2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV maintenance

3-52 Features and controls
3
Under-inflation also reduces alternative fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction
indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may
not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ-
ing the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels
on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that
the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00532800484
1. If the low tire pressure monitoring system warning light
illuminates, avoid hard braking, sharp steering maneuvers
and high speeds. You should stop and adjust the tires to
the proper inflation pressure as soon as possible. Refer to
“Tires” on page 7-18.NOTE
When inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, to avoid
breakage, do not apply excessive force to the valve stem.

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, always
reinstall the valve cap on the valve stem.
Without the valve cap, dirt or moisture could get into the
valve, resulting in damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensor.

Do not use metal valve caps, which may cause a metal
reaction, resulting in corrosion and damage of the tire
inflation pressure sensors.

Once adjustments have been made, the warning light will
go off after a few minutes of driving.
2. If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
remains illuminated after you have been driving for about
20 minutes after you adjust the tire inflation pressure, one
or more of the tires may have a puncture. Inspect the tire
and if it has a puncture, have it repaired by a certified i-
MiEV dealer as soon as possible.
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Features and controls
3-63
3
Trip odometer
N00572400020
The trip odometer shows the distance traveled since the last
time it was reset.
There are two trip odometer displays: and .
Trip odometer can be used to measure the distance traveled
since the current trip began.
At the same time, Trip odometer can be used to measure
the distance from a second location.NOTE
Even if the electric motor switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position, the trip odometer will be displayed for
about 30 seconds after the reset button is pressed.
To reset the trip odometer
To zero the counter, press and hold the reset button for more
than 1 second. Only the currently displayed value will be reset.
If trip odometer is displayed, for example, only trip odom-
eter will be reset. NOTE
Both trip odometer and trip odometer can measure
trips up to 9999.9 miles/kilometers.

If the 12V starter battery is disconnected for a long time,
both of these displays will be reset to “0”.
Service reminder
N00572500021
The service reminder shows the driving distance or number of
months remaining until the next recommended periodic main-
tenance inspection is required.
When the next inspection is nearly due, the display shows “----
--”.NOTE
The service reminder time can be modified by a certified
i-MiEV dealer, to adjust for severe usage, etc. Refer to
“Severe maintenance schedule” in your vehicle’s War-
ranty and Maintenance Manual. For further information,
please contact a certified i-MiEV dealer.

Even if the electric motor switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position, the service reminder will be displayed
for about 30 seconds after reset button is pressed.
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Features and controls
3-65
3
Resetting the service reminder
With the electric motor switch in the “LOCK” position or the
“ACC” position, it is possible to reset the spanner mark (A)
and “------” indication (B).
When they have been reset, the driving distance or number of
months remaining until the next periodic inspection are shown
and the spanner mark (A) is no longer shown every time the
electric motor switch is turned from the “LOCK” position or
the “ACC” position to the “ON” position.1. Push the reset button (D) to view the driving distance or
number of months remaining until the next periodic
inspection.
2. Give the reset button (D) a long push (at least 2 seconds)
to make the spanner mark (A) start flashing. (If you do not
touch the reset button for about 10 seconds while the
spanner mark is flashing, the display will revert to its orig-
inal indication.)
3. Give the reset button (D) a gentle push while the spanner
mark is flashing. The “------” indication (B) will change to
“cLEAr” (C).
4. The driving distance or number of months remaining until
the next periodic inspection will be shown.
NOTE
It is not possible to reset the “------” indication (B) with
the electric motor switch in the “ON” position.

When a certain distance has been driven and a certain
period has elapsed after appearance of the “------” indica-
tion (B), the indication is automatically reset and the num-
ber of months until the next periodic inspection is shown.

If you accidentally reset the display, consult a certified
i-MiEV dealer for assistance.
CAUTION
!
The customer is responsible for making sure that
regular inspections and maintenance are performed.
Inspections and maintenance must be performed to
prevent accidents and malfunctions.
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4-2 Driving safety
4Economical driving
N00628500029
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
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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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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