Page 13 of 690

1-8
Foreword / Starting your Electric vehicle
Electric Vehicle
An electric vehicle is driven using a
battery and an electric motor. While
general vehicles use an internal
combustion engine and gasoline as fuel,
electric vehicles use electrical energy
that is charged inside the high voltage
battery. As a result, electric vehicles are
eco-friendly in that they do not require
fuel and do not emit exhaust gases.
Characteristics of Electric
Vehicles
1. It is driven using the electrical energy
that is charged inside the high voltage
battery. This method prevents air
pollution since fuel, like gasoline, is
not required, negating the emission of
exhaust gases.
2. A high performance motor is used
in the vehicle as well. Compared to
standard, internal combustion engine
vehicles, engine noise and vibrations
are much more minimal when driving.
3. When decelerating or driving
downhill, regenerative braking is
utilized to charge the high voltage
battery. This minimizes energy loss
and increases the distance to empty.
4. When the battery charge is not
sufficient, AC charge, DC charge and
trickle charge are available. (Refer to
“Charge Types for Electric Vehicle” for
details.)
Information
What does regenerative braking do?
It uses an electric motor when decelerating
and braking and transforms kinetic
energy to electrical energy in order to
charge the high voltage battery. (Torque
is applied in the opposite direction when
decelerating to generate braking force and
electric energy.)
Battery Information
[ The vehicle is composed of a high
voltage battery that drives the motor
and air-conditioner, and an auxiliary
battery (12 V) that powers all the
vehicle controllers, lamps, wipers, and
audio system.
[ The auxiliary battery is automatically
charged when the vehicle is in the
ready (
) mode or the high
voltage battery is being charged.
The 12V battery is also occasionally
charged by battery saver function
from the high voltage battery under
certain conditions at vehicle off
condition.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Page 112 of 690

3-24
Safety System
Seat Warmers
Seat warmers are provided to warm the
seats during cold weather.
During mild weather or under conditions
where the operation of the seat warmer
is not needed, keep the seat warmers
OFF.
WARNING
The seat warmers can cause a SERIOUS
BURN, even at low temperatures and
especially if used for long periods of
time.
Passengers must be able to feel if the
seat is becoming too warm so they can
turn it off, if needed.
People who cannot detect temperature
change or pain to the skin should
use extreme caution, especially the
following types of passengers:
[ Infants, children, elderly or disabled
persons, or hospital outpatients.
[ People with sensitive skin or who
burn easily.
[ Fatigued individuals.
[ Intoxicated individuals.
[ People taking medication that can
cause drowsiness or sleepiness.
WARNING
NEVER place anything on the seat
that insulates against heat when the
seat warmer is in operation, such as a
blanket or seat cushion. This may cause
the seat warmer to overheat, causing a
burn or damage to the seat.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the seat warmers
and seats:
[ Never use a solvent such as paint
thinner, benzene, alcohol or gasoline
to clean the seats.
[ Do not place heavy or sharp objects
on seats equipped with seat
warmers.
[ Do not change the seat cover. It may
damage the seat warmer.
Page 644 of 690

9-17
09
Blade Inspection
Contamination of either the windshield
or the wiper blades with foreign matter
can reduce the effectiveness of the
windshield wipers.
Common sources of contamination are
insects, tree sap, and hot wax treatments
used by some commercial car washes. If
the blades are not wiping properly, clean
both the window and the blades with a
good cleaner or mild detergent, and rinse
thoroughly with clean water.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the wiper blades,
arms or other components, do not:
[ Use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near
them.
[ Attempt to move the wipers
manually.
[ Use non-specified wiper blades.
Information
Commercial hot waxes applied by
automatic car washes have been known to
make the windshield difficult to clean.
Information
Wiper blades are consumable items.
Normal wear of the wipers may not be
covered by your vehicle warranty.
Blade Replacement
When the wipers no longer clean
adequately, the blades may be worn or
cracked, and require replacement.
NOTICE
[ In order to prevent damage to the
hood and the wiper arms, the wiper
arms should only be lifted when in
the top wiping position.
[ Always return the wiper arms to the
windshield before driving.
Front windshield wiper blade
replacement
OJWEV091036N[A] : Type A, [B] : Type B
1. Within 20 seconds of turning off the
vehicle, lift up (or push down) and
hold the wiper lever to the MIST (or 1x)
position for about 2 seconds until the
wipers move to the top wipe position.
2. At this time you can lift the wipers off
the windshield.
Information
This vehicle has a “hidden” wiper design
which means that the wipers cannot be
lifted manually when they are in their
bottom resting position.
WIPER BLADES