2016 NISSAN LEAF Owners Manual

1. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-10)
2. 12-volt battery (P. 8-12)
3. Fuse holder (P. 8-17)
4. Fuse/Fusible link holder (P. 8-17)
5. Coolant reservoir cap (P. 8-8)
6. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir (P. 8-11)
7. Fuse/Fusible link holder (P. 8-17)
MOTOR COMPARTMENT
0-10Illustrated table of contents

Warn-ing
light Name
Page
12-volt battery charge
warning light 2-13
Anti-lock Braking Sys-
tem (ABS) warning light2-14
Approaching Vehicle
Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning
light2-14
BRAKE system warning
light (yellow)
2-14
BRAKE warning light
(red)2-15
Electric shift control sys-
tem warning light2-16
Warn-
ing
light Name
Page
EV system warning light 2-16
Headlight warning light 2-16
Low battery charge
warning light 2-16
Low tire pressure warn-
ing light2-16
Master warning light
(red/yellow)2-18
Power steering warning
light2-18
Seat belt warning light 2-18
Warn-
ing
light Name
Page
Supplemental air bag
warning light 2-19
Indica-
tor
light Name
Page
ECO mode switch indi-
cator light 2-19
Exterior light indicator
light2-19
Front fog light indicator
light (if so equipped)2-19
Front passenger air bag
status light2-19
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-19
WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-11

Indica-tor
light Name
Page
Plug-in indicator light 2-20
Power limitation indica-
tor light 2-20
READY to drive indica-
tor light2-20
Security indicator light 2-20
Slip indicator light 2-21
Turn signal/hazard indi-
cator lights2-21
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator
light2-21
0-12Illustrated table of contents

EV Overview
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system.............EV-2
Li-ion battery ........................ .EV-2
Driving with a discharged Li-ion battery .......EV-3
Charging the 12-volt battery ..............EV-5
Li-ion battery warmer (if so equipped) ........EV-5
High voltage precautions ................. .EV-7
High-voltage components ...............EV-7
Road accident precautions ................EV-8
Emergency shut-off system ..............EV-9
EV (Electric Vehicle) characteristics ...........EV-9
Noise and vibration ................. .EV-10
Life with an EV (scene guide) ..............EV-10
Charging the Li-ion battery ..............EV-10
Before driving your vehicle (models with navigation
system) ........................ .EV-13
Starting your vehicle ................. .EV-17Driving the vehicle
.................. .EV-18
Charging after driving ................ .EV-22
Efficient use of your vehicle ...............EV-23
Range ......................... .EV-23
Improve driving range ................ .EV-23
Li-ion battery life ................... .EV-24
Li-ion battery maintenance ..............EV-25
EV unique information .................. .EV-25
Meters and indicators ................ .EV-25
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system ......................... .EV-28
Electric shift control system .............EV-29
LED headlight (low beam) (if so equipped) . . . .EV-29
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ..........EV-30
Driving range (if so equipped) ............EV-30

The LEAF is an electric vehicle. Some of the
vehicle’s systems operate differently and have
different operating characteristics than vehicles
equipped with an internal combustion engine. It is
important to carefully review the entire Owner’s
Manual for this reason. The main difference is the
LEAF is powered by electricity. The LEAF does
not require and it is not capable of using gasoline
like a vehicle powered by a traditional internal
combustion engine. The LEAF uses electricity
stored in the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. The vehi-
cle’s Li-ion battery must be charged with electric-
ity before the vehicle can be driven. As the vehicle
operates, the Li-ion battery gradually discharges.
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged, the vehicle will not operate until it is
re-charged.
This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is
the 12-volt battery that is the same as the battery
in vehicles powered by gasoline engines, the
other is the Li-ion battery (high voltage) .
The 12-volt battery provides power to the vehicle
systems and features such as the audio system,
supplemental restraint systems, headlights and
windshield wipers.The Li-ion battery provides power to the electric
motor (traction motor) that moves the vehicle.
The Li-ion battery also charges the 12-volt bat-
tery.
The vehicle must be plugged in for the Li-ion
battery to be charged. Additionally, the vehicle
system can extend the vehicle range by convert-
ing driving force into electricity that is stored in
the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is decelerating
or being driven downhill. This is called regenera-
tive brake. This vehicle is considered to be an
environmentally friendly vehicle because it does
not emit exhaust gases, such as carbon dioxide
and nitrogen oxide.
WARNING
Your vehicle contains a sealed Li-ion high
voltage battery. If the Li-ion battery is
disposed of improperly, there is a risk of
severe burns and electrical shock that
may result in serious injury or death and
there is also a risk of environmental dam-
age.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the Li-ion battery:
• Do not expose a vehicle to extreme ambient temperatures for extended
periods.
• Do not store a vehicle in temperatures below −13°F (−25°C) for more than
seven days.
• Do not leave your vehicle for more than 14 days where the Li-ion battery avail-
able charge gauge reaches a zero or
near zero (state of charge) .
• Do not use the Li-ion battery for any other purpose.
THE EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE)
SYSTEM LI-ION BATTERY
EV-2EV Overview

NOTE:
•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.
• The capacity of the Li-ion battery in your
vehicle to hold a charge will, like all such
batteries, decrease with time and usage.
As the battery ages and capacity de-
creases, this will result in a decrease from
the vehicle’s initial mileage range. This is
normal, expected, and not indicative of
any defect in your Li-ion battery. NISSAN
estimates that battery capacity will be ap-
proximately 80% of original capacity after
five years, although this is only an esti-
mate, and this percentage may vary (and
could be significantly lower) depending
on individual vehicle and Li-ion battery
usage.
• The Li-ion battery has limited service life,
and when its charging capacity falls below
a specific level, the EV system warning
light will illuminate. Owners should bring
their vehicle in for inspection and possible
battery replacement. •
The Li-ion battery has a limited service
life. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for information about recycling or
disposal of the Li-ion battery. Do not at-
tempt to recycle or dispose of the Li-ion
battery yourself.
DRIVING WITH A DISCHARGED
LI-ION BATTERY
When a destination is set in the navigation sys-
tem that exceeds the available vehicle range, the
navigation system automatically searches the lo-
cation of nearby charging stations. When the
nearby charging station locations are displayed,
charge the Li-ion battery as soon as possible
(models with navigation system) .
Warning lights illuminate on the instrument panel
and messages are displayed on the vehicle infor-
mation display to inform you that the Li-ion bat-
tery charge is low. Instructions are also displayed
on the navigation system screen to direct you to
nearby charging stations (models with navigation
system) . The vehicle’s range is very limited when these
warning lights illuminate and messages are dis-
played. Follow the instructions on the navigation
screen (models with navigation system) and im-
mediately charge the vehicle at the nearest
charging station.
EV OverviewEV-3

There are three levels of information that will be
displayed as the Li-ion battery becomes dis-
charged:
1. The following warning lights illuminate on theinstrument panel and messages are displayed on the vehicle information display at the same
time to indicate low Li-ion battery charge:
• The low battery charge warning light
• The master warning light
• “Li-ion battery level is Low” warning message is displayed on the vehicle information dis-
play
• For additional information, refer to “Li-ion battery low charge warning” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section of this manual.
• Messages are displayed on navigation sys- tem screen (if so equipped)
• The driving range flashes
1.
NOTE:
Due to traffic conditions, it may be diffi-
cult to get to the charging station sug-
gested by the navigation system. If the
Li-ion battery is almost completely dis-
charged, drive directly to the nearest
charging station (models with naviga-
tion system) .
EV-4EV Overview

2. If the vehicle is driven and the Li-ion batterycontinues to discharge, the driving range on
the instrument panel changes to “—-”
2.
Messages are displayed on the Navigation Sys-
tem screen (if so equipped) . For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Low battery warning” in the “In-
struments and controls” section of this manual.
3. When the power limitation indicator light
illuminates, traction motor output is lim-
ited resulting in reduced vehicle speed. Stop
the vehicle in a safe location before the Li-ion
battery becomes completely discharged and
there is no power available to drive the ve- hicle. Contact Roadside assistance service
shown in your NISSAN Warranty Information
Booklet. For additional information, refer to “If
the Li-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion of this manual.
CHARGING THE 12-VOLT BATTERY
The 12-volt battery is charged automatically us-
ing electricity stored in the Li-ion battery.
When the 12-volt battery is being charged, the
charge status indicator light on the instrument
panel flashes (except when charging the Li-ion
battery or the power switch is in the READY to
drive position) . For additional information, refer to
“Charge status indicator lights” in the “Charging”
section of this manual.
While vehicle is driven
The Li-ion battery charges the 12-volt battery as
necessary when the power switch is in the
READY to drive position or ON position.
The 12-volt battery is not charged in the following
conditions.
• When the power switch is in the ACC position.
•
When the power switch is in the ON position and
the shift position is in the N (Neutral) position.
While the vehicle is not in use
When the EV (Electric Vehicle) system is off for
an extended time, the 12-volt battery may be
automatically charged for a short period of time
on a regular basis.
LI-ION BATTERY WARMER (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
CAUTION
The Li-ion battery warmer does not oper-
ate if the available Li-ion battery charge
is less than approximately 30% and the
charger is not connected to the vehicle.
To help prevent the Li-ion battery from
freezing, do not leave the vehicle in an
environment if temperatures may go be-
low -1°F (-17°C) unless the vehicle is con-
nected to a charger.
The Li-ion battery warmer helps to prevent the
Li-ion battery from freezing and helps to prevent
significant reductions in the Li-ion battery output
when the temperature is cold. The Li-ion battery
warmer automatically turns on when the Li-ion
battery temperature is approximately -1°F
(-17°C) or colder. The Li-ion battery warmer au-
tomatically turns off when the Li-ion battery tem-
perture is approximately 14°F (-10°C) or higher.
EV OverviewEV-5