General information/Charging
1-3
1
Regenerative braking
N01205600013
It is equivalent to engine braking of a gasoline or diesel pow-
ered vehicle. When you take your foot off the accelerator pedal
during driving, motion energy is converted into electric energy
using the motor as a power generator.
During this conversion, braking force is generated and con-
verted electric energy is used to charge the main drive lithium-
ion battery. The generative braking force can be adjusted using
the selector lever.
Set the selector lever to “B” (REGENERATIVE BRAKE
MODE) or “ECO” (ECO MODE) position for increased regen-
erative braking as follows:
“B”: Strong regenerative braking (For downhill driving)
“ECO”: Moderate regenerative braking (For economical
driving or gentle downhill driving)NOTEIf a problem occurs in the electric motor unit, or if the
ABS and/or the ASC have been activated, the regenera-
tive braking will be restricted. The service brakes will still
operate.
Keep the brake pedal depressed until you are ready
to drive. When the vehicle is in the “D” (DRIVE),
“ECO” (ECO MODE), “B” (REGENERATIVE
BRAKE MODE) or “R” (REVERSE) position, if
you release the brake pedal and even if you do not
depress accelerator, the vehicle will creep and may
move slowly.
WA R N I N G
!
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1-66 General information/Charging
1
3. By moving the battery cover (B) in the arrow direction,
tabs (C) on the battery cover will come out and the battery
cover can be removed.
4. Remove the old batteries.5. Install two new coin type CR2032 batteries (D) with the
“+” side up.
6. Attach the battery cover (A) in the reverse order from the
way you have detached it.
7. Confirm the MiEV Remote can be turned ON. Refer to
“To turn the MiEV Remote ON/OFF” on page 1-50.
NOTEReplace both batteries with new ones at the same time.
A certified i-MiEV dealer can replace the batteries for you
if you prefer.
Coin type batteries
CR2032
BK0140800US.book 66 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
2-46 Seat and restraint systems
2
Deployment of front airbags
N00408000589
The front airbags ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY when… The front airbags are designed to deploy when the vehicle suf-
fers a moderate to severe frontal impact. A typical condition is
shown in the illustration to the left.
The front airbags are designed to deploy only in certain moder-
ate to severe frontal collisions within the shaded area between
the arrows in the illustration to the right.
The front airbags will deploy if the impact to the vehicle’s
main structure is above a specific threshold level. The thresh-
old level is approximately 15 mph (25 km/h) for a frontal colli-
sion straight into a solid flat wall that does not bend or deform.
If the impact to the vehicle’s main structure is below this
threshold level, the front airbags may not deploy. This thresh-old level may also be higher if the vehicle hits something that
absorbs the impact, either by bending or moving (for example,
another stationary vehicle, a pole or a guard rail).
The beginning stage of airbag inflation is the most forceful,
and can cause serious injuries or death if you are too close to
the deploying airbag. Accordingly, it is important that you
always wear the available seat belt. Head-on collision with a solid wall at speeds of
approx. 15 mph (25 km/h) or higherModerate to severe frontal impact within the
shaded area between the arrowsBK0140800US.book 46 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Seat and restraint systems
2-47
2
The front airbags MAY NOT DEPLOY when … In certain types of front collisions, the front airbags may not
deploy, even if the deformation of the body seems to be large,
because the vehicle’s body structure is designed to absorb the
impact and deform in order to help protect the occupants. Some
typical situations where the front airbags may not deploy are
shown in the illustrations.
Because the front airbags do not protect the occupant in all
types of frontal collisions, be sure to always wear your seat
belts properly.
Collision with a utility pole, tree or other narrow objects
Collision where the vehicle slides under the rear body of a
truck
Oblique frontal impact
BK0140800US.book 47 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Seat and restraint systems
2-55
2
The side airbag and curtain airbag MAY NOT
DEPLOY when … In certain types of side collisions, the side airbag and curtain
airbag may not deploy, even if the deformation of the body
seems to be large, because the vehicle’s body structure is
designed to absorb the impact and to deform in order to help
protect the occupants. Some typical situations where the side
airbag and curtain airbag may not deploy are shown in the
illustrations.
Because the side airbags and curtain airbags do not protect the
occupant in all types of side collisions, be sure to always wear
your seat belts properly.
BK0140800US.book 55 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
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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
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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