2012 NISSAN LEAF brakes

speed driving you may feel that regenerative
brake provides less deceleration than the engine
braking in an ordinary vehicle. This is normal.
Less deceleration is provided by the regenera-
tive brake system when the Li-ion battery is fully
charged. Regenerative brake is automatically
reduced when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from becoming
overcharged. Regenerative brake is also auto-
matically reduced when the battery temperature
is high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on
the battery temperature gauge) to prevent Li-ion
battery damage.
The brake pedal should be used to slow or stop
the vehicle depending on traffic or road condi-
tions. The vehicle brakes are not affected by
regenerative brake system operation.
NOTE:
.When applying the regenerative
brakes, you may hear a sound coming
from the regenerative brake system.
This is a normal operating character-
istic of an EV (Electric vehicle) .
. If the power switch position is in a
position other than ON or READY to
drive, you can stop the vehicle by
depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle, and the stopping distance will
be longer.
. When depressing the brake pedal, the
braking pedal feel will not be smooth
or may change when the cooperative
regenerative brake system activates.
However, the electronically controlled
brake system is operating normally and
this does not indicate a malfunction.
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake pads and shoes
faster and will reduce driving range.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
select ECO position before going down a slope
or long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce
braking performance and could result in loss of
vehicle control.

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

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

ion battery is fully charged. Regenera-
tive brake is automatically reduced
when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from
becoming overcharged. Regenerating
brake is also automatically reduced
when the battery temperature is high/
low (indicated by the red/blue zones
on the Li-ion battery temperature
gauge) to prevent Li-ion battery da-
mage.
. The brake pedal should be used to
slow or stop the vehicle depending on
traffic or road conditions. The vehicle
brakes are not affected by regenerative
brake system operation.
NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or
vibration as a normal characteristic of this
vehicle.
.Traction motor noise from motor compart-
ment.
. Noise and vibration when releasing and
applying the electric parking brake.
. Water pump and radiator fan noise while
charging. .
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the
Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote climate control
is used.
. Relay operation noise and vibration at start-
up and shut-down of the EV (Electric
Vehicle) system (power switch placed in
the ON and OFF position) .
. Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) .
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow
the proper handling instructions may
cause serious injury or death. Be sure
to read the “CH. Charging” section and
follow the procedures and guidelines
described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (scene guide)