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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4-6 Driving safety
4
TiresCheck all the tires for heavy tread wear or uneven wear pat-
terns. Look for stones, nails, glass, or other objects stuck in the
tread. Look for any tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check the
wheel nuts for tightness, and the tires for proper pressures.
Replace your tires before they are heavily worn out.
As your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, there is a risk of damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensors when the tire is replaced on the rim. Tire replacement
should, therefore, be performed only by a certified i-MiEV
dealer.LightsHave someone watch while you turn all the exterior lights on
and off. Also check the turn signal indicators and high-beam
indicators on the instrument panel. Fluid leaksCheck the ground under the vehicle after parking overnight, for
water, oil, or other leaks. Make sure all the fluid levels are cor-
rect.
Safe driving techniques
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Even this vehicle’s safety equipment, and your safest driving,
cannot guarantee that you can avoid an accident or injury.
However, if you give extra attention to the following areas, you
can better protect yourself and your passengers:
Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and weather
conditions. Leave plenty of stopping distance between
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and use your
turn signal light.
While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers, bicy-
clists, and pedestrians.
Always obey applicable laws and regulations. Be a polite
and alert driver. Always leave room for unexpected
events, such as sudden braking.
BK0140800US.book 6 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Driving safety
4-11
4
This placard shows the maximum number of occupants permit-
ted to ride in your vehicle as well as “the combined weight of
occupants and cargo” (C), which is called the vehicle capacity
weight. This placard also tells you the size and recommended
inflation pressure for the original equipment tires on your vehi-
cle. For more information, refer to “Tires” on page 7-18.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
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1.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be
five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650
lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Con-
sult this manual to determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
NOTE
The above steps for determining correct load limit
were written in accordance with U.S.A. regulations.
For your vehicle, please determine correct load limit
bearing in mind the following differences:
• Your vehicle’s seating capacity is 4 people.
•Your vehicle cannot tow a trailer, so step 6 is irrele-
vant.
BK0140800US.book 11 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
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
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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.
BK0140800US.book 7 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
For emergencies
6-15
6
13. Pull out the compressor hose (M) from the side of the tire
compressor, and then securely attach the hose to the tire
valve (H).14. Place the compressor (N) with its air pressure gauge (O)
on top.
Pull out the compressor’s power cord (P), insert the plug
on the cord into the 12 V power outlet (Q), and then turn
the electric motor switch to the “ACC” position.
Turn ON the compressor switch (R) and inflate the tire to
the specified pressure. (Refer to “Tire inflation pressures”
on page 7-21.)
If there is a gap between the tire and wheel, push the tread
area toward the center of the wheel to close the gap before
running the compressor.
BK0140800US.book 15 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
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.
BK0140800US.book 16 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
6-18 For emergencies
6
18. When you have inflated the tire to the specified pressure,
stow the compressor, bottle, and other items in the vehicle
and make sure that the seat cushion is properly secured.
(Refer to “Tire repair kit storage” on page 6-8.) Promptly
start driving the vehicle so that the tire sealant can spread
evenly in the tire. Drive with great care. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Observe local speed limits.19. After driving for 10 minutes or 3 miles (5 km), park the
vehicle in safe place. Remove the air compressor from the
stowed position. (Refer to “Tire repair kit storage” on
page 6-8.) Check the tire pressure using the air pressure
gauge on the compressor. (Refer to “Tire inflation pres-
sures” on page 7-21.)
If the tire pressure is not sufficient, inflate the tire to the
specified pressure again and drive the vehicle carefully
without exceeding a speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Before driving, stow the compressor and make sure that
the rear seat cushion is properly secured. (Refer to “Tire
repair kit storage” on page 6-8.)
CAUTION
!If you sense any abnormality while driving, stop the
vehicle and contact a certified i-MiEV dealer. Other-
wise the tire pressure may drop before the emer-
gency repair procedure is completed, rendering the
vehicle unsafe to drive.
CAUTION
!If the tire pressure is lower than the minimum per-
mitted pressure (18 psi {130 kPa}), the tire cannot
successfully be repaired with the tire sealant. Do not
drive the vehicle any further. Contact a certified i-
MiEV dealer.
BK0140800US.book 18 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
For emergencies
6-19
6
20. After driving for 10 minutes or 3 miles (5 km) again,
check the tire pressure using the air pressure gauge on the
compressor. (Refer to “Tire inflation pressures” on page
7-21.) If the tire pressure has apparently not dropped, the
emergency repair procedure is complete. Before driving,
make sure that the compressor is stowed and the seat
cushion is properly secured. You must still not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Observe local speed limits.NOTEIf the tire pressure has dropped below the specified level
when you check it at the end of the repair procedure, do
not drive the vehicle any further. Contact a certified i-
MiEV dealer.
In cold conditions (when the ambient temperature is 32 °F
{0 °C} or lower), the time and driving distance necessary
until completion of the repair can become longer than in
warmer conditions, and the tire pressure may drop below
the specified level even after you have inflated the tire the
second time and subsequently driven the vehicle. If this
happens, inflate the tire to the specified pressure once
more, drive for about 10 minutes or 3 miles (5 km), then
check the tire pressure again. If the tire pressure has again
dropped below the specified level, stop driving the vehicle
and contact a certified i-MiEV dealer.
Please give the empty sealant bottle to a certified i-MiEV
dealer or dispose of the sealant bottle according to regula-
tions for the disposal of chemical waste.
To w i n g
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If your vehicle needs to be towedIf you need to tow your vehicle, contact a certified i-MiEV
dealer or a commercial tow truck service.
Transport the vehicle on a flatbed truck or tow the vehicle
either with all wheels or the rear wheels (drive wheels) off the
ground.Flat bed type
Dolly type
Towing with rear wheels off the ground
BK0140800US.book 19 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分