2012 MITSUBISHI iMiEV engine

1-2 General information/Charging
1Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV
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i-MiEV is a pure electric vehicle. Some of the vehicle systems
operate differently from and have different characteristics than
ordinary vehicles equipped with an internal combustion
engine. For this reason, it is very important to read carefully
this entire owner’s manual.Main features
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i-MiEV is powered only by electricity. This vehicle does
not emit exhaust gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitro-
gen oxide.

The i-MiEV uses electricity stored in the lithium ion bat-
tery. The lithium-ion battery is called the main drive lith-
ium-ion battery. This vehicle does not have an internal
combustion engine and does not require gasoline or diesel
fuel.

The main drive lithium-ion battery must be charged with
electricity to drive the vehicle. As the vehicle operates, the
main drive lithium-ion battery gradually discharges. If the
main drive lithium-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged, the vehicle will not operate until it is re-charged.
The charging process can take up to 23 hours as described
more precisely in this manual.

This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is 12V
starter battery that is the same type of the battery used in
ordinary vehicles. It is called the 12V starter battery. The
other battery which propels the vehicle is called the main
drive lithium-ion battery.

The 12V starter battery provides power to the vehicle sys-
tems and features such as the audio system, supplemental
restraint systems, headlights and windshield wiper.
The main drive lithium-ion battery provides power to the
electric motor that propels the vehicle and charges the
12V starter battery.

Through a process called regenerative braking, the main
drive lithium-ion battery is automatically charged, while
the vehicle is decelerating or being driven downhill.
NOTE
If the 12V starter battery is discharge, the electric motor
unit cannot be started. And also the main drive lithium-ion
battery cannot be charged.
WA R N I N G
!
Pay special attention to pedestrians. Because there is
no engine noise, pedestrians may not know the vehi-
cle is approaching and may step into the path of
vehicle travel. Refer to “Approaching vehicle audi-
ble system (AVAS)” on page 3-38.
When leaving the vehicle, always turn off the elec-
tric motor switch. Refer to “Electric motor switch”
on page 3-30.
When parking, to avoid unintended vehicle move-
ment, always move the selector lever to “P” (PARK)
position and apply the parking brake because the
vehicle can move when the ready indicator light is
ON. When the ready indicator light is ON, do not
leave the selector lever in a position other than the
“P” (PARK) position. For the ready indicator, refer
to “Indicator and warning light package” on page 3-
71.
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General information/Charging
1-3
1
Regenerative braking
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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)NOTE
If 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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6-4 For emergencies
6
NOTE
Open the terminal cover before connecting the jumper
cable to the positive terminal of the 12V starter battery.
(Refer to “Disconnection and connection” on page 7-16.)

Use the proper cables suitable for the battery size.
Otherwise heat damage to the cables could result.8. Connect one end of the other jumper cable to the nega-
tive (-) terminal of the booster battery (B), and then con-
nect the other end to the designated ground location of
the vehicle with the discharged battery (A) at the point
farthest from the battery.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle providing the boost. Let the
engine idle a few minutes, then start the electric motor
unit by turning the electric motor switch to the ON posi-
tion.
WA R N I N G
!
Make sure that the jumper cables and your clothing
are clear of the cooling fans and drive belts. Entan-
glement with the fans or belts can cause serious per-
sonal injury.
WA R N I N G
!
Be sure to follow the proper order when connecting
the batteries, of: →→→.
Make sure that the connection is made to the cor-
rect designated location (as shown in the illustra-
tion) properly. If the connection is directly made to
the negative (-) terminal of the battery, the flamma-
ble gases from inside the battery might catch fire
and explode, causing personal injury.
When connecting the jumper cables, do not connect
the positive (+) cable to the negative (-) terminal.
Sparks can make the battery explode.
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For emergencies
6-5
6
10. Check if the ready indicator illuminates.
[When the ready indicator illuminates]
Stop the engine of the other vehicle, and disconnect the
cables in the reverse order and keep the electric motor
switch in the ON position to charge the 12V starter battery
for more than 30 minutes.
After the 12V starter battery is charged, continue the pro-
cess from step 15.
[When the ready indicator does not illuminate]
Both the 12V starter battery and the main drive lithium-
ion battery have gone flat at the same time.
Charge the 12V starter battery and the main drive lithium-
ion battery by following steps from steps 11 to 13.
11. Keep the jumper cables to each vehicle connected and
turn the electric motor switch of your vehicle to the
“LOCK” position.NOTE
The jumper cables need to be connected to the 12V starter
battery when you start charging the main drive lithium-ion
battery because the on board charger etc. operate utilizing
power from the 12V starter battery.
12. Charge the main drive lithium-ion battery by regular
charging. The 12V starter battery is automatically charged
while charging the main drive lithium-ion battery. (Refer
to “Regular charging” on page 1-20.)13. When the charging indicator on the instrument cluster is
illuminated, stop the engine of the other vehicle and dis-
connect the jumper cables in the reverse order.
NOTE
When the regular charge connector is connected to the
charge port, the charging indicator will blink. When
charging has started, the charging indicator will illumi-
nate.

The 12V starter battery will automatically charge while
the main drive lithium-ion battery is charging.
14. Charge the main drive lithium-ion battery for more than 1
hour.
15. Disconnect the charging cable.
(Refer to “Regular charging” on page 1-20.)
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