How to service an electric car + unlocking hidden iMiEV options!

People often ask me about what's involved in servicing electric vehicle, so I created this handy step-by-step guide to help potential EV owners. Also, now that my car is five years old its warranty has expired. This is actually good news, because I discovered a curious secret: the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero have hidden options reserved for the Mitsubishi iMiEV - but to access those I needed to drill a few holes...
Oh yeah, since I got my electric car I haven't bought any gas or diesel for 15 months (and counting). Sorry about that, OPEC.
I make these videos just for fun so if you found this video useful or entertaining please help me spread the word & share it!

[@cabra2365]

Gavin I just wanted to let you know that people are still following your instructions on how to do this! I bought an ICE gear surround (with 3 and 2 markings) from a used Japanese car on Yahoo auctions for £8. No cutting required, the face plate and the black part underneath fit straight on the white pillar. I sprayed the face plate black (it was grey). I'm enjoying B mode around town. Cheers!

[@tiborkiss9186]

I just made a BIG service on my c-zero... changed the cabin filter (10 min, you need to do it every year). I also changed the oil in the gearbox/differential (15 min, you need to do it every five years). THe only thing left now: changing the cooling liquid - but that needs to be done once every 20(!) year - so I skipped that for now..:)

[@jensweel741]

Die Fahrstufen "freibohren" funktioniert tatsächlich ,habe es sofort nachgemacht und bin begeistert! DANKE!!

[@markcornwall8132]

Thanks Gavin our ion has just passed 5 years too. Do enjoy your videos.

[@MikeServis]

you the man Gavin! The original electric car vlogger

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Aw shucks. :) I'll never fit my head through the door now, Mike.

[@whcc1946]

Mike Servis X.

[@LakinPlates]

I don't have an iMiev, Gavin, but if I did, I'd be out with my drill tomorrow! Your video was linked on the Electric Vehicles for Australia Facebook page and I'm sure will be very helpful for Australian owners. Congratulations on such an easy to follow guide. Philip.

[@bozzob7873]

On 2015 c zero if you try to unlock extra gears it only goes 6km/h max on B and C.. and if you press the pedal to speed up it does nothing. Only works correctly in D mode

[@mundungous]

Could you do a more in-depth guide to the servicing? I got lost at the opening of the washer fluid cap.

[@marcop.2921]

Thanks Gavin for the tip! I changed the gearshift of my I-on into the mitsu model, and in B mode the car appears having more autonomy than in the normal D. Furthermore, in the city I need to use the breaks less .

[@selmateacher7]

thanks for the video. I own a new 2017 Mitsubishi i MiEV and I was wondering about a battery Upgrade, can that be done??

[@harry130747]

UK supplied I-MIEV s are delivered with these slots already available. "D" is for normal driving about town. (gives better low speed control) . "B"(increased regenerative braking) good for hills and twisty roads. C max power (for open straight highways).

[@Michael-xs5ef]

There was no significant difference in the power when accelerating, C is for lowest Regen, not power delivery.

[@speakaboo664]

Great video, I just got a used c-zero and I hope I can drill through both plastic pieces from behind not to have to buy the overcharged i-miev plate. I was looking at the figures of the B mode and it shows on your video that there is a difference of 5kw peak regen, but I get the feeling that the total regen power from 80km/h to 20km/h was a higher percentage difference compared to the peak regen power if that makes sense. I would love to know the total regen power difference between the 2 modes if that is available?

[@danielegstedt4223]

I tried to order it but in Mitsubishi spain they want the reference number of the part if you don’t have a registered Mitsubishi . Can you please include the referenser number in the video ?

[@luciffer72]

Where can I buy the gear cover, with B and C options? I guess at Mitsubishi, a? But, is there any other option?

[@13partnership]

great stuff, exactly what I was looking for. thx a lot! greatings from Germany...

[@nicacristian8129]

Hi, where i find this SHIFT INDICATOR PANEL B END C, can you give me the local shop or code ?thank you

[@ninahudson3045]

B and C mode show up on the dashboard but the car doesn't do anything, its as if it were in Neutral. Do I need to change anything?

[@benleulmiabdelmalek2202]

me too i have same problem for my C ZERO 2018

[@williamcox1176]

Just reading some other comments about regen. on the ionq it has paddles on the steering wheel 3 levels of regen and coast. fun to play with but after nearly 5k i found full regen the simplest as its then all controllable with the accelerator. the regen levels depend on how far you come of the gas or should i say electrons. Not driven on ice yet.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Does it have battery cooling ?

[@samthomas1457]

How the heck do I get one of those i-MiEV shifter plates.

[@riccardomarinoni6733]

Wich year is your car? Before or after 2012?

[@toyotaprius79]

Hey man, Mr Kiwi. I've been seeing an abandoned clack Citroën CZero in Dublin How can I save it? Not under the wiper isn't enough If I can say , their motor tax had been expired since 2019

[@JonLucas1]

Really useful video. I would never have thought of that! Thanks! I have just performed a battery regen on an Outlander using the Lindqvist method and it worked. i wonder if you or any subscribers know how to get more life from the Ion/miev battery.

[@imho7250]

Seems like B stands for "braking" (more regen) and C stands for "Coasting" (less regen).

[@TheObsessedGardener]

IMHO I mostly use drive and neutral combinations as neutral imparts less friction and allows the car to travel further without any input of energy. Approaching lights and other reasons to stop, I try to coast up where possible. The other option I use is just flicking into D and for heavier braking, down into B. I love minimising the wear to my brake pads!

[@thegreatestmoo]

is the shifter supposed to light up the letters at night? i just got a used imev and cant see the selector position at night, no lights

[@lysandermb]

No, it doesn't light up. You have to get used to the number of clicks and the position, just like with the gears on an ICE car. The drive mode is also displayed next to the battery level.

[@Michael-xs5ef]

Wife and I have the same objection. I'm going to put some LEDs under the cover now I know how to get the cover off - thanks Gavin. I have put a LED alongside the "Ignition Switch" as the slot is invisible in the dark. Comes off the interior lights, which come on for a time when the driver's door is opened.

[@mullahviking]

So in doing that you get the extra gears. Having a 2011 ion I might just do that.

[@juanluishuertavivar1113]

Hei man were thinking about buying the 2048 citroen zero what's your opinion about the model would you buy it?

[@markcornwall8132]

Gavin could you let us know where got the cover from? thankyou.

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Sure! I bought it from Mitsubishi (the sales & service department). The part number is 2420A081XB.

[@michaelstuart6237]

I modified my Peugeot iOn but put it back to original because although the letters came up in the display no B or C modes worked. Just neutrals. So if anyone wants a modified plate I have one!

[@davidsmonkeyroost]

@@KiwiEVadventures Roughly how much did you have to pay for the new plate please (sorry, I know it was a long time ago now)? Online from Mitsubishi UK it seems to be about 99 Euros, which doesn't seem right. If you got it for much less then perhaps I need to source it from another country. I live in the UK. Cheers

[@davidsmonkeyroost]

@@michaelstuart6237 I may take you up on it, if still available! How much would you want for it and what country are you in?

[@michaelstuart6237]

David Harman I’ll happily send it to you. I am on Faial in the Azores. If you know someone here I can give it to them. Let me know where I can send it, I mean anywhere by snailmail. Maybe to a post office or business. This island is perfect for my EV and I love driving it.

[@snowcold903]

you do need to service the brakes and transmission oil and other things aswell

[@Flutentei]

"EZ PZ" had to laught at this one ;) Nice video as always and keep on creating this great content!!!

[@MartinHornansky]

Hi. I would like to ask whether anyone does not know where is located the horn and how to fix/change it in case it is not working. Thank you.

[@htintin85]

Thanks i don't think there is a real need to change the gear charging system, D is perfect for me, but it's interessting to know there is some hidden options. The ion is a great car, I'm looking for enlarging my tyres and lower the gravity center, to improve grip in curves, do you think it's possible ?

[@Trades46]

Cool find; my guess is Peugeot & Citroën don't have the C & B gear as Mitsubishi wants to reserve some of its gadgets for itself to entice buyers as a selling point over the French duo. The fact the parts (the shifter) are identical & the programming is built-in to the French cars is a hidden bonus indeed.

[@gilberturlacher9923]

Trades46

[@OriginalPiMan]

I'm a little confused. I own an iMiEV (2011), and the behaviour of your B and C gears don't match with the behaviour of my E and B gears at all. I understand my three drive gears as follows: D: Gives full drive power, but little regen E: Gives much less drive power, except when I floor it. More regen. B: Gives full drive power, and maximum regen. This is the drive gear I use 99% of the time.

[@TheObsessedGardener]

OriginalPiMan Interesting.. I have an MY12 iMiev and I have great regen with D, much less with C and more with B. I found fairly insignificant differences in throttle response between all three modes. LOVE LOVE LOVE the get up and boogy speed of this little car. It's truly unreal. If a bigger motor was put into the vehicle, I'd be inclined to say it was just overkill. It's a GREAT car!

[@OriginalPiMan]

TheObsessedGardener Thought: I know my D is for Drive, E for Eco and B for Brake. Perhaps you've got the same D and B, but you've got C for Coasting.

[@backwoodsbungalow9674]

Bioethanol heater for winter next?

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Funny you should mention that. I've been looking into it but they're not cheap things and money's tight at the moment so we'll see.

[@miguelferrazcosta]

And what about filtered used vegetable oil? :)

[@stenpalgi7127]

Wait a minute, shouldnt it have Mitsubishi logo instead of Peugeot logo?

[@NAY2GAS]

That's Awesome!!! - I should make a service video for my LEAF.

[@harry130747]

Err you left out checking brake fluid level and cab heating system fluid level - water& antifreeze (both in the front) Under the rear load platform is the motor coolant fluid level-water/antifreeze. This car is very rust prone underneath. Check out floor pans and "chassis" rails. Also rear brake pipes prone to rust. Caught in time will save a lot of repair money. My car is 2012 model, kept in garage when not in use, Local roads are salted in Winter.

[@lalig88]

Zdravim vas. Mate skusenosti s vymenou baterii u c-zera? Mam baterie len by som ich potreboval vymenit. Dakujem za odpoved

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Hello! Many years ago I tried to replace the battery in the car, but Peugeot quoted me €18,000!

[@anzonix]

Sweet! More videos, please!

[@Cyberjans]

how to get off the first two plugs? pull or press?

[@narphizoid]

Great fun, as always!

[@lullimuppi]

Like this Video. Next please take Champage.No more Cake. 😊 Regards from Germany. 🇩🇪

[@romaokhota5002]

Hello,where you bought this thing for Peugeot?

[@The_Hero_Is_Back]

Hey Gavin. It's been a year since you did this. Are you seeing improved range overall from the extra driving modes? Any chance of an update? Thx, Joe

[@BillGrates1]

American versions have D, E, B. already built in. No drilling required!

[@lysandermb]

All iMiEVs have the extra positions. It is the C-Zeros and Ions that have them hidden. I don't think the C-Zero or Ion were sold in the US.

[@forfengeligfaen]

I've got a 2011 i-MiEV. I've never really used the B and C gears 😂

[@CompareNewTyrescom-th5vc]

That's a great video. Is the iMiEV option available as an additional extra or is it just a dealer option?

[@SURFpal]

I heard this gear mod does not work on newer cars

[@pierosalonia2291]

Dove posso trovare la mascherina modificata ?

[@firefox39693]

Make more videos. Even POV's of you driving or other people's fuck-up's and DON'T edit out the swearing. I love hearing that shit.

[@AlfredScamman]

So, B is brake and C is... coast?

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Yeah, seems to be. I've been driving on B all week. It's brilliant for the city.

[@RubenKelevra]

B is somewhat standard on larger cars with heavy loading capacities or large towing capacity. So it's motor break selection. On Electric cars it's the same. On Tesla's it's simply selectable how much regen breaking the car should do, here it's selectable via "gear".

[@robertpajk7991]

Hi, I have a C-zero, I made a change, new mask, and I get a two new gears, but in this gears car have no power. Can someone let me know what to do? Thank you

[@Chukyka]

This option only work 2013 before maded car. Newest ion, C-zero doesn't work.

[@ecowarrior576]

I have the c-zero from 2013 and after the drilling they show on the dash but they act like neutral, anyone knows why?

[@Chukyka]

Where to buy this transmission mask?

[@amoulet69]

Mitsubishi sales & service dept. Part no. 2420A081XB

[@gteixeira]

What does it mean "eroticke" in Slovak?

[@speakaboo664]

Ups, I finished drilling my 2013 c-zero, and although the dashboard recognises the B and C modes, they don't work. Does anyone have any idea why? Could there be some software block that needs unblocking? Any advise would be much appreciated:)

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

On later models after 2012 the mode is displayed on the dashboard but it does not work due to reprogramming of the ECU's.

[@ecowarrior576]

@@SNORKYMEDIA Thanks for your answer. Can the ECU’s be easily reprogrammed again so that they would recognise it? Perhaps using an OBD ll or a mechanic?

[@bryanchannell7715]

Wait, vanilla and onion cake?? Where they do that at??

[@prze-mytnik2075]

Gdzie mozna kupic kratke?

[@robinaretz6597]

Very nice! 😂

[@RubenKelevra]

Any reason to use a gear different to B? :'D

[@Trades46]

Given the i-MiEV is actually a RWD car, D mode may be preferable in slippery conditions. While one pedal drive is awesome 99% of the time, heavy regen when on ice will actually risk breaking the rear end loose in loose surfaces and cause a potential spin. The BMW i3 I test drove which ONLY has heavy regen as the normal drive mode almost did this to me had traction control not intervened. I was told if you had good foot control & gotten used to one pedal drive it was easier to modulate, but I think less regen would have been easier to cope with in icy conditions.

[@boringpolitician]

It's all fun and games until the brake vacuum pump... eh, breaks.

[@Get_yotted]

Saves you money until those batteries go bad, won’t be so cheap then

[@marcoditerlizzi1729]

Ciao Kiwi EV dove si puo' ordinare il ricambio???

[@Johnfranorge]

The mitsubishi has them allready

[@camfam52002]

Lol...love it!

[@Nofzio]

MacGaving.

[@KiwiEVadventures]

Hahaha, that made me laugh out loud. :D

[@williamcox1176]

Your service guide was bloody funny, with your permission i think i may do one for my Ioniq. In reality your not far from the truth, Due to regenerative breaking the pads should last for ever, so the only items i can think of are wiper blades, tyres, pollen filter. And every 5 years if needed break fluid and radiator fluid. Not completely sure why my car has a radiator. The 12v battery that switches the big one on would need changing after a few years but on the ioniq its in such an easy location it should take 10 mins.

[@KiwiEVadventures]

William you don't need my permission! Go for it mate!

[@williamcox1176]

True but polite to ask and wouldn't want to upset the ev family. Need to find a way to feed the surplus energy from my solar panels into the car. Too many clouds in the uk. Any idea's would be a great vid.

[@williamcox1176]

True but polite to ask and wouldn't want to upset the ev family. Need to find a way to feed the surplus energy from my solar panels into the car. Too many clouds in the uk. Any idea's would be a great vid.

[@williamcox1176]

True but polite to ask and wouldn't want to upset the ev family. Need to find a way to feed the surplus energy from my solar panels into the car. Too many clouds in the uk. Any idea's would be a great vid.

[@williamcox1176]

True but polite to ask and wouldn't want to upset the ev family. Need to find a way to feed the surplus energy from my solar panels into the car. Too many clouds in the uk. Any idea's would be a great vid.

[@foppo101]

That is a lot of servicing made me tired looking at the procedure.Need a drink now .

[@TheObsessedGardener]

Every time I watch you put the cake on the car I cringe...

[@billygames7107]

Vanilla and onion cheese cake..wtf?!! 🤮

[@xboxice2005]

lol lol lol ahhhh :)