battery MITSUBISHI iMiEV 2012 1.G User Guide

General information/Charging
1-7
1 Modifications to and racing of your vehicle
N01200500017
This vehicle should not be modified with non-Mitsubishi
Motors genuine parts. Mitsubishi Motors designs and manufac-
tures high quality vehicles with an emphasis on safety and
durability. Modifications using non-Mitsubishi Motors genuine
parts may affect the performance, safety and/or durability of
your vehicle, and may violate applicable state and/or federal
regulations.
DAMAGE OR PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS RESULT-
ING FROM MODIFICATIONS TO OR RACING OF
YOUR VEHICLE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WAR-
RANTY.
Examples of modifications to your vehicle that can cause dam-
age or performance problems include the following:

Failure to use Mitsubishi Motors genuine parts

Failure to use required fluids (refer to “Refill capacities”
on page 9-10)

Failure to use proper size tires and wheels

Modification of the suspension, electric motor, drive train,
batteries (main drive lithium-ion battery and 12V starter
battery), charging systems or electrical wiring systems

Modification of any onboard computer/control module,
including reprogramming, or replacing/adding chips to
any onboard computer/control module
Review the Warranty and Maintenance Manual for further
details regarding warranty coverage.
Installation of accessories
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The installation of accessories, optional parts, etc., should
only be carried out within the limits prescribed by law in
the driving area and in accordance with the guidelines and
warnings contained within the documents accompanying
this vehicle.
Only Mitsubishi Motors approved accessories should be
fitted to your vehicle.

Improper installation of electrical parts could cause fire.
Refer to the “Modification/alterations to the electrical sys-
tems” section within this owner’s manual.

Tires and wheels which do not meet specifications must
not be used.
Refer to the “Specifications” section for information
regarding wheel and tire sizes.
CAUTION
!
Before any electrical or electronic accessories are
installed, consult a certified i-MiEV dealer.
WA R N I N G
!
If you choose to use a cellular phone while driving,
you must not allow that usage to distract you in the
safe operation of your vehicle. Anything, including
cellular phone usage, that distracts you from the
safe operation of your vehicle increases your risk of
an accident.
Refer to and follow all local laws in your area
regarding cellular phone usage while driving.
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1-10 General information/Charging
1Cautions and actions to deal with intense heat
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When the vehicle is driven in a high ambient temperature, its air-conditioner performance can be insufficient. Also, using the
air conditioner will reduce the vehicle’s cruising range.

When the ambient temperature is approximately 104 °F (40 °C) or higher, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the described actions.

Even if the ambient temperature is approximately 104 °F (40 °C) or lower, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the described actions.Approx. ambi-
ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx. 104 °F
(40 °C) or higherStartup and driving •
•During quick charging (if so equipped), repeated high-
speed driving, or repeated uphill driving, the power down
warning light* comes on and the motor output is restricted
to protect the main drive lithium-ion battery or motor
(electric motor unit).
Regenerative braking performance may decrease. When
braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly.• Stop the vehicle in a safe
place for a while, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
Charging and bat-
tery• During quick charging (if so equipped), charging times get
longer.
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General information/Charging
1-11
1
NOTE
*: Refer to “Power down warning light” on page 3-75. Illumination of the power down warning light does not indicate a mal-
function.Approx.113 °F
(45 °C) or higherStartup and driving •
•During quick charging (if so equipped), repeated high-
speed driving, or repeated uphill driving, the power down
warning light* comes on and the motor output is restricted
to protect the main drive lithium-ion battery and/or motor
(electric motor unit).
Regenerative braking performance may decrease. When
braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly.• Stop the vehicle in a safe
place for a while, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
• If you continue driving after the power down warning
light* comes on, the vehicle may stop after you have
driven a few miles/kilometres.
Charging and bat-
tery•
•The EV charging cable (regular charging cable) cannot be
used.
During quick charging (if so equipped), charging times get
longer.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place.
• The main drive lithium-ion battery capacity is decreased
more quickly, and the cruising range is decreased.Approx. 140 °F
(60 °C) or higherStartup and driving • The power down warning light* comes on, and the vehicle
may stop.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
Charging and bat-
tery•
•The EV charging cable (regular charging cable) cannot be
used.
Quick charging (if so equipped) may become impossible.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place.Approx. ambi-
ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
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1-12 General information/Charging
1Cautions and actions to deal with intense cold
N01201100010

When the vehicle is driven in a low ambient temperatures, its heater performance can be insufficient. Also, using the heater
can reduce the vehicle’s cruising range.

When the ambient temperature is approximately 5 °F (-15 °C) or lower, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the corrective actions described below.Approx. ambi-
ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx.5 °F (-
15 °C) or lowerStartup and
driving• Motor output is restricted, and the power down warning
light*
1 may come on.
<Reference: When the main drive lithium-ion battery tem-
perature is 5 °F (-15 °C) or lower and the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery’s remaining power is 50 %, the driving
performance may decrease by approximately 30 %>• Keep driving if you can drive at a
safe speed.
If you cannot drive at a safe speed,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery•
•Charging times get longer.
Complete charging may not be possible.• When you have finished driving,
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery before battery temperature
falls.
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General information/Charging
1-13
1
Approx.-13 °F
(-25 °C) or
lowerStartup and
driving• Motor output is restricted, and the power down warning
light*
1 may come on.
<Reference: When the main drive lithium-ion battery tem-
perature is -13 °F (-25 °C) or lower and the main drive
lithium-ion battery’s remaining power is 50 %, the driving
performance may decrease by approximately 50 %>• Keep driving if you can drive at the
same speed as surrounding vehicles.
If you cannot drive the same speed
as surrounding vehicles, stop the
vehicle in a safe place and charge
the main drive lithium-ion battery.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery• Charging may become impossible. • When you have finished driving,
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery before battery temperature
falls.
Approx. -22 °F
(-30 °C) or
lowerStartup and
driving•
•The ready indicator*
2 does not come on, and startup may
not be possible.
In the worst-case scenario, the vehicle may become
undrivable (with the energy level gauge and cruising
range indications still shown).• In the daytime, wait for the tempera-
ture to rise. When the temperature in
the vicinity of the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery has risen, begin
charging.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly
Charging and
battery• Charging may become impossible • In the daytime, wait for the tempera-
ture to rise. When the temperature in
the vicinity of the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery has risen, begin
charging.
Approx. ambi-
ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
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General information/Charging
1-15
1 Charging
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Your vehicle is equipped with a charge port and a charging cable (EV charging cable) for charging with a AC 110-120V or a AC
220-240V outlet. Additionally your vehicle may be equipped with another charge port for quick charging capable for CHAdeMO
quick charger.
Category
Charge port
Charge connector
Charging Source
Charging time
with fully dis-
charged battery
Refer-
ence
Level 1
Regular charging
110-120V
(Attached EV
charging cable)
passenger side of vehicle110-120V household out-
let (15 amp dedicated cir-
cuit required)About 22 hours P.1-20
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1-16 General information/Charging
1
*: EVSE = Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
Category
Charge port
Charge connector
Charging Source
Charging time
with fully dis-
charged battery
Refer-
ence
Level 2
Regular charging
220-240V
(Primary Home
EVSE* Dock-
Available sepa-
rately)
passenger side of vehicleHome or public charging
deviceAbout 6 hoursP.1-20, 1-
32
Quick charging
(charging method
with quick
charger) (if so
equipped)
driver side of vehicle (if so
equipped)Public charging stations
where availableAbout 30 minutes
for 80 % chargeP.1-33
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General information/Charging
1-17
1
Charging time will vary depending on battery condition, air temperature and condition of power source (such as specification of the
quick charger).
A vehicle equipped with a quick charge port is compatible with most CHAdeMO (Japanese industry standard) connectors on charg-
ing stations. Charging stations using the CHAdeMO standard are UL certified and safe to use in the US.NOTE
The 12V starter battery will be automatically charged during charging and also while the ready indicator is illuminated. Refer
to “Ready indicator” on page 3-72.

Repeatedly performing only quick charging can reduce battery capacity. Regular charging is recommended unless quick charg-
ing is necessary.

If the 12V starter battery is discharged, the main drive lithium-ion battery cannot be charged. Refer to “Jump-starting” on page
6-2.
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1-18 General information/Charging
1Precautions during Charging the Main
Drive Lithium-ion Battery
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WA R N I N G
!
Improper charging can result in a fire, property
damage, and serious injury or death.
Read the instructions described below carefully and
follow them. Also read and follow the instructions
for “Regular charging (charging method with rated
AC 120V outlet)” on page 1-20, Regular charging
(using 240V Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) on
page 1-32 and “Quick charging (charging method
with quick charger)” on page 1-33 before using the
charging device.
• Never connect or disconnect the charge connector
or plug with wet hands.
• Make sure there is no water or foreign materials in
the charge port, charge connector or plug, and
that they are not damaged or affected by rust or
corrosion. If any of these conditions are noticeable,
do not charge the main drive lithium-ion battery.
• Never touch the metal contacts of the charge port,
charge connector or plug.
• Never charge the main drive lithium-ion battery or
touch the vehicle when there is lightning. A light-
ning strike may back feed into the charger causing
damage and possible personal injury or death.
• Never disassemble or modify the charge port or
charging cable.
• If you notice unusual odor or smoke coming from
the vehicle, charging cable or plug, or if the charg-
ing cable or plug becomes hot to the touch, stop
charging immediately.

Individuals using an electro-medical apparatus such
as implantable pacemakers and implantable cardio-
vascular-defibrillators should check with the manu-
facturer of the apparatus to confirm the effect of the
electromagnetic waves from charging. The electro-
magnetic waves may affect the operations of the
electro-medical apparatus.
If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an
implantable cardiovascular defibrillator, while the
main drive lithium-ion battery is charging:
• Do not stay inside the vehicle.
• Do not go inside the vehicle, for example to remove
or place an item in the passenger compartment.
• Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove
or place an item in the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation of electric med-
ical devices and result in serious personal injury or
death.

Keep away from the cooling fan under the hood dur-
ing charging. During charging, the cooling fan may
automatically be operated even if the electric motor
switch is in the “LOCK” position.
WA R N I N G
!
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General information/Charging
1-19
1
NOTE
Repeatedly performing only quick charging (if so
equipped) can reduce the battery capacity. Regular charg-
ing is recommended unless quick charging is necessary.

To help maintain the capacity of the main drive lithium-
ion battery, the following is recommended:• Fully charge the vehicle by regular charging every 2
weeks.
• Do not repeat charging when the main drive lithium-ion
battery is at or near the full charge.

Both of the regular charging and quick charge cannot be
performed at the same time. The quick charging (if so
equipped) is given priority.

It is recommended that you perform regular charging from
2 bars or less on the energy level gauge to full at least
every three months. This lets the energy level gauge adjust
to decreases in battery capacity and correctly show the
remaining energy in the main drive lithium-ion battery.
CAUTION
!
To prevent damage to the charging equipment:
• Do not close the charge port lid without closing the
cap.
• Do not subject the charging equipment to impact.
• Do not pull or twist the charge cable.
• Do not drag the charge cable.
• Do not store charging equipment in locations
where the temperature is above 185 °F (85°C) or
below -40 °F (-40 °C).
• Do not place the charging equipment close to a
heater or other heat source.

Make sure the inner cap is closed on the charge port
when charging is finished. If the charge port lid is
closed when the cap is opened, water or foreign
materials may enter the charge port.
Do not charge when a vehicle body cover is in use.
This may cause damage to the charge connector.
Do not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12V
starter battery at the same time that the main drive
lithium-ion battery is being charged. Doing so may
damage the vehicle or charging cable and could
cause an injury. See “Jump-starting” in the “6. For
emergency” section.
Forcing the charge connector to connect may cause
damage to the charging equipment and vehicle.
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