Quick index
1
If this warning light comes on or flashes while you’re driving...
N00200701110
NOTEThese warning lights will come on for a few seconds for a bulb check when the electric motor switch is first turned to “ON”.
Warning light
Do this
Ref. page
12V starter battery charging system warning
lightPark your vehicle in a safe place and turn off the electric motor unit.
Contact a certified i-MiEV dealer for assistance.P. 3 - 7 4
or
Brake warning lightIf this light comes on while driving, check to see that the parking
brake is fully released.
If this light stays on after releasing the parking brake, stop and check
the brake fluid level.
If the brake fluid level is correct, there may be a system malfunction.
Avoid hard braking and high speeds, and contact a certified i-MiEV
dealer for assistance.P. 3 - 7 3
Electric motor unit warning lightPark your vehicle in a safe place and contact a certified i-MiEV
dealer for assistance.P. 3 - 7 5
BK0140800US.book 1 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
1-2 General information/Charging
1Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV
N01200100013
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
N01200200014
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.
NOTEIf 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.
BK0140800US.book 2 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3
Features and controls
Break-in recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 2
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 2
Electronic immobilizer
(Anti-theft starting system). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 3
Keyless entry system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 7
Door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 12
Power door locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 14
Child safety locks for rear door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 15
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 16
Theft-alarm system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 18
Power window control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 22
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 25
Inside rearview mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 26
Outside rearview mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 28
Electric motor switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 30
Steering wheel lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 32
Starting the electric motor unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 33
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 33
Acoustic vehicle alerting system (AVAS) . . . . . . .3- 38
Service brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 39
Brake assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 40
Anti-lock braking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3- 41
Electric power steering system (EPS) . . . . . . . . . .3- 44Active stability control (ASC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 46
Tire pressure monitoring system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 49
Rear-view camera (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 55
Instrument cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 58
Indicator and warning light package . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 71
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 72
Warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 73
Combination headlights and dimmer switch . . . . . 3- 76
Turn signal lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 82
Hazard warning flasher switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 83
Front fog light switch (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . 3- 83
Wiper and washer switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 84
Electric rear window defogger switch. . . . . . . . . . 3- 89
Horn switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 90
Link System (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 90
Bluetooth
® 2.0 interface (if so equipped) . . . . . . . 3- 91
USB input terminal (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 117
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 122
12 V power outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 123
Interior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 124
Storage spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 128
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 130
Assist grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3- 131
BK0140800US.book 1 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Features and controls
3-33
3 Starting the electric motor unit
N00571800014
1. Make sure all occupants are properly seated with seat
belts fastened.
2. Insert the key.
3. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
5. Make sure the selector lever is in the “P” (PARK) posi-
tion.
6. Turn the key to the “ON” position and make certain that
all warning lights are functioning properly before starting
the electric motor unit.
7. Turn the key to the “START” position for one to two sec-
onds, and slowly return it to its original position. When
you hear the startup sound and the ready indicator comes
on, startup of the electric motor unit is complete.Electric motor reminderIf the driver’s door is opened while the key is in the “ON” posi-
tion, the electric motor reminder buzzer sounds intermittently
to remind the key is in the electric motor switch.
Transmission
N00513200203
Selector lever operation
N00513800371
CAUTION
!Never attempt to start the electric motor unit by
pushing or pulling the vehicle.
While depressing the brake pedal, move the selector
lever through the gate.
Move the selector lever through the gate.
BK0140800US.book 33 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Features and controls
3-45
3
If you turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is station-
ary with the headlights on, the headlights may become
dim. This behavior is not abnormal. The headlights will
return to their original brightness after a short while.Electric power steering system warning light
N00574400011
If there is a malfunction in the system, the warning light will
come on.
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on when the
electric motor switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes
off a few seconds later.
If the warning light appears while driving
N00574500012
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place, put the selector lever to
the “P” (PARK) position and turn off the electric motor
unit.
2. Restart the electric motor unit to check whether the warn-
ing light goes out; if it then remains off, there is no prob-
lem.
If the warning light does not go out, or it appears again
while driving, we recommend you to have your vehicle
inspected.
CAUTION
!If the warning light appears during driving, it may
become harder to turn the steering wheel.
BK0140800US.book 45 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
Features and controls
3-71
3 Indicator and warning light package
N00519800836
1- Low energy warning indicator → P.3-69
2- Selector lever position indicator → P.3-34
3- Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) indicator
→ P.3-38
4- High-beam indicator → P.3-72
5- Turn-signal indicators/Hazard warning lights → P.3-72
6- Position indicator → P.3-72
7- Front fog light indicator (if so equipped) → P.3-72
8- Service reminder → P.3-63
9- Outside air temperature warning indicator → P.3-67
10- Regenerative brake system indicator → P.3-72
11- Ready indicator → P. 3 - 7 2
12- Tire pressure monitoring system warning light → P.3-50
13- 12V starter battery charging system warning light → P.3-7414- Electric power steering system warning light → P.3-45
15- Electric motor unit warning light → P.3-75
16- Brake warning light → P.3-73
17- Anti-lock braking system warning light → P.3-42
18- Power down warning light → P.3-75
19- Active stability control (ASC) indicator → P.3-48
20- Active stability control (ASC) OFF indicator → P.3-48
21- Charging indicator → P.3-72
22- Theft-alarm indicator → P.3-18
23- Door-ajar warning light → P.3-74
24- Driver ’s seat belt reminder/warning light → P.2-17
25- Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light
→ P. 2 - 2 2
BK0140800US.book 71 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分
3-72 Features and controls
3Indicators
N00519900127
Turn signal indicators/Hazard warning lights
N00520000232
The arrows will flash in time with the corresponding exterior
turn signals when the turn signal lever is used.
Both arrows will flash when the hazard warning flasher switch
is pressed.NOTEIf the indicator flashes faster than usual or if the indicator
stays on without flashing, check for a malfunctioning turn
signal light bulb or turn signal connection.High beam indicator
N00520100086
A blue light comes on when the headlights are on high beam.Front fog light indicator
(if so equipped)
N00520200221
This indicator comes on while the front fog lights are on.Position indicator
N00551300039
This indicator turns on while the position lights are on.Ready indicator
N00573200012
This indicator comes on when the electric motor switch is
turned to “START” and driving becomes possible.
Charging indicator
N00573300013
This indicator flashes when the regular charging cable or quick
charging cable is connected.
After that, the light switches to being illuminated when charg-
ing starts and goes out when charging is completed.Regenerative brake system indicator
N00573400014
The indicator comes on when the regenerative brake perfor-
mance may be weakened. In this case, drive the vehicle at a
lower speed.
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Features and controls
3-83
3 Hazard warning flasher switch
N00522700305
If you press the flasher switch, the front and rear turn signals
will flash intermittently, and so will the hazard warning lights.
This is an emergency warning system and should not be used
when the vehicle is in motion, except for emergencies.
If you need to leave your vehicle, the flashers will keep work-
ing after the key is removed from the electric motor switch.NOTEIf you keep the flashers on for a long period of time while
the ready indicator is not illuminated, the 12V starter bat-
tery could go flat and the electric motor unit could be
impossible to start.
Front fog light switch
(if so equipped)
N00522800410
The front fog lights illuminate only when the headlights are on
low beam.
Turning the knob in the direction of the “ON” position turns on
the front fog lights as well as the indicator in the instrument
cluster. To turn them off, turn the knob in the direction of the
“OFF” position.
The knob will return to the neutral position when it is released.NOTEIf the headlights are switched to high beam, the front fog
lights will go out; they will illuminate again when the
headlights are switched back to low beam.
BK0140800US.book 83 ページ 2011年9月29日 木曜日 午後3時28分