2012 NISSAN LEAF Owners Manual

If the electric parking brake cannot be released
by operating the electric parking brake switch,
the parking brake can be mechanically released.
Note that the following procedure must be
performed only when the parking brake needs
to be released in an emergency.
NOTE:
.Depending on the type of parking
brake system malfunction, the parking
brake switch operation indicator may
blink and the electric shift control
system warning light may illuminate in
the meter.
. If the electric shift control system
warning light illuminates in the meter,
stop the vehicle in a safe location and
contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
immediately.
. The mechanical release of the parking
brake should only be done if there is a
malfunction of the electric parking
brake system. After the parking brake
mechanical release has been done, the
vehicle needs to be repaired. Have your
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
To release the parking brake mechanically,
perform the following procedure. 1. Confirm that the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position. If the vehicle cannot be placed in
the P (Park) position, contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
2. Check that the parking brake switch opera- tion indicator does not illuminate.
3. Place power switch in the OFF position.
4. Open the rear hatch.
5. Remove the tool for mechanical release from the tool set that is located in the cargo area.
6. Remove the luggage floor board from the cargo area.
7. Remove the cap by turning counterclock- wise.
8. Insert the tool and turn it counterclockwise while pushing it in.
9. Continue to turn it until it stops and then release your hand. The tool will then return
approximately the same position it was in
before it was turned and release of the
parking brake will be completed. Do not turn
the tool beyond the point at which it stops.
Doing so may result in damage.
10. Store the tool for mechanical release by performing the procedure for removing it in
reverse.

.If the vehicle is driven with the
electric parking brake applied, the
electric brake components may
overheat causing a deterioration in
electric parking brake effectiveness
and premature electric parking
brake wear.
. The electric parking brake mechan-
ical release tool should be used
only to release the electric parking
brake in an emergency.
NOTE:
The electric parking brake mechanical
release tool can only be used to release
the electric parking brake. It can not to be
used to apply the electric parking brake.
The electric parking brake operation
switch indicator may turn off 1 minute
after the power switch is placed in the OFF
position. If the parking brake switch op-
eration indicator does not turn off, contact
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.

.While the battery is being charged, the
Climate Ctrl. Timer cannot be operated until
the Li-ion battery available charge gauge
reached the full mark. When the battery is
not being charged, the Climate Ctrl. Timer
can be operated, even if the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge has not reached the
full mark.
. When the climate control is set on first
priority, the Climate Ctrl. Timer works
regardless of the remaining battery energy.
. If the Climate Ctrl. Timer starts its operation
while the vehicle is being charged, the
charging time will be prolonged.
. Operating the Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote
climate control in an environment with low
temperature may decrease the rate of
battery charge.
. The Climate Ctrl. Timer settings cannot be
modified while it is operating. If timer
settings are modified while the Climate Ctrl.
Timer is operating, these changes will be
reflected the next time the Climate Ctrl.
Timer operates.
. When charging is set as the first priority, the
Climate Ctrl. Timer does not start until 10
segments of the LI-ION BATTERY AVAIL-
ABLE CHARGE GAUGE are illuminated. .
When the climate control is set as the first
priority, the climate control system will be
turned on as scheduled by the Climate Ctrl.
Timer regardless of the remaining battery
energy.
. Even when the climate control is set as the
first priority, the climate control system will
be turned off when the climate control
spends more electric than the charging Li-
ion battery.
. The Li-ion battery may not charge or may
even become discharged if the Climate Ctrl.
Timer or remote climate control is used in
low ambient temperatures.
REMOTE CLIMATE CONTROL
This vehicle incorporates a communication
device that is called a TCU (Telematics Com-
munication Unit). The communication connec-
tion between this unit and NISSAN CARWINGS
Data Center allows for various remote function
services.
Even when away from the vehicle, climate
control can be started by accessing the
NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center website
using a cellular phone or a personal computer.
When operation is started, or at the set start
time, the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center accesses the vehicle. When the vehicle receives
a command for remote operation, the climate
control immediately turns ON and operates for
the specified period of time. Confirmation of the
ON/OFF of the climate control operation can be
checked by accessing the website or by e-mail.
Establishing the CARWINGS
TMservice is ne-
cessary before using the service. See LEAF
Navigation System Owner’s Manual.

high enough to cause severe or
possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
NOTE:
. To check the Li-ion battery charging
status using an internet enabled smart
phone or personal computer.
—The vehicle must be located in a
cellular phone coverage area.
— The cellular phone must be located
in an area with cellular phone
coverage.
— The computer must be connected to
the internet.
. Some cellular phones are not compa-
tible with this system and cannot be
used to check the Li-ion battery char-
ging status. Confirm this beforehand.
Operating tips
.When the charge connector is connected,
the climate control operates using electric
power. When the charge connector is
disconnected from the vehicle, the climate
control operates using vehicle battery elec-
tric power. .
The climate control can be operated for a
maximum of 2 hours when the charge
connector is connected to the vehicle, or a
maximum of 15 minutes when the charge
connector is disconnected.
. The remote climate control will only start to
operate when the power switch is in the
OFF position. Be sure to check that the
power switch is in the OFF position.
. Remote climate control operation is not
available when the vehicle is in an area of
cellular communication range.
. Communication becomes unavailable when
the vehicle is not used for two weeks or
more. When the power switch is placed in
the ON position, communication with the
NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center can be
restored.
. Air conditioning is limited to the capacity of
the electric power when the charge con-
nector is connected to the vehicle. There-
fore, the temperature may not reach a
comfortable level due to performance of
the air conditioning being limited, if the
outside temperature is excessively high or
low, or if the charge connector is connected
to a 120V outlet. .
If the power switch is in the ON position or
the charge connector is disconnected, while
the remote climate control is being oper-
ated, remote climate control operation is
automatically stopped and an e-mail is sent.
. If remote climate control operation is started
while the vehicle is in normal charge mode,
the climate control operates in climate
control priority mode and charging is con-
tinued.
. If remote climate control operation is started
and charging is stopped while the vehicle is
in quick charge mode, climate control
operation is also stopped.
. If the quick charge connector is connected
and charging is not performed, remote
climate control operation starts using the
battery electric power of the vehicle.

decreases significantly or if windows fog
up easily when operating the climate
control system.
SERVICING CLIMATE CONTROL
The climate control system in your NISSAN is
charged with a refrigerant designed with the
environment in mind.This refrigerant will not
harm the earth’s ozone layer. Special char-
ging equipment and lubricant are required when
servicing your NISSAN climate control. Using
improper refrigerants or lubricants will cause
severe damage to your climate control system.
(See “Capacities and recommended lubricants”
in the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section for climate control system refrigerant
and lubricant recommendations.)
A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer will be able to
service your environmentally friendly climate
control system.

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ............................... 5-2Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ................... 5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ........................................ 5-5
Off-road recovery ............................................................... 5-5
Rapid air pressure loss ..................................................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................................ 5-6
Push-button power switch .................................................... 5-7 Intelligent Key system ....................................................... 5-7
Operating range for EV (Electric Vehicle)
start function ........................................................................ 5-8
Power switch operation .................................................... 5-8
Power switch positions ..................................................... 5-9
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off .................... 5-9
Intelligent Key battery discharge ................................. 5-10
Before starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system .......... 5-10
Starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system ....................... 5-11
Driving vehicle ........................................................................ 5-11 Electric shift control system ......................................... 5-11
Electric parking brake .......................................................... 5-15 Cruise control ........................................................................ 5-17
Precautions on cruise control .................................... 5-17Cruise control operation ............................................. 5-17
Increasing power economy ................................................ 5-19 Parking/parking on hills ....................................................... 5-20
Electric power steering system ........................................ 5-21
Brake system ......................................................................... 5-21 Braking precautions ..................................................... 5-21
Electric parking brake break-in .................................. 5-23
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .............................. 5-23
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ........................ 5-24
Cold weather driving ........................................................... 5-26 Freeing a frozen door lock .......................................... 5-26
Antifreeze ........................................................................ 5-26
12-volt battery ................................................................ 5-26
Draining of coolant water ............................................ 5-26
Tire equipment ............................................................... 5-27
Special winter equipment ........................................... 5-27
Driving on snow or ice ................................................ 5-27
Freeing a frozen charge port lid ................................ 5-27