2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV Owners Manual

3-44 Features and controls
3Electric power steering system (EPS)
N00568400045
The electric power steering system (EPS) operates while the
electric motor unit is running.
The EPS uses an electric motor to assist the turning of the
steering wheel.
The EPS has mechanical steering capability in case the power
assist is lost. If the power assist is lost for some reason, you
will still be able to steer your vehicle. If the power assist is lost,
you will notice it takes much more effort to steer and that there
is much more “free play” in the steering wheel. If this happens,
take your vehicle to a certified i-MiEV dealer.NOTE
During repeated full-lock turning of the steering wheel
(for example, while you are maneuvering the vehicle into
a parking space), a protection function may be activated to
prevent overheating of the power steering system. This
function will make the steering wheel gradually harder to
turn. In this event, limit your turning of the steering wheel
for a while. When the system has cooled down, the steer-
ing effort will return to normal.
Rear
WA R N I N G
!
Do not turn the key from the ON position while the
vehicle is moving. Stopping the electric motor unit
would make the steering wheel extremely hard to
turn, possibly resulting in an accident.
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Features and controls
3-45
3

If you turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is station-
ary with the headlights on, the headlights may become
dim. This behavior is not abnormal. The headlights will
return to their original brightness after a short while.Electric power steering system warning light
N00574400011
If there is a malfunction in the system, the warning light will
come on.
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on when the
electric motor switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes
off a few seconds later.
If the warning light appears while driving
N00574500012
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place, put the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position and turn off the electric motor
unit.
2. Restart the electric motor unit to check whether the warn-
ing light goes out; if it then remains off, there is no prob-
lem.
If the warning light does not go out, or it appears again
while driving, we recommend you to have your vehicle
inspected.
CAUTION
!
If the warning light appears during driving, it may
become harder to turn the steering wheel.
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3-46 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00559100163
The active stability control (ASC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock braking system, traction control function and skid
control function to help maintain the vehicle’s control. Also
refer to the following pages on the anti-lock braking system,
traction control function and skid control function.
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) → P. 3 - 4 1
Traction control function → P. 3 - 4 6
Skid control function → P. 3 - 4 7
NOTE
An operation noise may be emitted from under the hood in
the following situations. The sound is associated with
checking the operations of the ASC. At this time, you may
feel a shock from the brake pedal if you depress it. These
do not indicate a malfunction.
• When the electric motor switch is set to the “ON” posi-
tion.
• When the vehicle is driven for a while after the electric
motor unit is turned on.

When the ASC is activated, you may feel a vibration in
the vehicle body or hear a whining sound from under the
hood.
This indicates that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.

When the anti-lock braking system warning light is illu-
minated, the ASC is not active.Traction control function
N00559200050
On slippery surfaces, the traction control function prevents the
drive wheels from spinning excessively, thus helping the vehi-
cle to start moving from a stopped condition. It also provides
sufficient driving force and steering performance as the vehicle
turns while pressing the acceleration pedal.
CAUTION
!
Do not over-rely on the ASC. Even the ASC cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle. This system, like any other system, has
limits and cannot help you to maintain traction and
control of the vehicle in all circumstances. Reckless
driving can lead to accidents. It is the driver’s
responsibility to drive carefully. This means taking
into account the traffic, road and environmental
conditions.
Be sure to use the specified type and size of tire on
all four wheels. Otherwise, the ASC may not work
properly.
Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ASC may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!
When driving a vehicle on a snowy or icy road, be
sure to install snow tires and drive the vehicle at
moderate speeds.
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Features and controls
3-47
3
Skid control function
N00546800049
The skid control function is designed to help the driver main-
tain control of the vehicle on slippery roads or during rapid
steering maneuvers. It works by controlling the electric motor
unit output and the brake on each wheel.NOTE
The skid control function operates at speeds of about 9
mph (15 km/h) or higher.
ASC OFF switch
N00559400238
The ASC is automatically activated when the electric motor
switch is turned to the “ON” position. You can deactivate the
system by pressing down the ASC OFF switch for 3 seconds or
longer.
When the ASC is deactivated, the indicator will be illumi-
nated. To reactivate the ASC, momentarily press the ASC OFF
switch; the indicator is turned off.
CAUTION
!
For safety reasons, the ASC OFF switch should be
operated when your vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep the ASC on while driving in normal
circumstances.
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3-48 Features and controls
3
NOTE
Using the ASC OFF switch turns off both the skid control
function and the traction control function.

When moving out of mud, sand or fresh snow, pressing
the accelerator pedal may not allow the electric motor
speed to increase. In such situations, temporarily deacti-
vate the ASC, using the ASC OFF switch.

If you continue to press the ASC OFF switch after the
ASC is turned off, the “mistaken operation protection
function” will activate and the ASC will turn back on.
ASC indicator, ASC OFF indicator
N00546900053
The indicators should illuminate when the electric motor
switch is turned to the “ON” position, and should turn off after
a few seconds.
If the indicator stays on or does not illuminate when the elec-
tric motor switch is turned to the “ON” position, have the vehi-
cle inspected by a certified i-MiEV dealer as soon as possible.
indicator blinks when the ASC is operating.
indicator is illuminated when the ASC is deactivated.
CAUTION
!
When indicator blinks, the ASC is operating,
which means that the road is slippery or that your
vehicle’s wheels are beginning to slip. If this hap-
pens, drive slower.
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Features and controls
3-49
3 Tire pressure monitoring system
N00530200426
The tire pressure monitoring system uses tire inflation pressure
sensors (A) on the wheels to monitor the tire inflation pres-
sures. The system only indicates when a tire is significantly
under-inflated.
CAUTION
!
If an abnormal condition occurs in the system while
driving, the and indicators will illuminate.
In these cases, follow these procedures:
• Park your vehicle in a safe place and stop the elec-
tric motor unit. Restart the electric motor unit
again and check whether the and indicators
go out. If these indicators go out, there is no abnor-
mal condition.
If the and indicators remain on even after
your vehicle is driven a short distance after re-
starting the electric motor unit, have the vehicle
inspected by a certified i-MiEV dealer as soon as
possible.

When towing the vehicle with only the rear wheels
raised off the ground, do not place the electric motor
switch in the “ON” position. Placing the electric
motor switch in the “ON” position could cause the
ASC to operate, resulting in an accident.
For details, refer to “Towing” on page 6-19.
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3-50 Features and controls
3
NOTE
The tire pressure monitoring system is not a substitute for
regularly checking tire inflation pressures.
Be sure to check the tire inflation pressures as described in
“Tires” on page 7-18.

The tire inflation pressure sensor (A) is installed in the
illustrated location. Replace grommet (B) with a new one
when the tire is replaced.
For details, please contact a certified i-MiEV dealer.
Tire pressure monitoring system warning light
N00554800136
When the electric motor switch is turned to the “ON” position,
this light normally illuminates and goes off a few seconds later.
If one or more of the vehicle tires is significantly under-
inflated, however, this light will remain illuminated while the
electric motor switch is in the “ON” position.
Refer to “If the warning light illuminates while driving” on
page 3-52 and take the necessary measures.
CAUTION
!
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
does not illuminate when the electric motor switch is
turned to the “ON” position, it means that the tire
pressure monitoring system is not working properly.
Have the system inspected by a certified i-MiEV
dealer.
In such situations, a malfunctioning of the system
may be preventing the monitoring of the tire pres-
sure. Avoid sudden braking, sharp turning and
high-speed driving.
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Features and controls
3-51
3
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.

If a malfunction is detected in the tire pressure mon-
itoring system, the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light will blink for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated. The
warning light will issue further warnings each time
the electric motor unit is restarted as long as the
malfunction exists.
Check to see whether the warning light goes off after
few minutes of driving.
If it then goes off during driving, there is no prob-
lem.
However, if the warning light does not go off, or if it
blinks again when the electric motor unit is
restarted, have the vehicle inspected by a certified i-
MiEV dealer.
In such situations, a malfunctioning of the system
may be preventing the monitoring of the tire pres-
sure. For safety reasons, when the warning light
appears while driving, avoid sudden braking, sharp
turning and high-speed driving.
CAUTION
!
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