2013 NISSAN LEAF headlights

The LEAF is an electric vehicle. Some of the
vehicle’s systems operate differently and have
different operating characteristics than vehicles
equipped with an internal combustion engine. It is
important to carefully review the entire Owner’s
Manual for this reason. The main difference is the
LEAF is powered by electricity. The LEAF does
not require and it is not capable of using gasoline
like a vehicle powered by a traditional internal
combustion engine. The LEAF uses electricity
stored in the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. The ve-
hicle Li-ion battery must be charged with electric-
ity before the vehicle can be driven. As the vehicle
operates, the Li-ion battery gradually discharges.
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged, the vehicle will not operate until it is
re-charged. The charging process usually takes
from approximately 30 minutes to 21 hours as
described more fully in this manual.
This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is
the 12-volt battery that is the same as the battery
in vehicles powered by gasoline engines, the
other is the Li-ion battery (high voltage) .
The 12-volt battery provides power to the vehicle
systems and features such as the audio system,
supplemental restraint systems, headlights and
windshield wipers.The Li-ion battery provides power to the electric
motor (traction motor) that moves the vehicle.
The Li-ion battery also charges the 12-volt bat-
tery.
The vehicle must be plugged in for the Li-ion
battery to be charged. Additionally, the vehicle
system can extend the vehicle range by convert-
ing driving force into electricity that is stored in
the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is decelerating
or being driven downhill. This is called regenera-
tive brake. This vehicle is considered to be an
environmentally friendly vehicle because it does
not emit exhaust gases, such as carbon dioxide
and nitrogen oxide.
WARNING
Your vehicle contains a sealed Li-ion
high voltage battery. If the Li-ion battery
is disposed of improperly, there is a risk
of severe burns and electrical shock that
may result in serious injury or death and
there is also a risk of environmental dam-
age.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the Li-ion battery:
Do not expose a vehicle to extreme ambient temperatures for extended
periods.
Do not store a vehicle in temperatures below 13°F (25°C) for over seven
days.
Do not leave your vehicle for over 14 days where the Li-ion battery available
charge gauge reaches a zero or near
zero (state of charge) .
Do not use the Li-ion battery for any other purpose.
THE EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE)
SYSTEM LI-ION BATTERY
EV-2EV Overview

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

VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM
The vehicle security system provides visual and
audio alarm signals if someone opens the doors,
or rear hatch when the system is armed. It is not,
however, a motion detection type system that
activates when a vehicle is moved or when a
vibration occurs.
The system helps deter vehicle theft but cannot
prevent it, nor can it prevent the theft of interior or
exterior vehicle components in all situations. Al-
ways secure your vehicle even if parking for a
brief period. Never leave your keys in the vehicle,
and always lock it when it is left unattended. Be
aware of your surroundings, and park in secure,
well-lit areas whenever possible.
Many devices offering additional protection, such
as component locks, identification markers, and
tracking systems, are available at auto supply
stores and specialty shops. Your NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer may also offer such equipment.
Check with your insurance company to see if you
may be eligible for discounts for various theft
protection features.
How to arm the vehicle security
system
1. Close all windows.The system can be armed even if the
windows are open.
2. Place the power switch in the LOCK or OFF position and remove the Intelligent Key from
the vehicle.
3. Close all doors. Lock all doors. The doors can be locked with:
the LOCK
button on the Intelligent Key
any request switch the power door lock switch
the mechanical key
4. Confirm that the security indicator light illumi- nates. The security indicator light stays on for
about 30 seconds. The vehicle security sys-
tem is now pre-armed. After about 30 sec-
onds the vehicle security system automati-
cally shifts into the armed phase. The security
light begins to flash once every approximately
3 seconds. If, during this 30-second pre-arm
time period, the door is unlocked, or the
power switch is placed in the ACC or ON
position, the system will not arm.
Even when the driver and/or passengers
are in the vehicle, the system will activate
with all doors locked and the power switch
in the OFF position. When placing the
power switch to the ACC or ON position,
the system will be released.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the following
alarm:
The headlights blink and the horn sounds inter- mittently.
2-36Instruments and controls

If the button1is pushed again, the instrument
lights are turned on to the lowest brightness
setting.
HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Lighting
1Turn the switch to theposition:
The front park, side marker, tail, license plate
and instrument lights will come on.
2Turn the switch to theposition:
The headlights will come on and all the other
lights will remain on.
Autolight system (if so equipped)
The autolight system allows the headlights to be
set so they turn on and off automatically.
To set the autolight system:
1. Make sure the headlight switch is in the AUTO position
1.
2. Place the power switch in the ON position.
3. The autolight system automatically turns the headlights on and off.
To turn the autolight system off, turn the switch to
the OFF,
orposition.
HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
2-42Instruments and controls

The autolight system can turn on the headlights
automatically when it is dark and turn off the
headlights when it is light.
For US models: The headlights will also be turned
on automatically at twilight or in rainy weather
(when the windshield wiper is operated continu-
ously) .
If the power switch is placed in the OFF position
and one of the doors is opened and this condition
continues, the headlights remain on for 45 sec-
onds.
Automatic headlights off delay:
You can keep the headlights on for up to 180
seconds after you push the power switch to OFF
and open any door then close all the doors.
You can adjust the period of the automatic head-
lights off delay from 0 seconds (OFF) to 180
seconds. The factory default setting is 45 sec-
onds.
For automatic headlights off delay setting, see
the LEAF Navigation System Owner’s Manual.Be sure not to put anything on top of the
photo sensor
1located on the top of the
instrument panel. The photo sensor con-
trols the autolight; if it is covered, the
photo sensor reacts as if it is dark and the
headlights will illuminate.Headlight beam select
1To select the low beam, put the lever in the
neutral position as shown.
2To select the high beam, push the lever
forward while the switch is in the
position. Pull it back to select the low
beam.
3Pulling the lever toward you will flash the
headlight high beam even when the head-
light switch is in the OFF position.
Instruments and controls2-43

Battery saver system
When the headlight switch is in theor
position while the power switch is in the
ON position, the lights will automatically turn off
45 seconds after the power switch has been
placed in the OFF position.
When the headlight switch remains in the
orposition after the lights automatically
turn off, the lights will turn on when the power
switch is placed in the ON position.
CAUTION
When you turn on the headlight switch again after the lights automatically
turn off, the lights will not turn off
automatically. Be sure to turn the light
switch to the OFF position when you
leave the vehicle for extended periods
of time, otherwise the battery will be
discharged.
Never leave the light switch on when the power switch is in the OFF, ACC or
ON position for extended periods of
time even if the headlights turn off
automatically.
Daytime running light system (for
Canada)
The daytime running lights automatically illumi-
nate when the power switch is in the READY to
drive position with the parking brake released.
The daytime running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the OFF position. Turn headlight
switch to the
position for full illumination
when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the power
switch is in the READY to drive position, daytime
running lights do not operate. The daytime run-
ning lights illuminate once the parking brake is
released. The daytime running lights will remain
on until the power switch is pushed to the OFF
position.
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
1Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal the turning
direction. When the turn is completed, the turn
signals cancel automatically.
2Lane change signal
To indicate a lane change, move the lever up or
down to the point where lights begin flashing.
2-44Instruments and controls

To turn the fog lights on, turn the headlight switch
to the
position, then turn the switch to the
position. To turn them off, turn the switch to
the OFF position.
The headlights must be on for the fog lights to
operate. The heated steering wheel system is designed to
operate only when the surface temperature of the
steering wheel is below approximately 68°F
(20°C) .
Push the heated steering wheel switch to warm
the steering wheel when the power switch is in
the ON position. The indicator light
1on the
switch will illuminate.
If the surface temperature of the steering wheel is
below approximately 68°F (20°C) , the system will
heat the steering wheel and cycle off and on to
maintain a temperature above 68°F (20°C) . The indicator light will remain on as long as the sys-
tem is on.
Push the switch again to turn the heated steering
wheel system off manually. The indicator light turn
off.
NOTE:

If the surface temperature of the steering
wheel is above 68°F (20°C) when the
switch is turned on, the system will not
heat the steering wheel. This is not a mal-
function.
If the outside temperature is low (approxi-
mately 50°F (10°C) or less) and the Climate
Ctrl. Timer or Remote Climate Control are
used, the steering wheel heater will auto-
matically operate in the following condi-
tions. – When using the Climate Ctrl. Timer: Operates from approximately 15 min-
utes before the set departure time until
the set departure time.
– When using Remote Climate Control: Operates 15 minutes after Remote Cli-
mate Control starts.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (IF SO
EQUIPPED) HEATED STEERING WHEEL SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-45

The power outlet is located in the instrument
panel.
CAUTION
The outlet and plug may be hot during or immediately after use.
Do not use with accessories that ex- ceed a 12-volt, 120W (10A) power
draw. Do not use double adapters or
more than one electrical accessory.
Use the power outlet with the power switch is in the ON or READY to drive
position to avoid discharging the 12-
volt battery. Avoid using the power outlet when the
air conditioner, headlights or rear win-
dow defroster are on.
This power outlet is not designed for use with a cigarette lighter unit.
Push the plug in as far as it will go. If good contact is not made, the plug
may overheat or the internal tempera-
ture fuse may open.
Before inserting or disconnecting a plug, make sure that the electrical ac-
cessory being used is turned OFF.
When not in use, be sure to close the cap. Do not allow water to contact the
outlet.
CUP HOLDERS
CAUTION
Avoid abrupt starting and braking when the cup holder is being used to
prevent spilling the drink. If the liquid
is hot, it can scald you or your passen-
ger.
Use only soft cups in the cup holder. Hard objects can injure you in an acci-
dent.
Front
POWER OUTLET STORAGE
2-50Instruments and controls