2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV Owners Manual

1-18 General information/Charging
1Precautions during Charging the Main
Drive Lithium-ion Battery
N01202600012
WA R N I N G
!
Improper charging can result in a fire, property
damage, and serious injury or death.
Read the instructions described below carefully and
follow them. Also read and follow the instructions
for “Regular charging (charging method with rated
AC 120V outlet)” on page 1-20, Regular charging
(using 240V Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) on
page 1-32 and “Quick charging (charging method
with quick charger)” on page 1-33 before using the
charging device.
• Never connect or disconnect the charge connector
or plug with wet hands.
• Make sure there is no water or foreign materials in
the charge port, charge connector or plug, and
that they are not damaged or affected by rust or
corrosion. If any of these conditions are noticeable,
do not charge the main drive lithium-ion battery.
• Never touch the metal contacts of the charge port,
charge connector or plug.
• Never charge the main drive lithium-ion battery or
touch the vehicle when there is lightning. A light-
ning strike may back feed into the charger causing
damage and possible personal injury or death.
• Never disassemble or modify the charge port or
charging cable.
• If you notice unusual odor or smoke coming from
the vehicle, charging cable or plug, or if the charg-
ing cable or plug becomes hot to the touch, stop
charging immediately.

Individuals using an electro-medical apparatus such
as implantable pacemakers and implantable cardio-
vascular-defibrillators should check with the manu-
facturer of the apparatus to confirm the effect of the
electromagnetic waves from charging. The electro-
magnetic waves may affect the operations of the
electro-medical apparatus.
If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an
implantable cardiovascular defibrillator, while the
main drive lithium-ion battery is charging:
• Do not stay inside the vehicle.
• Do not go inside the vehicle, for example to remove
or place an item in the passenger compartment.
• Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove
or place an item in the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation of electric med-
ical devices and result in serious personal injury or
death.

Keep away from the cooling fan under the hood dur-
ing charging. During charging, the cooling fan may
automatically be operated even if the electric motor
switch is in the “LOCK” position.
WA R N I N G
!
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General information/Charging
1-19
1
NOTE
Repeatedly performing only quick charging (if so
equipped) can reduce the battery capacity. Regular charg-
ing is recommended unless quick charging is necessary.

To help maintain the capacity of the main drive lithium-
ion battery, the following is recommended:• Fully charge the vehicle by regular charging every 2
weeks.
• Do not repeat charging when the main drive lithium-ion
battery is at or near the full charge.

Both of the regular charging and quick charge cannot be
performed at the same time. The quick charging (if so
equipped) is given priority.

It is recommended that you perform regular charging from
2 bars or less on the energy level gauge to full at least
every three months. This lets the energy level gauge adjust
to decreases in battery capacity and correctly show the
remaining energy in the main drive lithium-ion battery.
CAUTION
!
To prevent damage to the charging equipment:
• Do not close the charge port lid without closing the
cap.
• Do not subject the charging equipment to impact.
• Do not pull or twist the charge cable.
• Do not drag the charge cable.
• Do not store charging equipment in locations
where the temperature is above 185 °F (85°C) or
below -40 °F (-40 °C).
• Do not place the charging equipment close to a
heater or other heat source.

Make sure the inner cap is closed on the charge port
when charging is finished. If the charge port lid is
closed when the cap is opened, water or foreign
materials may enter the charge port.
Do not charge when a vehicle body cover is in use.
This may cause damage to the charge connector.
Do not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12V
starter battery at the same time that the main drive
lithium-ion battery is being charged. Doing so may
damage the vehicle or charging cable and could
cause an injury. See “Jump-starting” in the “6. For
emergency” section.
Forcing the charge connector to connect may cause
damage to the charging equipment and vehicle.
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1-20 General information/Charging
1Regular charging (charging method with
rated AC 120 V outlet)
N01203100014
Carefully read instructions regarding “Precautions during
charging the main drive lithium-ion battery” on page 1-18 and
described in this section and also instructions on “EV charging
cable” on page 1-28 or instructions for a charging device you
use, and follow them.
NOTE
Your vehicle is equipped with an EV charging cable for
regular charging. Refer to “EV charging cable” on page 1-
28.

When connecting or disconnecting the regular charge con-
nector, insert/pull out the connector straight.
Also, do not incline or twist the connector.
Doing so could cause a bad connection or malfunction.

Make sure to lock the doors to prevent theft, etc. during
charging.
WA R N I N G
!
Improper charging can result in a fire, property
damage, and serious injury or death.
Always use an outlet protected by a ground-fault
circuit interrupter, rated AC 120V and for amper-
age equal to or greater than the value specified on
the charging device, and that is connected to a dedi-
cated branch circuit. If the circuit is shared, and
another electrical device is being used at the same
time the vehicle is charging, the breaker may trip,
the circuit may overheat resulting in a fire. The cir-
cuit may cause adverse interference on MCB (Moul-
ded Circuit Board) and to household electrical
appliances such as TVs and audio systems.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, connect only to a
properly grounded and waterproofed outlet.
Never use an extension cable or conversion adapter.
Never force the connection if the charging cable or
plug shows damage or is not easily connected due to
foreign material entering the plug or the outlet.
Never use an outlet that is worn, damaged, or will
not hold the plug firmly.

Make sure that the plug is inserted all the way into
the outlet before use.
While it is normal for the plug and charging cable to
become warm during charging, discontinue use
immediately if the plug or charging cable becomes
too hot to touch.
Never pull the cable to remove the plug.
Never connect or disconnect the plug with a wet
hand.
WA R N I N G
!
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General information/Charging
1-21
1
Charging from rated AC 120 V outlet
N01203200015
1. Fully apply the parking brake and place the selector lever
to the “P” (PARK) position.
2. Stop the electric devices such as lamps and turn the elec-
tric motor switch to the “LOCK” position.
3. Pull the regular charging opener (A) at the bottom left of
the instrument panel to open the regular charging lid (B)
at the right rear side of the vehicle.
4. Remove key and lock the vehicle.5. Press the tab (C) to open the inner lid (D).
A
B
WA R N I N G
!
Do not touch the metal terminal of the charge port
(E) and the regular charge connector.
Doing so could cause an electric shock and/or mal-
function.
C
DE
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1-22 General information/Charging
1
NOTE
There is a hole on the charge port for water drainage. If
this hole is blocked and water gets trapped in the charge
port, do not charge. Contact a certified i-MiEV dealer.

If the charge port becomes frozen, use a hair dryer to
defrost and dry the port before charging. Forcing the
charging connector to connect with the port while it is fro-
zen can damage the port and/or prevent charging.
6. Insert the charging cable plug into an outlet.
CAUTION
!
To help keeping foreign material out of the charge
port, do not leave the inner lid open without con-
necting the charge connector.
WA R N I N G
!
Make sure that the plug is inserted all the way into
the outlet before use.
To reduce the risk of electric shock or fire due to
electric leak, always use an outlet protected by a
ground-fault circuit interrupter, rated for 15A or
more, and that is connected to a dedicated branch
circuit. If the circuit is shared, and another electrical
device is being used at the same time the vehicle is
charging, the breaker may trip, the circuit and out-
let may overheat or the circuit may cause adverse
interference on MCBs (Moulded Circuit Board) and
household to electrical appliances such as TVs and
audio systems.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, connect only to a
properly grounded and waterproofed outlet.
Always use an AC 120V outlet rated for 15A or
more.
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General information/Charging
1-23
1
7. Open the cap (F) on the regular charge connector (G) and
make sure that there is no foreign matter such as dust at
the end of the regular charge connector and the regular
charge port.8. Connect the regular charge connector until a click is heard
without pressing the button (H).
G
F
H
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1-24 General information/Charging
1
NOTE
If the electric motor switch is turned to the “START” posi-
tion with the regular charge connector connected to the
regular charge port, the electric motor unit cannot be
started.9. Make sure that the charging indicator on the instrument
cluster is illuminated.
If the charging indicator is not illuminated, charging will
not start.
Make sure that the regular charge port, the plug and the
connector are correctly connected, and perform charging
from Step 5 again.
CAUTION
!
Do not clasp the top of regular charge connector. It
could cause injury to from the protrusion on the lid.
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General information/Charging
1-25
1
NOTE
When the regular charge connector is connected to the
charge port, the charging indicator is blinking. When
charging is started, the charging indicator is illuminated.

The charge level for main drive lithium-ion battery can be
checked with the energy level gauge (I) on the instrument
cluster.
Refer to “Energy level gauge” on page 3-69.10. Charging is complete when the charging indicator turns
off. Pull out the regular charge connector while pressing
the button (J).
NOTE
Charging can be stopped half way. In this case, pull out
the regular charge connector while pressing the button.
I
WA R N I N G
!
After charging, disconnect the charge connector
completely from the charge port. If the charge con-
nector remains partially engaged with the latch
unlocked, the electric motor switch can be turned to
the “START” position and the vehicle can be moved.
J
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