– The vehicle enters an automatic carwash.
– The vehicle enters a garage with a low ceiling.
– The vehicle is covered with a car cover.
• Always properly tighten the antenna rod during installation. Otherwise, the
antenna rod may break during vehicle
operation.
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone in
your vehicle, be sure to observe the following
precautions; otherwise, the new equipment may
adversely affect the EV control system and other
electronic parts.
WARNING
• A cellular phone should not be used for any purpose while driving so full
attention may be given to vehicle op-
eration. Some jurisdictions prohibit
the use of cellular phones while driv-
ing. • If you must make a call while your
vehicle is in motion, the hands free
cellular phone operational mode is
highly recommended. Exercise ex-
treme caution at all times so full atten-
tion may be given to vehicle operation.
• If you are unable to devote full atten- tion to vehicle operation while talking
on the phone, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
• Keep the antenna as far away as pos- sible from the electronic control mod-
ules.
• Keep the antenna wire more than 20 cm (8 in) away from the electronic
control system harnesses. Do not
route the antenna wire next to any har-
ness.
• Adjust the antenna standing-wave ra- tio as recommended by the manufac-
turer.
• Connect the ground wire from the CB radio chassis to the body.
• For additional information, it is recom- mended that you visit a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer.
WARNING
• Use a phone after stopping your ve- hicle in a safe location. If you have to
use a phone while driving, exercise ex-
treme caution at all times so full atten-
tion may be given to vehicle operation.
• If you are unable to devote full atten- tion to vehicle operation while talking
on the phone, pull off the road to a safe
location and stop your vehicle.
CAUTION
To avoid draining the vehicle battery, use
a phone after the READY to drive indica-
tor light is on.
BLUETOOTH® HANDS-FREE PHONE
SYSTEM WITHOUT NAVIGATION
SYSTEM (IF SO EQUIPPED)
4-62Display screen, heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems
• You will not be able to use a hands-free phoneunder the following conditions: – Your vehicle is outside of the cellular service area.
– Your vehicle is in an area where it is difficult to receive a cellular signal; such as in a
tunnel, in an underground parking garage,
near a tall building or in a mountainous area.
– Your cellular phone is locked to prevent it from being dialed.
• When the radio wave condition is not ideal or ambient sound is too loud, it may be difficult to
hear the other person’s voice during a call.
• Do not place the cellular phone in an area surrounded by metal or far away from the in-
vehicle phone module to prevent tone quality
degradation and wireless connection
disruption.
• While a cellular phone is connected through the Bluetooth® wireless connection, the battery
power of the cellular phone may discharge
quicker than usual. The Bluetooth® Hands-
Free Phone System cannot charge cellular
phones.
• For additional information, refer to “Trouble- shooting guide” in this section. You can also visit
www.nissanusa.com/bluetooth orwww.nissan.ca/bluetooth for troubleshooting
help if the hands-free phone system seems to
be malfunctioning.
• Some cellular phones or other devices may cause interference or a buzzing noise to come
from the audio system speakers. Storing the
device in a different location may reduce or
eliminate the noise.
• For additional information, refer to the cellular phone Owner’s Manual regarding the telephone
charges, cellular phone antenna and body, etc.
REGULATORY INFORMATION
FCC Regulatory information
CAUTION: To maintain compliance with FCC’s
RF exposure guidelines, use only the supplied
antenna. Unauthorized antenna, modification, or
attachments could damage the transmitter and
may violate FCC regulations.
Operation is subject to the following two condi-
tions:
1. This device may not cause interference and
2. this device must accept any interference, in- cluding interference that may cause unde-
sired operation of the device. IC Regulatory information
• Operation is subject to the following two condi-
tions: (1) this device may not cause interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any inter-
ference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
• This Class B digital apparatus meets all require- ments of the Canadian Interference-Causing
Equipment Regulations.
BLUETOOTH® is a trademark
owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to
Visteon.
USING THE SYSTEM
The NISSAN Voice Recognition system allows
hands-free operation of the Bluetooth® Hands-
Free Phone System.
If the vehicle is in motion, some commands may
not be available so full attention may be given to
vehicle operation.
Initialization
When the power switch is placed in the ON
position, NISSAN Voice Recognition is initialized,
which takes a few seconds. If the
button is
pressed before the initialization completes, the
4-64Display screen, heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving...........5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .......5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ..............5-5
Off-road recovery .................... .5-5
Rapid air pressure loss ................. .5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-6
Push-button power switch ................. .5-7
NISSAN Intelligent Key® system ............5-7
Operating range for EV start function .........5-8
Power switch operation ................ .5-8
Power switch positions ................. .5-9
Emergency EV shut off ................ .5-10
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge .....5-10
Before starting the EV system ...............5-11
Starting the EV system .................. .5-11
Driving the vehicle ..................... .5-11
Electric shift control system ..............5-11
Parking brake ....................... .5-15
Cruise control ....................... .5-16
Precautions on cruise control .............5-16
Cruise control operation ................5-17Increasing power economy
................5-18
Parking/parking on hills .................. .5-19
Power steering system .................. .5-20
Brake system ........................ .5-21
Brake precautions ................... .5-21
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ...........5-22
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-24
Hill start assist system .................. .5-25
Cold weather driving ................... .5-26
Freeing a frozen door lock ...............5-27
Antifreeze ........................ .5-27
12-volt battery ..................... .5-27
Draining of coolant water ...............
.5-27
Tire
equipment ..................... .5-27
Special winter equipment ...............5-27
Driving on snow or ice ................ .5-28
Freeing a frozen charge port lid ............5-28
OPERATING RANGE FOR EV START
FUNCTION
The Intelligent Key function can only be used for
starting the EV system when the Intelligent Key is
within the specified operating range
1.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost dis-
charged or strong radio waves are present near
the operating location, the Intelligent Key sys-
tem’s operating range becomes narrower and it
may not function properly. If the Intelligent Key is within the operating range,
it is possible for anyone, even someone who does
not carry the Intelligent Key, to push the power
switch to start the EV system.
• The cargo area is not included in the operating
range but the Intelligent Key may function.
• If the Intelligent Key is placed on the instrument panel, inside the glove box or door pocket, the
Intelligent Key may not function.
• If the Intelligent Key is placed near a door or window outside the vehicle, the Intelligent Key
may not function.
POWER SWITCH OPERATION
When the power switch is pushed without de-
pressing the brake pedal, the power switch posi-
tion will change as follows.
• Push once to change to ACC.
• Push two times to change to ON.
• Push three times to change to OFF.
• Push four times to return to ACC.
• Open or close any door to return to LOCK whilein the OFF position.
The indicator light
Aon the power switch illumi-
nates when the power switch is in the ACC or
ON position.
The power lock is designed so that the power
switch position cannot be switched to LOCK
until the vehicle is placed in the P (Park) position.
When the power switch cannot be placed in the
LOCK position, proceed as follows.
1. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever to place the vehicle in the P (Park)
position.
2. Push the power switch to the OFF position. The power switch position indicator
Awill
not illuminate.
5-8Starting and driving
The power switch cannot be placed in the LOCK
position until the vehicle is in the P (Park) posi-
tion.
CAUTION
Do not leave the vehicle with the power
switch in the ACC position for an ex-
tended period of time. This can discharge
the 12-volt battery.
NOTE:
If the power switch is pushed quickly or is
pushed twice quickly, the switch may not
function even if a chime sound is heard.
Push the switch again more slowly.
EMERGENCY EV SHUT OFF
To shut off the EV system in an emergency situ-
ation while driving, perform the following proce-
dure.
• Rapidly push the power switch three consecu- tive times in less than 1.5 seconds, or
• Push and hold the power switch for more than 2 seconds.
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 system in the
READY to drive mode according 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 the 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 EV sys-
tem operation for discharged Intelligent
Key system indicator appears on the ve-
hicle information display even if the Intel-
ligent Key is inside the vehicle. This is not
a malfunction. To stop the warning indica-
tor from blinking, touch the power switch
with the Intelligent Key again.
• If the Intelligent Key battery discharge
indicator appears on the vehicle informa-
tion display, replace the battery as soon
as possible. For additional information,
refer to “NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery
replacement” in the “Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
5-10Starting and driving
• Push, then quickly release, the COAST/SETswitch. Each time you do this, the set speed will
decrease by about 1 mph or 1km/h.
To resume the preset speed, push and re-
lease the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehicle will
resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 25 mph (40 km/h) . Vehicle range depends on a number of factors.
Actual vehicle range will vary depending upon:
• speed
• vehicle load
• electrical load from vehicle accessories
• traffic and road conditions
NISSAN recommends the following driving
habits to help maximize vehicle range:
Before driving:
• Follow recommended periodic maintenance.
• Keep tires inflated to correct pressure.
• Keep wheels in correct alignment.
• Pre-heat or pre-cool the interior cabin while the
vehicle is charging.
• Remove unnecessary cargo from the vehicle.
While driving:
• Drive in ECO mode – The ECO mode helps reduce power con-sumption by reducing acceleration when
compared to the same accelerator pedal
position in the D (Drive) position.
• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruising speeds with a constant accelerator position 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
consumption.
• 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 the
regenerative brake system is to provide
some power to recharge the Li-ion battery
and extend driving range. A secondary ben-
efit is “engine braking” that operates based
on Li-ion battery conditions. In the D (Drive)
INCREASING POWER ECONOMY
5-18Starting and driving
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. • To help avoid risk of injury or death
through unintended operation of the
vehicle and/or its systems, do not
leave children, people who require the
assistance of others or pets unat-
tended in your vehicle. Additionally,
the temperature inside a closed ve-
hicle on a warm day can quickly be-
come high enough to cause a signifi-
cant risk of injury or death to people
and pets.
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving5-19
that could cause the power steering system to
overheat.
You may hear a noise when the steering wheel is
operated quickly. However, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
If the power steering warning light
illumi-
nates while the READY to drive indicator light is
ON, it may indicate the power steering system is
not functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the power steering system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Power steering warning light” in
the “Instruments and controls” section of this
manual.
The power assist for steering stops operating
when both the power steering warning light and
READY to drive indicator light are illuminated.
You will still have control of the vehicle. However,
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
This vehicle is equipped with two braking sys-
tems:
1. Hydraulic brake system
2. Regenerative brake system
Hydraulic brake system
The hydraulic brake system is similar to the
brakes used on conventional vehicles.
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
Regenerative brake system
The primary purpose of the regenerative brake
system is to provide some power to help re-
charge the Li-ion battery and extend driving
range. A secondary benefit is “engine braking”
that operates based on battery conditions.
In the D (Drive) range, when the accelerator is
released, the regenerative brake system provides
some deceleration and generates power for the
Li-ion battery. Power is also generated when the
brake pedal is applied. When you put the shift lever in the B position and
take your foot off the accelerator pedal, more
regenerative brake is applied than in the D (Drive)
position. However, during high-speed driving you
may feel that regenerative brake provides less
deceleration than the engine braking in an ordi-
nary vehicle. This is normal.
Less deceleration is provided by the regenerative
brake system when the Li-ion battery is fully
charged. Regenerative brake is automatically re-
duced when the Li-ion battery is fully charged to
prevent the Li-ion battery from becoming over-
charged. Regenerative brake is also automati-
cally reduced when the battery temperature is
high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on the
battery temperature gauge) to prevent Li-ion bat-
tery damage.
The brake pedal should be used to slow or stop
the vehicle depending on traffic or road condi-
tions. The vehicle brakes are not affected by
regenerative brake system operation.
NOTE:
•
When applying the regenerative brakes,
you may hear a sound coming from the
regenerative brake system. This is a nor-
mal operating characteristic of an EV.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-21