2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV Owners Manual

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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Driving safety
4-9
4
Parking with the electric motor unit runningNever leave the electric motor unit running while you take a
short sleep/rest.Where you parkYour front bumper can be damaged if you scrape it over curbs
or parking stop blocks. Be careful when traveling up or down
steep slopes where your bumper can scrape the road.When leaving the vehicleAlways remove the key from the electric motor switch and
lock all doors and the liftgate when leaving the vehicle unat-
tended.
Always try to park your vehicle in a well lit area.Do not keep the steering wheel fully turned for a
long timeMore effort could be required to turn the steering wheel.
Refer to “Electric power steering system (EPS)” on page 3-44.
Loading information
N00629900411
It is very important to know how much weight your vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and non-factory-
installed options. The tire and loading information placard
located on the driver’s door sill of your vehicle will show how
much weight it may properly carry.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms
before loading your vehicle:

Vehicle maximum load on the tire: load on an individual
tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share
of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by
two.

Vehicle normal load on the tire: load on an individual tire
that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of
the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant
weight and dividing by two.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight: the sum of -
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight;
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production options weight.
WA R N I N G
!
Leaving the electric motor unit running when you
are not alert risks injury or death from accidentally
moving the selector lever.
WA R N I N G
!
Never overload your vehicle. Overloading can dam-
age your vehicle, adversely affect vehicle perfor-
mance, including handling and braking, cause tire
failure, and result in an accident.
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4-10 Driving safety
4

Curb weight: the weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity of oil, and
coolant.

Accessory weight: the combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be replaced) of automatic
transmission, power steering, power brakes, power win-
dows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as factory- installed equipment
(whether installed or not).

Vehicle capacity weight: the rated cargo and luggage load
plus 150 lbs (68 kg)* times the vehicle’s designated seat-
ing capacity.

Production options weight: the combined weight of those
installed regular production options weighing over 5 lbs
(2.3 kg) in excess of those standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty brakes, ride level-
ers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.

Normal occupant weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)* times the num-
ber of specified occupants. (In your vehicle the number is
2)

Occupant distribution: distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle as specified. (In your vehicle the distribution is 2 in
front seat)
Tire and loading information placard
N00630100370
The tire and loading information placard is located on the
driver’s door sill.
*: 150 lbs (68 kg) is the weight of one person as defined by
U.S.A. and Canadian regulations.
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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
N00630200081
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.
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4-12 Driving safety
4
NOTE
The following table shows examples on how to calculate total cargo/load capacity of your vehicle with varying seating config-
urations and number and size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating
and load capacity of your vehicle.

For the following example the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg).

Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear axles must not be
exceeded. For further information on GAWR’s, vehicle loading, see the “Specifications” section of this manual.
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Driving safety
4-13
4 Cargo loads
N00629700510
Cargo load precautionsTo determine the cargo load capacity for your vehicle, subtract
the weight of all vehicle occupants from the vehicle capacity
weight. For added information, if needed, refer to “Steps for
Determining Correct Load Limit” on page 4-11.
DO NOT USE the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross
Axle Weight Rating numbers listed on the safety certification
label located on the driver’s side door pillar as the guide for
passengers and/or cargo weight.
WA R N I N G
!
To reduce the risk of serious injury or death, the
combined weights of the driver, passengers and
cargo and must never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight.
Exceeding the vehicle capacity weight will adversely
affect vehicle performance, including handling and
braking, and may cause an accident.
Do not load cargo or luggage higher than the top of
the seatback. Be sure that your cargo or luggage
cannot move when your vehicle is in motion.
Having either the rear view blocked, or your cargo
being thrown inside the cabin if you suddenly have
to brake can cause a serious accident or injury or
death.
Put cargo or luggage in the cargo area of your vehi-
cle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
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4-14 Driving safety
4Trailer towing
N00629800188
Dinghy towing
N00630700015
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground.
WA R N I N G
!
Do not use this vehicle for trailer towing. It may not
be possible to maintain control or adequate braking.
CAUTION
!
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed
behind a motor home.
Dinghy towing can cause damage to the electric
motor unit. Damage caused by dinghy towing will
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
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5
Comfort controls
Vents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 2
Air conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 6
Important air conditioning operating tips . . . . . . .5- 17
Air purifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 18
Remote Climate Control (if so equipped) . . . . . . .5- 18
AM/FM electronically tuned radio with
CD player (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 18
To play iPod/USB memory device tracks via
voice operation (vehicles with Bluetooth
® 2.0
interface) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 30
Steering wheel audio remote control switch
(if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 34
Error codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 37
Handling of compact discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 38
Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 40
Clock (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5- 41
General information about your radio . . . . . . . . . .5- 42
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