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2009 Mitsubishi Outlander

75 messages,  Last post on Sep 02, 2009 at 6:20 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mitsubishi Outlander, Automotive News, SUV


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#66 of 75
Re: Towing With The Outlander [comem47] by toomanyfumes
Jun 28, 2009 (1:28 pm)
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Replying to: comem47 (Jun 26, 2009 9:48 am)

Ha, I went way too long without rotating mine, too, plus they were overinflated from the factory. I just did the same thing and switched them around and have the good one's on the front now.
#67 of 75
2009 Outlander's AWD system by noey8
Aug 11, 2009 (5:54 am)
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The Outlander is currently on my short list for a new small suv but I have some concerns about the awd system.
 
I took this from another forum from a guy who got stuck in a snow storm:
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by armymen
Hi,
yesturday i was like stock in the snow, i was in 4WD lock.
the problem, only my Front left side and my back Right side where spinning.
are my system is defect ???
 
I got this from another thread:
 
[quote=chenarm;234450]This is taken out of the Outlander service manual
 
"As the vehicle is intended for on-road use, long-time driving on a sandy or slushy road must be avoided. When the vehicle is driven on a sandy or slushy road for a long time, the fail-safe function of the electronic control 4WD system tends to enter the protective control mode which switches the control from 4WD to 2WD gradually in order to protect the drive system, and the indicators ("4WD" and "LOCK") tends to illuminate"
 
So what time frame is meant by long-time? I live in the northeast and sometimes driving to the ski resort from the city can take up to 3 hrs in a snowstorm. Will this system hold up well? (of course keeping in mind one will have dedicated snow tires).
 
Anyone experience this problem?
 
I contacted Mitsu Canada about this who in turn told me to call my local dealer. The service manager there said that he has not heard of this problem coming in.
 
I want to get a good all around small suv, and the current outlander seems to fit the bill, but if the awd system goes against it's intented purpose than that's a big problem.
#68 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [noey8] by comem47
Aug 11, 2009 (7:23 am)
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Replying to: noey8 (Aug 11, 2009 5:54 am)

I cannot find any such reference in my 2007 LS 4WD manual. In my manual they say that 4WD auto is the default mode and selecting 2WD can help maximize fuel economy. Using 4WD lock is for worse conditions. If this has changed in a later manuals than 2007 I'd be interested to know. My own experience is I've been fine towing a 1600 plus pound load (snowmobiles and trailer ) in the winter with my LS V6 Outlander and have never had problems.(goes uphill fine and I realize the OEM Yoko Geloander tires are hardly the best )The traction has been fine and I will occasionally switch to lock mode when the going gets rough (like when the highway is rutty and I'm passing 18 wheelers with my trailer), but usually leave it in 4WD auto in winter or rainy days. I keep it in 2WD in summer in the dry for the better MPG (I don't know how much I save, but every bit helps). I do not see any disclaimers in my manual to say you shouldn't be using 4WD and the Mitsu warranty is one of the best. Can any 2008 or 2009 owners chime in with what their manual says? (I would think they would have big problems selling these if the 4WD was only for restricted use). Once again I've got an 2007 V6 LS 4WD.
#69 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [comem47] by noey8
Aug 11, 2009 (7:50 am)
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Replying to: comem47 (Aug 11, 2009 7:23 am)

I think it's from the service manual (for the mechanics) as opposed to the owner's manual...
#70 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [noey8] by comem47
Aug 11, 2009 (8:10 am)
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Replying to: noey8 (Aug 11, 2009 7:50 am)

"I think it's from the service manual (for the mechanics) as opposed to the owner's manual... "
 
Well that would be silly on Mitsubishi's part to keep this info from the consumer and only tell their service people how not to drive the vehicle.
 
I looked more though my manual and it only cautions to drive conservatively when off-road in sand and mud (i.e.: don't drive like you're in the Dakar Rally). It says if the transmission has problems it will flash the mode and then auto switch to 2WD and when it is OK again you can switch back. There is nothing about a time limit in 4WD lock, It just mentions you will get more drag when taking tight corners and you might wish to go to 4WD auto or 2WD if the extra tight corner steering is bothering you. (nothing different than a lot of 4WD vehicles). I personally find the Outlander far easier to drive than my old Dakota, that was definitely a part time 4WD and you better not try to back up in 4WD on dry surfaces while turning in that as you would get severe axle bind (no problem with the Outlander).
#71 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [comem47] by noey8
Aug 11, 2009 (8:40 am)
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Replying to: comem47 (Aug 11, 2009 8:10 am)

I really like the vehicle but I am losing confidence in the AWD system. Switching to 2WD when problems arise? That could explain why another guy was stuck in a Montreal snowstorm and another guy had problems when driving through the hilly part of the Carolinas. Sounds pretty scarry....
 
May have to look at the Forester instead.
#72 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [noey8] by comem47
Aug 11, 2009 (9:13 am)
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Replying to: noey8 (Aug 11, 2009 8:40 am)

Well suit yourself re:Subaru (afterall you gotta be the one who is happy!
 
In 2007 there wasn't the new sized Forrester to look at (I consider the older ones as smaller station wagons with poorer gas mileage for their size, but the new size seems reasonable). I might have seriously looked at the new Forrester were it around in 2007 as one of the largest volume US dealers is about 3 miles from me and they have an excellent customer reputation , but the Turbo that has the same towing power as my V6 Outlander requires premium fuel. Subaru's are also much higher priced than my Outlander. I definitely will give Subie credit for their AWD They've been doing it a long time. But for my use I like the option of selectable 2WD. Personal choice too is I love the sound of the Rockford Fosgate sound system, (but hate the LEDs that wash out in sunlight...something I live with).
 
Definitely shop around and find out what floats your boat. I gotta believe the people who have had problems with their 4WD Outlanders are rare. (at least I haven't experienced or heard of problems and I tow in winter) .
 
One other thing:With the tailgate down and seats flipped forward you got 6 foot from the seat backs to the end of the tailgate. I found this quite nice bringing home a 4X8 sheet of plywood (diagonally) and several 2X4s as only 2' stuck out beyond the tailgate. (good for load balance ) Not as nice as my old pickup, but did the trick.
#73 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [noey8] by chelentano
Aug 11, 2009 (11:08 pm)
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Replying to: noey8 (Aug 11, 2009 8:40 am)

really, I've never had any 4wd problems. Excellent performance on Chicago snow roads. Actually it's MItsubishi's stronger point: 12 times dakar champion.
 
Mitsubishi Outlander Fun On A Snow Field video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3arUMr2PsI
 
As for Forester, you might want to look at this comaro:
http://s215240594.onlinehome.us/Outlander_Forester.gif
#74 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [noey8] by rcpax
Aug 12, 2009 (10:50 pm)
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Replying to: noey8 (Aug 11, 2009 8:40 am)

I never have had any problems with my Outlander's 4WD system. It will only switch to 2WD when the 4WD system overheats, to prevent you from cooking your 4WD system. It's a failsafe mechanism. Mitsubishi was intelligent enough to include such a failsafe mechanism. Now I wonder what happens to Subaru's AWD system when it overheats, I guess it just cook itself and give you a beep or a warning light when its all too late, or maybe somebody's going to argue the Subaru's system don't ever overheat?
 
And how often do you see the Outlander's 4WD system overheat? Not on my Outlander, and I've been through pretty bad snow storms in this part of the US.
#75 of 75
Re: 2009 Outlander's AWD system [rcpax] by batman47
Sep 02, 2009 (6:20 am)
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Replying to: rcpax (Aug 12, 2009 10:50 pm)

My experience when I took the 2008 Outlander to Deadhorse in Alaska is that the 4WD mechanism switches itself off when it finds out it is not any more necessary. I think the system is idiot-proof.

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