2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV ESP

5-44 Comfort controls
5
Causes of disturbancesFM reception is affected by the electrical systems of vehicles in
the vicinity, especially those without an electronic noise sup-
pression device. The disturbance is even greater if the station is
weak or poorly tuned.
FM reception is not as sensitive to electrical disturbances as
AM. AM reception is sensitive to electrical disturbances such
as power lines, lightning and other types of similar electrical
phenomena.BK0140800US.book 44 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

For emergencies
6-23
6
On snowy or icy roads
When driving on a road covered with snow or ice, use
snow tires. Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle.
There may be state or local regulations about using snow
tires. Always check the regulations in your local area
before using them. Refer to the section entitled “Snow
tires” on page 7-24 and “Tire chains” on page 7-24.

Drive slowly. Do not make sudden starts or stops, sharp
turns, or slam on the brakes.

Allow extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you, and avoid sudden braking.

If a skid occurs when the accelerator pedal is depressed,
take your foot off the pedal. Steer gently in the direction
of the skid.

Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system
(ABS), hold the brake pedal down firmly and keep it
depressed. Do not pump the brake pedal which will result
in reduced braking performance.

After parking on snowy or icy road, it may be difficult to
move your vehicle due to freeze-up of the brake. Depress
the accelerator pedal little by little to move the vehicle
after confirming safety of the vehicle.
On a bumpy or rutted road
Drive as slow as possible when driving on bumpy or rut-
ted roads or over potholes etc.
CAUTION
!
Do not depress the accelerator pedal rapidly. The
vehicle could start moving when it breaks free from
the ice, possibly resulting in an accident.
CAUTION
!
Driving on bumpy, rutted roads or over potholes can
damage the tires and wheels.
Wheels with low-profiles tires or under-inflated tires
are especially at risk for damage.
The vehicle’s body, bumper, muffler and other parts
may be damaged if the vehicle is:
• driven over a step (for example, at the entrance or
exit of a parking lot);
• parked too closely against a curb or parking block,
or by the side of a road with curbstones;
• driven on a steep slope.
BK0140800US.book 23 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

7-14 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTE
Be sure to install the plastic nut in the correct direction.Checking 12V starter battery electrolyte level
N00901500056
Before checking the 12V starter battery electrolyte level,
remove the 12V starter battery’s upper cover.
The electrolyte level must be between the limits shown on the
outside of the 12V starter battery. Fill it with distilled water as
needed. The inside of the 12V starter battery is divided into
several compartments. Take the cap off of each compartment
and fill to the mark.
Do not fill above the top line because a spill during driving
could cause damage.
CAUTION
!
Be sure to install the 12V starter battery upper
cover. Otherwise, the battery electrolyte may spill
and cause a malfunction.
When installing the 12V starter battery upper cover
and plastic nut do not touch the cooling fan or other
moving parts under the hood.
Be especially careful that the cables, your clothing
or hair, etc., do not get caught in the cooling fan or
other moving parts.
WA R N I N G
!
If the 12V starter battery goes flat, be sure to check
the 12V starter battery electrolyte level before con-
necting booster cables.
After checking the 12V starter battery electrolyte
level, make sure the caps are fitted securely.
If any of the caps cannot be re-secured to the 12V
starter battery, replace the 12V starter battery.
BK0140800US.book 14 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-15
7
During cold weather
N00901600057
The 12V starter battery is weaker in cold temperatures. This
has to do with its chemical and physical properties and is why a
very cold 12V starter battery, especially one with a low charge,
will have a hard time starting your vehicle.
It is recommended that you have your 12V starter battery and
charging system checked by a certified i-MiEV dealer before
the start of cold weather. If necessary, have it charged. This
will guarantee more reliable starting, and longer 12V starter
battery life.

Electrolyte (battery acid) is made of corrosive
diluted sulfuric acid. If it spills on nearby parts, it
can crack, stain, or discolor them. And if gets on
your skin or in your eyes, it can cause burns or
blindness. Please observe the following handling
instructions:
• If electrolyte gets on plastic parts or other nearby
parts, wipe it off with a soft cloth or chamois
soaked in a solution of water and neutral detergent
then immediately rinse the affected parts with
plenty of water.
• If electrolyte gets on your hands or clothes, rinse
thoroughly with water. If electrolyte gets in your
eyes, flush them with water immediately and get
immediate medical attention.WA R N I N G
!
BK0140800US.book 15 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

7-20 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Service DescriptionEXAMPLE: 95H
Maximum Load
Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is
designed to carry.Maximum Pressure
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire but
the date code may only be on one side. Look for the TIN
on the outboard side of tires as mounted on the vehicle. If
the TIN is not found on the outboard side then you will
find it on the inboard side of the tire.
EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504

95Load index
A numerical code associated with the maxi-
mum load a tire can carry.
HSpeed symbol
A symbol indicating the range of speeds at
which a tire can carry a load corresponding to
its load index under certain operating condi-
tions.
The maximum speed corresponding to the
speed symbol should only be achieved under
specified operating conditions. (i.e. tire pres-
sure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits)
WA R N I N G
!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Over-
loading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle
handling, and increase your stopping distance.
Use tires of the recommended load capacity for
your vehicle. Never overload them.
DOTDepartment of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with the U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion tire safety standards, and is approved for
highway use.
MACode representing the tire manufacturing
location. (2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits)
15Number representing the week in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
04Number representing the year in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
BK0140800US.book 20 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-21
7
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature GradesTreadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and
C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Tire inflation pressures
N00939300860
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential for the safe and satis-
factory operation of your vehicle. The wrong tire pressure will
cause problems in three major areas:

Safety
Too little pressure increases flexing in the tire and can
cause tire failure. Too much pressure can cause a tire to
lose its ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and
potholes could then cause tire damage that may result in
tire failure.

Economy
The wrong tire pressure can cause uneven wear patterns in
the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
the tread life, and the tire will have to be replaced sooner.
Too little pressure also makes it harder for the tire to roll,
and this uses up more power.

Ride comfort and vehicle stability
The superior riding experience built into your vehicle
partly depends on the correct tire pressure. Too much
pressure gives an uncomfortable and jarring ride. Too lit-
tle pressure feels as if your vehicle is slow to respond.
Unequal tire pressures can make steering your vehicle
uneven and unpredictable.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the plac-
ard attached to the sill of the driver’s door.
(Refer to “Tire and loading information placard” on page 9-4.)
BK0140800US.book 21 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-31
7
*: Fusible link

Some fuses may not be installed on your vehicle, depend-
ing on the vehicle model or specifications.

The table above shows the main equipment corresponding
to each fuse.
No.
Symbol
Electrical system
Capacity
1 Tail light (left) 7.5 A
2Cigarette lighter/
12 V power outlet15 A
3 — — —
4Starter 7.5 A
5 Audio amplifier 20 A
6— — —
7 Tail light (right) 7.5 A
8 Outside rearview mirrors 7.5 A
9Control unit
(Electric motor unit)7.5 A
10 Control unit 7.5 A
11 Rear fog light 10 A
12 Door lock 15 A
13 Interior lights (Dome lights) 10 A
14 Rear window wiper 15 A
15 Gauges 7.5 A
16 Relay 7.5 A
17 Heated seat 20 A
18 Option 10 A
19Heated door outside rearview
mirrors7.5 A
20 Windshield wiper 20 A
21 Back-up lights 7.5 A
22 Defogger 30 A
23 Heater 30 A
24 12V starter battery 30 A*
25 Radio 10 A
26 Electronic controlled unit 15 A
27 — Electronic controlled unit 7.5 ANo.
Symbol
Electrical system
Capacity
BK0140800US.book 31 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分

7-32 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Under the hood fuse location table
*: Fusible link

Some fuses may not be installed on your vehicle, depend-
ing on the vehicle model or specifications.

The table above shows the main equipment corresponding
to each fuse.
No.
Symbol
Electrical system
Capacity
1— — —
2 12V starter battery 30 A*
3 Electric motor switch 40 A*
4 Radiator fan motor 40 A*
5 Power window control 40 A*
6 Brake electric vacuum pump 30 A*
7 Electric motor unit control 15 A
8 Stop lights (Brake lights) 15 A
9 Front fog lights 15 A
10Wa t e r p u m p
(Electric motor unit)15 A
11 Charge 10 A
12 Hazard warning flasher 10 A
13 Horn 10 A
14 Daytime running lights 10 A
15Main drive lithium-ion bat-
tery fan motor15 A
16Wa t e r p u m p
(Air conditioning)10 A
17 Headlight (low beam) (right) 20 A
18 Headlight (low beam) (left) 20 A
19 Headlight (high beam) (right) 10 A
20 Headlight (high beam) (left) 10 ANo.
Symbol
Electrical system
Capacity
BK0140800US.book 32 ページ ２０１１年９月２９日　木曜日　午後３時２８分