2013 NISSAN LEAF Owners Manual

working with state, municipalities utility compa-
nies and others to assist in the preparation of
markets and infrastructure, but makes no repre-
sentations that public charging stations will be
available in locations where you wish to operate
the vehicle, nor can NISSAN predict the period of
time it may take for public charging infrastructure
to be developed in your area. Depending on
where you live or drive, there may not be sufficient
public charging stations available to meet your
particular needs for driving range and charging
away from your home. Trip planning is therefore
important, and you should plan trips with these
facts in mind.
Quick charge uses public charging stations (up
to 50 kW of power) .
The time needed to charge the Li-ion battery from
discharged (low battery charge warning light illu-
minated) to 80% charged using the a quick char-
ger depends on many factors including the Li-ion
battery temperature and the type of quick charger
used.
It may take more time to charge the Li-ion battery
using the quick charger if the vehicle is parked in
a cold location (for example below 32°F (0°C))
for a long time.The Li-ion battery temperature gauge can be
used to estimate the approximate time needed to
charge the Li-ion battery to 80%.
Li-ion battery tempera-
ture gauge Estimated charge
time
A3 or fewer seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 90 minutes
B4-5 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-90
minutes
C6-7 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30
minutes
D8-9 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-60
minutes
Li-ion battery tempera-
ture gauge Estimated charge
time
A3 or fewer seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 90 minutes
E10 or more seg-
ments illuminatedMore than approxi-
mately 60 minutes
NOTE:
Charging time is typically limited to 60 min-
utes when using a quick charger. Press the
start switch on the quick charger after it
stops if additional charge time is necessary
to reach an 80% charge.
See
How to quick charge.
Power Limitation Mode
This mode protects the health and operation of
the vehicle’s Li-ion battery. This mode operates in
certain extreme conditions (heat, cold, low state
of charge) . Power available to vehicle systems,
including its traction motor, is limited resulting in
limited performance, acceleration and top speed.
Charging may be automatically terminated, espe-
cially with repeated quick charging in extreme hot
weather.
CH-8Charging

Checking Li-ion battery charge
The three methods for checking amount of
charge are as follows.
Check by using the Li-ion battery availablecharge gauge on the meter when the power
switch is placed in the ON position. See Li-ion
battery remaining energy gauge in theInstru-
ments and controls section and16. Li-ion
battery low charge warning in theInstruments
and controls section.
Check by using a cellular phone, smart phone or personal computer. See LEAF Navigation Sys-
tem Owner’s Manual (models with navigation
system) .
Check by using the charging status indicator light. See Charge status indicator light.
NOTE:
During the charge operation, charge con-
tinues when the power switch is placed in
the ON position.
The Li-ion battery cannot be charged if the
quick charge connector and the normal
charge connector are connected at the
same time. If another charge connector is
connected mid-charge, charging will stop.
For safety reasons, it is not possible to
switch to the READY to drive position
while a charge connector is connected.
During charging, it is possible that the
radio may be inaudible due to noise by the
electromagnetic wave.
HOW TO NORMAL CHARGE
WARNING
If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardio-
vascular defibrillator, while the Li-ion
battery is charging:
– Do not stay inside the vehicle.
– Do not go inside the vehicle, forexample to remove or place an item
in the passenger compartment. – Do not open the rear hatch, for ex-
ample to remove or place an item in
the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation of
electric medical device and result in
serious personal injury or death.
Be sure to follow the precautions for using the charger that can be installed
in your home. Failing to do so could
result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Do not use any charging equipment that is not compatible with the LEAF.
Doing so could prevent the Li-ion bat-
tery from charging properly or could
result in damage to the vehicle or Li-
ion battery.
Normal charge uses the charging device (AC 220 - 240 volt, 20A) that can be installed in your
home to charge the Li-ion battery.
Immediate charge, charging timer and remote charge (models with navigation system) can be
performed in the normal charge mode. See
Charging timer andCharging related remote
function.
ChargingCH-9

The Genuine NISSAN charging equipmentcommunicates with the vehicle before Li-ion
battery charging starts. If this communication
does not occur because other equipment is
used, the Li-ion battery will not charge.
NISSAN recommends that you connect the normal charge cable when getting out of the
vehicle, even if it is not going to be used. By
doing this, you can get the most out of the
remote climate control (models with navigation
system) and Climate Ctrl. Timer functions the
next time you use the vehicle.
To start normal charge:
1. Push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the
parking brake.
2. When charging the Li-ion battery, place the power switch in the OFF position. When the
power switch is in the ON position, the Li-ion
battery will not start charging.
3. Open the charge port lid and charge port cap. See Charge port lid andCharge port cap
in the Pre-driving checks and adjustments
section. 4. Connect the charge connector to the charge
port. If it is connected normally, a beep will
sound once.
5. If charging has started or if the battery is waiting for charging timer, a beep will sound
twice and the charging status indicator light
display will change. See Charging status in-
dicator light. To stop normal charge:
1. Ensure that the charge connector lock is not
engaged. For more information, see “Charge
connector lock switch” in this section.
2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock and remove the charge con-
nector from the charge port and properly
store it.
3. After closing the charge port cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.
CH-10Charging

NOTE:
To stop charging mid-charge, remove the
charge connector. Charging automatically
stops.
HOW TO TRICKLE CHARGE (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
WARNING
If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
If you have an implantable cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardio-
vascular defibrillator, while the Li-ion
battery is charging:
– Do not stay inside the vehicle.
– Do not go inside the vehicle, forexample to remove or place an item
in the passenger compartment. – Do not open the rear hatch, for ex-
ample to remove or place an item in
the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation of
electric medical device and result in
serious personal injury or death.
In order to avoid an electric shock or fire due to a short circuit, connect to
GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuit
breaker and use a waterproof electri-
cal ground socket.
The NISSAN Genuine EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging
device provided with your vehicle
draws 12amps continuously while
charging the Li-ion battery. Do not
plug in to any electrical circuit unless it
is inspected by a licensed electrician
to confirm that the electrical circuit
can accept a 12 amp draw. Any electri-
cal circuit has a much higher likeli-
hood of being compromised in the fol-
lowing conditions listed below.
– Improper use of the charger mayresult in a fire and serious injury or
death.
– Do not use this charger in structures more than 40 years old. – Do not use this charger in structures
using fuse-based circuit protection.
Use only with electrical circuits pro-
tected by circuit breakers.
– Do not use this charger on electrical circuits with two-prong outlets.
– Do not use charger if outlet appears damaged or will not hold plug firmly.
– Discontinue charger use immedi- ately if plug or outlet becomes hot
to the touch or if you notice any
unusual odors.
– Do not use charger if other devices are plugged into the same circuit.
– Never use extension cords or plug adapters with charger.
– Do not operate with a damaged cord.
– Always unplug the charger when not in use.
– When unplugging, be sure to pull by the plug and not the cord.
– The device has parts that may spark inside. Do not use it where gasoline,
paint, or flammable liquids are used
or stored.
ChargingCH-11

– Do not use if a malfunction occursor if charger has been damaged in
any manner. Return to a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for replace-
ment.
– The charger contains no user ser- viceable parts. Do not attempt to
repair the charger, doing so will void
your warranty.

Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
(Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
case securely through the fastener on
the bottom of the luggage board. If the
case suddenly becomes loose, it may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Only charge using a standard 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet
(For example do not use an electric
generator) . Failure to do so may cause
charging to fail and could cause dam-
age to the Li-ion battery charging
equipment due to power surges.
NISSAN recommends using genuine NISSAN charging equipment to charge
the vehicle. Using non-NISSAN equip-
ment could cause the Li-ion battery to
not charge correctly and may damage
the Li-ion battery.
Trickle charging is performed using an AC 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet using
the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
provided with the vehicle.
The genuine NISSAN EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging equipment or
trickle charge cable performs a communication
function with the vehicle before Li-ion charging
starts. If this communication does not occur
because other equipment is used, the Li-ion
battery will not charge. Immediate charge, charging timer and remote
charge (models with navigation system) can be
performed in the trickle charge mode. See
Charging timer andCharging related remote
function.
CH-12Charging

To start trickle charging:
*:You can pass a rope through the hole
Aon the
control box in order to hang it up while the Li-ion
battery is charging.
1. Push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the
parking brake.
2. When charging the Li-ion battery, place the power switch in the OFF position. When the
power switch is in the ON position, the Li-ion
battery will not start charging.
3. Open the charge port lid. See Charge port
lid in the Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments section. 4. Take out the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) or trickle charge cable from the
rear hatch.
5. Connect the electrical plug to the 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet. If it is
connected normally, the green light on the
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
control box indicator light illuminates. See
EVSE control box indicator light.
6. Open the charge port cap. See Charge port
cap in the Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments section. 7. Remove the safety cap from charge
connector.
ChargingCH-13

8. Connect the charge connector to the chargeport. If it is connected normally, a beep will
sound once.
9. If charging has started, or if the Li-ion battery is waiting for charging timer, a beep will sound
twice and the charging status indicator light
display will change. See Charging status in-
dicator light. 10. When recharging outside such as in your
drive way, use a commercially available pad-
lock attached in position
Ato prevent theft. To stop trickle charge:
1. Ensure that the charge connector lock is not
engaged. For more information, see “Charge
connector lock switch” in this section.
2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock and remove the charge con-
nector from the charge port.
3. Attach the safety cap to the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) .
4. Remove the electrical plug from the AC 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet.
CH-14Charging

5. Store in its case.
NOTE:
Perform the following procedure to
store the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) in the case.a. Wind the charge cable into a size that will allow it to be stored in the case
(approximately 9.8 in (250 mm) in
diameter) .
b. Place the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) control box into
the back of the case.
c. Place the charge cable and charge connector into the case in front of the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equip-
ment) control box.
WARNING
Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
(Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) case
securely through the fastener on the bot-
tom of the luggage board. If the case
suddenly becomes loose, it may cause
serious injury or death.
6. After closing the cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.
NOTE:
To stop charging mid-charge, remove the
charge connector. Charging automatically
stops.
HOW TO QUICK CHARGE (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
Quick charge uses public charging stations (up
to 50 kW of power) to charge the battery in a
short period of time.
WARNING
Always use a quick charger that is compatible with the LEAF. Using an
incompatible quick charger may cause
a fire or malfunction resulting in seri-
ous personal injury or death.
Before starting the quick charge, care- fully read the instructions provided on
the quick charger and make sure the
quick charge connector is properly
connected and locked. Failure to con-
nector or operate the quick charger
correctly could cause damage to the
vehicle or the charging equipment.
NOTE:
Quick charging is possible (even several
times a day) if the battery temperature is
not near the red zone. If the battery tem-
perature reaches the red zone, in order to
protect the battery, quick charging is not
allowed and the power limitation mode will
be triggered.
ChargingCH-15