
Safe driving techniques 6-4 Driving safety
6
Move the driver’s seat as far backward as possible, while still
keeping good visibil-
ity, and good control of the steering wheel, brakes, accele
rator, and controls.
Check the instrument panel indicators forany possible problem. Move the front passe
nger seat as far back
as possible. Make sure that infa
nts and small children
are properly restrained in accordance with all laws and regulations.
Check these by selecti
ng the defroster mode,
and set the blower swit
ch on high. You should
be able to feel the air blowing against the windshield. (Refer to “Defrosting or defogging the wind- shield and door windows” on page 7-9.) Check all the tires for heavy tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Look for stones, nails,
glass, or other objects
stuck in the tread. Look
for any tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness, and the tires for proper pressures. Replace your tires beforethey are heavily worn out.
As your vehicle is equi
pped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system, there is a risk ofdamage to the tire inflation pressure sensors when the tire is replaced on the rim. Tire replacement should, th
erefore, be performed
only by a certified i-MiEV dealer. Have someone watch while you turn all the exterior lights on and off. Also check the turn signal indicators and
high-beam indicators on
the instrument panel. Check the ground under the vehicle after parking overnight, for wa
ter, oil, or other
leaks. Make sure all the fluid levels are cor- rect.
N00629200124
Even this vehicle’s safety equipment, andyour safest driving, cannot guarantee that youcan avoid an accident or injury. However, if you give extra attention to the following areas, you can better protect yourself andyour passengers:
Drive defensively. Be aware of traffic, road and weather conditions. Leave plentyof stopping distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Before changing lanes, check your mir- rors and use your turn signal light. While driving, watch the behavior of other drivers, bicyc
lists, and pedestrians.
Always obey applicable
laws and regula-
tions. Be a polite and alert driver. Always leave room for unexpected events, such as sudden braking.
Defrosters Tires
Lights Fluid leaks Safe driving techniques
BK0209800US.book 4 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Loading information 6-8 Driving safety
6
the size and recomme
nded inflation pressure
for the original equipment tires on your vehi-cle. For more informati
on, refer to “Tires” on
page 9-10.
N00630201264
1.Locate the statement “The com- bined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXXkg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.2.Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4.The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For exam- ple, if the “XXX” amount equals1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs. passengers in your vehi- cle, the amount of available cargoand luggage load
capacity is 650
lbs. (1400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)5.Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight maynot safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determinehow this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
NOTE
The above steps for determining correct load limit were written in accordance with U.S.A. regula- tions.For your vehicle, please deter- mine correct load limit bearing in mind the following differ-ences:•Your vehicle’s seating capacityis 4 people.•Your vehicle cannot tow atrailer, so step 6 is irrelevant.
BK0209800US.book 8 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Tire repair kit 8-10 For emergencies
8
15. Check and adjust the tire pressure with
reference to the air pressure gauge on thecompressor. If you overinflate the tire, release air by loosening the hose’s end fit- ting.If there is a gap between the tire and wheel because the ti
re has moved inward
from the wheel rim, press the tire treadtowards the wheel to close the gap before running the compressor. (With no gaps, the tire pressure will rise.)
16. Turn OFF the compressor switch, then
pull the power cord plug out of the 12 Vpower outlet.
17. Affix the speed restriction sticker (T) to
the three-diamond mark on the steering wheel.
WA R N I N G Do not place your hand or fingers between the tire and wheel while inflating the tire.Your hand or fingers may become caughtbetween the tire and wheel.CAUTION The supplied compressor is designed only for inflation of your vehicle tires. The compressor is designed to run on a vehi- cle’s 12 V power supply. Do not connect it to any other power source. The compressor is not waterproof. If you use it in rain, make sure
water does not get on it.
Any sand or dust sucked into the compressor could make the compressor break down. Donot place the compressor directly on any sandy or dusty surface when using it. Do not disassemble or modify the compres- sor. Also, do not subject the air pressure gauge to shock. It could malfunction.
CAUTION The surface of the compressor will get hot while the compressor is running. Do not keep the compressor running continuouslyfor more than 10 minutes. After using the compressor, wait for the compressor to cool before using it again. If the compressor becomes sluggish or hot while operating, it is
overheating. Immedi-
ately place the switch in the OFF position and let the compressor c
ool down for at least
30 minutes.NOTE
If the tire pressure does not rise to the speci- fied level within 10 minutes, the tire may beso severely damaged that
the tire sealant can-
not be used to effect
the emergency repair.
Do not drive the vehicl
e. Please contact a
certified i-MiEV dealer.
NOTE
At this point the puncture hole is not sealed yet. Air will leak
through the puncture hole
until the emergency repa
ir procedure is com-
pleted (through step 19 or step 20 of theseinstructions).CAUTION Do not affix the sticke
r anywhere except the
specified position on th
e pad of the steering
wheel. Affixing the sticker in an incorrect position could prevent the SRS airbag fromdeploying properly.
BK0209800US.book 10 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Operation under adverse driving conditions 8-14 For emergencies
8
When driving on a road covered with snow or ice, use snow tires. Tire chains cannot be used on your vehicle. There may be state or local regulations aboutusing snow tires. Always check the regu- lations in your local area before using them. Refer to the section entitled “Snowtires” on page 9-15 and “Tire chains” on page 9-16. Drive slowly. Do not make sudden starts or stops, sharp turns, or slam on the brakes. Allow extra distance
between your vehi-
cle and the vehicle in front of you, and avoid sudden braking. If a skid occurs when the accelerator pedal is depressed, take your foot off the pedal. Steer gently in the direction of theskid. Your vehicle is equippe
d with an anti-lock
braking system (ABS), hold the brakepedal down firmly and
keep it depressed.
Do not pump the brake pedal which will result in reduced braking performance. After parking on snowy or icy road, it may be difficult to move your vehicle due to freeze-up of the brake. Depress theaccelerator pedal little by little to move the vehicle after confirming safety of the vehicle.
Drive as slow as possible when driving on bumpy or rutted roads or over potholesetc.
On wet roads
CAUTION Do not drive on a flooded road. If you drive on a flooded road, not only the electric motorunit stops but also a fail
ure like electric leak-
age or short circuit may occur. If you inevitably had to run on a floodedroad and the vehicle was exposed to water, be sure to have your vehicle inspected by a certified i-MiEV dealer. When driving in rain, on water-covered roads, or through a car wash, water could getinto the brake discs and make them fail tem- porarily. In such cases, lightly press the brake pedal to see if they are working prop-erly. If they are not, press the pedal lightly several times while driving to dry the brake pads or linings, then check them again. When driving in rain, a layer of water may form between the tires and the road surface(aquaplaning). This l
oosens your tires’ grip
on the road, making it difficult to steer or brake properly. When driving on a wet road:• Drive your vehicle at a safe speed.• Do not drive on worn tires.• Always keep the tires at the correct infla-tion pressures.
On snowy or icy roads
CAUTION Do not depress the acce
lerator pedal rapidly.
The vehicle could start moving when itbreaks free from the ice, possibly resulting inan accident.
On a bumpy or rutted road
CAUTION Driving on bumpy, rutted roads or over pot- holes can damage the tires and wheels. Wheels with low-profiles tires or under- inflated tires are especially at risk for dam-age. The vehicle’s body, bumper, muffler and other parts may be dama
ged if the vehicle is:
• driven over a step (for example, at the entrance or exit of a parking lot);• parked too closely against a curb or parkingblock, or by the side of a road with curb-stones;• driven on a steep slope.
BK0209800US.book 14 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

9
Vehicle care and maintenanceService precautions ..........................................................................9-2 Hood .............
............
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
...........
.....9-3
View under the hood and electric motor unit room .........................9-4Coolant/Hot water heater fluid ........................................................9-4 Washer fluid .....................................................................................9-7 Brake fluid .......................................................................................9-712V starter battery ...........................................................................9-7 Tires ...............................................................................................9-10 Brake pedal free play .....................................................................9-16Parking brake lever stroke .............................................................9-16 Wiper blades ..................................................................................9-16 General maintenance .....................................................................9-17For cold and snowy weather ..........................................................9-18 Fusible links ...................................................................................9-18 Fuses ..............................................................................................9-18Replacement of light bulbs ............................................................9-22 Vehicle care precautions ................................................................9-28 Cleaning the inside of your vehicle .......
...........
...........
...........
.......9-29
Cleaning the outside of your vehicle .....
...........
...........
...........
.......9-30
BK0209800US.book 1 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Tires 9-10 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
N00939201619
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms: Cold tire pressure: • The measured pressure after the vehiclehas been parked for
at least three hours,
or • The measured pressure when the vehicleis driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after having been parked for three hours.
Maximum inflation pressure: the maxi- mum permissible cold
tire inflation pres-
sure for this tire. Recommended inflation pressure: the inflation pressure for optimum tire perfor- mance.
WA R N I N G Open doors and wind
ows in any closed
space where you may be charging orworking with the 12V starter battery. Always wear protective clothing and gog- gles when working wi
th the 12V starter
battery, or have a sk
illed automobile tech-
nician do it. If you are quick-charging your 12V starter battery, first disconnect the 12V starter battery cables. In order to prevent a short circuit, be sure to disconnect the negative (-) terminalfirst, and reconnect it last. If the electrolyte level
is very low, have the
12V starter battery checked at a certified i-MiEV dealer. 12V starter battery te
rminals and related
accessories contain
lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling. CAUTION When replacing the
12V starter battery,
remove the connected
positive (+) and nega-
tive (-) terminals after turning the electric motor switch to the “LOCK” position andwaiting at least 1 minut
e. If the 12V starter
battery terminal is removed just after the electric motor switch is turned to the “LOCK” position, this
may cause damage to
components of the electric motor unit.
NOTE
Before cleaning the 12V starter battery, tighten all the filler port
caps to keep dirt and
moisture out. Check each 12V starter battery terminal for corrosion. If necessary, clean the terminalswith a solution of baking soda and water. Grease the posts and cl
amps after cleaning or
tightening them. Check to see that the 12V starter battery is securely installed and
cannot be moved. Also
check each terminal for tightness. If you will not be driv
ing your vehicle for a
long period of time, re
move the 12V starter
battery and store it in a place where the 12V starter battery fluid wi
ll not freeze. Memory
data for settings made by the user may be erased when the 12V starter battery is removed. If this happens, reset the settingsagain using the releva
nt procedures. The
12V starter battery
only should be stored
with a full charge.
Tires
WA R N I N G Driving with tires that are worn, damaged or improperly inflated is dangerous.These type tire conditions will adversely affect vehicle performance. These type tire conditions can also cause atread separation or blowout which may result in an accide
nt causing serious
injury or death. Tires degrade over ti
me with age even
when they are not being used. It is recom-mended that tires ove
r 6 years generally
be replaced even if
damage is not obvious.
BK0209800US.book 10 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Tires
Vehicle care and maintenance 9-11
9
Intended outboard sidewall: • The sidewall that c
ontains a whitewall,
bears white letteri
ng or bears manufac-
turer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or deeper than the samemolding on the other sidewall of the tire, or • The outward facing si
dewall of an asym-
metrical tire that has a particular side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Passenger car tire: a
tire intended for use
on passenger cars, multipurpose passen-ger vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight rati
ng (GVWR) of 10,000
pounds or less. Light truck (LT) tire: a tire designated by its manufacturer as primarily intended for use on lightweight truc
ks or multipurpose
passenger vehicles. Tread: portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road. Tread rib: a tread se
ction running circum-
ferentially around a tire. Tread separation: pulling away of the tread from the tire carcass. Carcass: the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when inflated,bears the load. Sidewall: portion of
a tire between the
tread and bead.
Section width: the line
ar distance between
the exteriors of the sidewalls of aninflated tire, excluding elevations due to labeling, decoration, or protective bands. Bead: the part of the tire that is made of steel wires, wrapped
or reinforced by ply
cords and that is shaped to fit the rim. Ply: a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords. Cord: the strands forming the plies in the tire. Rim: a metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tirebeads are seated. Rim diameter: nominal diameter of the bead seat. Groove: the space between two adjacent tread ribs.
EXAMPLE:P215/65R15
Tire Markings
Size Designation P
Passenger car tire size based on U.S.A. design standards
215
Section width in millimeters (mm.)
65
Aspect ratio in percent (%) Ratio of section height to section width of tire.
R
Construction code •“R” means radial construc- tion.
• “D” means diagonal or bias construction.
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)
BK0209800US.book 11 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分

Tires 9-12 Vehicle care and maintenance
9
EXAMPLE: 95H
Maximum load indicates the maxi- mum load this tire is designed to carry. Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire infla-tion pressure for this tire. The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire but the date
NOTE
European/Japanese metric tire sizing is based on European/Jap- anese design standards. Tires designed to these standards havethe tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with the sec- tion width. The letter “P” isabsent from this tire size desig- nation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.LT (Light Truck) -metric tiresizing is based on U.S.A. designstandards. The size designation for LT-metric tires is the same as for P-metric tires except for theletters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Example:LT235/85R16.
Service Description 95
Load index A numerical code associ- ated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H
Speed symbol A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corre- sponding to its
load index
under certain operating con-ditions.The maximum speed corre- sponding to the speed sym- bol should only be achieved under specified operating conditions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road condi-tions and posted speed lim- its)
Maximum Load
WA R N I N GOverloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading cancause tire failure, affect vehi- cle handling, and increase your stopping distance. Usetires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
Maximum Pressure Tire Identification Number (TIN)
BK0209800US.book 12 ページ 2014年1月14日 火曜日 午前9時26分