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.

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

the 12-volt battery.
. Avoid using the power outlet when
the air conditioner, headlights or
rear window defroster are on.
. This power outlet is not designed
for use with a cigarette lighter unit.
. Push the plug in as far as it will go.
If good contact is not made, the plug
may overheat or the internal tem-
perature fuse may open.
. Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, make sure that the electrical
accessory being used is turned OFF.
. When not in use, be sure to close
the cap. Do not allow water to
contact the outlet.

EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF SYSTEM
The emergency shut-off system is activated and
the high-voltage system automatically turns off in
the following conditions:
- Front and side collisions in which the air bags
are deployed.
- Certain rear collisions.
- Certain EV (Electric Vehicle) system malfunc-
tions
For the above collisions and certain other EV
(Electric Vehicle) system malfunctions, the
READY to drive indicator light will turn off. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible remin-
ders” in the “2. Instruments and controls”
section.
The emergency shut-off activates for the above
collisions to minimize risk of an event that could
cause injury or an accident. If the emergency
shut-off system activates, the EV system may
not be switched to READY to drive position,
contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. Even if
the power switch is switched to READY to drive
position, the system may shut-off suddenly.
Therefore, drive cautiously to the nearest
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer or contact a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon as
possible.WARNING
.Pay special attention to pedes-
trians. Because there is no engine
noise, pedestrians may not know
the vehicle is approaching, moving
or about to move, and may step into
the path of vehicle travel.
. When leaving the vehicle, be sure to
turn off the EV (Electric Vehicle)
system.
. Be sure to push the P (Park) posi-
tion switch on the selector lever and
apply the parking brake when park-
ing because the vehicle can move
when the READY to drive indicator
light is ON. When the READY to
drive indicator light is ON, do not
leave your vehicle in a shift position
other than the P (Park) position.
. Keep the brake pedal depressed
until you are ready to drive. When
the vehicle is in the D (drive) posi-
tion or ECO or R (reverse) position,
if you release the brake pedal and
do not depress accelerator, the
vehicle will creep and may start
abruptly. This may cause serious injury or death.
NOTE:
. The vehicle cannot run with a dis-
charged Li-ion battery. Repeated accel-
eration consumes more power from the
Li-ion battery than driving at a steady
speed.
. This vehicle is equipped with a regen-
erative brake system. The primary pur-
pose of regenerative brake system is to
provide some power to recharge the Li-
ion battery and extend driving range. A
secondary benefit is “engine braking”
that operates based on Li-ion battery
conditions.
. In the D (Drive) position, when the
accelerator pedal is released, the re-
generative brake system provides
some deceleration.
. When you put the shift selector in the
ECO position and take your foot off the
accelerator pedal, more regenerative
brake is applied than in the D (Drive)
position.
. Less deceleration is provided by the
regenerative brake system when the Li-
EV OverviewEV-9
EV (Electric Vehicle)
CHARACTERISTICS