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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).NOTEBe 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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7-14 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
NOTEBe 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.
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Vehicle care and maintenance
7-17
7
NOTEBefore cleaning the 12V starter battery, tighten all the
filler port caps to keep dirt and moisture out.
Check each 12V starter battery terminal for corrosion. If
necessary, clean the terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. Grease the posts and clamps after clean-
ing or tightening them.
Check to see that the 12V starter battery is securely
installed and cannot be moved. Also check each terminal
for tightness.
If you will not be driving your vehicle for a long period of
time, remove the 12V starter battery and store it in a place
where the 12V starter battery fluid will not freeze. Mem-
ory data for settings made by the user may be erased when
the 12V starter battery is removed. If this happens, reset
the settings again using the relevant procedures. The 12V
starter battery only should be stored with a full charge.
WA R N I N G
!Open doors and windows in any closed space where
you may be charging or working with the 12V
starter battery. Always wear protective clothing and goggles when
working with the 12V starter battery, or have a
skilled automobile technician do it. If you are quick-charging your 12V starter battery,
first disconnect the 12V starter battery cables. In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to discon-
nect the negative (-) terminal first, and reconnect it
last.If the electrolyte level is very low, have the 12V
starter battery checked at a certified i-MiEV dealer.12V starter battery terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
CAUTION
!When replacing the 12V starter battery, remove the
connected positive (+) and negative (-) terminals
after turning the electric motor switch to the
“LOCK” position and waiting at least 1 minute. If
the 12V starter battery terminal is removed just
after the electric motor switch is turned to the
“LOCK” position, this may cause damage to compo-
nents of the electric motor unit.
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7-34 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
3. Clamp it on the fuse you wish to remove, and pull the fuse
straight out from the fuse block.4. Use the fuse location diagrams and their corresponding
tables, to check the fuse that is related to the problem. If
the fuse is not blown, something else must be causing the
problem.
Contact a certified i-MiEV dealer to have the problem
checked.
5. Insert a new fuse of the same capacity securely into the
appropriate slot.
B- Fuse is OK
C- Blown fuse
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