light MITSUBISHI iMiEV 2012 1.G Owners Manual

6-2 For emergencies
6If the vehicle breaks down
N00836300220
If your vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the shoulder
and turn on the hazard warning flashers. If there is no shoulder,
or the shoulder is not safe, drive in the right lane slowly, with
the hazard lights flashing, until you come to a safe stopping
place. Keep the flashers flashing.
If the ready indicator light goes out while driving, the brakes
and steering will continue to work, but without power assist, so
more effort will be required for braking and steering. Stop the
vehicle on the shoulder of the road and turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
Jump-starting
N00836400739
If the electric motor unit cannot be energized because the 12V
starter battery is weak or dead, you can start it with the battery
from another vehicle using jumper cables. NOTE
Do not use jumper cables if they have damage or corro-
sion.
1. Take off any metal jewelry such as watch bands or brace-
lets that might make an accidental electrical contact.
WA R N I N G
!
To reduce the risk of igniting flammable gas that
may be emitted from the 12V starter battery, care-
fully read this section before jump-starting the vehi-
cle.
Do not try to start the electric motor unit by pushing
or towing the vehicle. This can cause an accident
resulting in serious injury or death and can damage
the vehicle.
CAUTION
!
Do not attempt jump starting the 12V starter bat-
tery while the main drive lithium-ion battery is
being charged. Doing so could damage the vehicle or
charging equipment.
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For emergencies
6-3
6
2. Position the vehicles close enough together so that the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other.
3. Set the parking brake firmly on your vehicle and move the
selector lever into the “P” (PARK) position.
4. Set the parking brake firmly on the other vehicle. Put the
automatic transaxle in “P” (PARK) or the manual
transaxle in “N” (Neutral).
5. Turn the ignition switch (the electric motor switch) on
each vehicle to the “LOCK” position.NOTE
Turn off all lights, heater, and other electrical loads. This
will help avoid sparks.6. Remove the battery cover, and then make sure your 12V
starter battery electrolyte is at the proper level. (Refer to
“Checking 12V starter battery electrolyte level” on page
7-14.)
7. Connect one end of one jumper cable to the positive
(+) terminal of the discharged battery (A), and then con-
nect the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
booster battery (B).
CAUTION
!
Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12V battery.
If the other system is not 12V, both systems can be
damaged.
WA R N I N G
!
If the electrolyte fluid is not visible, or looks frozen,
DO NOT ATTEMPT JUMP STARTING!!
The battery might split open or explode if the tem-
perature is below the freezing point or if it is not
filled to the proper level.
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For emergencies
6-7
6
As your vehicle has anti-lock brakesIf you drive your vehicle with a low battery charge, after the
electric motor unit has been started by using jumper cables, it
can cause the anti-lock braking system warning light to illumi-
nate. This is only due to the low battery voltage. It is not a
problem with the brake system. If this happens, fully charge the
12V starter battery and ensure the charging system is operating
properly.
Tire repair kit
N00836600366
This vehicle is equipped with a tire repair kit which can be
used to repair a minor puncture in tread area caused by a nail,
screw or similar object. A spare tire is not provided with this
vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!
The tire repair kit may not permanently seal a punc-
tured tire.
Using the tire repair kit may damage the wheel
and/or the tire inflation pressure sensor for the tire.
The vehicle must promptly be inspected and
repaired by a certified i-MiEV dealer after using the
tire repair kit.
Use only the Mitsubishi genuine tire repair kit. Seal-
ant in other repair kits may not sufficiently seal the
tire puncture.
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For emergencies
6-9
6
3. Remove the screws (A), and remove the cover (B).
4. Remove the tire repair kit.
To store
N00837900018
1. Return the tire repair kit to its original place.
Attach the cover and fasten the screws.
2. Insert two wire tabs at the rear edge of the seat cushion
under the seat back.
3. Pass both rear seat belt buckles through slits at the rear
edge of the seat cushion. Make sure that the seat belt
buckles are not twisted.
4. While pushing the seat cushion as far back as possible,
press down hooks (A) under the seat cushion into the right
and left stopper installation holes (B) until a click is heard.
5. After installing the seat cushion, shake it lightly to con-
firm that it is properly fixed in position.
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6-22 For emergencies
6Operation under adverse driving conditions
N00837200747
If your vehicle becomes stuck in sand, mud or
snow If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow, sand, or mud, it can
often be moved by a rocking motion. Rock your vehicle back
and forth to free it.
Do not spin the wheels. Constant efforts to free a stuck vehicle
can cause transmission failure.
If your vehicle is still stuck after several rocking attempts, call
for a commercial tow truck service.
On wet roads
WA R N I N G
!
When trying to rock your vehicle out of a stuck posi-
tion, make sure that there are no people nearby. The
rocking motion can make your vehicle suddenly
lurch forward or backward, and injure any
bystanders.
CAUTION
!
Do not drive on a flooded road. If you drive on a
flooded road, not only the electric motor unit stops
but also a failure like electric leakage or short circuit
may occur.
If you inevitably had to run on a flooded road and
the vehicle was exposed to water, be sure to have
your vehicle inspected by a certified i-MiEV dealer.
When driving in rain, on water-covered roads, or
through a car wash, water could get into the brake
discs and make them fail temporarily. In such cases,
lightly press the brake pedal to see if they are work-
ing properly. If they are not, press the pedal lightly
several times while driving to dry the brake pads or
linings, then check them again.
When driving in rain, a layer of water may form
between the tires and the road surface (aquaplan-
ing). This loosens your tires’ grip on the road, mak-
ing it difficult to steer or brake properly. When
driving on a wet road:
• Drive your vehicle at a safe speed.
• Do not drive on worn tires.
• Always keep the tires at the correct inflation pres-
sures.
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7
Vehicle care and maintenance
Service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 2
Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 4
View under the hood and
electric motor unit room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 6
Coolant/Hot water heater fluid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 7
Washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 11
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 12
12V starter battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 13
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 18
Brake pedal free play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 25
Parking brake lever stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 25
Wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 26
General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 27
For cold and snowy weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 28
Fusible links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 28
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 29
Replacement of light bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 35
Vehicle care precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 49
Cleaning the inside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . .7- 50
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . .7- 52
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-3
7
Have you purchased the Mitsubishi Motors Diamond Care Pro-
tection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warran-
ties. See a certified i-MiEV dealer for details.
WA R N I N G
!
When servicing the vehicle, make sure that the elec-
tric motor switch is in the “LOCK” position and the
charging cable is disconnected. Failure to do so
could result in an electric shock.
When checking or servicing under the hood or the
coolant reserve tank, be sure the electric motor unit
is stopped and it has had a chance to cool down.
If you need to work under the hood with the electric
motor unit on, be careful that your clothing, hair,
etc. does not get caught in the fan or other moving
parts.
The fan can turn on automatically even if the elec-
tric motor unit is not running. Turn the electric
motor switch to the “LOCK” position to be safe
while you are working under the hood.
Do not smoke or allow open flames around the 12V
starter battery.
Be extremely careful when working around the 12V
starter battery. It contains poisonous and corrosive
sulfuric acid.
Handling your vehicle’s parts and materials in the
wrong way can injure you. Ask a certified i-MiEV
dealer if you have questions.
CAUTION
!
The components inside the electric motor unit room
may be very hot to the touch.
Make sure all components have sufficiently cooled
before beginning an inspection.
These components are affixed with a label indicating
precautions for handling. Follow the instructions on
the label.
When replacing the 12V starter battery, remove the
positive (+) and negative (-) terminals after turning
the electric motor switch to the “LOCK” position
and waiting at least 2 minutes. If the 12V starter
battery terminal is removed just after the electric
motor switch is turned to the “LOCK” position, this
may cause damage to electric components.
If the electric motor unit warning light illuminates,
do not replace the 12V starter battery. Contact a
certified i-MiEV dealer.
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7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTE
If this does not close the hood properly, drop it again from
a slightly higher position.

Do not push down strongly on the hood. Depending on
how strongly or where you push down, you could create a
dent in the hood.
View under the hood and electric motor unit
room
N00937600696
Under the hood
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7-12 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Brake fluid
N00938700261
To check the fluid levelThe brake fluid level must be between the “MAX” and “MIN”
marks on the reservoir.
The brake fluid level falls slightly with wear of the brake pads,
but this does not indicate any abnormality.
The brake fluid in the master cylinder should be checked when
doing other work under the hood. The brake system should also
be checked for leaks at the same time.
If the brake fluid level falls markedly in a short length of time,
it indicates a leak in the brake system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle checked by a certified i-MiEV
dealer.
Fluid typeUse the recommended brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or
DOT 4. The reservoir cap must be tightly sealed to keep dirt
and water out.
CAUTION
!
Do not let any petroleum-based fluid touch, mix
with, or get into the brake fluid. This will damage
the seals.
Be careful when handling brake fluid. It can damage
painted surfaces.
Use only the listed brake fluid. Different brands of
brake fluid have different additives, and these can
cause a chemical reaction. Do not mix brands of
brake fluid.
Keep the reservoir tank cap closed to keep the brake
fluid from evaporating.
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7-18 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Tires
N00939200540
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms:

Cold tire pressure:
• The measured pressure after the vehicle has been parked
for at least three hours,
or
• The measured pressure when the vehicle is driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km) after having been parked for three
hours.

Maximum inflation pressure: the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.

Recommended inflation pressure: the inflation pressure
for optimum tire performance.
Intended outboard sidewall:
• The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white let-
tering or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name
molding that is higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire,
or
• The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.

Passenger car tire: a tire intended for use on passenger
cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that
have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000
pounds or less.

Light truck (LT) tire: a tire designated by its manufacturer
as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or mul-
tipurpose passenger vehicles.

Tread: portion of a tire that comes into contact with the
road.

Tread rib: a tread section running circumferentially
around a tire.

Tread separation: pulling away of the tread from the tire
carcass.

Carcass: the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rub-
ber which, when inflated, bears the load.

Sidewall: portion of a tire between the tread and bead.

Section width: the linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due
to labeling, decoration, or protective bands.

Bead: the part of the tire that is made of steel wires,
wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to
fit the rim.

Ply: a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.
WA R N I N G
!
Driving with tires that are worn, damaged or
improperly inflated is dangerous.
These type tire conditions will adversely affect vehi-
cle performance.
These type tire conditions can also cause a tread sep-
aration or blowout which may result in an accident
causing serious injury or death.
Tires degrade over time with age even when they are
not being used. It is recommended that tires over 6
years generally be replaced even if damage is not
obvious.
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