2014 NISSAN LEAF Owners Manual

The indicator lightAon the power switch illumi-
nates when the power switch is in the ACC or
ON position.
The power lock is designed so that the power
switch position cannot be switched to LOCK
until the vehicle is into the P (Park) position.
When the power switch cannot be switched to
the LOCK position, proceed as follows.
1. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shift
lever to place the vehicle in the P (Park)
position.
2. Push the power switch to the OFF position.
The power switch position indicator
Awill
not illuminate.
3. Open the door. The power switch will change
to the LOCK position.
POWER SWITCH POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
The power switch can only be locked in this
position.
The power switch will be unlocked when it is
pushed to the ACC position while the driver is
carrying the Intelligent Key.
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accessories,
such as the radio, when EV system is OFF.
ON
This position turns on the EV (Electric Vehicle)
system and electrical accessories.
READY (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the EV (Electric Vehicle)
system, electrical accessories and the vehicle
can be driven.
OFF
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system can be turned
off.
The power switch cannot be placed in the LOCK
position until the vehicle is in the P (Park) posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the power
switch in the ACC position for an ex-
tended period of time. This can discharge
the 12-volt battery.
NOTE:
If the power switch is pushed quickly or is
pushed twice quickly, the switch may not
function even if a chime sound is heard.
Push the switch again more slowly.
EMERGENCY EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SHUT OFF
To shut off the EV (Electric Vehicle) system in an
emergency situation while driving, perform the
following procedure.
• Rapidly push the power switch 3 consecutive
times in less than 1.5 seconds, or
• Push and hold the power switch for more than 2
seconds.
Starting and driving5-9

NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY®
BATTERY DISCHARGE
If the Intelligent Key battery is discharged, or
environmental conditions interfere with the Intel-
ligent Key operation, start the EV (Electric Ve-
hicle) system in the READY to drive mode ac-
cording to the following procedure:
1. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shift
lever.
2. Firmly apply the foot brake.
3. Touch the power switch with the Intelligent
Key as illustrated. (A chime will sound.)4. Push the power switch while depressing the
brake 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 vehicle information display
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 Intelligent Key
again.
•If the Intelligent Key system battery dis-
charge indicator appears on the vehicle
information display, replace the battery as
soon as possible. See “Intelligent key bat-
tery replacement” in the “Maintenance
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/
headrests.
• 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 the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion.)
BEFORE STARTING THE EV
(ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM
5-10Starting and driving

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.
ELECTRIC SHIFT CONTROL
SYSTEM
This vehicle is electronically controlled to produce
maximum available power and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for this
vehicle are shown on the following pages.
Starting vehicle
1. After placing the vehicle in the READY to drive
position, fully depress the foot brake pedal
before moving the shift lever to the D (Drive)
position.
The shift lever of this vehicle is designed
so that the foot brake pedal must be de-
pressed before shifting from the P (Park)
position to any driving position while the
power switch is in the ON position.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other positions if the power switch is
placed in the LOCK, OFF or ACC position
or if the key is removed.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, and
move the shift lever to the D (Drive) position.3. Release the parking brake and foot brake
pedal, and then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
WARNING
• Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) or D (Drive) posi-
tion. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose control,
which could result in an accident.
• Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while vehicle is moving. Failure to do
so could cause you to lose control and
have an accident.
CAUTION
•
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
slope, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brake should be used for this purpose.
• Do not hang items on the shift lever.
This may cause an accident due to a
sudden start.
• Do not shift to the ECO position
abruptly on slippery roads. This may
cause a loss of control.
STARTING THE EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SYSTEM DRIVING VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-11

Shifting
To move the shift lever,
: Slide along the gate while the brake
pedal is depressed.
: After sliding, maintain it in the same
position until the vehicle placed to N
(Neutral) position.
: When in the D (Drive) position, slide
along the gate.
NOTE:
•Confirm that the vehicle is in the desired
shift position by checking the shift indica-
tor
1located near the shift lever or the
vehicle information display in the meter.
•To place the vehicle into the D (Drive)
position from the ECO position, move the
shift lever into the D (Drive) position.
After placing the vehicle in the READY to drive
position, fully depress the brake pedal, and move
the shift lever to any of the preferred shift posi-
tions.
If the power switch is placed in the OFF or ACC
position for any reason while the shift position is
in any position other than the P (Park) position,
the power switch cannot be placed in the LOCK
position.
If the power switch cannot be placed in the
LOCK position, perform the following steps.
1. Apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stopped.
2. Place the power switch in the ON position
while depressing the foot brake pedal.
3. Press the P position switch and place in the P
(Park) position.
4. Place the power switch in the OFF position.
NOTE:
The vehicle automatically applies the P
(Park) position when the power switch is in
the OFF position.
WARNING
• The shift lever is always in the center
position when released. When the
power switch is placed in the READY to
drive position, the driver needs to con-
firm that the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position. The indicator next to the “P”
by the shift lever is illuminated and the
“P” is displayed on the meter. If the
vehicle is in the D (Drive) position or R
(Reverse) position when the power
switch is placed in the READY to drive
position, this may cause a sudden start
which could result in an accident.
• On a hilly road, do not allow the vehicle
to roll backwards while in the D (Drive)
position or ECO position, or allow the
vehicle to roll forward while in the R
(Reverse) position. This may cause an
accident.
5-12Starting and driving

CAUTION
• Do not slide the shift lever while push-
ing the P position switch. This may
also damage the electric motor.
• When switching to the preferred posi-
tion by operating the shift lever, check
that the shift lever returns to the cen-
tral position by releasing your hand
from the lever. Holding the shift lever
in a mid-way position may also dam-
age the shift control system.
• Do not operate the shift lever while the
accelerator pedal is depressed, except
when switching to the ECO position.
This may cause a sudden start which
could result in an accident.
• The following operations are not al-
lowed because excessive force would
be applied to the traction motor and
this may result in damage to the ve-
hicle:
– Moving the shift lever to the R (Re-
verse) position when driving for-
ward
– Moving the shift lever to the D
(Drive) or ECO position when revers-
ing
If these operations are attempted, a
chime sounds and the vehicle shifts tothe N (Neutral) position.
P (Park):
Use this shift position when the vehicle is parked
or when placing the vehicle in the READY to drive
position. Make sure that the vehicle is completely
stopped.In order to switch to the P (Park)
position, press the P (Park) position switch
as shown in the illustration above once the
vehicle has come to a complete stop. If the
P (Park) position switch is pressed while
the vehicle is in motion, a chime sounds
and the current shift position is maintained.
After switching to the P (Park) position, apply theparking brake. When parking on a hill, apply the
parking brake first while keeping the foot brake
pedal depressed then push the P (Park) position
switch and place the vehicle in the P (Park)
position. See “Parking brake”.
NOTE:
•While the vehicle is stationary, if the shift
position is placed in any position other
than the P (Park) position when the power
switch is set to OFF, it will automatically
switch to the P (Park) position.
•If the P (Park) position switch is pressed
while sliding the shift lever, the shift posi-
tion will not switch to the P (Park) posi-
tion. When pressing the P (Park) position
switch be sure to first allow the shift lever
to return to its center position.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Make sure that the
vehicle is completely stopped before selecting
the R (Reverse) position.If the vehicle is
placed in the D (Drive) position while re-
versing, the chime will sound and the ve-
hicle will switch into the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
Starting and driving5-13

N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged. The
vehicle can be placed in READY to drive position
in this position.
Do not shift to the N (Neutral) position while
driving. The regenerative brake system does not
operate in the N (Neutral) position. However, the
vehicle brakes will still stop the car.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.If
the vehicle is placed in the D (Drive) posi-
tion while reversing, the chime will sound
and the vehicle will switch into the N (Neu-
tral) position.B-mode:
Engages the regenerative braking system more
aggressively on downhill slopes, and helps re-
duce brake use. Activated by moving the shift
lever left and down. The shift lever will then return
to the center position.ECO mode (if so equipped):
Use ECO in order to help extend the driving
range.
In comparison to the D (Drive) position, ECO
consumes less power for the traction motor and
heater and air conditioner operations and en-
ables the range of the vehicle to be extended.
ECO can be selected from the D (Drive) or
B-mode position.
5-14Starting and driving

WARNING
• Be sure the parking brake is released
before driving. Failure to do so could
cause brake failure and lead to an ac-
cident.
• Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
• Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
• When leaving the vehicle, apply the
parking brake and push the P (Park)
position switch on the shift lever.
To engage:Firmly depress the parking brake.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Firmly depress the parking brake and it will
release.
3. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light
goes out.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
• If the cruise control system malfunctions, it will
cancel automatically. The SET indicator on the
vehicle information display will then blink to
warn the driver.
• If the SET indicator on the vehicle information
display blinks, turn the cruise control MAIN
switch off and have the system checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
• The SET indicator on the vehicle information
display may blink when the cruise control MAIN
switch is turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/
RES, COAST/SET or CANCEL switch. To
properly set the cruise control system, perform
the following procedure.
PARKING BRAKE CRUISE CONTROL
Starting and driving5-15

WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
• when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed
• in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed
• on winding or hilly roads
• on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
• in very windy areas
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION
1. ACCELERATE (ACCEL)/RESUME (RES)
switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switch
The cruise control allows driving at a speed be-
tween 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h) without
keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the MAIN
switch on. The CRUISE indicator on the vehicle
information display will illuminate.To set the cruising speed,accelerate the ve-
hicle to the preferred speed, push the COAST/
SET switch and release it. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. The vehicle will maintain the
set speed.
•To pass another vehicle,depress the accel-
erator pedal. When you release the pedal, the
vehicle will return to the previously set speed.
• The vehicle may not maintain the set speed on
winding or hilly roads. If this happens, drive
without using the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of the
following methods.
1. Push the CANCEL switch.
2. Tap the brake pedal.
3. Turn the MAIN switch off. The CRUISE indi-
cator on the vehicle information display will
turn off.
• If you depress the brake pedal while pushing the
ACCEL/RES or COAST/SET switch and reset
at the cruising speed, the cruise control will
disengage. Turn the MAIN switch off once and
then turn it on again.
• The cruise control will automatically cancel if the
vehicle slows more than 8 MPH (13 km/h) be-
low the set speed.
5-16Starting and driving