EV Overview
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system.............EV-2
Li-ion battery ........................ .EV-2
Driving with a discharged Li-ion battery .......EV-3
Charging the 12-volt battery ..............EV-5
Li-ion battery warmer ................. .EV-5
High voltage precautions ................. .EV-7
High-voltage components ...............EV-7
Road accident precautions ................EV-8
Emergency shut-off system ..............EV-9
EV (Electric Vehicle) characteristics ...........EV-9
Noise and vibration ................. .EV-10
Life with an EV (scene guide) ..............EV-10
Charging the Li-ion battery ..............EV-10
Before driving your vehicle (models with navigation
system) ........................ .EV-13
Starting your vehicle ................. .EV-17Driving the vehicle
.................. .EV-18
At home after driving ................ .EV-22
Efficient use of your vehicle ...............EV-23
Range ......................... .EV-23
Improve driving range ................ .EV-23
Li-ion battery life ................... .EV-24
Li-ion battery maintenance ..............EV-24
EV unique information .................. .EV-25
Meters and indicators ................ .EV-25
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system ......................... .EV-28
Electric shift control system .............EV-29
LED headlight (low beam) (if so equipped) . . . .EV-29
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ..........EV-30
Driving range button (if so equipped) ........EV-30
Li-ion battery is fully charged to prevent
the Li-ion battery from becoming over-
charged. Regenerating brake is also auto-
matically reduced when the battery tem-
perature is high/low (indicated by the red/
blue zones on the Li-ion battery
temperature gauge) to prevent Li-ion bat-
tery damage.
The brake pedal should be used to slow or
stop the vehicle depending on traffic or
road conditions. The vehicle brakes are
not affected by regenerative brake system
operation.NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or vi-
bration as a normal characteristic of this vehicle.
Traction motor noise from motor compartment.
Water pump and radiator fan noise while charg- ing.
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote climate control
(models with navigation system) is used.
Relay operation noise and vibration at start-up and shut-down of the EV (Electric Vehicle) sys-
tem (power switch placed in the ON and OFF
position) .
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) . This section provides a brief explanation for the
most important LEAF functions. Refer to the spe-
cific sections of this manual for detailed explana-
tions of the vehicle features and operation.
CHARGING THE LI-ION BATTERY
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow the
proper handling instructions may cause
serious injury or death. Be sure to read
the Charge section and follow the pro-
cedures and guidelines described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (SCENE GUIDE)
EV-10EV Overview
The sound stops when the vehicle stops.
The sound does not stop with the vehicle in the R
(Reverse) position even if the vehicle stops.
WARNING
If the sound cannot be heard, pedestri- ans may not notice the oncoming ve-
hicle, which may cause an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Im-
mediately contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for VSP system inspec-
tion.
If the VSP system warning light illumi- nates while the power switch is in the
ON position, or in the READY to drive
position, it may indicate the VSP sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer. See Approaching
Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system warning light in theInstru-
ments and controls section.
ELECTRIC SHIFT CONTROL
SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift
control system. This control system has three
features.
Smooth and easy shift selector operation.
To place the vehicle in the P (Park) position,
push the P (Park) position switch on the selec-
tor lever.
The vehicle automatically applies the P (Park) position when the power switch is placed in the
OFF position. For additional information, see
Driving vehiclein
the Starting and driving section.
LED HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) (IF
SO EQUIPPED)
This vehicle uses a LED headlight for the head-
light low beam. The LED headlight has the follow-
ing features.
Low power consumption
The shape is very compact.
Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to re-
place the headlight.
EV OverviewEV-29
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
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