Page 179 of 442
3-30 Features and controls
3Electric motor switch
N00571500011
LOCKThe steering wheel is locked. The key can be inserted and
removed only when the switch is in this position. ACCThe ready indicator is not illuminated, but the audio system
and other electric devices can be operated.ON The electric motor unit is running, and all the vehicle’s electri-
cal devices can be operated.
START The electric motor unit operates. After the electric motor unit
has started, release the key and it will automatically return to
the “ON” position.NOTEYour vehicle is equipped with an electronic immobilizer.
To start the electric motor unit, the ID code which the
transponder inside the key sends must match the one
registered to the immobilizer computer.
(Refer to “Electronic immobilizer” on page 3-3.)ACC power auto-cutout function
N00573800021
After about 30 minutes has elapsed with the electric motor
switch in the “ACC” position, the function automatically cuts
out the power for the audio system and other electric devices
that can be operated with that position.
When the electric motor switch is turned from the “ACC” posi-
tion, the power is supplied again to those devices.NOTEIt is possible to modify functions as follows:
• The ACC power auto-cutout function can be deactivated
by a certified i-MiEV dealer.To remove the key
N00571600025
When removing the key, first set the selector lever to the “P”
(PARK) position, and then turn the key to the “LOCK” position
and remove it.
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Features and controls
3-31
3
Key reminder buzzer
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If the driver’s door is opened while the electric motor switch is
in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position, a tone will sound.
CAUTION
!Do not remove the key from the electric motor
switch while driving. The steering wheel will lock,
causing loss of control.If the ready indicator is turned off while driving, the
power brake booster will stop functioning and brak-
ing efficiency will be reduced. Also, the power steer-
ing system will not function and it will require
greater effort to manually steer the vehicle.Do not leave the key in the “ON” position for a long
time when the electric motor unit is not running.
This will cause the 12V starter battery to run down.
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3-32 Features and controls
3Steering wheel lock
N00512500209
To l o c kRemove the key at the “LOCK” position.
Turn the steering wheel until it is locked.To unlockTurn the key to the “ACC” position while moving the steering
wheel slightly.
NOTEIf the front wheels are turned, the anti-theft lock may
sometimes make it difficult to turn the key from “LOCK”
position to “ACC” position. Firmly turn the steering
wheel to the left or to the right as you turn the key.
CAUTION
!Remove the key when leaving the vehicle.If your vehicle needs to be towed, turn the key to the
“ACC” position to unlock the steering wheel.
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Features and controls
3-33
3 Starting the electric motor unit
N00571800014
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened.
2. Insert the key.
3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
5. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
6. Turn the key to the “ON” position and make certain that
all warning lights are functioning properly before starting
the electric motor unit.
7. Turn the key to the “START” position for one to two sec-
onds, and slowly return it to its original position. When
you hear the startup sound and the ready indicator comes
on, startup of the electric motor unit is complete.Electric motor reminderIf the driver’s door is opened while the key is in the “ON” posi-
tion, the electric motor reminder buzzer sounds intermittently
to remind the key is in the electric motor switch.
Transmission
N00513200203
Selector lever operation
N00513800371
CAUTION
!Never attempt to start the electric motor unit by
pushing or pulling the vehicle.
While depressing the brake pedal, move the selector
lever through the gate.
Move the selector lever through the gate.
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Features and controls
3-37
3
Operation of the transmission
N00514500359
Waiting
N00515000087
For short waiting periods, such as at traffic signals the vehicle
can be left in selector lever position and held stationary with
the service brake.
For longer waiting periods with the electric motor unit running,
place the selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL) position and
apply the parking brake, while holding the vehicle stationary
with the service brake.
Parking
N00515100075
To park the vehicle, first bring it to a complete stop, fully
engage the parking brake, and then move the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position.
If you are going to leave the vehicle unattended, always switch
off the electric motor unit and carry the key.NOTEOn 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.
CAUTION
!Before selecting a position with the electric motor
unit running and the vehicle stationary, fully
depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from
creeping.
The vehicle will begin to move as soon as the trans-
mission is engaged, the brakes should only be
released when you are ready to drive away.Depress the brake pedal with the right foot at all
times.
Using the left foot could cause driver movement
delay in case of an emergency.Operating the accelerator pedal while the other foot
is resting on the brake pedal will affect braking effi-
ciency and may cause premature wear of brake
pads.
CAUTION
!Never hold the vehicle stationary on a hill with the
accelerator. Always apply the parking brake and/or
service brake.
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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.NOTEDuring 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
3-79
3
NOTEThe sensitivity of the automatic on/off control can be
adjusted.
For further information, please contact a certified i-MiEV
dealer.
Do not place anything on the sensor (A), and do not clean
with a glass cleaner. Clean only with clear water.
If the lights do not turn on or off with the switch in the
“AUTO” position, manually operate the switch. Have the
system checked by a certified i-MiEV dealer.
Light auto-cutout function (headlights and other
lights)
N00532600554
If the key is turned to “LOCK” or “ACC” position or
removed from the electric motor switch and the driver’s
door is opened with the combination headlights and dim-
mer switch in the “ ” or “ ” position, the lights auto-
matically turn off.
• If the driver’s door is opened after the key is removed
from the electric motor switch, a buzzer will sound to
remind you to turn off the lights.
• If the driver’s door is opened with the key in the electric
motor switch, a buzzer will sound intermittently to
remind you to remove the key.
If the key is turned to “LOCK” or “ACC” position with
the driver’s door closed and the combination headlights
and dimmer switch in the “ ” or “ ” position, the
lights will stay on for about 3 minutes and then turn off
automatically. NOTEThe light auto-cutout function can be deactivated.
See a certified i-MiEV dealer for details.
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3-80 Features and controls
3
When you want to keep the lights on: If the combination headlights and dimmer switch is turned to
the “ ” or “ ” position again after the electric motor
switch is turned to “LOCK” or “ACC”position, the auto-cutout
function described above will not work. The lights (the parking
lights, tail lights and license plate lights) will stay on and will
not turn off automatically. NOTEIf the driver’s door is opened and the key is removed, the
headlight reminder buzzer will sound. If the key is still in
the electric motor switch the key reminder buzzer will
sound intermittently.
The buzzer stops when the driver’s door is closed.
Headlight reminder buzzer
N00549800213
If the driver’s door is opened with the key removed from the
electric motor switch while the lights are on, the buzzer will
sound to remind you to turn off the lights.
The lights and buzzer will turn off automatically.
Or you can turn the combination headlights and dimmer switch
to the “OFF” position to stop the buzzer.
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