2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV wheel

3-44 Features and controls
3Electric power steering system (EPS)
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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
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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
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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3-52 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
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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
3-53
3
NOTE
To avoid the risk of damage to the tire inflation pressure
sensors, have any punctured tire repaired by a certified i-
MiEV dealer. If the tire repair is not done by a certified i-
MiEV dealer, it is not covered by your warranty.

Do not use an aerosol puncture-repair spray on any tire.
Such a spray could damage the tire inflation pressure sen-
sors.

Using the tire repair kit may damage the tire inflation
pressure sensor. The vehicle must promptly be inspected
and repaired by a certified i-MiEV dealer after using the
tire repair kit.The tire pressure monitoring system may not work normally in
the following circumstances:

A wireless facility or device using the same frequency is
near the vehicle.

Snow or ice is stuck inside the fenders and/or on the
wheels.

The tire inflation pressure sensors’ battery is exhausted.

Wheels other than Mitsubishi Motors genuine wheels are
being used.

Wheels that are not fitted with tire inflation pressure sen-
sors are being used.

Wheels whose ID codes are not memorized by the vehicle
are used.

A window tint that affects the radio wave signals is
installed.
NOTE
Tire inflation pressures vary with the ambient tempera-
ture. If the vehicle is subjected to large variations in ambi-
ent temperature, the tire inflation pressures may be under-
inflated (causing the warning light to come on) when the
ambient temperature is relatively low. If the warning light
comes on, adjust the tire inflation pressure.
WA R N I N G
!
If the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
illuminates while you are driving, avoid hard brak-
ing, sharp steering maneuvers and high speeds.
Driving with an under-inflated tire adversely affects
vehicle performance and can result in an accident.
CAUTION
!
The tire pressure monitoring system warning light
may not illuminate immediately in the event of a tire
blowout or rapid leak.
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