2013 NISSAN LEAF battery

LI-ION BATTERY AVAILABLE
CHARGE GAUGE
The gauge1indicates theapproximate avail-
able Li-ion battery charge to run the vehicle.
Charge the Li-ion battery before the display
reaches the bottom line.
The low battery charge warning light
illu-
minates when the Li-ion battery available charge
gauge is getting low. Charge as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the display reaches
the bottom line. When the display reaches the
bottom of the display and the low battery charge light illuminated, there is a very small reserve of
Li-ion battery charge remaining.
NOTE:

The number of segments illuminated on
the Li-ion battery available charge gauge
is determined by the available charge and
the amount of charge the Li-ion battery is
capable of storing at the current tempera-
ture.
Temperature affects the amount of charge
the Li-ion battery is capable of storing.
The Li-ion battery is capable of storing
less power when the Li-ion battery tem-
perature is cold. The Li-ion battery is ca-
pable of storing more power when the
Li-ion battery is warm. The number of seg-
ments illuminated on the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge can change based
on the amount of power the Li-ion battery
is capable of storing. For example, when
the Li-ion battery becomes colder, more
segments on the Li-ion battery available
charge gauge illuminate because the
available charge is a greater percentage
of the Li-ion battery’s capability of storing
power. When the Li-ion battery becomes
warmer, less segments on the Li-ion bat- tery available charge gauge illuminate be-
cause the remaining energy is a lower
percentage of the Li-ion battery’s capabil-
ity of storing power.
Instruments and controls2-9

LI-ION BATTERY CAPACITY LEVEL
GAUGE
This gauge indicates the amount of charge the
Li-ion battery is capable of storing.
When the capacity of the Li-ion battery de-
creases with age and usage, the level of the
gauge will also decrease.
OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE
The outside air temperature is displayed in °F or
°C.
The display may differ from the actual outside
temperature displayed on various signs or bill-
boards.
ECO INDICATOR
The ECO indicator displays how economically
the vehicle is being operated.
The meter display is affected by the following
conditions:
Accelerator pedal operation.
Brake pedal operation.
Driving conditions.
Traffic conditions.
Heater and air conditioner usage.
2-10Instruments and controls

Time the vehicle is not moving while the vehicleis in the READY to drive mode and accessories
are on.
Instant ECO driving level
The instant ECO driving level
1is displayed by
the number of bars that increase (more economi-
cal driving) or decrease (less economical driving)
depending on vehicle operation.
Long term ECO driving level
Long term ECO driving is indicated by ECO
TREE symbols. The longer the vehicle is operated
economically, the more segments of the large
ECO TREE symbol
2are displayed. When all of
the segments of the large ECO TREE symbol are
displayed, a small ECO TREE indicator
3is also
displayed, and the large ECO TREE symbol dis-
play is reset. The longer the vehicle is operated
economically, the more small ECO TREE sym-
bols are displayed. The ECO TREE symbols that
were illuminated while driving will turn off when
the vehicle power is turned off. The ECO TREE
symbols are stored in the navigation system to
show long term efficient vehicle operation.
To increase the ECO driving level and for information
about driving the vehicle efficiently, see
Improve
driving range in theEV overview section.
CLOCK
Adjust the clock on the setting screen of the dot
matrix liquid crystal display. See 5. Settings.
If the power supply (12-volt battery) is discon-
nected, the clock will not indicate the correct
time. Readjust the time.
NOTE:
This clock is not synchronized with the
clock displayed on the navigation system
screen. The charging timer starts and stops
charging base on the time displayed on the
navigation system screen. See LEAF Navi-
gation System Owner’s Manual.
Instruments and controls2-11

12-volt battery charge warning lightLow tire pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator light
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning lightMaster warning light (red/yellow)Plug in indicator light
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning lightPower steering warning lightPower limitation indicator light
BRAKE system warning light (yellow)Seat belt warning lightREADY to drive indicator light
BRAKE warning light (red)Supplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
Electric shift control system warning lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
EV system warning lightExterior light indicatorVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indicator
light
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-12Instruments and controls

Headlight warning lightFront fog light indicator light (if so equipped)
Low battery charge warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake,
and push the power switch in the ON position.
The following lights will illuminate (if so
equipped):
,or,,
The following lights illuminate briefly and then
turn off:
(yellow) ,,or(red) ,
or,,,,,,
,
If any light does not illuminate, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the electri-
cal system. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Some indicators and warnings are also displayed
on the dot matrix crystal display in the lower
display. (SeeDot matrix liquid crystal display.)
WARNING LIGHTS
12-volt battery charge
warning light
The DC/DC converter converts 400 volt Li-ion
battery voltage to charge the 12-volt battery.
This light illuminates continuously after the bulb is
checked when the power switch is in the ON
position, and turns off when the power switch is
placed in the READY to drive position.
When this warning light illuminates, a chime
sounds and the following warnings are also dis-
played.
Master warning (red)
EV system warning light
The following messages also flash on and off on
the dot matrix liquid crystal display.
If the vehicle is being driven: “Stop the vehicle”
and if the vehicle is stopped: “When parked apply parking brake”. When these messages flash, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe location, pull
the parking brake switch and push the P (Park)
position switch on the selector lever to place the
vehicle in the P (Park) position. The warning on
the meter and the chime stop when the parking
brake is operated or the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for support.
CAUTION
The DC/DC converter system may not be functioning properly if the 12-volt
battery charge warning light illumi-
nates continuously when the power
switch is in the READY to drive posi-
tion. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe location and contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
Instruments and controls2-13

If the 12-volt warning light illuminatescontinuously when the power switch is
in the READY to drive position. Do not
charge the 12-volt battery while this
warning light is illuminated. It may
lead to a malfunction of the DC/DC
converter system. Contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
NOTE:
If the vehicle does not go into the READY
to drive position (when the power switch
is pushed with the brake pedal is de-
pressed) , jump-start the vehicle to place
the power switch in the READY to drive
position. See Jump starting in theIn
case of emergency section.
Do not jump-start the vehicle and contact
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for in-
spection: – If the 12-volt charge warning light turns off when the vehicle is in the
READY to drive mode, the 12-volt bat-
tery may be discharged or there may
be a malfunction in the 12-volt battery
related system. – If the 12-volt charge warning light con-
tinues to illuminate when the vehicle is
in the READY to drive mode, there may
be a malfunction in the DC/DC con-
verter. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for inspection.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the power switch is in the ON or READY to
drive position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then turns off.
This indicates the ABS is operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
power switch is in READY to drive position, or
while driving, it may indicate the ABS is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. (See
Brake system in theStarting and driving sec-
tion.)
Approaching Vehicle Sound
for Pedestrians (VSP) system
warning light
The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning light is located on the
instrument panel.
This light comes on if there is a malfunction in the
VSP system.
If the VSP system warning light illuminates while
the power switch is in ON position, or in the
READY to drive position, it may indicate the VSP
system is not functioning properly. Have the sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
See Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestri-
ans (VSP) in theEV overview section.
BRAKE system warning light
(yellow)
This light functions for both the cooperative re-
generative brake and the electronically driven
intelligent brake systems. When the power
switch is placed in the ON position or in the
READY to drive position, the light remains illumi-
nated for about 2 or 3 seconds. If the light illumi-
nates at any other time, it may indicate that the
2-14Instruments and controls

Pressing the brake pedal when thepower switch position is not in the ON
or READY to drive position and/or low
brake fluid level may increase the
stopping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
If the brake fluid level is below the minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Electric shift control system
warning light
This light illuminates to warn when a malfunction
occurs in the electric shift control system. When
the master warning illuminates, the chime sounds
and the message, “When parked apply parking
brake”, is displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display.
When the power switch is in the OFF position,
the chime sounds continuously. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
EV system warning
light
This light illuminates if there is a malfunction in the
following systems. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
Traction motor and inverter system
Charge port or on board charger
Li-ion battery system
Cooling system
Shift control system
Emergency shut off system is activated. See
Emergency shut off system in theEV over-
view section.
Headlight warning
light
This light illuminates if the LED headlights are
malfunctioning. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
Low battery charge warning
light
This light illuminates when the available Li-ion
battery charge is getting low. Charge as soon as
it is possible, preferably before the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge reaches the bottom line.
NOTE:
The low battery charge warning light turns
off immediately before the Li-ion battery is
completely discharged and the vehicle will
stop. If the Li-ion battery becomes com-
pletely discharged, the vehicle must be
charged in order to be driven.
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire
pressure of all tires.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not
functioning properly.
After the power switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion, this light illuminates for about 1 second and
then turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-
sure, the warning light will illuminate. A CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning also appears on the
dot matrix liquid crystal display.
2-16Instruments and controls

High beam indicator light
(blue)
This light illuminates when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is
selected.
Plug in indicator
light
This light illuminates while charge connector is
connected to the vehicle and blinks during charg-
ing.
NOTE:
If the charge connector is connected to the
vehicle, the power switch can not be placed
in the READY to drive position.
Power limitation indicator light
When the power limitation indicator light is illu-
minated, the power provided to the traction motor
is reduced. Therefore the vehicle is not as re-
sponsive when the accelerator is depressed
while the power limitation light is illuminated.
When this light comes on, the warning display
appears on the navigation display and the dot
matrix liquid crystal display. Follow the instruc-
tions provided on the navigation display.This light illuminates in the following conditions.
Li-ion battery available charge is extremely low
Li-ion battery temperature is very low (approxi-
mately 4°F (20°C)
When the temperature of EV system is high (motor, inverter, coolant system, Li-ion battery
etc.)
When the EV system has a malfunction.
If the low battery charge warning light is illumi-
nated, charge the Li-ion battery as soon as pos-
sible.
If this indicator illuminates because the Li-ion
battery is cold due to low outside temperatures,
move the vehicle to a warmer location. The Li-ion
battery temperature may be increased by charg-
ing the Li-ion battery.
If the light illuminates when the EV system be-
comes hot due to continuous hill climbing either
continue driving at a slower safe speed, or stop
the vehicle in a safe location. If this indicator does
not turn off, contact a NISSAN certified dealer.
If the indicator illuminate when a part in the EV
system has malfunctioned. If the indicator illumi-
nates in a situation other than those described
above, or if it does not turn off, there may be a system malfunction. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
WARNING
Power limitation mode can result in re-
duced power and vehicle speed. The re-
duced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the
road in a safe area. Charge the Li-ion
battery if the charge is low or allow the
Li-ion battery to cool.
READY to drive indicator
light
The READY to drive indicator light illuminates
when the EV (Electric Vehicle) System is pow-
ered and the vehicle may be driven.
The READY to drive indicator light will turn off in
the following conditions.
Certain EV (Electric Vehicle) system malfunc- tions.
The READY to drive indicator light turns off immediately before the Li-ion battery is com-
pletely discharged If the Li-ion battery becomes
completely discharged, the vehicle must be
2-20Instruments and controls