2015 NISSAN LEAF brake

The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses
various sensors to monitor driver inputs and ve-
hicle motion. Under certain driving conditions,
the VDC system helps to perform the following
functions.
• Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel slip onone slipping drive wheel so power is transferred
to a drive wheel on the same axle that is not
slipping.
• Controls brake pressure and traction motor out- put to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
• Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and traction motor output to help the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in the following
conditions. – understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased steering in-
put)
– oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to cer- tain road or driving conditions) .
The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss of
vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the
warning in the instrument panel flashes. When
the warning flashes, note the following items. • The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help keep
the vehicle on the steered path.
• You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from under the hood.
This is normal and indicates that the VDC sys-
tem is working properly.
• Adjust your speed and driving according to the road conditions.
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning
light” and “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off
indicator light” in the “Instruments and controls”
section.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
warning illuminates in the lower display. The VDC
system automatically turns off when this warning
light is lit.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The VDC off indicator
illuminates
to indicate that the VDC system is off. When the
VDC switch is used to turn off the system, the
VDC system still operates to prevent one drive
wheel from slipping by transferring power to a
drive wheel that is not slipping. The
warn-
ing flashes if this occurs. All other VDC functions
are off and the
warning will not flash. The
VDC System is automatically reset to ON when the power switch is placed in the OFF position
then back to the ON position.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the EV
(Electric Vehicle) and move the vehicle forward or
in reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test
occurs, you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is
not an indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
• The VDC system is designed to help the driver maintain stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. Reduce vehicle speed and be
especially careful when driving and
cornering on slippery surfaces and al-
ways drive carefully.
• Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen- sion. If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer
bars, bushings and wheels are not
NISSAN recommended for your ve-
hicle or are extremely deteriorated the
VDC system may not operate properly.
This could adversely affect vehicle
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-23

handling performance, and thewarning may flash ormay il-
luminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly and
may
illuminate.
• If traction motor control related parts
are not NISSAN recommended or are
extremely deteriorated, the
may
illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not operate
properly and the
warning may illu-
minate. Do not drive on these types of
roads.
• When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
warning may illuminate.
This is not a malfunction. Restart the
EV (Electric Vehicle) system after driv-
ing onto a stable surface. • If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are used,
the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly and the
warning may illumi-
nate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute for
winter tires or tire chains on a snow
covered road.
WARNING
• Never rely solely on the hill start assist system to prevent the vehicle from
moving backward on a hill. Always
drive carefully and attentively. Depress
the brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Be especially
careful when stopped on a hill on fro-
zen or muddy roads. Failure to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards
may result in a loss of control of the
vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
• The hill start assist system is not de- signed to hold the vehicle at a stand-
still on a hill. Depress the brake pedal
when the vehicle is stopped on a steep
hill. Failure to do so may cause the
vehicle to roll backwards and may re-
sult in a collision or serious personal
injury.
• The hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards on a
hill under all load or road conditions.
Always be prepared to depress the
brake pedal to prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards. Failure to do
so may result in a collision or serious
personal injury.
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM
5-24Starting and driving

The hill start assist system automatically keeps
the brakes applied to help prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards in the time it takes the
driver to release the brake pedal and apply the
accelerator when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
Hill start assist will operate automatically under
the following conditions:
• The shift lever is shifted into D (Drive) , ECO, orR (Reverse) position.
• The vehicle is stopped completely on a hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds. After 2
seconds the vehicle will begin to roll back and hill
start assist will stop operating completely.
Hill start assist will not operate when the shift
lever is shifted into D (Drive) , ECO, or R (Re-
verse) position or on a flat and level road.CAUTION
To prevent damage to the Li-ion battery:
Do not store a vehicle in temperatures
below -13°F (-25°C) for over seven days. If
the outside temperature is -13°F (-25°C)
or less, the Li-ion battery may freeze and
it cannot be charged or provide power to
run the vehicle. Move the vehicle to a
warm location.
NOTE:
• Connect the charger to the vehicle and
place the power switch in the OFF posi-
tion when parking the vehicle if tempera-
tures may go below -4°F (-20°C) . This pro-
vides external power to the Li-ion battery
warmer when it operates and does not
discharge the Li-ion battery. Vehicle driv-
ing range is reduced if the Li-ion battery
warmer operates (Li-ion battery tempera-
ture approximately -4°F (-20°C) or colder)
while driving the vehicle. You may need to
charge the Li-ion battery sooner than in
warmer temperatures.
• The Li-ion battery requires more time to
charge when the Li-ion battery warmer
operates. •
The predicted charging time displayed on
the meter and navigation system in-
creases when the Li-ion battery warmer
operates.
• Vehicle range may be substantially re-
duced in extremely cold conditions (for
example under -4°F (-20°C)) .
• Using the climate control system to heat
the cabin when outside temperature is
below 32°F (0°C) uses more electricity and
affects vehicle range more than when us-
ing the heater when the temperature is
above 32°F (0°C) .
• Climate control performance is reduced
when using the Climate Ctrl. Timer or Re-
mote Climate Control while the Li-ion bat-
tery warmer operates. Set only the charg-
ing timer [End Time] when charging in cold
weather. The vehicle automatically deter-
mines when to start charging to fully
charge the Li-ion battery, even if the Li-ion
battery warmer operates. Charging ends
before the set end time if the Li-ion bat-
tery is fully charged.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-25

• Allow greater following distances onslippery roads.
• Watch for slippery spots (glare ice) . These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of
ice is seen ahead, brake before reach-
ing it. Try not to brake while on the ice,
and avoid any sudden steering maneu-
vers.
• Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.FREEING A FROZEN CHARGE
PORT LID
When the charge port is frozen, melt the ice using
a hair dryer.
Starting and driving5-27

•Do not use the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit under the following con-
ditions. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer or professional road
assistance.
–when the sealant has passed its ex-
piration date (shown on the label
attached to the bottle)
– when the cut or the puncture is ap-
proximately 0.25 in (6 mm) or longer
– when the tire sidewall is damaged
– when the vehicle has been driven
with extremely low tire pressure
– when the tire has come off the in-
side or the outside of the wheel
– when the tire wheel is damaged
– when two or more tires are flat
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and away
from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
4. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever to the P (Park) position. 5. Turn off the EV (Electric Vehicle) system.
6. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to
signal professional road assistance personnel
that you need assistance.
7. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from traffic and
clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
Make sure the parking brake is securely
applied and the vehicle is placed into the
P (Park) position.
• Never repair tires when the vehicle is
on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This is
hazardous.
• Never repair tires if oncoming traffic is
close to your vehicle. Wait for profes-
sional road assistance.
Getting emergency tire puncture repair
kit
Take out the emergency tire puncture repair kit
located under the cargo area. The repair kit con-
sists of the following items:
1Tire sealant bottle
2Air compressor*
3Speed restriction sticker
* The compressor shape may differ depending on
the models.
In case of emergency6-5

• Keep the 12-volt battery out of thereach of children.
• The booster battery must be rated at 12 volt. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
• Whenever working on or near a 12-volt battery, always wear suitable eye pro-
tectors (for example, goggles or indus-
trial safety spectacles) and remove
rings, metal bands, or any other jew-
elry. Do not lean over the 12-volt bat-
tery when jump starting.
• Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause se-
rious injury.
• Your vehicle has an automatic cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep
hands and other objects away from it.
WARNING
• Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage
to the DC/DC converter and cause per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
• Do not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12-volt battery at the same time
that the Li-ion battery is being
charged. Doing so may damage the
vehicle or charging equipment and
could cause an injury.
• LEAF cannot be used as a booster ve- hicle because it cannot supply enough
power to start a gasoline engine. How-
ever, a gasoline engine vehicle can be
used to jump start LEAF’s 12-volt bat-
tery.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle
B,
position the two vehicles (
AandB) to bring
their 12-volt batteries into close proximity to
each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake.
6-10In case of emergency

For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , see “Flat towing” in
the “Technical and consumer information”
section.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (front) wheels off the ground or
that the vehicle be placed on a flatbed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION
• Never tow with the front wheels on the ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage
to the motor. • When towing this vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not
use towing dollies): Always release
the parking brake.
NOTE:
If your vehicle cannot be moved because
the vehicle can not to be shifted to the N
(Neutral) position, please refer to the LEAF
Roadside Assistance Guide which is lo-
cated at www.NISSANUSA.com. If your ve-
hicle cannot be moved because the parking
brake cannot be released, see “Parking
brake” in the “Starting and driving” section.
In case of emergency6-13

• Always pull the cable straight out fromthe front of the vehicle. Never pull on
the vehicle at an angle.
• Pulling devices should be routed so they do not touch any part of the sus-
pension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
• Pulling devices such as ropes or can- vas straps are not recommended for
use in vehicle towing or recovery.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If the vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc., try
to free it by following the procedure below.
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
• Shift back and forth between the R (Reverse) and D (Drive) positions.
• Apply the accelerator as little as possible to maintain the rocking motion. • Release the accelerator pedal before shifting
between R (Reverse) and D (Drive) .
• Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55 km/h) .
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service to re-
move the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-15