2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV light

6 Quick index
Problem
Do this
Ref. page
The brakes are not functioning
properly after driving through
water. Dry out the brakes by driving slowly while lightly pressing the brake pedal. P.4-8
A tire is punctured.
1. Park the vehicle in a safe place where the surface is flat and level.
2. Repair the flat tire with tire repair kit.P. 6 - 7BK0140800US.book 6 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

1-2 General information/Charging
1Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV
N01200100013
i-MiEV is a pure electric vehicle. Some of the vehicle systems
operate differently from and have different characteristics than
ordinary vehicles equipped with an internal combustion
engine. For this reason, it is very important to read carefully
this entire owner’s manual.Main features
N01200200014

i-MiEV is powered only by electricity. This vehicle does
not emit exhaust gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitro-
gen oxide.

The i-MiEV uses electricity stored in the lithium ion bat-
tery. The lithium-ion battery is called the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery. This vehicle does not have an internal
combustion engine and does not require gasoline or diesel
fuel.

The main drive lithium-ion battery must be charged with
electricity to drive the vehicle. As the vehicle operates, the
main drive lithium-ion battery gradually discharges. If the
main drive lithium-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged, the vehicle will not operate until it is re-charged.
The charging process can take up to 23 hours as described
more precisely in this manual.

This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is 12V
starter battery that is the same type of the battery used in
ordinary vehicles. It is called the 12V starter battery. The
other battery which propels the vehicle is called the main
drive lithium-ion battery.

The 12V starter battery provides power to the vehicle sys-
tems and features such as the audio system, supplemental
restraint systems, headlights and windshield wiper.
The main drive lithium-ion battery provides power to the
electric motor that propels the vehicle and charges the
12V starter battery.

Through a process called regenerative braking, the main
drive lithium-ion battery is automatically charged, while
the vehicle is decelerating or being driven downhill.
NOTE
If the 12V starter battery is discharge, the electric motor
unit cannot be started. And also the main drive lithium-ion
battery cannot be charged.
WA R N I N G
!
Pay special attention to pedestrians. Because there is
no engine noise, pedestrians may not know the vehi-
cle is approaching and may step into the path of
vehicle travel. Refer to “Approaching vehicle audi-
ble system (AVAS)” on page 3-38.
When leaving the vehicle, always turn off the elec-
tric motor switch. Refer to “Electric motor switch”
on page 3-30.
When parking, to avoid unintended vehicle move-
ment, always move the selector lever to “P” (PARK)
position and apply the parking brake because the
vehicle can move when the ready indicator light is
ON. When the ready indicator light is ON, do not
leave the selector lever in a position other than the
“P” (PARK) position. For the ready indicator, refer
to “Indicator and warning light package” on page 3-
71.
BK0140800US.book 2 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

1-6 General information/Charging
1
Range-Driving conditions
N01205900016
Shorten
driving
range

Lengthen
driving
range
Range Reducing Condition Range Extending
High acceleration, speed Driving style Low acceleration, speed
Heater on Heater usageHeater off
(or use seat heater)
A/C on A/C usage A/C off
Highway City/Highway City
Heavy payload Payload Light payload
Windy, wet Weather Calm, dry
Uphill, rough Road conditions Flat/Downhill, smooth
D-mode Drive mode (Eco or B mode)
BK0140800US.book 6 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

1-10 General information/Charging
1Cautions and actions to deal with intense heat
N01201000019

When the vehicle is driven in a high ambient temperature, its air-conditioner performance can be insufficient. Also, using the
air conditioner will reduce the vehicle’s cruising range.

When the ambient temperature is approximately 104 °F (40 °C) or higher, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the described actions.

Even if the ambient temperature is approximately 104 °F (40 °C) or lower, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the described actions.Approx. ambi-
ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx. 104 °F
(40 °C) or higherStartup and driving •
•During quick charging (if so equipped), repeated high-
speed driving, or repeated uphill driving, the power down
warning light* comes on and the motor output is restricted
to protect the main drive lithium-ion battery or motor
(electric motor unit).
Regenerative braking performance may decrease. When
braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly.• Stop the vehicle in a safe
place for a while, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
Charging and bat-
tery• During quick charging (if so equipped), charging times get
longer.
BK0140800US.book 10 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

General information/Charging
1-11
1
NOTE
*: Refer to “Power down warning light” on page 3-75. Illumination of the power down warning light does not indicate a mal-
function.Approx.113 °F
(45 °C) or higherStartup and driving •
•During quick charging (if so equipped), repeated high-
speed driving, or repeated uphill driving, the power down
warning light* comes on and the motor output is restricted
to protect the main drive lithium-ion battery and/or motor
(electric motor unit).
Regenerative braking performance may decrease. When
braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly.• Stop the vehicle in a safe
place for a while, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
• If you continue driving after the power down warning
light* comes on, the vehicle may stop after you have
driven a few miles/kilometres.
Charging and bat-
tery•
•The EV charging cable (regular charging cable) cannot be
used.
During quick charging (if so equipped), charging times get
longer.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place.
• The main drive lithium-ion battery capacity is decreased
more quickly, and the cruising range is decreased.Approx. 140 °F
(60 °C) or higherStartup and driving • The power down warning light* comes on, and the vehicle
may stop.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place, avoid quick
charging (if so equipped), and
wait for the power down
warning light* to go off.
Charging and bat-
tery•
•The EV charging cable (regular charging cable) cannot be
used.
Quick charging (if so equipped) may become impossible.• Park in a safe, well-ventilated
and shady place.Approx. ambi-
ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
BK0140800US.book 11 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

1-12 General information/Charging
1Cautions and actions to deal with intense cold
N01201100010

When the vehicle is driven in a low ambient temperatures, its heater performance can be insufficient. Also, using the heater
can reduce the vehicle’s cruising range.

When the ambient temperature is approximately 5 °F (-15 °C) or lower, the phenomena described below may occur. Please
take the corrective actions described below.Approx. ambi-
ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx.5 °F (-
15 °C) or lowerStartup and
driving• Motor output is restricted, and the power down warning
light*
1 may come on.
perature is 5 °F (-15 °C) or lower and the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery’s remaining power is 50 %, the driving
performance may decrease by approximately 30 %>• Keep driving if you can drive at a
safe speed.
If you cannot drive at a safe speed,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery•
•Charging times get longer.
Complete charging may not be possible.• When you have finished driving,
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery before battery temperature
falls.
BK0140800US.book 12 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

General information/Charging
1-13
1
Approx.-13 °F
(-25 °C) or
lowerStartup and
driving• Motor output is restricted, and the power down warning
light*
1 may come on.
perature is -13 °F (-25 °C) or lower and the main drive
lithium-ion battery’s remaining power is 50 %, the driving
performance may decrease by approximately 50 %>• Keep driving if you can drive at the
same speed as surrounding vehicles.
If you cannot drive the same speed
as surrounding vehicles, stop the
vehicle in a safe place and charge
the main drive lithium-ion battery.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery• Charging may become impossible. • When you have finished driving,
charge the main drive lithium-ion
battery before battery temperature
falls.
Approx. -22 °F
(-30 °C) or
lowerStartup and
driving•
•The ready indicator*
2 does not come on, and startup may
not be possible.
In the worst-case scenario, the vehicle may become
undrivable (with the energy level gauge and cruising
range indications still shown).• In the daytime, wait for the tempera-
ture to rise. When the temperature in
the vicinity of the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery has risen, begin
charging.
• Regenerative braking performance may decrease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly
Charging and
battery• Charging may become impossible • In the daytime, wait for the tempera-
ture to rise. When the temperature in
the vicinity of the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery has risen, begin
charging.
Approx. ambi-
ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
BK0140800US.book 13 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

1-14 General information/Charging
1
NOTE
*
1: Refer to “Power down warning light” on page 3-75. Illumination of the power down warning light does not indicate a mal-
function.

*2: Refer to “Ready indicator” on page 3-72.
BK0140800US.book 14 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分