Features and controls
3-41
3
NOTEOnce the brake assist system is operational, it maintains
great braking force even if the brake pedal is lightly
released.
To stop its operation, completely remove your foot from
the brake pedal.
The brake assist system may become operational when the
brake pedal is fully depressed even if it has not been
depressed suddenly.
When the brake assist system is in use while driving, you
may feel as if the depressed brake pedal is soft, the pedal
moves in small motions in conjunction with the operation
noise, or the vehicle body and the steering wheel vibrate.
This occurs when the brake assist system is operating nor-
mally and does not indicate faulty operation. Continue to
depress the brake pedal.
You may hear an operation noise when the brake pedal is
depressed suddenly while stationary. This does not indi-
cate a malfunction and the brake assist system is operating
normally.
Anti-lock braking system
N00517900325
The anti-lock braking system helps prevent the wheels from
locking up when braking. This helps you keep control of your
vehicle and its direction. Driving hints When using the anti-lock brakes (sudden braking), steer-
ing is slightly different from normal driving conditions.
Use the steering wheel carefully.
Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of
you. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock
braking system, leave a greater braking distance when:
• Driving on gravel or snow-covered roads.
• Driving on uneven road surfaces.
Operation of anti-lock braking system is not restricted to
situations where brakes are applied suddenly. This system
may also prevent the wheels from locking when you drive
over manholes, steel roadwork plates, road markings, or
any uneven road surface.
When the anti-lock braking system is in use, you may feel
the brake pedal vibrating and hear a unique sound. You
may also feel as if the pedal resists being pressed.
In this situation, simply hold the brake pedal down
firmly. Do not pump the brake, which will result in
reduced braking performance.
BK0140800US.book 41 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3-42 Features and controls
3
An operation noise may be emitted from under the hood in
the following situations. The sound is associated with
checking the operations of the anti-lock braking system.
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 is turned on.
The ABS can be used after the vehicle has reached a speed
over approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). It stops working
when the vehicle slows below approximately 3 mph (5
km/h).
Anti-lock braking system warning light
N00531600661
This light comes on in the event of a malfunction in the anti-
lock braking system. It will also come on as a self-check for a
few seconds when the electric motor switch is turned to the
“ON” position. Always make sure that the light goes out before
beginning to drive.
CAUTION
!The anti-lock braking system cannot prevent acci-
dents. It is your responsibility to take safety precau-
tions and to drive carefully. Be sure to use the specified type and size of tire on
all four wheels. Otherwise, the ABS may not work
properly.Do not install any aftermarket limited slip differen-
tial (LSD) on your vehicle. The ABS may stop func-
tioning properly.
CAUTION
!If the anti-lock braking system warning light comes
on and stays on after starting the electric motor unit
or while driving, it means that the anti-lock braking
system is not working and that only the standard
brake system is available. (The standard brake sys-
tem will still work properly.) If this happens, take
your vehicle to a certified i-MiEV dealer as soon as
possible.
BK0140800US.book 42 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Features and controls
3-43
3
If the warning light illuminates while driving
N00531700590
If only the ABS warning light illuminateAvoid hard braking and high-speed driving. Stop the vehicle in
a safe place, put the selector lever to the “P” (PARK) position
and turn off the electric motor unit.
Restart the electric motor unit and check to see whether the
light goes out after a few minutes driving; if it then remains off
during driving, there is no problem.
However, if the warning light does not disappear, or if it comes
on again when the vehicle is driven, we recommend you to
have the vehicle checked.If the ABS warning light and brake warning light illu-
minate at the same timeThe ABS and brake force distribution function may not work,
so hard braking could make the vehicle unstable.
Avoid hard braking and high-speed driving. Stop the vehicle in
a safe place and we recommend you to have the vehicle
checked.NOTEThe warning light may be illuminated when the electric
motor unit is started while the 12V starter battery voltage
is low, but this is not an ABS malfunction.
When the main drive lithium-ion battery is charged, the
12V starter battery is charged at the same time, and the
warning light will go out.
If the warning light does not go out or illuminates from
time to time even after the battery is charged, take your
vehicle to a certified i-MiEV dealer and have the system
checked as soon as possible.After driving on snow or icy roads, remove any snow and
ice which may have been left around the wheels. On vehi-
cles that have an anti-lock braking system, be careful not
to damage the wheel speed sensors (A) or the cables
located at each wheel.
Front
BK0140800US.book 43 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
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.
BK0140800US.book 44 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3-46 Features and controls
3Active stability control (ASC)
N00559100163
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
NOTEAn 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
N00559200050
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.
BK0140800US.book 46 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3-62 Features and controls
3
NOTEThe cruising range indicator and outside temperature dis-
play are indicated when the electric motor switch is in the
“ON” position.
If there is no operation for about 10 seconds when the
meter illumination control or service reminder is shown,
the display returns to the odometer.Odometer
N00572300016
The odometer indicates the total distance the vehicle has trav-
eled.NOTEEven if the electric motor switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK”, the odometer will be displayed for about 30 sec-
onds after the reset button is pressed.
1- Odometer
2-
Trip odometer
3-
Trip odometer
4- Dash lights brightness indicator
5- Service reminder (Drive distance remaining until next
inspection)
6- Service reminder (Number of months remaining until next
inspection)
7- Cruising range indicator
8- Outside temperature display
BK0140800US.book 62 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Features and controls
3-63
3
Trip odometer
N00572400020
The trip odometer shows the distance traveled since the last
time it was reset.
There are two trip odometer displays: and .
Trip odometer can be used to measure the distance traveled
since the current trip began.
At the same time, Trip odometer can be used to measure
the distance from a second location.NOTEEven if the electric motor switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position, the trip odometer will be displayed for
about 30 seconds after the reset button is pressed.
To reset the trip odometer
To zero the counter, press and hold the reset button for more
than 1 second. Only the currently displayed value will be reset.
If trip odometer is displayed, for example, only trip odom-
eter will be reset. NOTEBoth trip odometer and trip odometer can measure
trips up to 9999.9 miles/kilometers.
If the 12V starter battery is disconnected for a long time,
both of these displays will be reset to “0”.
Service reminder
N00572500021
The service reminder shows the driving distance or number of
months remaining until the next recommended periodic main-
tenance inspection is required.
When the next inspection is nearly due, the display shows “----
--”.NOTEThe service reminder time can be modified by a certified
i-MiEV dealer, to adjust for severe usage, etc. Refer to
“Severe maintenance schedule” in your vehicle’s War-
ranty and Maintenance Manual. For further information,
please contact a certified i-MiEV dealer.
Even if the electric motor switch is turned to “ACC” or
“LOCK” position, the service reminder will be displayed
for about 30 seconds after reset button is pressed.
BK0140800US.book 63 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3-64 Features and controls
3
1. The display shows the driving distance or number of
months remaining until the next periodic inspection.
2. This informs you that a periodic inspection is due. Contact
a certified i-MiEV dealer to have the system checked.
At this time, a spanner mark is shown for a few seconds
whenever the electric motor switch is turned from the
“LOCK” position or the “ACC” position to the “ON”
position.3. After your vehicle is inspected at a certified i-MiEV
dealer, it displays the time and miles (km) until the next
periodic inspection.
NOTEThe indicated distance decreases in steps of 100miles
(100 km). The indicated number of months decreases in
steps of one month.
It is possible to change the settings for the service
reminder.
For further information, we recommend you to consult a
certified i-MiEV dealer.
Driving distance
Number of monthsBK0140800US.book 64 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分