MITSUBISHI iMiEV 2012 1.G Owners Manual

3-32 Features and controls
3Steering wheel lock
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To l o c kRemove the key at the “LOCK” position.
Turn the steering wheel until it is locked.To unlockTurn the key to the “ACC” position while moving the steering
wheel slightly.
NOTE
If the front wheels are turned, the anti-theft lock may
sometimes make it difficult to turn the key from “LOCK”
position to “ACC” position. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or to the right as you turn the key.
CAUTION
!
Remove the key when leaving the vehicle.
If your vehicle needs to be towed, turn the key to the
“ACC” position to unlock the steering wheel.
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Features and controls
3-33
3 Starting the electric motor unit
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1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened.
2. Insert the key.
3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
5. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
6. Turn the key to the “ON” position and make certain that
all warning lights are functioning properly before starting
the electric motor unit.
7. Turn the key to the “START” position for one to two sec-
onds, and slowly return it to its original position. When
you hear the startup sound and the ready indicator comes
on, startup of the electric motor unit is complete.Electric motor reminderIf the driver’s door is opened while the key is in the “ON” posi-
tion, the electric motor reminder buzzer sounds intermittently
to remind the key is in the electric motor switch.
Transmission
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Selector lever operation
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CAUTION
!
Never attempt to start the electric motor unit by
pushing or pulling the vehicle.
While depressing the brake pedal, move the selector
lever through the gate.
Move the selector lever through the gate.
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3-34 Features and controls
3
NOTE
To avoid erroneous operation, move the selector lever
firmly into each position and briefly hold it there. Always
check the position shown by the selector lever position
display after moving the selector lever.

If the brake pedal is not depressed and held, the shift-lock
device activates to prevent the selector lever from being
moved from the “P” (PARK) position.
Selector lever position indicator
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When the electric motor switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the current position of the selector lever is indicated on the
instrument cluster.
WA R N I N G
!
Always depress the brake pedal when shifting the
selector lever into another position from the “P”
(PARK) or “N” (NEUTRAL) position.
Never put your foot on the accelerator pedal while
shifting the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) or
“N” (NEUTRAL) position.
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Features and controls
3-35
3
When the selector lever position indicator flashes while you are
driving, there could be a malfunction in the transmission.
Selector lever positions
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“P” PARKThis position locks the transmission to prevent the vehicle
from moving. The electric motor unit can be started from the
“PARK” position.“R” REVERSEThis position is to back up.
CAUTION
!
If the selector lever position indicator blinks while
you are driving, it is likely that a safety device is
operating because of a malfunction in the transmis-
sion system. We recommend you to have your vehi-
cle inspected as soon as possible.
The selector lever position indicator warning func-
tion does not operate with the selector lever in the
“R” (REVERSE) position.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not leave the vehicle with the electric motor
switch in the “ON” position. The vehicle can move
suddenly. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on level ground, always set the park-
ing brake and move the selector lever to the “P”
(PARK) position.
CAUTION
!
Never move the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) or
“R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in
motion. If the lever is moved to the “P” (PARK) or
“R” (REVERSE) position while the vehicle is in
motion, the transmission could be damaged.
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3-36 Features and controls
3
“N” NEUTRALUse this position only when the vehicle is stationary for an
extended length of time while driving, such as in a traffic jam.“D” DRIVEUse this position for normal driving.
“ECO” ECO MODEUse this position when you desire to limit power consumption
and/or when moderate regenerative braking is required.“B” REGENERATIVE BRAKE MODEUse this position when strong regenerative braking is required,
such as on a steep downhill.NOTE
When the main drive lithium-ion battery level is full or
nearly full, or the main drive lithium-ion battery tempera-
ture is low, the regenerative braking force may be reduced
and stronger effort may be required to operate the brakes.
WA R N I N G
!
Never move the selector lever to the “N” (NEU-
TRAL) position while the vehicle is in motion. You
will lose regenerative braking. In addition, a serious
accident could occur if the selector lever were inad-
vertently moved into the “P” (PARK) position or
“R” (REVERSE) position.
CAUTION
!
To avoid transmission damage, never shift into the
“D” (DRIVE) position from the “R” (REVERSE)
position while the vehicle is in motion.
WA R N I N G
!
While driving on a slippery road, do not use the “B”
position. Abruptly releasing the accelerator pedal
can apply strong regenerative braking causing the
vehicle to skid which could result in an accident.
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Features and controls
3-37
3
Operation of the transmission
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Waiting
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For short waiting periods, such as at traffic signals the vehicle
can be left in selector lever position and held stationary with
the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the electric motor unit running,
place the selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and
apply the parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary
with the service brake.
Parking
N00515100075
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully
engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, always switch
off the electric motor unit and carry the key.NOTE
On a slope, be sure to apply the parking brake before
moving the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position. If
you move the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position
before applying the parking brake, it may be difficult to
disengage the selector lever from the “P” (PARK) position
when next you drive the vehicle, requiring application of a
strong force to the selector lever to move from the “P”
(PARK) position.
CAUTION
!
Before selecting a position with the electric motor
unit running and the vehicle stationary, fully
depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from
creeping.
The vehicle will begin to move as soon as the trans-
mission is engaged, the brakes should only be
released when you are ready to drive away.
Depress the brake pedal with the right foot at all
times.
Using the left foot could cause driver movement
delay in case of an emergency.
Operating the accelerator pedal while the other foot
is resting on the brake pedal will affect braking effi-
ciency and may cause premature wear of brake
pads.
CAUTION
!
Never hold the vehicle stationary on a hill with the
accelerator. Always apply the parking brake and/or
service brake.
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3-38 Features and controls
3Acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS)
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While driving at low speeds, such as in parking lots, the acous-
tic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) alerts people who may not
hear your vehicle approaching.
The system sounds when the vehicle speed is approximately 22
mph (35 km/h) or less.
The acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) will operate
under the following conditions:

When the vehicle speed is approximately 2 mph (3 km/h)
or less and the brake pedal is not depressed.

When the vehicle speed is approximately 2-22 mph (3-35
km/h).
The system will not operate under the following conditions:

When the vehicle speed is approximately 2 mph (3 km/h)
or less and the brake pedal is depressed.

When the vehicle speed is approximately 22 mph (35
km/h) or more.

When the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) position.Under normal conditions, the indicator light in the instrument
cluster illuminates when the electric motor switch is turned to
the “ON” position and goes off a few seconds later. Always
confirm the indicator light goes off before driving.
NOTE
If the indicator light blinks, turn the electric motor switch
back to the “LOCK” position and again turn the switch to
the “ON” position.
It is not a malfunction if the indicator light goes off. If the
indicator light blinks again, however, have the vehicle
inspected at a certified i-MiEV dealer as soon as possible.
WA R N I N G
!
Always pay special attention to pedestrians. Even if
the acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) sounds,
pedestrians may not notice your vehicle.
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Features and controls
3-39
3 Service brake
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Brake pedalOveruse of the brake can cause poor brake response and pre-
mature wear of the brake pads.
Power brakes
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Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes for more braking
force with reduced brake pedal effort.
Your brakes are designed to operate at full capacity, even if the
power assist is lost.
If the power assist is lost, the effort needed to press the brake
pedal is greater.
If you should lose the power assist for some reason, the brakes
will still work.
If the power brake unit or either of the two brake hydraulic sys-
tems stop working properly, the rest of the brake system will
still work, but the vehicle will not slow down as quickly.
You will know this has happened if you find you need to
depress the brake pedal down further, or harder when slowing
down or stopping, or if the brake warning light comes on.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not leave any objects near the brake pedal or let
a floor mat slide under it; doing so could prevent the
full pedal stroke that would be necessary in an emer-
gency. Make sure that the pedal can be operated
freely at all times. Make sure the floor mat is
securely held in place.
CAUTION
!
It is important not to drive the vehicle with your foot
resting on the brake pedal when braking is not
required. This practice can result in very high brake
temperatures, premature pad wear, and possible
damage to the brakes.
WA R N I N G
!
Never turn off the electric motor switch while driv-
ing. Doing so will result in a loss of power assist for
the brakes and steering, increasing the effort
required to steer and brake the vehicle.
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3-40 Features and controls
3
Brake pad wear alarm
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The disc brakes have an alarm that makes a metallic squeal
when the brake pads have worn down enough to need service.
If you hear this sound, have the brake pads replaced at a certi-
fied i-MiEV dealer.
Brake assist system
N00567300063
The brake assist system is a device assisting drivers who can-
not depress the brake pedal firmly such as in emergency stop
situations and provides greater braking force.
If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the brakes will be
applied with more force than usual.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with worn brake pads will make it harder to
stop, and can cause an accident.
CAUTION
!
The brake assist system is not a device designed to
exercise braking force greater than its capacity.
Make sure to always keep a sufficient distance
between vehicles in front of you without relying too
much on the brake assist system.
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Features and controls
3-41
3
NOTE
Once the brake assist system is operational, it maintains
great braking force even if the brake pedal is lightly
released.
To stop its operation, completely remove your foot from
the brake pedal.

The brake assist system may become operational when the
brake pedal is fully depressed even if it has not been
depressed suddenly.

When the brake assist system is in use while driving, you
may feel as if the depressed brake pedal is soft, the pedal
moves in small motions in conjunction with the operation
noise, or the vehicle body and the steering wheel vibrate.
This occurs when the brake assist system is operating nor-
mally and does not indicate faulty operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal.

You may hear an operation noise when the brake pedal is
depressed suddenly while stationary. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction and the brake assist system is operating
normally.
Anti-lock braking system
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The anti-lock braking system helps prevent the wheels from
locking up when braking. This helps you keep control of your
vehicle and its direction. Driving hints
When using the anti-lock brakes (sudden braking), steer-
ing is slightly different from normal driving conditions.
Use the steering wheel carefully.

Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock
braking system, leave a greater braking distance when:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving on uneven road surfaces.

Operation of anti-lock braking system is not restricted to
situations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also prevent the wheels from locking when you drive
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.

When the anti-lock braking system is in use, you may feel
the brake pedal vibrating and hear a unique sound. You
may also feel as if the pedal resists being pressed.
In this situation, simply hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Do not pump the brake, which will result in
reduced braking performance.
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