2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV light

Driving safety
4-7
4 Driving during cold weather
N00629400403

Check the 12V starter battery, including terminals and
cables. During extremely cold weather, the 12V starter
battery will not be as strong and its power level may drop.
Before driving the vehicle, check to see if the headlights
are as bright as normal. Charge or replace the 12V starter
battery if necessary. During extreme cold weather, it is
possible that a very low 12V starter battery could freeze.
Check the antifreeze.
If there is not enough coolant because of a leak, add high-
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze and water. Use Dia
Queen Super Long Life Coolant Premium or an equiva-
lent. The recommended blend is about 50 % water and 50
% anti-freeze. Use a higher concentration (not over 60 %)
when the outside temperature is -31 °F (-35 °C) or lower.
When the electric motor unit is working very hard (for
example, during mountain driving and/or when the out-
side temperature is high), use a 50 % concentration. This
blend will provide adequate protection from corrosion and
boiling.
WA R N I N G
!
The 12V starter battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas. Any spark or flame can cause the 12V starter
battery to explode, which could cause serious injury
or death.
Always wear protective clothes and a face mask
when working with your 12V starter battery, or let a
skilled mechanic do it.
WA R N I N G
!
Never open the coolant reservoir cap while it is hot.
You could be seriously burned.
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4-8 Driving safety
4Braking
N00629500518
All the parts of the brake system are critical to safety. Have the
vehicle serviced by a certified i-MiEV dealer at regular inter-
vals according to the “WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
MANUAL”.When brakes are wetCheck the brake system while driving at a low speed immedi-
ately after starting, especially when the brakes are wet, to con-
firm they work normally.
A film of water can be formed on the brake discs and prevent
normal braking after driving in heavy rain or through large
puddles, or after the vehicle is washed. If this occurs, dry the
brakes out by driving slowly while lightly depressing the brake
pedal.When driving in cold weatherOn snowy roads, ice can form on the braking system, making
the brakes less effective. While driving in such conditions, pay
close attention to preceding and following vehicles and to the
condition of the road surface. From time to time, lightly
depress the brake pedal and check how effective the brakes are.When driving downhillIt is important to take advantage of the regenerative braking by
shifting to “B” (BRAKE) position while driving on steep
downhill roads in order to prevent the brakes from overheating.
Parking
N00629600317
Parking on a hillWhen parking on a hill, set the parking brake, and turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill, or away from the
curb on an uphill.
If necessary, apply chocks to wheels.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.
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5-6 Comfort controls
5Air conditioning
N00730300328
The air conditioning can only be used when the ready indicator
is illuminated.NOTE
If the energy level gauge is at 0 bars or the power down
warning light illuminates, the vehicle interior may not be
cooled/heated even though the dial or switch is operated.
Furthermore, the defog performance may be also reduced.
Refer to “Energy level gauge” on page 3-69.
Refer to “Power down warning light” on page 3-75.
Control panel
N00730500290
A- Temperature control dial
B- MAX switch
C- Blower speed selection dial
D- Air conditioning switch
E- Mode selection dial
F- Air selection switch
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Comfort controls
5-9
5
“AUTO” position
The vents change to the following positions according to the
position of the temperature control dial.
Refer to “Temperature control dial” on page 5-8.
Air selection switch
N00736800400
Normally, use the outside air position to keep the windshield
and side windows clear and to quickly remove fog or frost
from the windshield.
To change the air selection, simply press the air selection
switch.

Outside air {Indicator light (A) OFF}
Outside air is introduced into the passenger compartment.

Recirculated air {Indicator light (A) ON}
Air is recirculated inside the passenger compartment.
Temperature control dial position
Ve n t s
Between “C” and middle(
): Upper part of front
passenger compartment
Middle(
)Set the dial to middle
(
) from the “C” side: Upper part of front
passenger compartment
Set the dial to middle
(
) from the “H” side: Leg area
Between
middle (
)
and “H”Near middle (
)
: Leg area
Near “H”: Leg area,
windshield, and door
windowsCAUTION
!
When using the mode selection dial between the
“ ” and “ ” positions, prevent fogging by press-
ing the air selection switch to select outside air.
(Refer to “Air selection switch” on page 5-9.)
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5-10 Comfort controls
5
If high cooling performance is desired, or, if the outside air is
dusty or contaminated in some way, use the recirculation posi-
tion. Switch to the outside air position every now and then to
keep the windows from fogging up. NOTE
When the mode selection dial is set to the “ ” position,
the air conditioning compressor runs automatically. Out-
side air introduction will also be selected automatically.

When the temperature control dial is set to the “C” posi-
tion, the air selection will be automatically set to the
recirculation position.
Air conditioning switch
N00731000465
Push the switch, and the air conditioning compressor will turn
on. The air conditioning indicator light (A) will come on.
Push the switch again and the air conditioning compressor will
stop and the indicator light (A) goes off.
CAUTION
!
Using recirculated air for a long time may cause the
windows to fog up.
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Comfort controls
5-11
5
MAX switch
N00766500015
When the blower speed selection dial is not OFF and the MAX
switch is pressed, the indicator light (A) illuminates and cool-
ing/heating performance and the air conditioning setting is
changed according to the temperature control dial position.
When the switch is pressed again, the operation returns to the
mode before pressing the switch.
When the temperature control dial is set between middle
(
) and “H” position
The heating capability is at maximum.
When the temperature control dial is in middle (
) posi-
tion
The air flow is at maximum.When the temperature control dial is set between “C” and
middle (
) position
The air conditioning automatically operates and the cooling
capability is at maximum.
NOTE
Do not use the cooling/heating function with the MAX
switch for a long time. Because the power consumption is
greatly increased, the cruising range is shortened.

When the blower speed selection dial or temperature con-
trol dial is operated with the indicator light illuminated,
the indicator light goes out and the selected function over-
rides others.
Other functions return to the mode before pressing the
MAX switch.

When the air conditioning is operated with the MAX
switch, the air conditioning does not stop if the function is
cancelled.
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Comfort controls
5-13
5
Quick heating1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the air selection switch (A) to the outside position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial clockwise or counter-
clockwise to between middle (
) position and “H” posi-
tion.
4. Turn the blower speed selection dial to any position other
than “OFF” position.
5. Press the MAX switch (B).NOTE
Do not use the heating function with the MAX switch for
a long time. Because the power consumption is greatly
increased, the cruising range is shortened.
Cooling
N00731200337
For ordinary cooling

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the air selection switch (A) to the outside position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial clockwise or counter-
clockwise to the desired temperature between middle (
)
and “C” position.
4. Select the desired blower speed.
5. Push the air conditioning switch (B).
6. When the air conditioning is operating, the switch indica-
tor light (C) illuminates.
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5-14 Comfort controls
5
NOTE
If the outside air is dusty or contaminated in some way, set
the air selection switch (A) to the recirculation position.
Let in some outside air from time to time for good ventila-
tion.

To cool the leg areas, set the mode selection dial to the
“ ” position.NOTE
When the blower speed selection dial is set to the
“AUTO” position, the air flow is adjusted automatically
according to the temperature of the interior and the posi-
tion of the temperature control dial.For quick cooling

1. Set the mode selection dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the air selection switch (A) to the recirculation posi-
tion.
3. Turn the temperature control dial clockwise or counter-
clockwise to between middle (
) and “C” position.
4. Turn the blower speed selection dial to any position other
than “OFF” position.
5. Press the MAX switch (B).
The air conditioning automatically operates and the indi-
cator light (C) illuminates.
NOTE
Do not use the cooling function with the MAX switch for
a long time. Because the power consumption is greatly
increased, the cruising range is shortened.
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