Yes, the '01 XLS should come with two keyless remotes. My guess is you'll need to go to a Mitsu dealership and have them order/configure one for you. (Maybe you can get the Chevy dealership to pay for it?)
The build date is on the same plate as the tire suggested tire pressures. Open the driver's door and at the frame by the plastic step protector. You will see it.
The Vin. is on the dash by the driver's side of the windshield. Best viewed from the outside looking in. You will see a strip of metal with numbers and letters. Can't see it?. Look on your driver's registration card.
Just got my recall today for the accumulator. Nothing else. However,I looked at the dealer's computer and I was eligible for for the whole boat load. I will have them look at the drive shaft just for the heck of it.
So is it the build date that is specifically input into the computer and if the computer shows other recalls then what you are getting in the mail will the dealer do them?
Also, is the dealer letting you look at the computer screen?
I am taking my build date in again and see what happens. I have not recieved any letters and the last time the dealer put in the build date (about Sep) he stated nothing came up.
I suspect that they go by the VIN. I didn't see what information the service manager put in. He told me about the radiator etc. From what I took off the internet was that the mirror was the only Fed mandated recall. All else are TSB's.
Which means that if you don't mention a problem, nothing may happen. I would suggest you call the Mitsu number and talk to a rep. Make note of who you talk to and when. The same for the dealer.
My service rep.wasn't aware of the mirror recall yet so he looked it up. There was a TSB but not any notification of a Fed recall. You may not fall under any of the TSBs or recalls. The Mitsu rep.could confirm that.
I think that when you are dealing with a car dealer, it is like a hospital. You have to watch out for yourself as a patient or owner or else somebody watch out for you like Edmunds here.
As before, I was only notified of the accumulator via the mail. Go back and print out the Mitsu TSB's from the NTSB. Take them with you. I asked the dealer to look at them and tell me what applys.
Just a bit of information I got from a friend who is a Honda mechanic:
The dealers/mechanics don't like to do stuff that is mandated by TSB or Recall bulletins because the manufacturer will only pay them a preset amount for the labor, which may not cover the time actually spent in performing the work.
I think this is why it is sometimes hard to get the straight story from the dealers' service personnel on these repairs.
I could not get the build date from giving my VIN to customer service but I will add it after I check my door. here is what they told me about the 1 recall and 2 "product improvements". Both are done at no cost to us.
The recall is the Brake accumulator for 2001-2002 built before Jun 20 01.
The improvements are the windshield wipre nut replacements and the Automatic transmission cooler lines (the dealer told me they replace lines not the whole cooler but I will let you know more after speaking with the mechanic).
The line replacement applies to mine as well and she stated it applied to build dates before Dec 27 2000.
I had no problems going to the dealer loaded with this info.
The dealer stated that these cover all of the upgrades. Has anyone else found out differently? The leaking switch issue he states is not an automatic replacement yet, they do check on every service however and will check when my vehicle goes in this time. Perhaps I should have them replace it anyway...the question is if I can get them to do it for free.
Received today in mail as a service campaign. Product improvements of radiator replacement and new style nut on wiper arm. Customer relations number given if you have a problem getting your vehicle repaired 888-648-7820.
As stated in letter: "The first of these product improvements is the installation of a new radiator.The transmission oil cooler inside the radiator may under certain conditions develop a leak which could result in transmission fluid getting into the coolant system or engine coolant entering the transmission. Leakage of this type could result in damage to the transmissiom or the engine."
My truck is scheduled for the 10th of October.....
Thank you for this information. I called customer service back becasue my initial convesation with service was that they were intending to replace the transmission cooler lines not the radiator.
Customer service stated that the radiator is to be replaced free of charge so we will see what the dealer states on Monday.
For any prospective or concerned owners of the Montero here is the address to Mitsu response to the CU claim. It took me a little time to find this as Mitsu has a couple of sites now.
Consumer Reports points out that Carr Engineering didn't take the vehicle beyond its limits such as what might happen in an emergency maneuver situation, and instead just stayed within them during the testing.
Interesting...what does taking it beyond its limits mean? The sound of this term seems to indicate that any vehicle would behave poorly, "taken beyond its limits".
I recommend that everyone read both and decide for themselves.
Personally I remain open minded yet not concerned with what CU claimed at this point. Would like to see a more neutral organization repeat results such as the NHTSA.
I think what they mean is to push it hard enough in sudden real world maneuvers so as to provoke a skid. Most vehicles are ordinarily designed to safely understeer (plow) due to the suspension tuning, when taking past their tractive and handling limits. As was also brought up many moons ago, a European (German, I think) auto magazine also managed to roll their test Montero in a routine performance and handling testing segment of their road test. This European magazine speculated that Mitsubishi's very long travel 4 wheel independent suspension system with softish shocks/springs (which is excellent off-road) was a major factor in this happening.
As for Mitsubishi's claims about not knowing of any rollovers, it was surprising in light of the fact that the following rollover happened 7 months prior to C.R.'s report:
I believe the NHTSA is currently developing dynamic tests which are far more real-world than the current mathematical equations, however, who knows when this testing will come into effect?
Good luck, Drew Host Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
In an emergency manuever situation, many things can happen to ANY vehicles depending on driver's experience, road condition, weather, and time of day.
In an emergency maneuver situation (extreme condition), you are more likely to broadside another vehicle, hit another vehicle head on in a 2 lane highway, lose total control of the vehicle, crash into buildings/poles, hit pedestrians, and etc. Rollover is the least of my worry.
IMO, I don't put too much credence in CR's report on the Montero. In an extreme maneuver avoidance, the outcome is the same...fatal accident. And yes, fatal accidents do involve rollover in ANY vehicles.
Well, FWIW, a computer analysis of fatal accidents that happened last year in the US shows that of people killed in cars last year, 22 percent were killed in rollovers. But in SUVs, 62 percent of the deaths involved rollovers.
CR's test is designed to simulate what happens when you swerve to avoid an object so as to not crash. Because of the sudden directional change, the vehicle's suspension system has to very quickly deal with the fast loading and unloading of the vehicle's body. This is known as the pendulum effect.
Drew Host Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
<<But in SUVs, 62 percent of the deaths involved rollovers.>>
In that case, how many rollover deaths were related to Montero? Zero?
If SUVs are so dangerous that 62 percent of deaths involve in rollovers, then perhaps Consumer Report should preach the consumers to avoid SUVs altogether! Afterall, Consumer Report is looking out for our best interest right? NOT!
IMO, Consumer Report has their own propaganda, and that is to sell as many magazine subscriptions as possible. In the end, it's all about $$$$.
By the way, of the 62% deaths related to SUV rollovers, how many were related to off-roading?
Actually, the analysis was done by the IIHS, not Consumer Reports. None of these were related to off-roading as the data was mostly for urban accidents. The information wasn't specific as to the make or models of the SUVs involved in the accidents.
First, thanks to bryhogan for the keyless entry clues. Here is something else to ask. I had the recall replacements done on my 2001 XLS. On the way home I've noticed the clunking noise from under the rear of a car. It happens when I push the accelerator and then release it. I immediately came back to the dealership, and they called a local guru who took the Monte for a short ride with me. He admitted the clunking noise, and put the car on the lift. Nothing suspicious had been found. Then the mechanic advised to try any other XLS which we did, and discovered the same clunking behavior on the Monte with 8K miles on it(mine has 23K). I also can here the humming noise when accelerate over 40 mph. The bottom line is: the mitsu mechanics have no idea about the nature of these noises, and all they could advise is that if the problem turns to be something dangerous then it would be eliminated under the power train warranty. Had anyone else experienced the clunking when releasing the accelerator pedal? Thanks.
Well, it happened. I too thought it was highly unlikely that I would performed the avoidance maneuver but it just happened. I was driving in the Outer Banks of NC between Frisco and Buxton. Tires were underinflated as I just had been on the dunes and was likely to head back after checking the surf by the Lighthouse. I had set the cruise control at the posted 45. All of a sudden a deer leapt in front of me. It must have been a male 'cause I could see some kind of horns. I swerved to the left to avoid him, the vehicle leaned heavily but no rollover. I did not swerved back immediately thought. Anyways, it gave me more adrenaline than the east coast surf. The fortunate thing was that there was no incoming vehicle on the other lane. In that case, I don't know what the consequence would have been, had I immediately come back on my lane. In my own personal tests, it seems to me that as the vehicle leans heavily to one side, if you pull back to your original path immediately, it comes back with even greater inertia and that is when the problem might occur. At least, the CR video told me what not to do under the situation and I came out fine. Any comments.
Glad you came out ok. I t-boned huge buck on the highway at 65 mph in a toyota Corolla about 10 years ago--unbelievable damage to the car (and even more to the buck). Every couple of years, it seems someone around here (Wisconsin) gets themselves killed hitting a deer at high speeds...
Hey, you beat the CR test of 37-39 mph in a real world situation doing 45. No roll-over. Most SUV's would react the same way yours did. Just makes me doubt CR's test more.
Glad to here no "incident"...Since you only did 1/2 of the "maneuver" (you did not cut back) this would not constitute a fair "duplication" of CRs test. Want to try something interesting? Try this on an open roadway at a lower speed, lets say around 20mph. Cut the wheel hard left then hard right you will get a sense of the inherent "qualities" of the suspension. It will not take much of an imagination to see that it is probably not too hard to flip our beloved Monty. Fortunately, I do not live in "deer country" just hope I do not have avoid a pedestrian!
Well I took my Monte in for the paint last week. The dealer did a good job on the paint and put a piece on plastic that they had ordered on the lower part. They said that the paint was coming off because of people getting in and out of the truck. No one has ever been in the back seat. But all was taken care of with no problems. While the monte was in I had the oil changed. My wife drove it home and when I got home to look at the work and check the oil I found that there was a large amount of oil under the truck called the dealer and he had it towed to the dealer while it was there had the recall items taken care of. Dealer said that it was a bad gasket. Don't know if was from the drain plug or that diff. switch. But it was taken care of. They did a recall on the radiator, the windshield nut,the brake accumulator that is all mine had on it. This is my third monte and this one drives very nice but it does scare my wife alittle. Has anyone lower there monte or found something to help it not sway so much. Might even get low profile tire to help it out.
I believe CR's Monteros started oversteering after the 2nd steering correction was made to turn the vehicle back into its original lane (to avoid oncoming cars). The pendulum effect of the vehicle swinging from one side to the other (or one extreme to the other) was what caused it to start to tip. Making the first evasive maneuver and not the opposite and immediate one would've probably not caused a problem since the suspension system gets a chance to deal with the sudden weight transfer and settle down.
Had my three service items done Monday. Radiator replaced, nuts on windshield wipers and brake accumulator. No leaking diff switch and they stated that it is inspected now with any service but not a TSB or product improvment/recall at this time.
I have looked around for stiffer sway bars believing that if anything is wrong at all with roll that this would be the most cost effective approach. Increasing spring rates would make the vehicle more stiff which is not what I am looking for. Stiffer shocks could to the same.
I cant find aftermarket bars yet but the hunt continues.
I think the Monte could use a little stiffer bars but I realize that hard core 4wd take them off other vehicles for improved off roading. I'm sure this makes thier vehicle more likely to roll but no one is testing thier SUV.
Today had all parts replaced except passenger mirror which was backed ordered. My Monti has same clunking sound when you accelerate and then suddenly take your foot off the gas. I.E. Some jerk decides to stop or make a turn (without a signal)when you are trying to bring the Monti up to at least legal street speed.
As for paint chipping, I have some large downward scratches where you first step into the drivers side. Looks like the kind of imprint you would get if a large clawed animal took a swipe at it. Just an example.As I am the only one who drives it, I would think that piece of plastic would not scratch so deeply. I usually only wear sneakers.
I have those Bridgestone/Firestone tires on my XLS. No problem yet but they don't go in the snow as Consumer Reports points out in their Nov. 2001 issue. The only one that was good for all uses was the TOYO M410 Open Country Radial. That is an all season tire. With an All Terrain, the Dayton Timberline A/T got a good on snow while the Bridgestone got a fair. As we got around twelve feet of snow last year in Northern Pa.last year I would like better odds. I know that I didn't go some places deer hunting last year that I could have gone with my 93 RS which had Dayton tires on. Oh Well! Because of last year's snow I had PIETA fogs put on. What a difference! Really lights up the sides of the road and I then can see on coming deer. We have about two thousand deer impacts a year in Pa. Worse in the November rut and in deer season when the deer get pushed out of the woods and fields. I hit one that jumped off of a bank onto the road and I caught it with my brush bar of my 93. Totaled the bar but didn't hurt the truck. State Farm was happy.
hand in others...I saw a little blurb about the new Endeavor, and thought I would check out the Montero...apparently some changes for 2003, but I have some questions...I am behind about 250 posts, but thought I would ask...does the 03 engine have enough HP and torque to move the vehicle briskly when necessary???...(my brother's Montero Sport, 2001, he says the vehicle is nice but is a gutless wonder, needing more HP just to fall off a cliff)...are the seats comfortable for drives over two or three hours???...what about the ergonomics of the dashboard, are the buttons and levers well designed for radio, heater/AC and other stuff???...does the AC cool well in summer???...does the vehicle handle well for an SUV???...do the brakes work well, ot do you need to step on the pedal with three feet to get the vehicle to stop???...does anyone have any pet peeves or pet kudos about the vehicle they would care to share???...does it have any reputation for reliability like Toy or Honda, or will it spend its life in the shop like Durangos seem to do???...easy for rear seat passengers to enter, or is the door too short???...is it easy for driver to enter, as easy as a new Explorer, or does one have to climb a ladder to enter the vehicle???...lastly (for now, anyway)...did I see my old pal Tidester in this topic, to whom I still owe an "environmental response" to a post back in "I don't like SUVs..."???
I might sound naïve, however I am curious about the nature of the recalls. For example: if all XLS (and most likely Limited too) have the clunking noise when accelerate, then what would it take the manufacturer to consider the defect to qualify as being serious enough to issue a recall or at least to start the investigation. Would it have anything to do with the NHTSA complaints? I happened to overlook the TSB section on NHTSA and could not find any complaints about that. Any thoughts?
igorb: I have a limited, without a single clunk. I don't recall any limited owners complaining about the clunk, but I haven't looked back over all the posts.
There are some differences in the XLS and limited drive systems; this may (or may not) explain the clunk.
Any limited owners suffering from the dreaded clunk?
Sounds like a transition noise from when a tranny goes from rapid upshift and then has to suddenly down shift when you are forced to take your foot off of the gas for whatever reason. Just a SWAG or Scientific Wild Assine Guess.
Checked my Bridgestone tires and they were made in Japan. I doubt that there is a problem with them. All the recalled Firestone tires were made in the USA.
To regala: you'd have to be on a smooth pavement to distinguish it. The noise comes from underneath of a rear. You don't even have to push the pedal hard. Just apply the foot and then release it. The more you drive the more distinct a clunk gets. Like I said before I have tried a couple of XLSs and they all demonstrated the clunking effect. Congratulations to the LTD owners so they don't have to experience this. When the service manager went for a ride with a mechanic and me he first said that this might be a universal join. However, the mechanic made a point that the Monte is not equipped with this kind of a join but with the CV one instead (I have no idea what this is). Then he mentioned something about a bearing. The bottom line is neither of them could have found a nature of a clunk. Neither could they have explained all of the humming noises coming out the car while driving or steering. It's a kind of disappointment for a 2001 car. The only words of wisdom I've got from a dealer were: "if something happens you have the 5 years warranty on the engine and the transmission". Could you please check on the noise one more time so I can at least reference that some of the XLSs do not have this defect? What is a built date of your Monte? One more question. What is the difference between part 4WD and full time one? My XLS comes with the part time option. Thanks again. Igor
Perhaps if we all call Addco (800 338 7015) and Hellwig (800 367 5480) and ask about making a stiffer anti sway bar for the 2001-2002 Montero they will offer one.
I for one would like to take a little more roll our of the Montero and if there is any truth to CU report then these should dramatically help as well.
On the way home from work, I decided to replicate your clunking noise, and YES, there is a clunking noise that comes from underneath the truck. I've been hearing that noise ever since but I think it is NORMAL. This only happens when you pump your gas pedal while driving and immediately release it and then pump the accelerator again. I am no mechanic but I think the noise comes when the gears are trying to apply power to the rear axle and then disengages as you release the accelerator. You mechanic is correct that our Monte's don't come with U-joint because the rear axle is not solid, they are both indepedent suspension, which is why they have CV joints like the front axles. As far as the Limited not exhibiting this clunk, maybe because they are being driven in Full Time 4-wheel drive mode vs. the XLS which is only part-time. So, maybe the Limited owners, would like to try this in 2Hi mode and give us your feedback. I still think the clunks are pretty normal for a REAR wheel drive vehicle like almost all REAR wheel drive SUV.
As far as your question between Full-time 4WD and Part-time, the main difference is that a full time 4WD can be driven on wet/dry pavement. It has a center differential that can compensate the difference between the speeds of the front and rear axle as they turn. Part-time 4WD have their center differential locked when engaged, which means the speed of the front axles and the rear are always the same as they turn which could produce axle binding when used on NON-SLIPPERY SURFACE such as dry pavement.
Thanks to all of you for the answers about clunking. I fill better now knowing that it is just a normal behavior. I do want to ask for a favor if some one could help me with that. Drew, as you recommended I looked through the 4WD discussions carefully, and realized that most of the information is very technical. My wife is the one who is going to drive our Monte through the winter. I wonder if any of you could lay it out in plain English when and how to use the part time 4WD? What are the limitations of the part time system? What should be avoided when using it? Just some kind of a set of the tips for the ladies on how to use or not to use part time 4WD. I overlooked the user's manual and could not have found any good explanatory materials. Since the winter is around a corner here in OH I would definitely have found a good use for this helpful information. Thanks to all of you again. Regards, Igor
I was hoping one of the owners would jump in to clarify. I knew that the Montero had a full-time 4WD system (does it have a 2WD mode?), but wasn't sure if it was standard equipment across the lineup. Is it?
2wd - can be used in all driving conditions, use on dry pavement
4wd - differential active, can be used in all driving conditions, power to axles with wheel with least slip page, use on wet or snowy pavement, good dirt roads
4wd high lock - differential locked, power to both front and rear axles equally, for use in conditions where wheels can slip (without differential action required), i. e. mud, sand, deep snow, loose surfaces
4wd low lock - differential locked, power to both front and rear axles equally, for use in conditions where wheels can slip, i. e. mud, sand, deep snow, loose surfaces but with added torque due to lower gearing, use only in most severe condition, i. e. steep slope, going either up or down (to save on brake wear).
and dont forget my favorite part for towing or off road, the ability to shift out of automatic into a manual shift mode with 5 speeds! Now I dont know many SUV's that can match that.
A neutral position that completely disengages drive lines. Mechanical 2wd/4wd transfer cases, with either gears or chains, always have this position so that the vehicle could be towed with all four wheels on the ground without damage to drivelines or transmission.
So the XLS and LTD Monteros both have the same full-time 4WD system that was mentioned in the explanation by phonos above, correct? The Montero's system sounds very similar to Jeep's SelecTrac system.
brillmtb, you can shift into a manual mode in low range in the MB M-class (also 5 speeds in low range), or in the Range Rover (4 speeds though).
Drew Host Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
The XLS does not have the same transmission as the LTD I believe. No manual mode I think unless something changed for the 2002 models.
Kudos to the MB for have a manual mode and 5 speed. Having more gears and manual modes are fantastic if you tow or spend much time off road or on snow covered roads.
As for the RR, hey get with it guys this is 2001 now, what only 4 speeds. My motorcycle has 6 and my mountain bike has 24. You need more in technical situations. Laughing here :}
Hey, very impressed with the Montero. Loved the huge moonroof. Interesting, it had a clunk coming from the rear every once in awhile when shifting. Almost convinced to buy one, if only they would put some power in it.
For those of you, who claim to rent one, where do you people find them? I am in Boston area and I haven't seen monteros being offered around here. I would like to spend a day testing it before I make my final decision, rather than a 15 min. ride w/a dealer.
Comments
The Vin. is on the dash by the driver's side of the windshield. Best viewed from the outside looking in. You will see a strip of metal with numbers and letters. Can't see it?. Look on your driver's registration card.
Just got my recall today for the accumulator. Nothing else. However,I looked at the dealer's computer and I was eligible for for the whole boat load. I will have them look at the drive shaft just for the heck of it.
Also, is the dealer letting you look at the computer screen?
I am taking my build date in again and see what happens. I have not recieved any letters and the last time the dealer put in the build date (about Sep) he stated nothing came up.
I got the letter about the brake accumulator yesterday (My build date was July 2001).
My recall letter didn't say anything about the radiator or wiper nuts--gonna ask the dealer about that since my build date is the same as phonos.
Which means that if you don't mention a problem, nothing may happen. I would suggest you call the Mitsu number and talk to a rep. Make note of who you talk to and when. The same for the dealer.
My service rep.wasn't aware of the mirror recall yet so he looked it up. There was a TSB but not any notification of a Fed recall. You may not fall under any of the TSBs or recalls. The Mitsu rep.could confirm that.
I think that when you are dealing with a car dealer, it is like a hospital. You have to watch out for yourself as a patient or owner or else somebody watch out for you like Edmunds here.
As before, I was only notified of the accumulator via the mail. Go back and print out the Mitsu TSB's from the NTSB. Take them with you. I asked the dealer to look at them and tell me what applys.
The dealers/mechanics don't like to do stuff that is mandated by TSB or Recall bulletins because the manufacturer will only pay them a preset amount for the labor, which may not cover the time actually spent in performing the work.
I think this is why it is sometimes hard to get the straight story from the dealers' service personnel on these repairs.
The recall is the Brake accumulator for 2001-2002 built before Jun 20 01.
The improvements are the windshield wipre nut replacements and the Automatic transmission cooler lines (the dealer told me they replace lines not the whole cooler but I will let you know more after speaking with the mechanic).
The line replacement applies to mine as well and she stated it applied to build dates before Dec 27 2000.
I had no problems going to the dealer loaded with this info.
The dealer stated that these cover all of the upgrades. Has anyone else found out differently?
The leaking switch issue he states is not an automatic replacement yet, they do check on every service however and will check when my vehicle goes in this time. Perhaps I should have them replace it anyway...the question is if I can get them to do it for free.
Hope this helps the rest of you.
As stated in letter: "The first of these product improvements is the installation of a new radiator.The transmission oil cooler inside the radiator may under certain conditions develop a leak which could result in transmission fluid getting into the coolant system or engine coolant entering the transmission. Leakage of this type could result in damage to the transmissiom or the engine."
My truck is scheduled for the 10th of October.....
Customer service stated that the radiator is to be replaced free of charge so we will see what the dealer states on Monday.
I go in the 8th
http://www.mitsubishicars.com/montero_safety.cfm
Click here for the Consumer Reports link
Second link.
Drew
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I recommend that everyone read both and decide for themselves.
Personally I remain open minded yet not concerned with what CU claimed at this point. Would like to see a more neutral organization repeat results such as the NHTSA.
As for Mitsubishi's claims about not knowing of any rollovers, it was surprising in light of the fact that the following rollover happened 7 months prior to C.R.'s report:
http://www.tiredefects.com/mitsubishi.htm
I believe the NHTSA is currently developing dynamic tests which are far more real-world than the current mathematical equations, however, who knows when this testing will come into effect?
Good luck,
Drew
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In an emergency maneuver situation (extreme condition), you are more likely to broadside another vehicle, hit another vehicle head on in a 2 lane highway, lose total control of the vehicle, crash into buildings/poles, hit pedestrians, and etc. Rollover is the least of my worry.
IMO, I don't put too much credence in CR's report on the Montero. In an extreme maneuver avoidance, the outcome is the same...fatal accident. And yes, fatal accidents do involve rollover in ANY vehicles.
Well, FWIW, a computer analysis of fatal accidents that happened last year in the US shows that of people killed in cars last year, 22 percent were killed in rollovers. But in SUVs, 62 percent of the deaths involved rollovers.
CR's test is designed to simulate what happens when you swerve to avoid an object so as to not crash. Because of the sudden directional change, the vehicle's suspension system has to very quickly deal with the fast loading and unloading of the vehicle's body. This is known as the pendulum effect.
Drew
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In that case, how many rollover deaths were related to Montero? Zero?
If SUVs are so dangerous that 62 percent of deaths involve in rollovers, then perhaps Consumer Report should preach the consumers to avoid SUVs altogether! Afterall, Consumer Report is looking out for our best interest right? NOT!
IMO, Consumer Report has their own propaganda, and that is to sell as many magazine subscriptions as possible. In the end, it's all about $$$$.
By the way, of the 62% deaths related to SUV rollovers, how many were related to off-roading?
I had the recall replacements done on my 2001 XLS. On the way home I've noticed the clunking noise from under the rear of a car. It happens when I push the accelerator and then release it. I immediately came back to the dealership, and they called a local guru who took the Monte for a short ride with me. He admitted the clunking noise, and put the car on the lift. Nothing suspicious had been found. Then the mechanic advised to try any other XLS which we did, and discovered the same clunking behavior on the Monte with 8K miles on it(mine has 23K). I also can here the humming noise when accelerate over 40 mph. The bottom line is: the mitsu mechanics have no idea about the nature of these noises, and all they could advise is that if the problem turns to be something dangerous then it would be eliminated under the power train warranty.
Had anyone else experienced the clunking when releasing the accelerator pedal?
Thanks.
I was driving in the Outer Banks of NC between Frisco and Buxton. Tires were underinflated as I just had been on the dunes and was likely to head back after checking the surf by the Lighthouse. I had set the cruise control at the posted 45.
All of a sudden a deer leapt in front of me. It must have been a male 'cause I could see some kind of horns. I swerved to the left to avoid him, the vehicle leaned heavily but no rollover. I did not swerved back immediately thought. Anyways, it gave me more adrenaline than the east coast surf.
The fortunate thing was that there was no incoming vehicle on the other lane. In that case, I don't know what the consequence would have been, had I immediately come back on my lane. In my own personal tests, it seems to me that as the vehicle leans heavily to one side, if you pull back to your original path immediately, it comes back with even greater inertia and that is when the problem might occur.
At least, the CR video told me what not to do under the situation and I came out fine.
Any comments.
Glad you came out ok. I t-boned huge buck on the highway at 65 mph in a toyota Corolla about 10 years ago--unbelievable damage to the car (and even more to the buck). Every couple of years, it seems someone around here (Wisconsin) gets themselves killed hitting a deer at high speeds...
Stay safe everyone,
Drew
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I have looked around for stiffer sway bars believing that if anything is wrong at all with roll that this would be the most cost effective approach. Increasing spring rates would make the vehicle more stiff which is not what I am looking for. Stiffer shocks could to the same.
I cant find aftermarket bars yet but the hunt continues.
I think the Monte could use a little stiffer bars but I realize that hard core 4wd take them off other vehicles for improved off roading. I'm sure this makes thier vehicle more likely to roll but no one is testing thier SUV.
Drew
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As for paint chipping, I have some large downward scratches where you first step into the drivers side. Looks like the kind of imprint you would get if a large clawed animal took a swipe at it. Just an example.As I am the only one who drives it, I would think that piece of plastic would not scratch so deeply. I usually only wear sneakers.
I have those Bridgestone/Firestone tires on my XLS.
No problem yet but they don't go in the snow as Consumer Reports points out in their Nov. 2001 issue. The only one that was good for all uses was the TOYO M410 Open Country Radial. That is an all season tire. With an All Terrain, the Dayton Timberline A/T got a good on snow while the Bridgestone got a fair.
As we got around twelve feet of snow last year in Northern Pa.last year I would like better odds. I know that I didn't go some places deer hunting last year that I could have gone with my 93 RS which had Dayton tires on. Oh Well!
Because of last year's snow I had PIETA fogs put on. What a difference! Really lights up the sides of the road and I then can see on coming deer.
We have about two thousand deer impacts a year in Pa. Worse in the November rut and in deer season when the deer get pushed out of the woods and fields. I hit one that jumped off of a bank onto the road and I caught it with my brush bar of my 93. Totaled the bar but didn't hurt the truck. State Farm was happy.
Bob
I happened to overlook the TSB section on NHTSA and could not find any complaints about that.
Any thoughts?
There are some differences in the XLS and limited drive systems; this may (or may not) explain the clunk.
Any limited owners suffering from the dreaded clunk?
All the recalled Firestone tires were made in the USA.
One more question. What is the difference between part 4WD and full time one? My XLS comes with the part time option. Thanks again.
Igor
I for one would like to take a little more roll our of the Montero and if there is any truth to CU report then these should dramatically help as well.
As far as your question between Full-time 4WD and Part-time, the main difference is that a full time 4WD can be driven on wet/dry pavement. It has a center differential that can compensate the difference between the speeds of the front and rear axle as they turn. Part-time 4WD have their center differential locked when engaged, which means the speed of the front axles and the rear are always the same as they turn which could produce axle binding when used on NON-SLIPPERY SURFACE such as dry pavement.
If you have any further 4WD questions, check out the following post and discussion topic:
/direct/view/.eea4ead/2.
Hope this helps!
Drew
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My wife is the one who is going to drive our Monte through the winter. I wonder if any of you could lay it out in plain English when and how to use the part time 4WD? What are the limitations of the part time system? What should be avoided when using it? Just some kind of a set of the tips for the ladies on how to use or not to use part time 4WD. I overlooked the user's manual and could not have found any good explanatory materials. Since the winter is around a corner here in OH I would definitely have found a good use for this helpful information. Thanks to all of you again.
Regards,
Igor
I think this is semantics here. On the Montero we have a part time mode and a full time mode (also low and high ranges which is essential for a 4wd).
Regala is correct that in part time mode the center diff is locked and delivers 50% of the power to each drive shaft.
The Montero in full time or AWD can shift from 0-100% of the power to the wheels with traction, the differential is more open here.
I think they all have center differentials but it is what the differential is doing that regala refers to.
Thanks,
Drew
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4wd - differential active, can be used in all driving conditions, power to axles with wheel with least slip page, use on wet or snowy pavement, good dirt roads
4wd high lock - differential locked, power to both front and rear axles equally, for use in conditions where wheels can slip (without differential action required), i. e. mud, sand, deep snow, loose surfaces
4wd low lock - differential locked, power to both front and rear axles equally, for use in conditions where wheels can slip, i. e. mud, sand, deep snow, loose surfaces but with added torque due to lower gearing, use only in most severe condition, i. e. steep slope, going either up or down (to save on brake wear).
brillmtb, you can shift into a manual mode in low range in the MB M-class (also 5 speeds in low range), or in the Range Rover (4 speeds though).
Drew
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Kudos to the MB for have a manual mode and 5 speed. Having more gears and manual modes are fantastic if you tow or spend much time off road or on snow covered roads.
As for the RR, hey get with it guys this is 2001 now, what only 4 speeds. My motorcycle has 6 and my mountain bike has 24. You need more in technical situations. Laughing here :}