Apply the brakes lightly as needed and use a low range to help control vehicle speed.
- Unsecured cargo can shift or be thrown around while driving over rough terrain. Secure all items properly so they cannot move forward or strike occupants during sudden vehicle movement.
- To avoid raising the vehicle's center of gravity excessively, do not exceed the rated load capacity of the roof rail, if equipped, and distribute roof loads evenly. Place heavy cargo as far forward and as low as practical in the cargo area. Do not install tires larger than those specified in this manual, as doing so can increase rollover risk.
- When driving off-road, do not hold the inside of the steering wheel rim or place your hands through the spokes. Sudden steering wheel movement could injure your hands. Keep your fingers and thumbs positioned on the outside of the steering wheel rim.
- Before moving the vehicle, make sure the driver and all passengers are seated properly and have their seat belts fastened.
- Keep the floor mats installed while driving, because the vehicle floor may become hot.
- Reduce speed when driving in strong crosswinds. Because the Mitsubishi Outlander has a higher center of gravity than a conventional passenger car, strong side winds can have a greater effect on vehicle stability. Lower speeds provide better control.
- Do not exceed the traction or performance limits of the tires, even when AWC is engaged.
- On AWC-equipped vehicles, do not raise two wheels off the ground and then shift the transmission into a drive or reverse position while the engine is running.
Doing so may damage drivetrain components or cause unexpected vehicle movement, which could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
- Do not test an AWC-equipped Mitsubishi Outlander on a 2-wheel dynamometer, including equipment used at some emissions testing facilities, even if the other two wheels are raised off the ground. Inform testing personnel that the vehicle is equipped with AWC before it is placed on a dynamometer. Incorrect testing equipment or procedures may damage the drivetrain or cause unexpected vehicle movement, resulting in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
- If a wheel is lifted off the ground because the vehicle is positioned on an uneven surface, do not allow that wheel to spin excessively. This precaution applies to AWC models.
- Rapid acceleration, abrupt steering inputs, or sudden braking can cause loss of vehicle control.
- Whenever possible, avoid sharp steering maneuvers, particularly at high speeds.
The Mitsubishi Outlander has a higher center of gravity than a conventional passenger car and is not designed to corner at the same speeds as a lower vehicle. Improper driving technique can result in loss of control and/or a rollover accident.
- Use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction—bias, bias-belted, or radial—and tread pattern on all four wheels. When traction devices are required on slippery roads, install them on the front wheels and drive cautiously.
- Check brake operation immediately after driving through mud or water. Refer to "Brake system" for information about wet brakes.
- Avoid parking the vehicle on steep slopes whenever possible.
If the vehicle begins to roll forward, backward, or sideways after you exit, serious injury could result.
- When driving off-road through sand, mud, or water as deep as the wheel hub, the Mitsubishi Outlander may require more frequent maintenance than under normal paved-road use.
- Excessive spinning of the front wheels on slippery surfaces may cause an AWC warning message to appear and may cause the AWC system to switch automatically from AWC mode to FWD mode. This can reduce available traction.
(AWC models)
