1. Towing with your Automatic
2. Top Tips for your Automatic
3. Top Tips for your Manual
4. Common Automatic Problems

Towing with your Automatic

Towing a trailer or boat can place severe loads on a transmission and shorten it's life. Follow the guidelines below to help your transmission survive towing. (Please consult your owners manual for specific requirements.)

What to do when . . .

Use lock low "L"
When you're on the boat ramp or pulling a load up a steep incline, manually shift your transmission into the "L" position. Shift the lever manually up into drive as you begin moving.

Avoid using overdrive
Cancel the OD. If you don't have an OD cancel button then manually shift the transmission into "3" to stop it shifting into overdrive.

Keep it cool
Overheating is the single biggest cause of transmission failure. Cooler units are easily fitted and help keep the temperature under control when towing.

Power option
If you have a "Normal / Power" switch then move this to the power option.

Top Tips for your Automatic

1. Heat kills transmissions. Fit a transmission cooler on tow vehicles.
2. Vehicles with 4WD must have the same make and tyre size on all wheels to avoid damage to the drive train.
3. Don't engage 4WD on tarmac unless your vehicle was designed for this.
4. When towing or in steep terrain, switch to "Power" mode and don't use overdrive.
5. Check your transmission fluid level with the engine running in park while hot. Neutral for Mitsubishi vehicles.

Top Tips for your Manual

1. Do not drive with your left foot resting on the clutch pedal. This forces the release bearing against the clutch and will cause premature wear.
2. Use a good quality oil of the correct viscosity for your particular gearbox and transfer unit (4WD). The wrong grade oil may cause wear and shift problems and even complete failure.
3. Button style race clutches cause severe loadings on gearboxes and are best kept for the racetrack.
4. Vehicles with 4WD must have the same make and tyre size on all wheels to avoid damage to the drive train.
5. Don't engage 4WD on tarmac unless your vehicle was designed for this.

Common Automatic Problems

Correctly maintained, your automatic should give many trouble free miles. When problems do occur the most essential thing is to get professional help as soon as you can to avoid a minor ailment becoming a major one.

The 'Trans Light' or 'A/T' light is flashing
This indicates that your transmission computer has sensed a problem. A transmission specialist can diagnose this.

I have only one gear
This is called a failsafe condition or limp home mode. It allows you to make it to your nearest garage or Transmission Specialist for help.

The engine is revving during gear changes
This is slipping of the clutches. Seek help as soon as you notice this problem.

The vehicle does not move when in "D" or "R"
Your vehicle will have to be transported to a workshop if it has lost drive.
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