General information/Charging
1-19
1
NOTERepeatedly 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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6-2 For emergencies
6If the vehicle breaks down
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If your vehicle breaks down on the road, move to the shoulder
and turn on the hazard warning flashers. If there is no shoulder,
or the shoulder is not safe, drive in the right lane slowly, with
the hazard lights flashing, until you come to a safe stopping
place. Keep the flashers flashing.
If the ready indicator light goes out while driving, the brakes
and steering will continue to work, but without power assist, so
more effort will be required for braking and steering. Stop the
vehicle on the shoulder of the road and turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
Jump-starting
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If the electric motor unit cannot be energized because the 12V
starter battery is weak or dead, you can start it with the battery
from another vehicle using jumper cables. NOTEDo not use jumper cables if they have damage or corro-
sion.
1. Take off any metal jewelry such as watch bands or brace-
lets that might make an accidental electrical contact.
WA R N I N G
!To reduce the risk of igniting flammable gas that
may be emitted from the 12V starter battery, care-
fully read this section before jump-starting the vehi-
cle.Do not try to start the electric motor unit by pushing
or towing the vehicle. This can cause an accident
resulting in serious injury or death and can damage
the vehicle.
CAUTION
!Do not attempt jump starting the 12V starter bat-
tery while the main drive lithium-ion battery is
being charged. Doing so could damage the vehicle or
charging equipment.
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For emergencies
6-3
6
2. Position the vehicles close enough together so that the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other.
3. Set the parking brake firmly on your vehicle and move the
selector lever into the “P” (PARK) position.
4. Set the parking brake firmly on the other vehicle. Put the
automatic transaxle in “P” (PARK) or the manual
transaxle in “N” (Neutral).
5. Turn the ignition switch (the electric motor switch) on
each vehicle to the “LOCK” position.NOTETurn off all lights, heater, and other electrical loads. This
will help avoid sparks.6. Remove the battery cover, and then make sure your 12V
starter battery electrolyte is at the proper level. (Refer to
“Checking 12V starter battery electrolyte level” on page
7-14.)
7. Connect one end of one jumper cable to the positive
(+) terminal of the discharged battery (A), and then con-
nect the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
booster battery (B).
CAUTION
!Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12V battery.
If the other system is not 12V, both systems can be
damaged.
WA R N I N G
!If the electrolyte fluid is not visible, or looks frozen,
DO NOT ATTEMPT JUMP STARTING!!
The battery might split open or explode if the tem-
perature is below the freezing point or if it is not
filled to the proper level.
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6-4 For emergencies
6
NOTEOpen 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.NOTEThe 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.
NOTEWhen 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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For emergencies
6-7
6
As your vehicle has anti-lock brakesIf you drive your vehicle with a low battery charge, after the
electric motor unit has been started by using jumper cables, it
can cause the anti-lock braking system warning light to illumi-
nate. This is only due to the low battery voltage. It is not a
problem with the brake system. If this happens, fully charge the
12V starter battery and ensure the charging system is operating
properly.
Tire repair kit
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This vehicle is equipped with a tire repair kit which can be
used to repair a minor puncture in tread area caused by a nail,
screw or similar object. A spare tire is not provided with this
vehicle.
WA R N I N G
!The tire repair kit may not permanently seal a punc-
tured tire. Using the tire repair kit may damage the wheel
and/or the tire inflation pressure sensor for the tire.
The vehicle must promptly be inspected and
repaired by a certified i-MiEV dealer after using the
tire repair kit.Use only the Mitsubishi genuine tire repair kit. Seal-
ant in other repair kits may not sufficiently seal the
tire puncture.
BK0140800US.book 7 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分