2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV battery

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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7-2 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Service precautions
N00937300361
Taking regular care of your vehicle helps preserve its value and
appearance as long as possible.
This vehicle is an electric vehicle and is equipped with many
high-voltage components. Refer to “High-voltage compo-
nents” on page 1-41.
You can do some of the maintenance work described in this
manual by yourself, but the rest must be performed only by a
certified i-MiEV dealer.
If you discover a malfunction or other problem, have it cor-
rected by a certified i-MiEV dealer.
Also follow the instructions and take note of the precautions
for each procedure.High voltage components and wiring cables are located as
shown in the figure below.
WA R N I N G
!
Never touch, remove or disassemble the high- volt-
age components including high- voltage wires col-
ored orange and their connectors. Doing so can
result in a fire, property damage, electrocution and
serious injury or death.
These components are affixed with a label indicating
precautions for handling. Follow the instructions on
the label. Take your vehicle to a certified i-MiEV
dealer for any necessary maintenance.
1- Regular charge port
2- MCU
3- Main drive lithium-ion battery
4- Heater
5- Air conditioner compressor
6- High voltage connector
7- Service plug
8- Electric motor (Electric motor unit)
9- On board charger/DC-DC converter
10- Quick charge port
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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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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-7
7 Coolant/Hot water heater fluid
N00937800539
To check the coolant levelCoolant1. Open the liftgate.
1- Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2- 12V starter battery
3- Hot water heater reservoir
4- Brake fluid reservoir
5- Coolant reservoirElectric motor unit room
WA R N I N G
!
Before checking the coolant level, make sure the
electric motor switch is in the “Lock” position to
avoid the risk of an electrical shock that can result in
serious injury or death.
The room under the hood and the electric motor
unit room (located under the luggage room carpet)
can be very hot after driving. Wait until they have
cooled down.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-13
7 12V starter battery
N00939100914
The condition of the 12V starter battery is very important to
keep the vehicle’s electrical system working properly. Check
the 12V starter battery regularly. Removing and installing the 12V starter battery
upper cover
N00901300054
To r e m o v e1. Turn the plastic nut (A) counterclockwise, and then
remove the 12V starter battery upper cover (B).NOTE
Be careful not to lose the removed plastic nut.
To i n s t a l l1. Install the 12V starter battery upper cover (B) onto the
12V starter battery, and then push the plastic nut (A) in the
direction shown by the arrows to secure the cover.
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7-14 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTE
Be sure to install the plastic nut in the correct direction.Checking 12V starter battery electrolyte level
N00901500056
Before checking the 12V starter battery electrolyte level,
remove the 12V starter battery’s upper cover.
The electrolyte level must be between the limits shown on the
outside of the 12V starter battery. Fill it with distilled water as
needed. The inside of the 12V starter battery is divided into
several compartments. Take the cap off of each compartment
and fill to the mark.
Do not fill above the top line because a spill during driving
could cause damage.
CAUTION
!
Be sure to install the 12V starter battery upper
cover. Otherwise, the battery electrolyte may spill
and cause a malfunction.
When installing the 12V starter battery upper cover
and plastic nut do not touch the cooling fan or other
moving parts under the hood.
Be especially careful that the cables, your clothing
or hair, etc., do not get caught in the cooling fan or
other moving parts.
WA R N I N G
!
If the 12V starter battery goes flat, be sure to check
the 12V starter battery electrolyte level before con-
necting booster cables.
After checking the 12V starter battery electrolyte
level, make sure the caps are fitted securely.
If any of the caps cannot be re-secured to the 12V
starter battery, replace the 12V starter battery.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-15
7
During cold weather
N00901600057
The 12V starter battery is weaker in cold temperatures. This
has to do with its chemical and physical properties and is why a
very cold 12V starter battery, especially one with a low charge,
will have a hard time starting your vehicle.
It is recommended that you have your 12V starter battery and
charging system checked by a certified i-MiEV dealer before
the start of cold weather. If necessary, have it charged. This
will guarantee more reliable starting, and longer 12V starter
battery life.

Electrolyte (battery acid) is made of corrosive
diluted sulfuric acid. If it spills on nearby parts, it
can crack, stain, or discolor them. And if gets on
your skin or in your eyes, it can cause burns or
blindness. Please observe the following handling
instructions:
• If electrolyte gets on plastic parts or other nearby
parts, wipe it off with a soft cloth or chamois
soaked in a solution of water and neutral detergent
then immediately rinse the affected parts with
plenty of water.
• If electrolyte gets on your hands or clothes, rinse
thoroughly with water. If electrolyte gets in your
eyes, flush them with water immediately and get
immediate medical attention.WA R N I N G
!
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7-16 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Disconnection and connection
N00901700058
To disconnect the 12V starter battery cable, stop the electric
motor. Disconnect the negative (-) terminal first, then the posi-
tive (+) terminal. To reconnect the 12V starter battery, first
connect the positive (+) terminal and then the negative (-) ter-
minal, before starting the vehicle. NOTE
Remove the 12V starter battery upper cover before dis-
connecting the terminal of 12V starter battery. Refer to
“Removing and installing the 12V starter battery upper
cover” on page 7-13.

Open the terminal cover (A) before disconnecting or con-
necting the positive (+) terminal of the 12V starter battery.
Loosen the nut (B), and then disconnect the 12V starter
battery cable from the positive (+) terminal.
WA R N I N G
!
Never disconnect the 12V starter battery while the
electric motor unit is running, or you could damage
the vehicle’s electrical parts.
Never short-circuit the 12V starter battery. This
could cause it to overheat and be damaged.
Keep sparks, cigarettes, and flames away from the
12V starter battery because the 12V starter battery
could explode.
When installing the 12V starter battery, start con-
nection with the positive (+) terminal. If connection
is started from the negative (-) terminal, sparks will
occur if the positive (+) terminal touches any other
parts, and this may cause the 12V starter battery to
explode.
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