2014 NISSAN LEAF stop start

6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turn the
steering wheel until both tires return to the
road surface. When all tires are on the road
surface, steer the vehicle to stay in the appro-
priate driving lane.
• If you decide that it is not safe to return the
vehicle to the road surface based on vehicle,
road or traffic conditions, gradually slow the
vehicle to a stop in a safe place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can occur
if the tire is punctured or is damaged due to
hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air pressure loss
can also be caused by driving on under-inflated
tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the handling
and stability of the vehicle, especially at highway
speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by maintain-
ing the correct air pressure and visually inspect
the tires for wear and damage. See “Wheels and
tires” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section of this manual.
If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or “blows-out”
while driving maintain control of the vehicle by
following the procedure below. Please note thatthis procedure is only a general guide. The ve-
hicle must be driven as appropriate based on the
conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
• The vehicle generally moves or pulls in
the direction of the flat tire.
• Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
• Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal.
• Do not rapidly turn the steering wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with
both hands and try to hold a straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accel-
erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location
off the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop
the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and either
contact a roadside emergency service tochange the tire or see “Flat tire” in the “In case
of emergency” section of this Owner’s
Manual.DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream
reduces coordination, delays reaction
time and impairs judgement. Driving af-
ter drinking alcohol increases the likeli-
hood of being involved in an accident
injuring yourself and others. Additionally,
if you are injured in an accident, alcohol
can increase the severity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influence
of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents. Al-
though the local laws vary on what is considered
to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most people
underestimate the effects of alcohol.
5-6Starting and driving

Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! That is
true for drugs too (over-the-counter, prescrip-
tion, and illegal drugs) . Do not drive if your ability
to operate your vehicle is impaired by alcohol,
drugs, or some other physical condition.
WARNING
Do not operate the power switch while
driving the vehicle except in an emer-
gency. (The EV system shuts down when
the power switch is pushed 3 consecutive
times or the power switch is pushed and
held for more than 2 seconds.) If the EV
system stops while the vehicle is being
driven, this could lead to a crash and
serious injury.
Before operating the power switch, make sure
the vehicle is in the P (Park) position.
NISSAN INTELLIGENT KEY®
SYSTEM
The Intelligent Key system allows the driver to
start the EV (Electric Vehicle) system without
taking the key out of the pocket or purse. The
operating environment and/or conditions may af-
fect Intelligent Key system operation.
Some indicators and warnings for operation are
displayed on the vehicle information display in the
lower display. See “Vehicle information display” in
the “Instruments and controls” section.)
CAUTION
• Be sure to carry the Intelligent Key
with you when operating the vehicle.
• Never leave the Intelligent Key inside
the vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
PUSH-BUTTON POWER SWITCH
Starting and driving5-7

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

– The ECO position helps reduce power con-
sumption by reducing acceleration when
compared to the same accelerator pedal
position in the D (Drive ) position.
– The ECO position reduces the power pro-
vided to the heater and air conditioner sys-
tem.
• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruising
speeds with a constant accelerator positions or
by using cruise control when appropriate.
• Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Gently press
and release the accelerator pedal for accelera-
tion and deceleration.
• Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
• Avoid frequent stopping and braking. Maintain a
safe distance behind other vehicles.
• Turn off the air conditioner/heater when it is not
necessary.
• Select a moderate temperature setting for heat-
ing or cooling to help reduce power consump-
tion.
• Use the air conditioner/heater and close win-
dows to reduce drag when cruising at highway
speed.• Release the accelerator pedal to slow down
and do not apply the brakes when traffic and
road conditions allow.
– This vehicle is equipped with a regenerative
brake system. The primary purpose of re-
generative brake system is to provide some
power to recharge the Li-ion battery and
extend driving range. A secondary benefit is
“engine braking” that operates based on
Li-ion battery conditions. In the D (Drive)
position, when the accelerator pedal is re-
leased, the regenerative brake system pro-
vides some deceleration and some power to
the Li-ion battery.
WARNING
• Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
• Never leave the vehicle in the READY
to drive mode while the vehicle is un-
attended.
• Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls. Un-
attended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
• Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be applied and
the vehicle placed in the park position.
Failure to do so could cause the ve-
hicle to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in an accident.
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
5-18Starting and driving