2013 NISSAN LEAF heating

Operating the climate control system
before driving
The vehicle heating and air conditioning system
can be turned on via remote control with an
internet enabled smart phone or personal com-
puter.This allows the interior of the vehicle to be heated
or cooled while the vehicle is charging. This re-
duces the load on the Li-ion battery while the
vehicle is being driven and can help increase the
vehicle driving range. See
Remote climate con-
trol in the Heater and air conditioner systems
section.
EV OverviewEV-15

Use the ECO position for maximum vehicle range
and for city driving. The ECO position helps
reduce power consumption by reducing accel-
eration when compared to the same accelerator
pedal position in the D (Drive) position and re-
duces the power provided to the heating and air
conditioner system.
Without navigation system model: When the
ECO position is used, more regenerative brake is
applied when the accelerator pedal is released in
comparison to the D (Drive) position.
NOTE:
The regenerative brake converts the vehi-
cle’s forward motion to electric power to
help slow the vehicle.While the vehicle is being driven you can check
your own ECO drive level on the ECO indicator.
See
ECO indicator in theInstruments and con-
trols section.
EV OverviewEV-19

AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
(MODELS WITHOUT NAVIGATION
SYSTEM)
1.(fan speed control) dial
2.
(intake air control) button
3.
(front defroster) button 4. Climate Ctrl. display
5.
(rear window defroster) button (See
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch in theInstruments and controls
section.)
6. Temperature control dial
7. AUTO climate control ON button 8. A/C (air conditioner) ON·OFF button
9. MODE (manual air flow control) button
10. HEAT button
11. A/C-Heater ON·OFF button
Automatic operation (AUTO)
The AUTO mode may be used year-round as the
system automatically controls constant tempera-
ture, air flow distribution and fan speed.
To turn off the climate control, push the A/C-
Heater ON·OFF button.
The same operating mode (Heater or A/C) that
was active when the system is turned off is active
when system is turned back on.
While operating the climate control in the AUTO
mode, selecting any other climate control button
de-activates the AUTO mode and activates
manual mode.
Cooling and/or dehumidified heating:
The dehumidified heating mode can be used to
keep the windows from fogging. In this mode, the
heat pump compressor is used in A/C mode for
dehumidifying the air instead of heating it. The
PTC heater is also used in conjunction to heat the
air. This mode will increase energy consumption
and therefore reduce range.
4-10Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

1. Push the AUTO button. The AUTO indicatorwill illuminate.
2. If the A/C indicator light does not illuminate, push the A/C button. The A/C indicator light
will illuminate.
3. If the HEAT indicator light does not illuminate, press the HEAT button. The HEAT indicator
light will illuminate.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature. The temperature range
is between 60°F (18°C) and 90°F (32°C) .
5. To set the automatic control mode, press and hold the
(intake air control) button. The
indicator will blink twice and inside/outside
circulation will switch automatically.
A visible mist may be seen coming from the
ventilators in hot, humid conditions as the air is
cooled rapidly. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Heating (A/C off):
1. Push the AUTO button. The AUTO indicator will illuminate.
2. Press the HEAT button. The indicator light on the HEAT button will come on. If the indicator
light on the A/C button remains on, press the
A/C button so that the indicator light turns off. 3. If the A/C indicator light illuminates, push the
A/C button. The A/C indicator light will turn
off.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature. The temperature range
is between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C) .
Do not set the temperature lower than the outside air temperature. Doing so may pre-
vent the temperature from being controlled
properly.
If the windows fog up, use dehumidified heating instead of the A/C off heating.
Dehumidified defrosting/defogging:
1. Push the front defroster
button. (The
indicator light will illuminate.)
2. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature.
To remove moisture or fog on the front win- dow quickly, set the temperature to the high
temperature and the fan speed to their maxi-
mum level.
After the windshield is cleared, push the front defroster
button again. (The indicator
light will turn off.)
When the front defroster
button is
pushed, the air conditioner will automatically turn on to defog the windshield. The outside
air circulation mode will be selected to im-
prove the defogging performance.
Manual operation
The manual mode can be used to control the
heater and air conditioner to your desired set-
tings.
To turn off the heater and air conditioner, push the
A/C-Heater ON·OFF button.
Fan speed control:
Turn the fan speed control dial
clockwise
to increase the fan speed.
Turn the fan speed control dial
counter-
clockwise to decrease the fan speed.
Push the AUTO button to change the fan speed
to the automatic mode.
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-11

AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
(MODELS WITH NAVIGATION
SYSTEM)
1. Temperature control button
2. HEAT button
3. Climate Ctrl. Timer indicator4.
(front defroster) button
5.
(fan speed control) button
6.
(rear window defroster) button (See
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch in theInstruments and controls
section.)
7.
(intake air control) button 8. A/C-Heater ON·OFF button
9. AUTO climate control ON button
10. MODE (manual air flow control) button
11. A/C (air conditioner) ON·OFF button
Automatic operation (AUTO)
The AUTO mode may be used year-round as the
system automatically controls constant tempera-
ture, air flow distribution and fan speed.
To turn off the climate control, push the A/C-
Heater ON·OFF button.
The same operating mode (Heater or A/C) that
was active when the system is turned off is active
when system is turned back on.
While operating the climate control in the AUTO
mode, selecting any other climate control button
de-activates the AUTO mode and activates
manual mode.
Cooling and/or dehumidified heating:
The dehumidified heating mode can be used to
keep the windows from fogging. In this mode, the
heat pump compressor is used in A/C mode for
dehumidifying the air instead of heating it. The
PTC heater is also used in conjunction to heat the
air. This mode will increase energy consumption
and therefore reduce range.
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-17

1. Push the AUTO button. The AUTO indicatorwill illuminate.
2. If the A/C indicator light does not illuminate, push the A/C button. The A/C indicator light
will illuminate.
3. If the HEAT indicator light does not illuminate, press the HEAT button. The HEAT indicator
light will illuminate.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature. The temperature range
is between 60°F (18°C) and 90°F (32°C) .
5. To set the automatic control mode, press and hold the
(intake air control) button. The
indicator will blink twice and inside/outside
circulation will switch automatically.
A visible mist may be seen coming from the
ventilators in hot, humid conditions as the air is
cooled rapidly. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Heating (A/C off):
1. Push the AUTO button. The AUTO indicator will illuminate.
2. Press the HEAT button. The indicator light on the HEAT button will come on. If the indicator
light on the A/C button remains on, press the
A/C button so that the indicator light turns off. 3. If the A/C indicator light illuminates, push the
A/C button. The A/C indicator light will turn
off.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature. The temperature range
is between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C) .
Do not set the temperature lower than the outside air temperature. Doing so may pre-
vent the temperature from being controlled
properly.
If the windows fog up, use dehumidified heating instead of the A/C off heating.
Dehumidified defrosting/defogging:
1. Push the front defroster
button. (The
indicator light will illuminate.)
2. Turn the temperature control dial to set the desired temperature.
To remove moisture or fog on the front win- dow quickly, set the temperature to the high
temperature and the fan speed to their maxi-
mum level.
After the windshield is cleared, push the front defroster
button again. (The indicator
light will turn off.)
When the front defroster
button is
pushed, the air conditioner will automatically turn on to defog the windshield. The outside
air circulation mode will be selected to im-
prove the defogging performance.
Manual operation
The manual mode can be used to control the
heater and air conditioner to your desired set-
tings.
To turn off the heater and air conditioner, push the
A/C-Heater ON·OFF button.
Fan speed control:
Push “+” of the fan speed control button
to
increase the fan speed.
Push “” of the fan speed control button
to increase the fan speed.
Push the AUTO button to change the fan speed
to the automatic mode.
4-18Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems

WARNING
If the READY to drive indicator light is OFF while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
When the power steering warning light illuminates while the READY to drive
indicator light ON, the power assist for
the steering will cease operation. You
will still have control of the vehicle but
the steering will be harder to operate.
The power steering system is designed to pro-
vide power assistance while driving to operate
the steering wheel with less effort.
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent over-
heating of the power steering system and help
protect it from getting damaged. While the power
assistance is reduced, steering wheel operation
will become harder. When the temperature of the
power steering system goes down, the power
assistance level will return to normal. Avoid re-
peating such steering wheel operations that
could cause the power steering system to over-
heat. You may hear a noise when the steering wheel is
operated quickly. However, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
If the power steering warning light
illumi-
nates while the READY to drive indicator light is
ON, it may indicate the power steering system is
not functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the power steering system checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. (See Power
steering warning light in theInstruments and
controls section.)
The power assist for steering stops operating
when both the power steering warning light and
READY to drive indicator light are illuminated.
You will still have control of the vehicle. However,
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
This vehicle is equipped with two braking sys-
tems:
1. Hydraulic brake system
2. Regenerative brake system
Hydraulic brake system
The hydraulic brake system is similar to the
brakes used on conventional vehicles.
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
Regenerative brake system
The primary purpose of regenerative brake sys-
tem is to provide some power to help recharge
the Li-ion battery and extend driving range. A
secondary benefit is “engine braking” that oper-
ates based on battery conditions.
In the D (Drive) range, when the accelerator is
released, the regenerative brake system provides
some deceleration and generates power for the
Li-ion battery. Power is also generated when the
brake pedal is applied.
When you put the shift lever in the ECO position
and take your foot off the accelerator pedal, more
POWER STEERING SYSTEM BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-19

regenerative brake is applied than in the D (Drive)
position. However, during high-speed driving you
may feel that regenerative brake provides less
deceleration than the engine braking in an ordi-
nary vehicle. This is normal.
Less deceleration is provided by the regenerative
brake system when the Li-ion battery is fully
charged. Regenerative brake is automatically re-
duced when the Li-ion battery is fully charged to
prevent the Li-ion battery from becoming over-
charged. Regenerative brake is also automati-
cally reduced when the battery temperature is
high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on the
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 condi-
tions. The vehicle brakes are not affected by
regenerative brake system operation.
NOTE:
When applying the regenerative brakes,
you may hear a sound coming from the
regenerative brake system. This is a nor-
mal operating characteristic of an EV
(Electric vehicle) .
If the power switch position is in a posi-
tion other than ON or READY to drive, you
can stop the vehicle by depressing the
brake pedal. However, greater foot pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required to
stop the vehicle, and the stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
When depressing the brake pedal, the
braking pedal feel will not be smooth or
may change when the cooperative regen-
erative brake system activates. However,
the electronically controlled brake system
is operating normally and this does not
indicate a malfunction.
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the brakes,
wearing out the brake pads and shoes faster and
will reduce driving range.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and se-
lect ECO position before going down a slope or
long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce brak-
ing performance and could result in loss of ve-
hicle control.
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful when braking or accelerating.
Abrupt braking or accelerating could
cause the wheels to skid, which could
result in an accident.
If the brake pedal is depressed with the EV (Electric Vehicle) system OFF,
you may feel an increased brake pedal
effort and a decreased pedal stroke. If
the BRAKE warning light does not illu-
minate and the brake pedal feels like it
has returned to its normal state after
the EV system is started, this indicates
that there is no malfunction and the
vehicle can be operated normally.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, the
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly tapping the brake pedal to heat up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes have dried.
5-20Starting and driving