4-2 Driving safety
4Economical driving
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For economical driving, there are some technical requirements
that have to be met. In order to achieve longer life of the vehi-
cle and the most economical operation, we recommend you to
have the vehicle checked at regular intervals according to the
“WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.Starting and accelerationAvoid driving with the accelerator pedal fully depressed, such
as for unnecessarily sudden starts, acceleration and decelera-
tion. Smoothly depress the accelerator pedal.
Observe the speed limit and keep the speed as constant as pos-
sible while driving.IdlingParking for a long period with the ready indicator illuminated
will shorten the cruising range.SpeedAt higher the vehicle speed the more main drive lithium-ion
battery is consumed. Avoid driving at full speed. Even a slight
release of the accelerator pedal will save a significant amount
of main drive lithium-ion battery charge.Tire inflation pressureCheck the tire inflation pressures at regular intervals Low tire
inflation pressure increases road resistance. In addition, low
tire pressures adversely affect tire wear and driving stability.Cargo loadsDo not drive with unnecessary articles in the luggage compart-
ment.
Air conditioningToo much cooling/heating can affect the cruising range, so
maintain an appropriate temperature to extend the cruising
range.
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4-8 Driving safety
4Braking
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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
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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.NOTEOn 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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5-8 Comfort controls
5
Temperature control dial
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Use this dial to adjust the temperature of the air flow from the
vents.
Turn the temperature control dial clockwise to make the air
warmer. Turn it counterclockwise to make the air cooler.
When the dial is set to middle () position, only uncooled and
unheated air will flow.
When the dial is moved to middle () position when using
cooling or heating, cooling or heating stops.NOTEWhen the dial is moved from middle () position to the
left while the air conditioning is not operating, the air tem-
perature will not change.
When the dial is moved to middle () position and then to
the left while the air conditioning is operating, the air con-
ditioning system is operating again.When the temperature control dial is set to “C” position,
the air selection will be automatically set to the
recirculation position and the air conditioning will oper-
ate.
When the dial is moved thereafter, the air conditioning
continues to operate and the air selection setting returns to
the setting before the dial was set to “C” position.
Mode selection dial
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To change the position and amount of air flowing from the
vents, turn the mode selection dial. Refer to “Changing the
mode selection” on page 5-3.
BK0140800US.book 8 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Comfort controls
5-11
5
MAX switch
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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.
NOTEDo 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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5-12 Comfort controls
5
Operating the air conditioning system
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Heating 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 “H” position.
4. Select the desired blower speed.
NOTEWhen 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.
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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).NOTEDo 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
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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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6-16 For emergencies
6
15. Check and adjust the tire pressure with reference to the air
pressure gauge on the compressor. If you overinflate the
tire, release air by loosening the hose’s end fitting. (Refer
to “Tire inflation pressures” on page 7-21.)
If there is a gap between the tire and wheel because the
tire has moved inward from the wheel rim, press the tire
tread towards the wheel to close the gap before running
the compressor. (With no gaps, the tire pressure will rise.)NOTEIf the tire pressure does not rise to the specified level
within 10 minutes, the tire may be so severely damaged
that the tire sealant cannot be used to effect the emergency
repair. Do not drive the vehicle. Please contact a certified
i-MiEV dealer.
WA R N I N G
!Do not place your hand or fingers between the tire
and wheel while inflating the tire. Your hand or fin-
gers may become caught between the tire and wheel.
CAUTION
!The supplied compressor is designed only for infla-
tion of your vehicle tires.The compressor is designed to run on a vehicle’s
12 V power supply. Do not connect it to any other
power source.The compressor is not waterproof. If you use it in
rain, make sure water does not get on it.Any sand or dust sucked into the compressor could
make the compressor break down. Do not place the
compressor directly on any sandy or dusty surface
when using it.Do not disassemble or modify the compressor. Also,
do not subject the air pressure gauge to shock. It
could malfunction.
CAUTION
!The surface of the compressor will get hot while the
compressor is running. Do not keep the compressor
running continuously for more than 10 minutes.
After using the compressor, wait for the compressor
to cool before using it again.If the compressor becomes sluggish or hot while
operating, it is overheating. Immediately place the
switch in the OFF position and let the compressor
cool down for at least 30 minutes.
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7-28 Vehicle care and maintenance
7For cold and snowy weather
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Ventilation slotsThe ventilation slots in front of the windshield should be
brushed clear after a heavy snowfall so that the operation of the
heating and ventilation systems will not be impaired.WeatherstrippingTo prevent freezing of the weatherstripping on the doors, hood,
etc., they should be treated with silicone grease.Additional equipment (For regions where snow is
encountered)It is a good idea to carry a shovel or a short-handled spade in
the vehicle during the winter so that you can clear away snow
if you get stranded. A small hand-brush for sweeping snow off
the vehicle and a plastic scraper for the windshield, side and
rear window are also useful.
Fusible links
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The fusible links will melt to prevent a fire if a large current
attempts to flow through certain electrical systems.
In case of a melted fusible link, see a certified i-MiEV dealer
for inspection and replacement.
For the fusible links, please refer to “Fuse load capacities” on
page 7-30.
WA R N I N G
!Fusible links must not be replaced by any other
device. Failing to fit the correct fusible link may
result in fire in the vehicle, property destruction and
serious or fatal injuries at any time.
BK0140800US.book 28 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分