2012 NISSAN LEAF jump start

thing, immediately flush the con-
tacted area with water.
. Keep the 12-volt battery out of the
reach of children.
. The booster battery must be rated at
12 volt. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
. Whenever working on or near a 12-
volt battery, always wear suitable
eye protectors (for example, gog-
gles or industrial safety spectacles)
and remove rings, metal bands, or
any other jewelry. Do not lean over
the 12-volt battery when jump start-
ing.
. Do not attempt to jump start a
frozen battery. It could explode
and cause serious injury.
. Your vehicle has an automatic cool-
ing fan. It could come on at any
time. Keep hands and other objects
away from it.

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

Parking brake mechanically release ....................... 6-16
PowerElectric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Power windows .................................................... 2-53
Power economy........................................................... 5-19
Power meter ................................................................... 2-7
Power outlet ................................................................. 2-48
Power switch......................................................... 5-7, 5-8
Precautions Braking precautions............................................. 5-21
Charging................................................................ CH-2
Child restraints...................................................... 1-19
Cruise control........................................................ 5-17
High voltage precautions ................................... EV-7
Maintenance ............................................................. 8-4
Road accident precautions................................ EV-8
Seat belt usage .................................................... 1-10
Supplemental restraint system.......................... 1-36
When starting and driving .................................... 5-2
Push starting ................................................................ 6-12
Q
Quick charge............................................................ CH-16
R
Rapid air pressure loss................................................ 5-5
Rear center seat belt ................................................. 1-16
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock........... 3-6
Rear hatch..................................................................... 3-17
Rear seats....................................................................... 1-4
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch........................................................... 2-40
Rear window wiper and washer switch ............... 2-39
Reduction gear fluid..................................................... 8-9 Remote charge ........................................................ CH-25
Remote climate control.............................................. 4-11
Remote keyless entry function, For Intelligent
Key system.................................................................... 3-13
Repairing flat tire........................................................... 6-3
Repairing tire.................................................................. 6-5
Reporting safety defects........................................... 9-15
Road accident precautions....................................... EV-8
Roadside assistance program ................................... 6-2
Rollover............................................................................ 5-5
S
Safety Child seat belts .................................................... 1-17
Reporting safety defects.................................... 9-15
Scene guide At home after driving......................................... EV-21
Before driving your vehicle .............................. EV-13
Charging the Li-ion battery.............................. EV-10
Driving the vehicle.............................................. EV-17
Parking the vehicle............................................. EV-20
Starting your vehicle.......................................... EV-16
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment.............................. 1-3
Front seats................................................................ 1-3
Seat belt(s) Child safety............................................................ 1-17
Infants...................................................................... 1-17
Injured persons..................................................... 1-12
Larger children...................................................... 1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage........................ 1-10
Pregnant women .................................................. 1-12
Rear center seat belt .......................................... 1-16
Seat belt cleaning................................................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders.............................................. 1-16
Seat belt hooks .................................................... 1-15 Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-16
Seat belt warning light........................................ 2-18
Seat belts............................................................... 1-10
Seat belts with pretensioners........................... 1-49
Shoulder belt height adjustment...................... 1-15
Small children........................................................ 1-18
Three-point type................................................... 1-12
Seat(s) , Seats................................................................ 1-2 Heated seats......................................................... 2-46
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System) , EV system start.......................................... 2-36
Servicing climate control........................................... 4-14
Shifting Electric shift control system .............................. 5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For
front seats..................................................................... 1-15
Soft bottle holders...................................................... 2-50
Solar cell module .......................................................... 7-3
Speedometer.................................................................. 2-6
Starting .......................................................................... 5-11 Before starting system........................................ 5-10
Jump starting............................................................ 6-9
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Push starting ......................................................... 6-12
Status light, Front passenger air bag .................... 1-44
Steering Electric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Heated steering wheel........................................ 2-45
Tilting steering column........................................ 3-19
Stopping the vehicle .................................................... 6-4
Storage .......................................................................... 2-49
Stowing golf bags....................................................... 2-53
Sun visors ..................................................................... 3-20
Supplemental air bag warning labels..................... 1-50
Supplemental air bag warning light............ 1-50, 2-18
Supplemental restraint system................................. 1-36

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

6 In case of emergency
Roadside assistance program .............................................. 6-2
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off .......................... 6-2 Flat tire ........................................................................................ 6-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ................... 6-2
Repairing flat tire ................................................................ 6-3
Jump starting ............................................................................. 6-9
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely discharged ... 6-12 Push starting .......................................................................... 6-12
Tools ........................................................................................ 6-13
Towing your vehicle ............................................................. 6-13
Towing recommended by NISSAN .......................... 6-14
Vehicle recovery (freeing stuck vehicle) ................. 6-15
Parking brake mechanical release ................................... 6-16

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

Parking brake mechanically release ....................... 6-16
PowerElectric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Power windows .................................................... 2-53
Power economy........................................................... 5-19
Power meter ................................................................... 2-7
Power outlet ................................................................. 2-48
Power switch......................................................... 5-7, 5-8
Precautions Braking precautions............................................. 5-21
Charging................................................................ CH-2
Child restraints...................................................... 1-19
Cruise control........................................................ 5-17
High voltage precautions ................................... EV-7
Maintenance ............................................................. 8-4
Road accident precautions................................ EV-8
Seat belt usage .................................................... 1-10
Supplemental restraint system.......................... 1-36
When starting and driving .................................... 5-2
Push starting ................................................................ 6-12
Q
Quick charge............................................................ CH-16
R
Rapid air pressure loss................................................ 5-5
Rear center seat belt ................................................. 1-16
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock........... 3-6
Rear hatch..................................................................... 3-17
Rear seats....................................................................... 1-4
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch........................................................... 2-40
Rear window wiper and washer switch ............... 2-39
Reduction gear fluid..................................................... 8-9 Remote charge ........................................................ CH-25
Remote climate control.............................................. 4-11
Remote keyless entry function, For Intelligent
Key system.................................................................... 3-13
Repairing flat tire........................................................... 6-3
Repairing tire.................................................................. 6-5
Reporting safety defects........................................... 9-15
Road accident precautions....................................... EV-8
Roadside assistance program ................................... 6-2
Rollover............................................................................ 5-5
S
Safety Child seat belts .................................................... 1-17
Reporting safety defects.................................... 9-15
Scene guide At home after driving......................................... EV-21
Before driving your vehicle .............................. EV-13
Charging the Li-ion battery.............................. EV-10
Driving the vehicle.............................................. EV-17
Parking the vehicle............................................. EV-20
Starting your vehicle.......................................... EV-16
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment.............................. 1-3
Front seats................................................................ 1-3
Seat belt(s) Child safety............................................................ 1-17
Infants...................................................................... 1-17
Injured persons..................................................... 1-12
Larger children...................................................... 1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage........................ 1-10
Pregnant women .................................................. 1-12
Rear center seat belt .......................................... 1-16
Seat belt cleaning................................................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders.............................................. 1-16
Seat belt hooks .................................................... 1-15 Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-16
Seat belt warning light........................................ 2-18
Seat belts............................................................... 1-10
Seat belts with pretensioners........................... 1-49
Shoulder belt height adjustment...................... 1-15
Small children........................................................ 1-18
Three-point type................................................... 1-12
Seat(s) , Seats................................................................ 1-2 Heated seats......................................................... 2-46
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System) , EV system start.......................................... 2-36
Servicing climate control........................................... 4-14
Shifting Electric shift control system .............................. 5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For
front seats..................................................................... 1-15
Soft bottle holders...................................................... 2-50
Solar cell module .......................................................... 7-3
Speedometer.................................................................. 2-6
Starting .......................................................................... 5-11 Before starting system........................................ 5-10
Jump starting............................................................ 6-9
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Push starting ......................................................... 6-12
Status light, Front passenger air bag .................... 1-44
Steering Electric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Heated steering wheel........................................ 2-45
Tilting steering column........................................ 3-19
Stopping the vehicle .................................................... 6-4
Storage .......................................................................... 2-49
Stowing golf bags....................................................... 2-53
Sun visors ..................................................................... 3-20
Supplemental air bag warning labels..................... 1-50
Supplemental air bag warning light............ 1-50, 2-18
Supplemental restraint system................................. 1-36

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.