2012 NISSAN LEAF battery

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement ....................................................... 8-2Scheduled maintenance ................................................... 8-2
General maintenance ........................................................ 8-2
Where to go for service ................................................... 8-2
General maintenance .............................................................. 8-2 Explanation of maintenance items ................................. 8-2
Maintenance precautions ....................................................... 8-4
Motor compartment check locations .................................. 8-6
Cooling system ......................................................................... 8-7 Checking coolant level ..................................................... 8-8
Changing coolant ............................................................... 8-8
Reduction gear fluid ................................................................ 8-9
Brake fluid .................................................................................. 8-9
Window washer fluid ........................................................... 8-10
12-volt battery ........................................................................ 8-11 Jump starting .................................................................... 8-12
Windshield wiper blades .................................................... 8-12 Cleaning ............................................................................ 8-12
Replacing .......................................................................... 8-12 Rear window wiper blade .................................................. 8-15
Brakes ..................................................................................... 8-15
Brake pad wear warning ............................................. 8-15
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-16 Motor compartment ...................................................... 8-16
Passenger compartment ............................................. 8-17
Intelligent Key battery replacement .................................. 8-18
Lights ....................................................................................... 8-20 Headlights ....................................................................... 8-21Exterior and interior lights ........................................... 8-22
Wheels and tires .................................................................. 8-25 Tire pressure .................................................................. 8-25
Tire labeling .................................................................... 8-28
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-30
Tire chains ...................................................................... 8-31
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-32
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ........................... 8-34

webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
emits from the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically.
12-volt battery*: Check the fluid level in each
cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
12-volt battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir. Coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when
the motor compartment is cold.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for water
or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a short period of time. Water dripping
from the air conditioner after use is normal. If you
notice any leaks, check for the cause and have it
corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure that
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or
loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan and frame. At
the end of winter, the underbody should be
thoroughly flushed with plain water, being care-
ful to clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, see
“Cleaning exterior” in the “7. Appearance and
care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.

maintenance.
. Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely
and chock the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. Push the P
position switch on the selector lever
or place the vehicle into the N
(Neutral) position.
. If you must work with the EV
(Electric vehicle) system is turned
on, keep hands, clothing, hair and
tools away from moving fans and
any other moving parts.
. Make sure that the power switch is
in the OFF or LOCK position when
performing any part replacement or
repairs.
. It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
. Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. Never get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands. .
Keep smoking materials, flames
and sparks away from the 12-volt
battery.

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
*1
indicates 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.

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ............................ 5-23
Advanced air bag system ......................................... 1-42
Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system .................................. 1-42
Front passenger air bag and status light....... 1-44
Front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag system....................................................... 1-47
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system ............................ 1-47
Air bag warning labels............................................... 1-50
Air bag warning light...................................... 1-50, 2-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner specification label....................... 9-8
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations................................... 9-3
Alarm, How to stop alarm (see vehicle
security system)........................................................... 2-36
Alcohol, drugs and driving.......................................... 5-6
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ............................ 5-23
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light..... 2-14
Appearance care Exterior appearance care ...................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ....................................... 7-4
Audible reminders....................................................... 2-21
Autolight system.......................................................... 2-42
Automatic Door locks................................................................. 3-5
Automatic climate control ........................................... 4-6
Avoiding collision and rollover ................................... 5-5
B
Battery 12-volt battery....................................................... 8-11
Battery saver system........................................... 2-43
Intelligent Key battery.......................................... 8-18
Li-ion battery.......................................................... EV-2
Li-ion battery temperature gauge........................ 2-7
Before starting system............................................... 5-10
Booster seats............................................................... 1-33
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..................... 5-23
Brake fluid................................................................. 8-9
Brake system......................................................... 5-21
BRAKE system warning light (yellow) ............ 2-14
BRAKE warning light (red) ................................ 2-15
Brakes..................................................................... 8-15
Electric parking brake operation ...................... 5-15
BRAKE system warning light (yellow) ................... 2-14
BRAKE warning light (red) ....................................... 2-15
Bulb replacement........................................................ 8-20
C
Cabin air filter............................................................... 4-13
Capacities and recommended lubricants ............... 9-2
Cargo cover.................................................................. 2-51
Ceiling light................................................................... 2-57
Charging Charge port lid...................................................... 3-17
Charging related indicator light.................... CH-26
Charging timer .................................................. CH-19
Cleaning .................................................................... 7-6
Normal charge ..................................................... CH-9
Precautions on charging ................................... CH-2 Quick charge..................................................... CH-16
Specifications........................................................... 9-4
Tricklle charge................................................... CH-11
Charging methods .................................................. CH-19
Charging related indicator light........................... CH-26
Charging related remote function....................... CH-25
Charging status indicator light ............................ CH-26
Charging timer ......................................................... CH-19
Charging troubleshooting guide.......................... CH-30
Checking Checking bulbs..................................................... 2-13
Checking coolant level .......................................... 8-8
Child restraints............................................................. 1-19 Booster seats........................................................ 1-33
Precautions on child restraints......................... 1-19
Top tether strap.................................................... 1-22
Child safety................................................................... 1-17
Child safety rear door lock ......................................... 3-6
Circuit breaker, Fusible link...................................... 8-17
Cleaning exterior and interior............................ 7-2, 7-4
Climate control Climate control service....................................... 4-14
Climate control system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations................................ 4-14
In-cabin microfilter ............................................... 4-13
Climate control system Climate control operation...................................... 4-3
Climate Ctrl. Timer........................................................ 4-7
Clock.............................................................................. 2-11
Cockpit ............................................................................ 2-3
Cold weather driving.................................................. 5-26
Console box ................................................................. 2-51
Coolant Capacities and recommended lubricants ......... 9-2
Changing coolant.................................................... 8-8

Checking coolant level .......................................... 8-8
Cooling system.............................................................. 8-7
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-7
Cruise control............................................................... 5-17
Cup holders.................................................................. 2-49
D
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch........................................................... 2-40
Dimensions and weights............................................. 9-5
Dot matrix liquid crystal display............................... 2-22
Driving Cold weather driving........................................... 5-26
Driving vehicle....................................................... 5-11
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Driving range.................................................................. 2-8
Driving vehicle.............................................................. 5-11
E
ECO indicator.............................................................. 2-10
Efficient use of your vehicle ................................. EV-22
Electric parking brake break-in................................ 5-23
Electric parking brake indicator light...................... 2-19
Electric power steering system ............................... 5-21
Emergency charge.................................................. CH-11
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off...... 5-9, 6-2
Emergency shutoff system........................................ EV-9
Emission control information label............................ 9-7
EV Characteristics ..................................................... EV-9
EV system ..................................................................... EV-2
EV unique information............................................. EV-24
Event Data Recorder (EDR)..................................... 9-18
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) ..... CH-11
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) cleaning..................................................... 7-6
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ................. 9-7
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)..... 2-45
Flat tire............................................................................. 6-2
Flat towing .................................................................... 9-14
Floor mat cleaning ........................................................ 7-5
Fluid Brake fluid................................................................. 8-9
Capacities and recommended lubricants ......... 9-2
coolant ....................................................................... 8-7
Reduction gear fluid............................................... 8-9
Window washer fluid .......................................... 8-10
Fog light switch........................................................... 2-44
Front manual seat adjustment.................................... 1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light.............. 1-44
Front seat, Front seat adjustment............................. 1-3
Fuses.............................................................................. 8-16
Fusible links.................................................................. 8-17
G
Garage door open, HomeLink®Universal
Transceiver............................................................. 2-58
Gauge .............................................................................. 2-5 Driving range............................................................ 2-8
ECO indicator....................................................... 2-10
Li-ion battery available charge gauge................ 2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge.................. 2-10
Li-ion battery temperature gauge........................ 2-7
Odometer.................................................................. 2-6
Power meter ............................................................. 2-7
Speedometer............................................................ 2-6
General maintenance ................................................... 8-2
Glove box...................................................................... 2-51
H
Hazard warning flasher switch................................. 2-45
Head restraints .............................................................. 1-4
Headlights Bulb replacement................................................. 8-21
Headlight Aiming Control ................................. 2-44
Headlight switch................................................... 2-41
Heated seats................................................................ 2-46
Heated steering wheel............................................... 2-45
High voltage precautions .......................................... EV-7
HomeLink
®universal transceiver............................. 2-58
Hood release................................................................ 3-16
Horn................................................................................ 2-46
How to normal charge.............................................. CH-9
How to quick charge.............................................. CH-16
How to trickle charge ............................................ CH-11
I
If the Li-ion battery becomes
completely discharged............................................... 6-12
Immediate charge.................................................... CH-24
Immobilizer system...................................................... 2-36
In-cabin microfilter ...................................................... 4-13
indicator Electric parking brake indicator light............... 2-19
Indicator lights.............................................................. 2-19
Indicators for operation.............................................. 2-23
Inside rearview mirror................................................. 3-20
Instrument brightness control .................................. 2-41
Instrument panel............................................................ 2-4
Intelligent Key system ......................................... 3-6, 5-7 Key operating range ............................................... 3-8
Key operation ........................................................ 3-10
Remote keyless operation.................................. 3-13

Interior light replacement........................................... 8-22
Interior lights................................................................. 2-56
ISOFIX child restraint................................................. 1-20
J
Jump starting.................................................................. 6-9
K
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system (See Intelligent
Key system) ........................................................... 3-13
Keys.................................................................................. 3-2 For Intelligent Key system..................................... 3-6
L
LabelsAir bag warning labels........................................ 1-50
Air conditioner specification label....................... 9-8
Emission control information label...................... 9-7
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........... 9-7
Motor serial number ............................................... 9-7
Tire and Loading information label ......... 8-27, 9-8
Vehicle identification number (VIN) .................... 9-6
LATCH system............................................................. 1-20
License plate, Installing front license plate ............ 9-9
Light Air bag warning light........................................... 1-50
Bulb replacement................................................. 8-20
Ceiling light............................................................ 2-57
Fog light switch.................................................... 2-44
Headlight switch................................................... 2-41
Headlights bulb replacement............................ 8-21
Indicator lights....................................................... 2-19
Interior lights.......................................................... 2-56 Map lights .............................................................. 2-56
Replacement.......................................................... 8-20
Warning lights....................................................... 2-13
Light reminder warning.............................................. 2-25
Lights, Exterior and interior light replacement ..... 8-22
Li-ion battery................................................................. EV-2
Li-ion battery available charge gauge...................... 2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge......................... 2-10
Li-ion battery heater ................................................... EV-5
Li-ion battery status check ................................... CH-25
Li-ion battery temperature gauge.............................. 2-7
Limited power .............................................................. 2-32
Loading information (See vehicle
loading information) .................................................... 9-10
Lock Automatic door locks ............................................. 3-5
Door locks................................................................. 3-4
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Rear hatch lock..................................................... 3-17
Long life mode......................................................... CH-22
Low tire pressure warning light............................... 2-16
Low tire pressure warning system
(See tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)) .... 5-2
Luggage side hook..................................................... 2-53
M
Maintenance 12-volt battery....................................................... 8-11
General maintenance ............................................. 8-2
Indicators for maintenance ................................ 2-33
Inside vehicle............................................................ 8-3
Maintenance precautions...................................... 8-4
Maintenance requirements.................................... 8-2
Outside vehicle........................................................ 8-2
Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-16
Manual front seat adjustment..................................... 1-3 Map lights ..................................................................... 2-56
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) ................. 3-3
Meters and gauges....................................................... 2-5
Mirror
Inside rearview mirror.......................................... 3-20
Outside mirrors..................................................... 3-21
Vanity mirror........................................................... 3-22
Motor..................................................................... 5-11, 9-5 Before starting system........................................ 5-10
Motor compartment ...................................................... 8-6
N
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System..................... 2-36
Normal charge Home charge........................................................ CH-9
Occasional charge.............................................. CH-9
Public charge ....................................................... CH-9
O
Odometer........................................................................ 2-6
Off-road recovery.......................................................... 5-5
Oil Capacities and recommended lubricants ......... 9-2
Opening rear hatch .................................................... 3-11
Outside air temperature ............................................ 2-10
Outside mirrors............................................................ 3-21
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual
order information ......................................................... 9-19
P
Panic alarm................................................................... 3-14
Parking Electric parking brake operation ...................... 5-15
Parking on hills ..................................................... 5-20
Index10-3