TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
SymptomPossible causeAction to take
When opening the driver’s door to
get out of the vehicleThe inside warning chime sounds continuously. The power switch is pushed to the OFF po-
sition while the driver’s door is open.
Close the driver’s door.
The power switch is in the ACC position. Push the power switch to the OFF position then
close the driver’s door.
When closing the door after getting
out of the vehicle The KEY is not detected warning appears on the
display, the outside chime sounds 3 times and the
inside warning chime sounds for a few seconds. The power switch is in the ACC or ON posi-
tion.
Push the power switch to the OFF position.
When closing the door with the in-
side lock knob turned to LOCK The outside chime sounds for a few seconds and
all the doors unlock. The Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle or
cargo area.
Carry the Intelligent Key with you.
When pushing the request switch or
the “LOCK”
button on the Intel-
ligent Key to lock the door The outside chime sounds for a few seconds. The Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle or a
cargo area.
Carry the Intelligent Key with you.
A door is not closed securely. Close the door securely.
When pushing the power switch in
the READY to drive position The Intelligent Key battery discharge indicator ap-
pears on the display.
The Intelligent Key battery charge is low.Replace the battery with a new one. See
Key
battery replacement in the Maintenance and
do-it-yourself
section.
The Key is not detected warning appears on the
display and the inside warning chime sounds for a
few seconds. The Intelligent Key is not in the vehicle. Carry the Intelligent Key with you.
When pushing the power switch The Intelligent Key system warning indicator ap-
pears on the display. It warns of a malfunction with the Intelligent
Key system.
Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
3-12Pre-driving checks and adjustments
HOW TO USE REMOTE KEYLESS
ENTRY FUNCTION
WARNING
Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those
who use a pacemaker should contact
the electric medical equipment manu-
facturer for the possible influences be-
fore use.
The Intelligent Key transmits radio waves when the buttons are pushed.
The FAA advises that the radio waves
may affect aircraft navigation and
communication systems. Do not oper-
ate the Intelligent Key while on an air-
plane. Make sure the buttons are not
operated unintentionally when the unit
is stored during a flight.
CAUTION
Do not allow the Intelligent Key, which contains electrical components, to
come into contact with water or salt
water. This could affect the system
function.
Do not drop the Intelligent Key. Do not strike the Intelligent Key
sharply against another object.
Do not change or modify the Intelli- gent Key.
Wetting may damage the Intelligent Key. If the Intelligent Key gets wet,
immediately wipe until it is completely
dry.
Do not place the Intelligent Key for an extended period in an area where tem-
peratures exceed 140°F (60°C) .
Do not attach the Intelligent Key with a key holder that contains a magnet.
Do not place the Intelligent Key near equipment that produces a magnetic
field, such as a TV, audio equipment,
personal computers or cellular phone.
The remote keyless entry function can operate all
door locks using the remote keyless entry func-
tion of the Intelligent Key. The remote keyless
entry function can operate at a distance of ap-
proximately 33 ft (10 m) from the vehicle. (The
operating distance depends upon the conditions
around the vehicle.)
The remote keyless entry function will not oper-
ate:
When the Intelligent Key is not within the opera- tional range. When the doors are open or not closed se-
curely.
When the Intelligent Key battery is discharged.
The remote keyless entry function can also oper-
ate the vehicle alarm.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-13
SECONDARY REAR HATCH
RELEASE
The secondary rear hatch release mechanism
allows the rear hatch to be opened in the event of
a discharged battery, etc.
Push the lever up to open the rear hatch with a
suitable tool.
If you had to open the rear hatch using this
lever, have the vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
OPENING CHARGE PORT LID
CAUTION
Make sure that the charge port lid is
completely closed and latched before
driving. Failure to do so could cause the
lid to open suddenly during driving.
When opening the charge port lid perform one of
the following:
Push the charge port lid opener switch locatedon the instrument panel, or
Press and hold the charge port unlock button on the Intelligent Key for more than 1 second.
Switch
CHARGE PORT LID
3-18Pre-driving checks and adjustments
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving...........5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .......5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ..............5-5
Off-road recovery .................... .5-5
Rapid air pressure loss ................. .5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-6
Push-button power switch ................. .5-7
NISSAN Intelligent Key® system ............5-7
Operating range for EV (Electric Vehicle) start
function .......................... .5-7
Power switch operation ................ .5-8
Power switch positions ................. .5-8
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off .......5-9
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge ......5-9
Before starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system . . . .5-10
Starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system ........5-10
Driving vehicle ....................... .5-11
Electric shift control system ..............5-11
Parking brake ....................... .5-14
Cruise control ....................... .5-15Precautions on cruise control
.............5-15
Cruise control operation ................5-15
Increasing power economy ................5-17
Parking/parking on hills .................. .5-18
Power steering system .................. .5-19
Brake system ........................ .5-19
Brake precautions ................... .5-19
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ...........5-21
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-22
Hill start assist system .................. .5-24
Cold weather driving ................... .5-24
Freeing a frozen door lock ...............5-25
Antifreeze ........................ .5-25
12-volt battery ..................... .5-25
Draining of coolant water ................5-25
Tire equipment ..................... .5-25
Special
winter equipment .............. .5-26
Driving on snow or ice ................ .5-26
Freeing a frozen charge port lid ............5-26
WARNING
Do not operate the power switch while
driving the vehicle except in an emer-
gency. (The EV system shuts down when
the power switch is pushed 3 consecutive
times or the power switch is pushed and
held for more than 2 seconds.) If the EV
system stops while the vehicle is being
driven, this could lead to a crash and
serious injury.
Before operating the power switch, make sure
the vehicle is in the P (Park) position.
NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY®
SYSTEM
The Intelligent Key system allows the driver to
start the EV (Electric Vehicle) system without
taking the key out of the pocket or purse. The
operating environment and/or conditions may af-
fect Intelligent Key system operation.
Some indicators and warnings for operation are
displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal display
in the lower display. See Dot matrix liquid crystal
display in theInstruments and controls sec-
tion.)
CAUTION
Be sure to carry the Intelligent Key with you when operating the vehicle.
Never leave the Intelligent Key inside the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.OPERATING RANGE FOR EV
(ELECTRIC VEHICLE) START
FUNCTION
The Intelligent Key function can only be used for
starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system when
the Intelligent Key is within the specified operat-
ing range
1.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost dis-
charged or strong radio waves are present near
the operating location, the Intelligent Key sys-
tem’s operating range becomes narrower and it
may not function properly.
PUSH-BUTTON POWER SWITCH
Starting and driving5-7
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories,
such as the radio, when EV system is OFF.
ON
This position turns on the EV (Electric Vehicle)
system and electrical accessories.
READY (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the EV (Electric Vehicle)
system, electrical accessories and the vehicle
can be driven.
OFF
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system can be turned
off.
The power switch cannot be placed in the LOCK
position until the vehicle is in the P (Park) posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the power
switch in the ACC position for an ex-
tended period of time. This can discharge
the 12-volt battery.
NOTE:
If the power switch is pushed quickly or is
pushed twice quickly, the switch may not
function even if a chime sound is heard.
Push the switch again more slowly.
EMERGENCY EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SHUT OFF
To shut off the EV (Electric Vehicle) system in an
emergency situation while driving, perform the
following procedure.
Rapidly push the power switch 3 consecutive times in less than 1.5 seconds, or
Push and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds.
NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY®
BATTERY DISCHARGE
If the Intelligent Key battery is discharged, or
environmental conditions interfere with the Intel-
ligent Key operation, start the EV (Electric Ve-
hicle) system in the READY to drive mode ac-
cording to the following procedure:
1. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever.
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the power switch with the Intelligent Key as illustrated. (A chime will sound.)
Starting and driving5-9
4. Push the power switch while depressing thebrake pedal within 10 seconds after the
chime sounds. The power switch position
changes to READY to drive mode.
After step 3 is performed, if the power switch is
pushed without depressing the brake pedal, the
power switch position will change to ACC.
NOTE:
When the power switch is pushed to the
ACC or ON position or READY to drive
mode by the above procedure, the Intelli-
gent Key battery discharge indicator ap-
pears on the dot matrix liquid crystal dis-
play even if the Intelligent Key is inside
the vehicle. This is not a malfunction. To
stop the warning indicator from blinking,
touch the power switch with the Intelli-
gent Key again.
If the Intelligent Key system battery dis-
charge indicator appears on the dot ma-
trix liquid crystal display, replace the bat-
tery as soon as possible. See Intelligent
key battery replacement in theMainte-
nance and do-it-yourself section. Make sure that the area around the vehicle is
clear.
Check fluid levels such as coolant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible.
Check that all windows and lights are clean.
Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper inflation.
Check that all doors are closed.
Position the seat and adjust the head restraints.
Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise.
Check the operation of the warning lights when the power switch is pushed to the ON position.
(See Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders in theInstruments and controls sec-
tion.) 1. Confirm the parking brake is applied.
2. Confirm that the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position.
The EV (Electric Vehicle) is designed not to
operate unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
or N (Neutral) positions.
The Intelligent Key must be carried with
you when operating the power switch.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the power switch to place the EV (Electric Vehicle) sys-
tem in the READY to drive position.
To place the vehicle in the READY to drive
position immediately, push and release the
power switch while depressing the brake
pedal with the power switch in any position.
The READY to drive indicator light
in the
meter illuminates.
4. To stop the EV (Electric Vehicle) system, push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever,
and push the power switch to the OFF
position.
BEFORE STARTING THE EV
(ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM STARTING THE EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SYSTEM
5-10Starting and driving
The predicted charging time displayed on
the meter and navigation system in-
creases when the Li-ion battery warmer
operates.
Vehicle range may be substantially re-
duced in extremely cold conditions (for
example under -4°F (-20°C)) .
Using the climate control system to heat
the cabin when outside temperature is
below 32°F (0°C) uses more electricity and
affects vehicle range more than when us-
ing the heater when the temperature is
above 32°F (0°C) .
Climate control performance is reduced
when using the Climate Ctrl. Timer or Re-
mote Climate Control while the Li-ion bat-
tery warmer operates. Set only the charg-
ing timer [End Time] when charging in
cold weather. The vehicle automatically
determines when to start charging to fully
charge the Li-ion battery, even if the Li-ion
battery warmer operates. Charging ends
before the set end time if the Li-ion bat-
tery is fully charged.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply deicer
through the key hole. If the lock becomes frozen,
heat the key before inserting it into the key hole or
use the remote keyless entry keyfob.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is possible that the outside
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check
the antifreeze to ensure proper winter protection.
For additional information, see Cooling system
in the Maintenance and do-it-yourself section.
12-VOLT BATTERY
If the 12-volt battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the 12-volt
battery fluid may freeze and damage the 12-volt
battery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the 12-
volt battery should be checked regularly. For ad-
ditional information, see12-volt batteryin the
Maintenance and do-it-yourself section.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system. Refill before
operating the vehicle. For details, see Coolingsystem
in theMaintenance and do-it-yourself
section.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be sub-
stantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If
you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD & SNOW
or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. Consult
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some U.S. states and
Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see Tire
chains in theMaintenance and do-it-yourself
section.
Starting and driving5-25