If this problem occurs...
Quick index 2-5
2
The vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, or
snow.
Rock your vehicle back and forth to free it. P.8-13
WA R N I N G When attempting to rock your vehicle out of
a stuck position, be sure that
no one is near the vehicl
e. The rocking motion may c
ause the vehicle to
suddenly lurch forward or backward, possibly injuring bystanders. Avoid spinning the wheels. Prolonged efforts to free
a stuck vehicle may result
in transmission failure.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking attempts, have a towing service pull the vehicle out.
Problem
Do this
Ref. page
The brakes are not functioning prop- erly after driving through water.
Dry out the brakes by driving slowly whil
e lightly pressing the brake pedal. P.6-5
A tire is punctured.
1. Park the vehicle in a safe place where the surface is flat and level. 2. Repair the flat tire with tire repair kit.
P.8-5
Problem
Do this
Ref. Page
BK0209800US.book 5 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV 3-2 General information/Charging
3
N01200100013
i-MiEV is a pure electric vehicle. Some of the vehicle systems operate differently from and have different characteristics than ordinaryvehicles equipped with an internal combus- tion engine. For this reas
on, it is very impor-
tant to read carefull
y this entire owner’s
manual.
N01200200027
i-MiEV is powered only by electricity. This vehicle does not
emit exhaust gases,
such as carbon dioxide and nitrogenoxide. The i-MiEV uses electricity stored in the lithium ion battery. The lithium-ion bat-tery is called the main drive lithium-ion battery. This vehicl
e does not have an
internal combustion engine and does notrequire gasoline
or diesel fuel.
The main drive lithium-ion battery must be charged with electricity to drive thevehicle. As the vehi
cle operates, the main
drive lithium-ion battery gradually dis- charges. If the main drive lithium-ion bat-tery becomes completely discharged, the vehicle will not
operate until it is re-
charged. The charging process can take upto 23 hours as descri
bed 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 vehi-cles. It is called the 12V starter battery. The other battery which propels the vehi- cle is called the main drive lithium-ionbattery. The 12V starter battery provides power to the vehicle systems and features such asthe audio system, supplemental restraint systems, headlights a
nd windshield wiper.
The main drive lithium-ion battery pro- vides power to the electric motor that pro- pels the vehicle and charges the 12V starter battery. Through a process called regenerative braking, the main drive lithium-ion bat- tery is automatically charged, while thevehicle is decelera
ting or being driven
downhill.
Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV Main features
NOTE
If the 12V starter batter
y is discharge, the
electric motor unit ca
nnot be started. And
also the main drive lithium-ion battery can-not be charged.WA R N I N G Pay special attention to pedestrians. Because there is no engine noise, pedestri- ans may not know the vehicle is approach-ing and may step into
the path of vehicle
travel. Refer to “Aco
ustic vehicle alerting
system (AVAS)” on page 5-23. When leaving the vehicl
e, always turn off
the electric motor switch. Refer to “Elec-tric motor switch” on page 5-18. When parking, to avoi
d unintended vehi-
cle movement, always move the selector lever to “P” (PARK)
position and apply
the parking brake because the vehicle canmove when the ready indicator light is ON. When the ready indicator light is ON, do not leave the select
or lever in a position
other than the “P” (PARK) position. For the ready indicator,
refer to “Indicator
and warning light pack
age” on page 5-41.
BK0209800US.book 2 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Familiarizing yourself with i-MiEV
General information/Charging 3-5
3
N01205900016
Put the selector lever in the “B” (REGEN- ERATIVE BRAKE MODE) or “Eco” (ECOMODE) position according to the road con-dition. Using appropriate regenerative brak- ing can help increase
the cruising range.
Refer to “Regenerative braking” on page3-3.NOTE
Range-Driving conditions Shorten driving range
Lengthen
driving range
Range Reducing Condition Range Extending
High acceleration, speed Driving
style Low acceleration, speed
Heater on Heater usage
Heater off
(or use seat heater)
A/C on A/C usage A/C off Highway City/Highway City
Heavy payload Payload Light payload Windy, wet Weather Calm, dry Uphill, rough Road conditio
ns Flat/Downhill, smooth
D-mode Drive mode (Eco or B mode)
BK0209800US.book 5 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Cautions and actions to deal with intense heat 3-8 General information/Charging
3
Approx. ambi- ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx. 104 °F (40 °C) or higher
Startup and driving •
• During quick charging, repeated high-speed driving, or repeated uphill driving,
the power down warning light
* comes
on and the motor output is restrict
ed to protect the main drive
lithium-ion battery or mo
tor (electric motor unit).
Regenerative braking performance
may decrease. When brak-
ing, depress the brake pedal more strongly.
• Stop the vehicle in a safe place for a while, avoid quick charg- ing, and wait for the power down warning light
* to go off.
• If you continue driving after the power down warning light
*
comes on, the vehicle may stop
after you have driven a few
miles/kilometres.
Charging and battery • During quick
charging, charging times get longer.
Approx.113 °F (45 °C) or higher
Startup and driving •
• During quick charging, repeated high-speed driving, or repeated uphill driving,
the power down warning light
* comes
on and the motor output is restrict
ed to protect the main drive
lithium-ion battery and/or motor (electric motor unit). Regenerative braking performance
may decrease. When brak-
ing, depress the brake pedal more strongly.
• Stop the vehicle in a safe place for a while, avoid quick charg-ing, and wait for the power down warning light
* to go off.
• If you continue driving after the power down warning light
*
comes on, the vehicle may stop
after you have driven a few
miles/kilometres.
Charging and battery •
• The EV charging cable (regular charging cable) cannot be used. During quick charging, ch
arging times get longer.
• Park in a safe, well-ventilated and shady place.
• The main drive lithium-ion batt
ery capacity is decreased more
quickly, and the cruisi
ng range is decreased.
BK0209800US.book 8 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Cautions and actions to deal with intense cold
General information/Charging 3-9
3
N01201101033
When the vehicle is driven in a low ambient temperatures, its he
ater performance can be insuffic
ient. Also, using the heater ca
n reduce the
vehicle’s cruising range. When the ambient temperature is approximate
ly 5 °F (-15 °C) or lower, the phenomena de
scribed below may occu
r. Please take the
corrective
actions described below.Approx. 140 °F (60 °C) or higher
Startup and driving • The power down warning light
* comes on, and the vehicle
may stop.
• Park in a safe, well-ventilated and shady place,
avoid quick
charging, and wait for the power down warning light
* to
go off.
Charging and battery •
• The EV charging cable (regular
charging cable) cannot be
used.Quick charging may become impossible.
• Park in a safe, well-ventilated and shady place.
NOTE
*: Refer to “Power down warning light” on pa
ge 5-43. Illumination of the power down wa
rning light does not i
ndicate a malfunctio
n.
Cautions and actions to deal with intense cold Approx. ambi- ent temperature
Phenomena
Corrective action
BK0209800US.book 9 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Cautions and actions to deal with intense cold 3-10 General information/Charging
3
Approx. ambi- ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
Approx.5 °F (-15 °C) or lower
Startup and driving
• Motor output is restricted
, and the power down warning
light
*1 may come on.
• Keep driving if you can drive at a safe speed. If you cannot drive at
a safe speed,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and charge the main drive lithium-ion bat- tery.
• Regenerative braking performance may decr
ease. • When braking, depress the brake
pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery
• • Charging times get longer. Complete charging may not be possible.
• When you have finished driving, charge the main drive lithium-ion bat- tery before battery temperature falls.
Approx.-13 °F (-25 °C) or lower
Startup and driving
• Motor output is restricted
, and the power down warning
light
*1 may come on.
• Keep driving if you can drive at the same speed as su
rrounding vehicles.
If you cannot drive th
e same speed as
surrounding vehicles, stop the vehicle in a safe place and charge the main drive lithium-ion battery.
• Regenerative braking performance
may decrease or be elimi-
nated.
• When braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly.
Charging and
battery
• Charging may become impossible. • W
hen you have finished driving, charge the main drive lithium-ion bat- tery before battery temperature falls.
BK0209800US.book 10 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Charging
General information/Charging 3-11
3
N01201201034
Your vehicle comes standard with a charge
port and charging cable (EV charging cable)
that uses a household outlet (AC 110-120V
) as a charging
source. You may also charge your
vehicle using an i-MiEV compatib
le 220-240V charging device (EVSE
* - available separate
ly). Your vehicle
comes equipped with an additiona
l quick charge port to be used
with a CHAdeMO quick charger.
Approx. -22 °F (-30 °C) or lower
Startup and driving
• • The ready indicator
*2 does not come on, and startup may not
be possible. In the worst-case scenario,
the vehicle may become undriv-
able (with the energy level ga
uge and cruising
range indica-
tions still shown).
• In the daytime, wait for the tempera- ture to rise. When the temperature in the vicinity of the main drive lithium-ion battery has risen, start up.
• Regenerative braking performan
ce may decrease or be elimi-
nated.
• When braking, depress the brake pedal more strongly
Charging and
battery
• Charging may become impossible • In
the daytime, wait for the tempera- ture to rise. When the temperature in the vicinity of the main drive lithium- ion battery has risen, begin charging.
NOTE
*1: Refer to “Power down warning light” on
page 5-43. Illumination of
the power down warning light
does not indicate a malfunctio
n.
*2: Refer to “Ready indicator” on page 5-42.
Charging Approx. ambi- ent tempera-
ture
Phenomena
Corrective action
BK0209800US.book 11 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分
Precautions during Charging the
Main Drive Lithium-ion Battery
3-14 General information/Charging
3
N01202601048
Precautions during Charg- ing the Main Drive Lithium-ion Battery
WA R N I N G Improper charging can result in a fire, property damage, and serious injury ordeath. Read the instructions described below carefully and follow
them. Also read and
follow the instructions for “Regular charging (charging me
thod with rated AC
120V outlet)” on page 3-15, Regularcharging (using 240V
Electric Vehicle
Supply Equipment)
on page 3-24 and
“Quick charging (c
harging method with
quick charger)”
on page 3-24 before using
the charging device.• Never connect or disconnect the chargeconnector or plug with wet hands.• Make sure there is no water or foreignmaterials in the char
ge port, charge con-
nector or plug, and that they are notdamaged or affected by rust or corro- sion. If any of these conditions are notice- able, do not charge
the main drive
lithium-ion battery.• Never touch the metal contacts of thecharge port, charge
connector or plug.
• Never charge the main drive lithium-ion battery or touch the vehicle when there islightning. A lightning strike may backfeed into the char
ger causing damage
and possible personal
injury or death.
• Never disassemble or modify the charge port or charging cable.• If you notice unus
ual odor or smoke
coming from the vehi
cle, charging cable
or plug, or if the ch
arging cable or plug
becomes hot to the touch, stop charging immediately.
Individuals using an
electro-medical
apparatus such as implantable pacemak- ers and implantable
cardiovascular-defi-
brillators should
check with the
manufacturer of the apparatus to confirm the effect of the el
ectromagnetic waves
from charging. The el
ectromagnetic waves
may affect the operations of the electro- medical apparatus. If you have an impl
antable cardiac pace-
maker or an implan
table cardiovascular
defibrillator, while the main drive lithium- ion battery is charging:• Keep away from the charge connector orcontrol box.• Do not stay inside the vehicle.• Do not go inside the
vehicle, for example
to remove or place an item in the passen- ger compartment.WA R N I N G
• Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove or place an item in the cargoarea.Charging may affect
the operation of
electric medical devices and result in serious personal
injury or death.
Keep away from the cooling fan under the hood during charging. During charging,the cooling fan may automatically be operated even if the electric motor switch is in the “LOCK” position. CAUTION To prevent damage to the charging equip- ment:• Do not close the charge port lid withoutclosing the cap.• Do not subject the charging equipment toimpact.• Do not pull or twist the charge cable.• Do not drag the charge cable.• Do not store charging equipment in loca-tions 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 forei
gn materials may enter
the charge port.WA R N I N G
BK0209800US.book 14 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分