2011 NISSAN LEAF battery

the ON position and then in the OFF
position to prevent the 12-volt bat-
tery automatically being charged by
the Li-ion battery. See “Charging
the 12-volt battery” in the “EV.
Overview” section.
This “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
that are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. See “Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties and could affect your warranty cover-
age. If in doubt about any servicing, we
recommend that it be done by a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.

1. Remove the cell plugs*A.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
*1line.
If the side of the 12-volt battery is not clear,
check the distilled water level by looking
directly above the cell; the condition
*1indicates OK and the condition*2needs
more to be added.
3. Tighten cell plugs
*A.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
12-volt battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
Jump starting provides power to the 12 volt
system to allow the electrical systems to
operate. The electrical systems must be operat-
ing to allow the Li-ion battery to be charged.
Jump starting does not charge the Li-ion battery.
The Li-ion battery must be charged before the
vehicle can be driven.
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “6. In case of emergency” section. If the
power switch does not switch to READY to drive
position by jump starting, the 12-volt battery
may have to be replaced. Contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.

2 Instruments and controls
Cockpit ....................................................................................... 2-3
Instrument panel ....................................................................... 2-4
Meters and gauges .................................................................. 2-5Speedometer and odometer ........................................... 2-6
Li-ion battery temperature gauge ................................... 2-7
Power meter ........................................................................ 2-7
Driving range ....................................................................... 2-8
Li-ion battery available charge gauge ........................... 2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge ............................. 2-10
Outside air temperature ................................................ 2-10
ECO indicator .................................................................. 2-10
Clock .................................................................................. 2-11
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ........... 2-12
Checking bulbs ................................................................ 2-13
Warning lights .................................................................. 2-13
Indicator lights .................................................................. 2-18
Audible reminders ........................................................... 2-20
Dot matrix liquid crystal display ......................................... 2-22 Indicators for operation .................................................. 2-23
Trip computer ................................................................... 2-27
Warning information displays ....................................... 2-31
Indicators for maintenance ........................................... 2-33
Indicator for timer ............................................................ 2-34 Security systems .................................................................. 2-35
Vehicle security system ............................................... 2-35
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ....................... 2-36
Windshield wiper and washer switch ............................. 2-38 Washer operation ......................................................... 2-39
Rear window wiper and washer switch ........................ 2-39
Rear window and outside mirror defroster switch ...... 2-40
Instrument brightness control ............................................ 2-41
Headlight and turn signal switch ...................................... 2-41 Headlight switch ........................................................... 2-41
Turn signal switch ......................................................... 2-44
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ..................................... 2-44
Hazard warning flasher switch .......................................... 2-45
Heated steering wheel (if so equipped) ........................ 2-45
Horn ......................................................................................... 2-46
Heated seats (if so equipped) .......................................... 2-47
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF switch ................ 2-48
Power outlet ........................................................................... 2-49
Storage ................................................................................... 2-49 Cup holders .................................................................... 2-49
Sunglasses holder ........................................................ 2-50
Glove box ........................................................................ 2-51Console box ................................................................... 2-51

battery may be discharged or there
may be a malfunction in the 12-volt
battery related system.
— If the 12-volt charge warning light
continues to illuminate when the
vehicle is in the READY to drive
mode, there may be a malfunction in
the DC/DC converter. Contact a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
inspection.

ging the Li-ion battery.
If the light illuminates when the EV system
becomes hot due to continuous hill climbing
either continue driving at a slower safe speed, or
stop the vehicle in a safe location. If this
indicator does not turn off, contact a NISSAN
certified dealer.
If the indicator illuminate when a part in the EV
system has malfunctioned. If the indicator
illuminates in a situation other than those
described above, or if it does not turn off, there
may be a system malfunction. Contact a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys ............................................................................................. 3-2Intelligent Keys .................................................................. 3-2
Doors ........................................................................................... 3-4
Locking with Mechanical key .......................................... 3-4
Locking with inside lock knob ........................................ 3-5
Locking with power door lock switch ........................... 3-5
Automatic door locks ........................................................ 3-5
Child safety rear door lock .............................................. 3-6
Intelligent Key system ............................................................. 3-6 Intelligent Key operating range ....................................... 3-8
Door locks/unlocks precaution ....................................... 3-9
Intelligent Key operation ................................................ 3-10
12-volt battery saver system ........................................ 3-11
Warning signals ............................................................... 3-11 Troubleshooting guide ................................................. 3-12
How to use remote keyless entry function ............. 3-13
Hood ........................................................................................ 3-16
Rear hatch .............................................................................. 3-17
Charge port lid ...................................................................... 3-17 Opening charge port lid .............................................. 3-17
Charge port cap ............................................................ 3-18
Tilt steering column ............................................................. 3-19 Tilt operation .................................................................. 3-19
Sun visors ............................................................................... 3-20
Mirrors ..................................................................................... 3-20 Inside rearview mirror ................................................... 3-20
Outside mirrors .............................................................. 3-21
Vanity mirror .................................................................... 3-22

.Check by using a cellular phone, smart
phone or personal computer. See LEAF
Navigation System Owner’s Manual.
. Check by using the charging status indicator
light. See “Charging status indicator lights”
later in this section.
NOTE:
. During the charge operation, charge
continues when the power switch is
placed in the ON position.
. The Li-ion battery cannot be charged if
the quick charge connector and the
normal charge connector are con-
nected at the same time. If another
charge connector is connected mid-
charge, charging will stop.
. For safety reasons, it is not possible to
switch to the READY to drive position
while a charge connector is connected.
. During charging, it is possible that the
radio may be inaudible due to noise by
the electromagnetic wave.HOW TO NORMAL CHARGE
WARNING
.If you use any medical electric
devices, such as an implantable
cardiac pacemaker or an implanta-
ble cardiovascular defibrillator,
check with the electric medical de-
vice manufacturer concerning the
effects that charging may have on
implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging
may affect the operation.
. If you have an implantable cardiac
pacemaker or an implantable cardi-
ovascular defibrillator, while the Li-
ion battery is charging:
— Do not stay inside the vehicle.
— Do not go inside the vehicle, for
example to remove or place an
item in the passenger compart-
ment.
— Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove or place an
item in the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation
of electric medical device and result in serious personal injury or death.
. Be sure to follow the precautions
for using the charger that can be
installed in your home. Failing to do
so could result in serious injury or
death.

HOW TO TRICKLE CHARGE
WARNING
.If you use any medical electric
devices, such as an implantable
cardiac pacemaker or an implanta-
ble cardiovascular defibrillator,
check with the electric medical de-
vice manufacturer concerning the
effects that charging may have on
implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging
may affect the operation.
. If you have an implantable cardiac
pacemaker or an implantable cardi-
ovascular defibrillator, while the Li-
ion battery is charging:
— Do not stay inside the vehicle.
— Do not go inside the vehicle, for
example to remove or place an
item in the passenger compart-
ment.
— Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove or place an
item in the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation
of electric medical device and result in serious personal injury or death.
. In order to avoid an electric shock or
fire due to a short circuit, connect to
GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) cir-
cuit breaker and use a waterproof
electrical ground socket.
. The NISSAN Genuine EVSE (Electric
Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging
device provided with your vehicle
draws 12amps continuously while
charging the Li-ion battery. Do not
plug in to any electrical circuit un-
less it is inspected by a licensed
electrician to confirm that the elec-
trical circuit can accept a 12 amp
draw. Any electrical circuit has a
much higher likelihood of being
compromised in the following con-
ditions listed below.
— Improper use of the charger may
result in a fire and serious injury
or death.
— Do not use this charger in struc- tures more than 40 years old.
— Do not use this charger in struc- tures using fuse-based circuit
protection. Use only with elec-
trical circuits protected by circuit breakers.
— Do not use this charger on electrical circuits with two-prong
outlets.
— Do not use charger if outlet appears damaged or will not
hold plug firmly.
— Discontinue charger use imme- diately if plug or outlet becomes
hot to the touch or if you notice
any unusual odors.
— Do not use charger if other devices are plugged into the
same circuit.
— Never use extension cords or plug adapters with charger.
— Do not operate with a damaged cord.
— Always unplug the charger when not in use.
— When unplugging, be sure to pull by the plug and not the cord.
— The device has parts that may spark inside. Do not use it where
gasoline, paint, or flammable
liquids are used or stored.
ChargingCH-11