•Less deceleration is provided by the re-
generative brake system when the Li-ion
battery is fully charged. The regenerative
brake is automatically reduced when the
Li-ion battery is fully charged to prevent
the Li-ion battery from becoming over-
charged. The regenerative brake is also
automatically reduced when the battery
temperature is high/low (indicated by the
red/blue zones on the Li-ion battery tem-
perature gauge) to prevent Li-ion battery
damage.
• The brake pedal should be used to slow or
stop the vehicle depending on traffic or
road conditions. The vehicle brakes are
not affected by the regenerative brake
system operation.NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or vi-
bration as a normal characteristic of this vehicle.
• Traction motor noise from the motor compartment.
• Water pump and radiator fan noise while charging.
• Compressor and radiator fan noise when the Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote climate control
(models with navigation system) is used.
• Relay operation noise and vibration at start-up and shut-down of the EV (Electric Vehicle) sys-
tem (power switch placed in the ON and OFF
position) .
• Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) . This section provides a brief explanation for the
most important LEAF functions. For additional
information, refer to the specific sections of this
manual for detailed explanations of the vehicle
features and operation.
CHARGING THE LI-ION BATTERY
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow the
proper handling instructions may cause
serious injury or death. Be sure to read
the “Charging” section and follow the
procedures and guidelines described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (SCENE GUIDE)
EV-10EV Overview
Notification of the Li-ion battery
warmer operation (if so equipped)
You can be notified with the status of the Li-ion
battery warmer operation on the NISSAN Data
Center website via an internet enabled smart
phone or personal computer.When the power switch is in the OFF position
and the charge connector is not connected, if the
Li-ion battery warmer starts or stops, it notifies
you to connect the charger to the vehicle.
For additional information, refer to the LEAF Navi-
gation System Owner’s Manual.
EV-16EV Overview
Warning and indicator lights
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses the follow-
ing EV (Electric Vehicle) specific warning and
indicator lights.
1. Master warning light (red)
2. Master warning light (yellow)3. 12-volt battery charge warning light
4. Plug-in indicator light
5. READY to drive indicator light
6. Power limitation indicator light
7. EV system warning light
8. Electric shift control system warning light
9. Brake system warning light (yellow)
10. Low battery charge warning light
11. Headlight warning light (if so equipped)
12. Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning light
For additional information, refer to “Warning
lights, indicator lights and audible reminders” in
the “Instruments and controls” section of this
manual.
APPROACHING VEHICLE SOUND
FOR PEDESTRIANS (VSP) SYSTEM
The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system is a function that uses sound to
alert pedestrians of the presence of the vehicle
when it is being driven at a low speed.
When the vehicle starts to move, it produces a
sound.
The sound stops when the vehicle speed is more
than 19 mph (30 km/h) while accelerating.
The sound starts when the vehicle speed is less
than 16 mph (25 km/h) while decelerating.
EV-28EV Overview
The sound stops when the vehicle stops.
The sound does not stop with the vehicle in the R
(Reverse) position even if the vehicle stops.
WARNING
• If the sound cannot be heard, pedestri- ans may not notice the oncoming ve-
hicle, which may cause an accident re-
sulting in serious injury or death.
Immediately contact a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer for VSP system in-
spection.
• If the VSP system warning light illumi- nates while the power switch is in the
ON position, or in the READY to drive
position, it may indicate the VSP sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer. See “Approaching
Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP)
system warning light” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section.
ELECTRIC SHIFT CONTROL
SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift
control system. This control system has three
features.
• Smooth and easy shift lever operation.
• To place the vehicle in the P (Park) position,
push the P (Park) position switch on the shift
lever.
• The vehicle automatically applies the P (Park) position when the power switch is placed in the
OFF position. For additional information, refer to “Driving the
vehicle” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
LED HEADLIGHT (LOW BEAM) (IF
SO EQUIPPED)
This vehicle uses a LED headlight for the head-
light low beam. The LED headlight has the follow-
ing features.
• Low power consumption
• The shape is very compact.
Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to re-
place the headlight.
EV OverviewEV-29
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
• Make sure there is no water or foreign materials in the charge port, charge
connector or electrical plug, and that
they are not damaged or affected by
rust or corrosion. If any of these condi-
tions are noticeable, do not charge the
Li-ion battery. This may result in a
short circuit or electric shock and
could cause a fire which may result in
serious personal injury or death.
• To avoid serious personal injury or death when the Li-ion battery is charg-
ing, be aware of the following precau-
tions.
– Do not touch the metal contacts ofthe charge port, charge connector or
electrical plug. – Do not touch the vehicle and charger
when there is lightning. A lightning
strike may back feed into the char-
ger causing damage and possible
personal injury or death.
• Make sure the charge connector is re- moved from the charge port before
starting your vehicle. If the charge con-
nector is only partially engaged and
the connector latch is unlocked, it is
possible to place the EV (Electric Ve-
hicle) in the READY to drive position.
• Do not plug in or unplug the plug with wet hands and do not stand in water,
liquid or snow. This may cause an elec-
tric shock which may result in serious
personal injury or death.
• Do not disassemble or modify the charge port or the EVSE (Electric Ve-
hicle Supply Equipment) . This may
cause a fire.
• If you notice an unusual odor or smoke coming from the vehicle, stop charging
immediately. • Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or get caught in, the trac-
tion motor cooling fan. The cooling fan
can start at any time during charging.
CAUTION
• To prevent damage to the charging
equipment:
– Do not close the charge port lid
without closing the cap.
– Do not subject the charging equip- ment to impact.
– Do not pull or twist the charge cable.
– Do not drag the charge cable.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHARGING
CH-2Charging
Li-ion battery tem-perature gauge Estimated charge
time
E10 or more seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 60 minutes
NOTE:
Charging time is typically limited to 60 min-
utes when using a quick charger. Press the
start switch on the quick charger after it
stops if additional charge time is necessary
to reach an 80% charge.
For additional information, refer to “How to quick
charge” in this section.
Power Limitation Mode
This mode protects the health and operation of
the vehicle’s Li-ion battery. This mode operates in
certain extreme conditions (heat, cold, low state
of charge) . Power available to vehicle systems,
including its traction motor, is limited resulting in
limited performance, acceleration and top speed.
Charging may be automatically terminated, espe-
cially with repeated quick charging in extreme hot
weather.
Checking Li-ion battery charge
The three methods for checking the amount of
charge are as follows. • Check by using the Li-ion battery available
charge gauge on the meter when the power
switch is placed in the ON position. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Li-ion battery avail-
able charge gauge” and “Li-ion battery low
charge warning” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section of this manual.
• Check by using the charging status indicator light. For additional information, refer to “Charg-
ing status indicator lights” in this section.
NOTE:
•During the charge operation, charge con-
tinues when the power switch is placed in
the ON position.
• The Li-ion battery cannot be charged if the
quick charge connector and the normal
charge connector are connected at the
same time. If another charge connector is
connected mid-charge, charging will stop.
• For safety reasons, it is not possible to
switch to the READY to drive position
while a charge connector is connected.
• During charging, it is possible that the
radio may be inaudible due to noise by the
electromagnetic wave.
HOW TO NORMAL CHARGE
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
• Be sure to follow the precautions for using the charger that can be installed
in your home. Failing to do so could
result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION
• Do not use any charging equipment that is not compatible with the LEAF.
Doing so could prevent the Li-ion bat-
tery from charging properly or could
result in damage to the vehicle or Li-
ion battery.
• Normal charge uses the charging device (AC 220 - 240 volt, 16A or 32A) that can be in-
stalled in your home to charge the Li-ion battery.
ChargingCH-9
To stop normal charge:
1. Ensure that the charge connector lock is notengaged. For additional information, refer to
“Charge connector lock switch” in this
section.
2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock and remove the charge con-
nector from the charge port and properly
store it.
3. After closing the charge port cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.
NOTE:
To stop charging mid-charge, remove the charge
connector. Charging automatically stops.
HOW TO TRICKLE CHARGE
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric devices, such as an implantable cardiac pace-
maker or an implantable cardiovascu-
lar defibrillator, check with the electric
medical device manufacturer concern-
ing the effects that charging may have
on implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging may
affect the operation.
• In order to avoid an electric shock or fire due to a short circuit, connect to a
GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) circuit
breaker and use a waterproof electri-
cal ground socket.
• The NISSAN Genuine EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) charging
device provided with your vehicle
draws 12 amps continuously while
charging the Li-ion battery. Do not plug
in to any electrical circuit unless it is
inspected by a licensed electrician to
confirm that the electrical circuit can
accept a 12 amp draw. Any electrical
circuit has a much higher likelihood of
being compromised in the following
conditions listed below. – Improper use of the charger may
result in a fire and serious injury or
death.
– Do not use this charger in structures more than 40 years old.
– Do not use this charger in structures using fuse-based circuit protection.
Use only with electrical circuits pro-
tected by circuit breakers.
– Do not use this charger on electrical circuits with two-prong outlets.
– Do not use charger if outlet appears damaged or will not hold plug firmly.
– Discontinue charger use immedi- ately if plug or outlet becomes hot
to the touch or if you notice any
unusual odors.
– Do not use charger if other devices are plugged into the same circuit.
– Never use extension cords or plug adapters with charger.
– Do not operate with a damaged cord.
– Always unplug the charger when not in use.
– When unplugging, be sure to pull by the plug and not the cord.
ChargingCH-11
8. Connect the charge connector to the chargeport. If it is connected normally, a beep will
sound once.
9. If charging has started, or if the Li-ion battery is waiting for the charging timer, a beep will
sound twice and the charging status indicator
light display will change. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Charging status indicator
lights” in this section. 10. When recharging outside, such as in your
driveway, use a commercially available pad-
lock attached in position
Ato prevent theft. To stop trickle charge:
1. Ensure that the charge connector lock is not
engaged. For additional information, refer to
“Charge connector lock switch” in this
section.
2. Press the button on the charge connector, release the lock and remove the charge con-
nector from the charge port.
3. Attach the safety cap to the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) .
4. Remove the electrical plug from the AC 110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet.
CH-14Charging