13
Quick Reference Guide
SPORT HYBRID i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode
Drive)
Your SPORT HYBRID i-MMD vehicle uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine as propulsion sources, with the electric motor
receiving electricity from an internal High Voltage battery and/or internal generator. The High Voltage battery is charged from the
generator driven by the engine or regenerative braking.
When driving, your vehicle is propelled exclusively by the electric motor, exclusively by the gasoline engine, or by a combination of the two.
The system selects which propulsion source is most appropriate and automatically switches to it.
●Energy efficiency
As with a gasoline-powered vehicle, hybrid vehicle fuel efficien cy and driving range is most impacted by your driving style. Aggressive
acceleration and high-speed driving can easily trigger the system to switch the propulsion source to the gasoline-powered engin e.
In addition, heavy climate control system use negatively affects vehicle range and efficiency. Either of these use patterns will more quickly
reduce the High Voltage battery's state of charge.
●Battery types
There are two types of batteries used in this vehicle; a standard 12-volt battery that powers the airbags, the interior and exterior lights, and
other standard 12-volt systems; and a high voltage battery that is used to power the propulsion motor and recharge the 12-volt battery.
14
Quick Reference Guide
SPORT HYBRID i-MMD SYSTEM MAIN COMPONENTS
Gasoline Engine– Runs the generator and under certain
conditions, drives the wheels directly.
Generator– Starts the engine and generates electric power
when driven by the gasoline engine to supply electricity to
power the electric motor and/or to charge the High Voltage
battery.
Electric Motor– Provides propulsion to drive the wheels in
conjunction with the gasoline engine in certain conditions and
provides electricity to the High Voltage battery through
regenerative braking.
High Voltage Battery– Provides electrical storage and serves
as a power source for the electric motor.
Learning about the High Voltage battery’s characteristics will
help you get the best handling and maximize the range of your
electric vehicle. (P491)
●Sounds Unique to the SPORT HYBRID i-MMD System
When you first start driving this vehicle, you will likely hear some unfamiliar sounds, particularly when you turn on the power system, or
while you are driving or accelerating from a stop. Some of these sounds are unique to this vehicle‘s powertrain, fuel, and clim ate control
systems; others are similar to sounds generate d by conventional automobiles that typically are masked by louder noises absent f rom a
vehicle of this design. These sounds are not a cause for concern, and you will soon recognize them as normal and thus be able t o detect any
new or unusual noise should one develop.
After shutting off the engi ne, you may hear certain noises coming from the vehicle. Here’s the lowdown:
●Noise from Under Vehicle: This noise is caused by the vacuum pump inside the fuel evaporation leakage check module (ELCM).
Depending on conditions, the pump will come on for about 15 minutes about 5 to 10 hours after engine shutoff. This noise is just normal
vehicle operation and doesn’t indicate a vehicle problem.
High Voltage
Battery
Generator & Electric Motor
Gasoline Engine
15
Quick Reference Guide
Operating modeElectric Vehicle (EV)Hybrid (HV)Engine (Direct Drive)Regeneration
Driving state
Stopped or driven at low speeds:●Only the electric motor
provides propulsion to the
wheels.Driven in high-load conditions
(e.g., when accelerating, going
uphill):
●The Electric Motor provides
propulsion to the wheels.
●The gasoline engine drives the
generator, supplying electricity
to the electric motor for added
propulsion or to the High
Voltage battery for charging.
Driven in high-speed, low-load
conditions:
●The gasoline e ngine provides
propulsion to the wheels.
●The High Voltage battery
supplies electricity to the electric
motor for added propulsion.
●The electric motor provides electricity
to the High Voltage battery through
regenerative braking.
The accelerator pedal is released
and the vehicle is decelerating.
●The electric motor provides
electricity to the High Voltage
battery through regenerative
braking.
Power Flow
Monitor
Electric motorStopped/RunningRunningGenerating/RunningRegenerating
GeneratorStoppedGeneratingNo OutputStopped/No Output
EngineStoppedRunningRunningStopped/No Output
High Voltage batteryDischargeCharging/DischargeCharging/DischargeCharging
2WD models
Vehicle Speed
Time
16
Quick Reference Guide
Operating modeElectric Vehicle (EV)Hybrid (HV)Engine (Direct Drive)Regeneration
Driving state
Stopped or driven at low speeds:●Only the electric motor
provides propulsion to the
wheels.Driven in high-load conditions
(e.g., when accelerating, going
uphill):
●The Electric Motor provides
propulsion to the wheels.
●The gasoline engine drives the
generator, supplying electricity
to the electric motor for added
propulsion or to the High
Voltage battery for charging.
Driven in high-speed, low-load
conditions:
●The gasoline engine provides
propulsion to the wheels.
●The High Voltage battery
supplies electricity to the electric
motor for added propulsion.
●The electric motor provides electricity
to the High Voltage battery through
regenerative braking.
The accelerator pedal is released
and the vehicle is decelerating.
●The electric motor provides
electricity to the High Voltage
battery through regenerative
braking.
Power Flow
Monitor
Electric motorStopped/RunningRunningGenerating/RunningRegenerating
GeneratorStoppedGeneratingNo OutputStopped/No Output
EngineStoppedRunningRunningStopped/No Output
High Voltage batteryDischargeCharging/DischargeCharging/DischargeCharging
AWD models
Vehicle Speed
Time
17
Quick Reference Guide
●Regenerative Energy and Regenerative BrakingWhen decelerating without the accelerator being depressed or the brake pedal being applied, or
while driving downhill, the electric motor acts as a generator that recovers a portion of the
electrical energy that was used to accelerate the vehicle. This regenerative braking slows the
vehicle in a manner similar to engine braking in a gasoline-powered vehicle. You can control the
rate of deceleration by using the deceleration paddle selector.
●Auto Engine Stop/Start
Your vehicle’s gasoline engine automatically stops running during vehicle operation or restarts while the vehicle is stationary when it is
appropriate.
In the following cases, however, auto engine stop may not activate.
•The vehicle momentarily needs additional power for aggressive acceleration, or driving uphill or at high speed.
•The climate control system is in heavy use.
•The High Voltage battery temperature is high or low.•The High Voltage battery is too low on charge.
Predictive Eco Assist*
Predictive Eco Assist helps you drive more economically to your destination during navigation route guidance.
It predicts how much the high voltage battery can be charged by regenerative braking when driving downhill on the way to the
destination, and operates in EV mode as much as possible.
If there are any stops on the way to the destination, it works more effectively if they are set as waypoints.
If you leave the suggested navigation route, Predictive Eco Assi st may not function in a way that is suitable for your route.
You can turn Predictive Eco Assist on and off in Ve hicle Settings using the audio/information screen.
2 Customized Features (P376)
When regenerative braking is in
operation
Motor
High
Voltage
Battery
* Not available on all models
21
Quick Reference Guide
Safe Driving (P43)
Airbags (P59)
●Your vehicle is fitted with airbags to help protect you and
your passengers during a moderate-to-severe collision.
Child Safety (P79)
●All children 12 and younger should be seated in the rear seat.●Smaller children should be properly restra ined in a forward-facing child seat.●Infants must be properly restrained in a rear-facing child seat.
Exhaust Gas Hazard (P92)
●Your vehicle emits dangerous exhaust gases that contain carbon
monoxide. Do not run the engine in confined spaces where carbon
monoxide gas can accumulate.
Before Driving Checklist (P48)
●Before driving, check that the front seats, head
restraints, steering wheel, and mirrors have been
properly adjusted.
Seat Belts (P49)
●Fasten your seat belt and sit upright well
back in the seat.
●Check that your passengers are wearing
their seat belts correctly.
Fasten your lap belt as
low as possible.
37
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P599)
Under the Hood (P611)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid.●Check the 12-volt battery condition monthly.
aPull the hood release handle under the driver's side lower corner
of the dashboard.
bLocate the hood latch lever, push it to the side, and then
raise the hood. Once you have raised the hood slightly, you
can release the lever.
cWhen finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights (P623)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades (P627)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield or become noisy.
Tires (P631)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.●Check tire pressures regularly.●Install snow tires for winter
driving.
92
Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas
The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.
■Have the exhaust system in spected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is m aking an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgat e open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous conditio n. If you must drive with the tailgate
open, open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1 Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediat ely after starting the engine.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.