
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

7 Appearance and care
Cleaning exterior...................... .7-2
Washing ......................... .7-2
Waxing .......................... .7-2
Removing spots ..................... .7-3
Underbody ........................ .7-3
Glass ........................... .7-3
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ...........7-3
Wheels .......................... .7-3
Chrome parts ...................... .7-4
Tire dressing ....................... .7-4
Cleaning interior ....................... .7-4Air fresheners
...................... .7-4
Floor mats ........................ .7-5
Seat belts ........................ .7-5
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) ......7-6
Corrosion protection .................... .7-6
Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion ......................... .7-6
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion ......................... .7-6
To protect your vehicle from corrosion .........7-7

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions before using air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING
To avoid potential pedal interference that
may result in a collision or injury:
NEVER place a floor mat on top of another floor mat in the driver front
position.
Use only genuine NISSAN floor mats specifically designed for use in your
vehicle model. See your NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer for more information.
Properly position the mats in the floor- well using the floor mat positioning
aid. See Floor mat positioning aid
(driver’s side only).
The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex-
tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior. Mats should be main-
tained with regular cleaning and replaced if they
become excessively worn.
Floor mat positioning aid (driver’s side
only)
This vehicle includes front floor mat brackets to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your ve-
hicle model. The driver’s side floor mat has grom-
met holes incorporated in it. Position the mat by
placing the floor mat bracket hook through the
floor mat grommet hole while centering the mat in
the floorwell.
Periodically check to make certain the mats are
properly positioned. The illustration shows the location of floor mat
brackets.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade
before using them.
See
Seat belts in theSafety-Seats seat belts
and supplemental restraint system section.
Bracket position
Appearance and care7-5

WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents to clean the seat belts,
since these materials may severely
weaken the seat belt webbing.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY
EQUIPMENT (EVSE)
The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
can be cleaned by wiping gently with a soft cloth
dampened in a 3% mild soap solution. Wipe and
rinse the soap solution off with a cloth dampened
with water and allow the EVSE to dry in a shady
and well-ventilated place.
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavities, and
other areas.
Damage to paint and other protective coatings caused by gravel and stone chips or minor
traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the ve-
hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion.
Wet floor coverings will not dry completely inside
the vehicle, and should be removed for drying to
avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing, where at-
mospheric pollution exists, or where road salt is
used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate of
corrosion to those parts which are not well ven-
tilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will accel-
erate the corrosion process. Road salt will also
accelerate the disintegration of paint surfaces.
CORROSION PROTECTION
7-6Appearance and care

Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing 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 suffi-
cient 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 (for serviceable 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.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electronic ac-
cessories that consume battery power when
the engine is not running (Phone chargers,
GPS, DVD players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
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 thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. For additional information, see Cleaning
exterior in theAppearance and care section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

The original tires have built-in treadwear indicators. When wear indicators
are visible, the tire(s) should be re-
placed.
Tires degrade with age and use. Have tires, over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician, because some
tire damage may not be obvious. Re-
place the tires as necessary to prevent
tire failure and possible personal in-
jury.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. See Specificationsin
the Technical and consumer information sec-
tion for recommended types and sizes of tires
and wheels.
WARNING
The use of tires other than those rec- ommended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of these
effects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal injury.
If your vehicle was originally equipped with 4 tires that were the same size
and you are only replacing 2 of the 4
tires, install the new tires on the rear
axle. Placing new tires on the front
axle may cause loss of vehicle control
in some driving conditions and cause
an accident and personal injury. If the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade
vehicle handling characteristics
and/or interference with the brake
discs. Such interference can lead to
decreased braking efficiency and/or
early brake pad/shoe wear. See
Wheels and tires in theTechnical
and consumer information
section of
this manual for wheel off-set dimen-
sions.
When a wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pres-
sure warning light will flash for ap-
proximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Contact your
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon
as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
Do not install a damaged or deformed wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could
have structural damage and could fail
without warning.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-33

3. Remove the license plate bracket and con-nect the arcs from the ovals. Mark the point in
the center of each oval. These are pilot drilling
locations.
Use a 0.49 in (12.5 mm) drill bit for the license
plate screw holes and carefully open holes in
the places marked. (Make sure that the drill
only goes through the fascia.)
4. Install the license plate with two 0.23 in (6 mm) screws.
WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in the cargo area inside the vehicle. In a col-
lision, people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the fol-
lowing terms before loading your vehicle:
Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) -
vehicle weight including: standard and optional
equipment, fluids, emergency tools, and spare
tire assembly. This weight does notinclude
passengers and cargo.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight plus the combined weight of passengers and
cargo.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) - maxi- mum total combined weight of the unloaded
vehicle, passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other optional equipment. This information is located on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. label.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maximum weight (load) limit specified for the front or rear
axle. This information is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) - The maximum total weight rating of the vehicle,
passengers, cargo, and trailer.
Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit, Total load capacity - maximum total weight limit specified
of the load (passengers and cargo) for the ve-
hicle. This is the maximum combined weight of
occupants and cargo that can be loaded into
the vehicle. If the vehicle is used to tow a trailer,
the trailer tongue weight must be included as
part of the cargo load. This information is lo-
cated on the Tire and Loading Information label.
Cargo capacity - permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted weight of occupants from the
load limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
9-10Technical and consumer information

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle were oper-ating;
Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
How fast the vehicle was traveling.
Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur.NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only
if a nontrivial crash situation occurs; no
data are recorded by the EDR under normal
driving conditions and no personal data
(for example, name, gender, age and crash
location) are recorded. However, other par-
ties, such as law enforcement, could com-
bine the EDR data with the type of person-
ally identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition
to the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the
EDR. EDR data will only be accessed with
the consent of the vehicle owner or lessee
or as otherwise required or permitted by
law. Genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this model
year and prior can be purchased. A genuine
NISSAN Service Manual is the best source of
service and repair information for your vehicle.
This manual is the same one used by the factory
trained technicians working at a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer. Genuine NISSAN Owner’s
Manuals can also be purchased.
In the USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals
contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals contact:
1-800-247-5321
In Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual or Owner’s Manual for this model
year and prior please contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer. For the phone number and location
of a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer in your area
call the NISSAN Information Center at
1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN repre-
sentative will assist you.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
9-18Technical and consumer information