2017 NISSAN LEAF instrument panel

The autolight system can turn on the headlights
automatically when it is dark and turn off the
headlights when it is light.
For US models: The headlights will also be turned
on automatically at twilight or in rainy weather
(when the windshield wiper is operated continu-
ously) .
If the power switch is placed in the OFF position
and one of the doors is opened and this condition
continues, the headlights remain on for 45 sec-
onds.
Automatic headlights off delay:
You can keep the headlights on for up to 180
seconds after you push the power switch to OFF
and open any door then close all the doors.
You can adjust the period of the automatic head-
lights off delay from 0 seconds (OFF) to 180 sec-
onds. The factory default setting is 45 seconds.
For automatic headlights off delay setting, refer to
the LEAF Navigation System Owner’s Manual
(models with navigation system) .Be sure not to put anything on top of the
photo sensor
1located on the top of the
instrument panel. The photo sensor con-
trols the autolight; if it is covered, the photo
sensor reacts as if it is dark and the head-
lights will illuminate.Headlight beam select
1To select the low beam, have the lever in
the neutral position as shown and rotate
the switch to the desired position. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Headlight
switch” in this section.
2To select the high beam, push the lever
forward while the switch is in the
position. The high beams will come on and
the high beam indicator (blue)
will
illuminate. Pull it back to return to the low
beam.
2-44Instruments and controls

To turn off the charge timer, push the charge
timer OFF switch. For additional information, re-
fer to “Charging timer” in the “Charging” section
of this manual.The power outlet is located in the instrument
panel.
CAUTION
• The outlet and plug may be hot during or immediately after use.
• Do not use with accessories that ex- ceed a 12-volt, 120W (10A) power
draw.
• Do not use double adapters or more than one electrical accessory. • Use the power outlet with the power
switch is in the ON or READY to drive
position to avoid discharging the 12-
volt battery.
• Avoid using the power outlet when the air conditioner, headlights or rear win-
dow defroster are on.
• This power outlet is not designed for use with a cigarette lighter unit.
• Push the plug in as far as it will go. If good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
• Before inserting or disconnecting a plug, make sure that the electrical ac-
cessory being used is turned OFF.
• When not in use, be sure to close the cap. Do not allow water to contact the
outlet.
CHARGE TIMER OFF SWITCH POWER OUTLET
Instruments and controls2-51

CUP HOLDERS
CAUTION
•
Avoid abrupt starting and braking when
the cup holder is being used to prevent
spilling the drink. If the liquid is hot, it
can scald you or your passenger.
• Use only soft cups in the cup holder. Hard objects can injure you in an acci-
dent.
CAUTION
• Do not use the bottle holder for any other objects that could be thrown
about in the vehicle and possibly injure
people during sudden braking or an
accident.
• Do not use the bottle holder for open liquid containers.STORAGE TRAYS
WARNING
Do not place sharp objects in the tray(s) to help prevent injury in an accident or sudden stop.
FrontSoft bottle holderInstrument panel
STORAGE
2-52Instruments and controls

WARNING
• Make sure that the hood is completely closed and latched before driving. Fail-
ure to do so could cause the hood to
open during driving and result in an
accident.
• If steam or smoke is emitting from the motor compartment, do not open the
hood. Doing so could cause an injury. When opening the hood:
1. Securely close the charge port door.
2. Pull the hood lock release handle
1located
below the instrument panel. The hood will
then spring up slightly.
3. Locate the lever
2in between the hood and
charge port lid, and push the lever upward
with your fingertips.
4. Raise the hood
3.
5. Remove the support rod
4from the hood
and insert it into the slot
5. Hold the coated part
Awhen removing or
resetting the support rod. Avoid direct con-
tact with the metal parts because they may
be hot immediately after the EV system has
been stopped.
When closing the hood:
1. Return the support rod to its original position.
2. Slowly move the hood down to latch the lock.
3. Push the hood down to lock the hood se- curely into place.
HOOD
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-17

When opening the charge port lid perform one of
the following:
• Push the charge port lid opener switch locatedon the instrument panel, or
• Press and hold the charge port lid unlock button on the Intelligent Key for more than one second.
When opening the charge port lid:
1. The charging status indicator lights flash and a chime sounds three times and the charge
port lid will then spring up slightly.
2. Put your hand into the under side of the lid and open until it is in the fully open position. When closing the charge port lid:
1. Slowly move the lid down.
2. Lock it securely into place.CHARGE PORT CAP
When opening the charge port cap, press the tab
inward and the cap will spring open.
When the charge port cap is closed to its previ-
ous position, it will lock automatically.
3-20Pre-driving checks and adjustments

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

roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the driver is responsible for safety.
• Tire type and condition may also affect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install thespecified size of tires on all four
wheels.
– For additional information, refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper- ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you push the power
switch in the READY to drive position and move
the vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse.
When the self-test occurs, you may hear a
“clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 mph
(5 to 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to
road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly ap-
plies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action
is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.
Starting and driving5-23

The VDC system uses various sensors to monitor
driver inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain
driving conditions, the VDC system helps to per-
form 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 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.
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) warning light” and “Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indicator light” in
the “Instruments and controls” section of this
manual.
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
non slipping wheel. The
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
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 indica-
tion 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.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
5-24Starting and driving