2015 NISSAN LEAF brake light

8 Maintenance and do-it yourself
Maintenance requirement................. .8-2
Scheduled maintenance ................ .8-2
General maintenance .................. .8-2
Where to go for service ................ .8-2
General maintenance .................... .8-2
Explanation of maintenance items ...........8-2
Maintenance precautions ................. .8-5
Motor compartment check locations ............8-7
Cooling system ....................... .8-7
Checking coolant level ................. .8-8
Changing coolant .................... .8-9
Reduction gear fluid .................... .8-9
Brake fluid ......................... .8-10
Windshield washer fluid ................. .8-10
12-volt battery ....................... .8-11
Jump starting ...................... .8-13
Windshield wiper blades ................. .8-13
Cleaning ........................ .8-13
Replacing ........................ .8-13Rear window wiper blade
.................8-15
Brakes ........................... .8-15
Brake pad wear warning ................8-15
Fuses ............................ .8-16
Motor compartment .................. .8-16
Passenger compartment ................8-18
Nissan Intelligent Key® battery replacement ......8-19
Lights ............................ .8-21
Headlights ....................... .8-22
Exterior and interior lights ...............8-23
Wheels and tires ..................... .8-26
Tire pressure ...................... .8-26
Tire labeling ...................... .8-29
Types of tires ...................... .8-31
Tire chains .......................
.8-32
Changing wheels

and tires ...............8-32
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ..........8-35

keeps the motor hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check the aim of the headlights.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When checking
the tires, make sure that no wheel nuts are miss-
ing, and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten
if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires to the pres-
sure specified. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components (if so equipped):
Replace the TPMS transmitter grommet seal,
valve core and cap when the tires are replaced
due to wear or age. Wheel alignment and balance:
If the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight and
level road, or if you detect uneven or abnormal tire
wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Wiper blades*: Check for cracks or wear if they
do not wipe properly.
Inside vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming scheduled maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure that the pedal does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
Brake pedal:
Check the pedal for smooth op-
eration and make sure that it is the proper dis-
tance when depressed fully. Check the brake
booster function. If the brake pedal suddenly
goes down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer to
stop, contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
immediately. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Electric shift P (Park) position mechanism:
On a steep hill, check that the vehicle is held
securely while the vehicle is in the P (Park) posi-
tion without applying the brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a steep hill with only the parking brake applied.
If the parking brake cannot keep a vehicle posi-
tion contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Seat: Check seat position controls such as the
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, etc. to ensure
that they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-3

head restraints/headrests move up and down
smoothly and that the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air emits
from the defroster outlets properly and in suffi-
cient quantity when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically. 12-volt battery (for serviceable battery)*:
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines. Vehicles oper-
ated in high temperatures or under severe condi-
tions require frequent checks of the 12–volt bat-
tery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electronic ac-
cessories that consume battery power when
the engine is not running (Phone chargers,
GPS, DVD players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the reservoir.
Coolant level*: Check the coolant level when
the motor compartment is cold. Fluid leaks:
Check under the vehicle for water
or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. Water dripping from the air
conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks, check for cause and have it
corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure that
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or
loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan and frame. At
the end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. For additional information, see “Cleaning
exterior” in the “Appearance and care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

For additional brake fluid information, see “Rec-
ommended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
WARNING
• Use only new fluid from a sealed con- tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system.
The use of improper fluids can damage
the brake system, and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
• Clean the filler cap before removing.
• Brake fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in marked containers
out of the reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is
below the MIN line
1or the brake warning light
illuminates, add Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
2.If
fluid must be added frequently, the system should
be checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. Except for Canada
To check the fluid level, use your finger to plug the
center hole1of the cap/tube assembly, then
remove it from the reservoir. If there is no fluid in
the tube, add fluid.
For Canada
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Add window washer fluid when the low washer
fluid warning appears on the vehicle information
display. (See “Low washer fluid warning (if so
equipped)” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion.)
BRAKE FLUID WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
8-10Maintenance and do-it yourself

Be careful not to clog the washer nozzleA. This
may cause improper windshield washer opera-
tion. If the nozzle is clogged, remove any objects
with a needle or small pin
B. Be careful not to
damage the nozzle. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer if
checking or replacement is required.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer.
WARNING
Do not adjust the height of the brake
pedal. Doing so could alter the effective-
ness of the brakes, which could result in a
serious accident and personal injury. If
adjustment is required, contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a brake pad requires replacement, it will
make a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will first
occur only when the brake pedal is depressed.
After more wear of the brake pad, the sound will
always be heard even if the brake pedal is not
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the wear warning sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE BRAKES
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-15

Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide.
MOTOR COMPARTMENT
WARNING
• Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high-voltage parts and
cables, as well as their connectors.
High-voltage cables are colored or-
ange. Touching, disassembling, re-
moving or replacing those parts and
cables can cause severe burns or elec-
tric shock that may result in serious
injury or death.
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Confirm that the power switch and the head- light switch are turned off.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by pushing the tab and lifting the cover from the
right side, and then the left side.
FUSES
8-16Maintenance and do-it yourself

Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. See “Specifications” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion for recommended types and sizes of tires
and wheels.
WARNING
• The use of tires other than those rec- ommended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of these
effects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal injury.
• If your vehicle was originally equipped with 4 tires that were the same size
and you are only replacing 2 of the 4
tires, install the new tires on the rear
axle. Placing new tires on the front
axle may cause loss of vehicle control
in some driving conditions and cause
an accident and personal injury. • If the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade
vehicle handling characteristics
and/or interference with the brake
discs. Such interference can lead to
decreased braking efficiency and/or
early brake pad/shoe wear. See
“Wheels and tires” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section of
this manual for wheel off-set dimen-
sions.
• When a wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pres-
sure warning light will flash for ap-
proximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Contact your
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon
as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
• Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
• Do not install a damaged or deformed wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could have
structural damage and could fail with-
out warning. • The use of retread tire is not recom-
mended.
• For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can get
out of balance. Therefore, they should be bal-
anced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Care of wheels
See “Cleaning exterior” in the “Appearance and
care” section for details about care of the wheels.
8-34Maintenance and do-it yourself

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure that
is described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Cooling system With reservoir 5-5/8 qt 4-5/8 qt5.3
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Reservoir 1/2 qt 1/2 qt0.5
Reduction gear fluid 1-1/2 qt 1-1/4 qt1.4Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
Using reduction gear fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S
ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and reduction gear
durability, and may damage the reduction gear, which is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
Brake fluid Refill to the proper oil level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid (Available in mainland
US through a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer) or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease —— — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— —HFC-134a (R-134a)
For additional information, see “Vehicle identification” for air conditioner
specification label.
Air conditioning system lubricants —— —With heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil ND-OIL11 or equivalent.
Without heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil AE10 or equivalent.
Windshield washer fluid (US) ——2.5 LGenuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
fluid or equivalent
Windshield washer fluid (Canada) 1–1/4 gal —4.5 LGenuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
fluid or equivalent
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS/
LUBRICANTS AND CAPACITIES
9-2Technical and consumer information