2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV Owners Manual

7-6 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTE
If this does not close the hood properly, drop it again from
a slightly higher position.

Do not push down strongly on the hood. Depending on
how strongly or where you push down, you could create a
dent in the hood.
View under the hood and electric motor unit
room
N00937600696
Under the hood
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-7
7 Coolant/Hot water heater fluid
N00937800539
To check the coolant levelCoolant1. Open the liftgate.
1- Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2- 12V starter battery
3- Hot water heater reservoir
4- Brake fluid reservoir
5- Coolant reservoirElectric motor unit room
WA R N I N G
!
Before checking the coolant level, make sure the
electric motor switch is in the “Lock” position to
avoid the risk of an electrical shock that can result in
serious injury or death.
The room under the hood and the electric motor
unit room (located under the luggage room carpet)
can be very hot after driving. Wait until they have
cooled down.
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7-8 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
2. Peel off the Velcro fastener (A) to remove the luggage
room floor carpet (B).NOTE
A heat insulating material is attached to the luggage room
floor carpet. To remove the luggage floor carpet, grasp
and lift up both the carpet fabric and the heat insulating
material.3. Turn the 4 screws on the front and rear of the electric
motor unit room lid (C) counterclockwise to loosen and
remove them, and then remove the electric motor unit
room lid (C).
NOTE
When laying the electric motor unit room lid on the
ground, leave the underside of the lid with the rubber sur-
face facing up. If the underside is facing downward debris
and other foreign material could get on the rubber surface
and prevent proper reinstallation of the electric motor unit
room lid.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-9
7
4. Check the coolant level in the reservoir (D).
While the motor is cold, the coolant level must always be
between the “F (FULL)” and the “L (LOW)” marks. If
necessary, add coolant. Refer to “To add coolant” on page
7-10.
5. Reinstall the electric motor unit room lid and the luggage
room floor carpet by following the removal procedures in
reverse.
Hot water heater fluidThe reservoir (A) is located under the hood.
The coolant level in this reservoir should be kept between the
“F (FULL)” and the “L (LOW)” marks when measured while
the electric motor is cold. If necessary, add coolant. Refer to
“To add coolant” on page 7-10.
WA R N I N G
!
Never touch components inside the electric motor
unit room except the reservoir (D).
FULL
LOW
FULL
LOW
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7-10 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
To add coolant
N00955900011
Mitsubishi Genuine Coolant provides excellent protection
against corrosion and rust formation on all metals, including
aluminum.
If you need to add coolant often, the cooling system should be
pressure-tested for leaks. Take your vehicle to a certified i-
MiEV dealer for testing.
Reservoir cap
N00955800010
The reservoir cap (E) must be tightly sealed to prevent losing
coolant which may result in electric motor or nearby parts of
the room under the hood damage. Only use a Genuine
Mitsubishi Parts reservoir cap, or an approved equivalent.
Use “Dia Queen Super Long Life Coolant Premium” or an
equivalent*.
*: similar high quality ethylene glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrate and non-borate coolant with long life
hybrid organic acid technology
CAUTION
!
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
coolants that contain them. Using the wrong anti-
freeze can corrode aluminum parts.
The required concentration of anti-freeze differs
depending on the expected ambient temperature.
Above -31 °F (-35 °C): 50 % concentration of anti-
freeze
Below -31 °F (-35 °C): 60 % concentration of anti-
freeze
You can check the concentration level with a gauge
from an automotive supply store, or a certified i-
MiEV dealer or service station can check it for you.
Do not use water to adjust the concentration of cool-
ant.

Do not top off the tank with plain water only. Water
by itself boils at a lower temperature and does not
stop rust or freezing. If the water freezes, it will
damage your cooling system. Do not use tap water. It
can cause corrosion and rust.
WA R N I N G
!
Wait for the electric motor to cool down before
opening the reservoir cap. Otherwise hot steam or
boiling coolant could spray up from the reservoir
and scald you.
CAUTION
!
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-11
7
Points to remember
N00955700019

Do not overfill the reservoir.

Your vehicle uses a special reservoir cap that stays sealed
and keeps the pressure in the reservoir below the allow-
able pressure. If you need to change the cap, use the exact
same kind.

Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator with the
proper gauge, and only when it is safe. If you add anti-
freeze, the contents of the reservoir must be protected
against freezing.

Keep the front of the radiator and condenser clean.
Wa s h e r f l u i d
N00938600303
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is under the hood.
Check the washer fluid level at regular intervals and add
washer fluid to reservoir if necessary.
Open the reservoir cap and check the fluid level.During cold weatherWhen freezing weather is anticipated, flush out the water in the
reservoir by operating the pump. Fill the reservoir with
windshield antifreeze (not radiator antifreeze), and operate the
system for a few seconds to flush out the residual water.
FULL
1/2
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7-12 Vehicle care and maintenance
7Brake fluid
N00938700261
To check the fluid levelThe brake fluid level must be between the “MAX” and “MIN”
marks on the reservoir.
The brake fluid level falls slightly with wear of the brake pads,
but this does not indicate any abnormality.
The brake fluid in the master cylinder should be checked when
doing other work under the hood. The brake system should also
be checked for leaks at the same time.
If the brake fluid level falls markedly in a short length of time,
it indicates a leak in the brake system.
If this occurs, have the vehicle checked by a certified i-MiEV
dealer.
Fluid typeUse the recommended brake fluid conforming to DOT 3 or
DOT 4. The reservoir cap must be tightly sealed to keep dirt
and water out.
CAUTION
!
Do not let any petroleum-based fluid touch, mix
with, or get into the brake fluid. This will damage
the seals.
Be careful when handling brake fluid. It can damage
painted surfaces.
Use only the listed brake fluid. Different brands of
brake fluid have different additives, and these can
cause a chemical reaction. Do not mix brands of
brake fluid.
Keep the reservoir tank cap closed to keep the brake
fluid from evaporating.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-13
7 12V starter battery
N00939100914
The condition of the 12V starter battery is very important to
keep the vehicle’s electrical system working properly. Check
the 12V starter battery regularly. Removing and installing the 12V starter battery
upper cover
N00901300054
To r e m o v e1. Turn the plastic nut (A) counterclockwise, and then
remove the 12V starter battery upper cover (B).NOTE
Be careful not to lose the removed plastic nut.
To i n s t a l l1. Install the 12V starter battery upper cover (B) onto the
12V starter battery, and then push the plastic nut (A) in the
direction shown by the arrows to secure the cover.
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