2017 NISSAN LEAF power steering

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

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.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with TPMS. It monitors
tire pressure of all tires. When the low tire pres-
sure warning light is lit, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning appears on the vehicle in-
formation display, one or more of your tires is
significantly under-inflated. If the vehicle is being
driven with low tire pressure, the TPMS will acti-
vate and warn you of it by the low tire pressure
warning light. This system will activate only when
the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 mph
(25 km/h) . For additional information, refer to
“Warning lights, indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
WARNING
• Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those
who use a pacemaker should contact
the electric medical equipment manu-
facturer for the possible influences be-
fore use. • If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sud-
den steering maneuvers or abrupt
braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off
the road to a safe location and stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Driving
with underinflated tires may perma-
nently damage the tires and increase
the likelihood of tire failure. Serious
vehicle damage could occur and may
lead to an accident and could result in
serious personal injury. Check the tire
pressure for all four tires. Adjust the
tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light
OFF. If the light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may be flat. If you have a
flat tire, repair it as soon as possible.
• When replacing a wheel without the TPMS such as the spare tire, TPMS will
not function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute. The light will remain
on after 1 minute. Have your tires re-
placed and/or TPMS system reset as
soon as possible. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for these services.
EMERGENCY EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE
In case of emergency6-3

1. Take out the speed restriction sticker from theair compressor, then put it in a location where
the driver can see it while driving.
CAUTION
Do not put the speed restriction label on
the steering wheel pad, the speedometer
or the warning light locations.
2. Take the hose
1and the power plug2out
of the air compressor. Remove the cap of the
bottle holder from the air compressor. 3. Remove the cap from the tire sealant bottle,
and screw the bottle clockwise onto the bottle
holder. (Leave the bottle seal intact. Screwing
the bottle onto the bottle holder will pierce the
seal of the bottle.)
4. Remove the cap from the tire valve on the flat tire.
In case of emergency6-7

Do not attempt to start the system by pushing the
vehicle.
CAUTION
An EV cannot be push-started or tow-
started. Attempting to do so may cause
traction motor damage. When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. Local
service operators are familiar with the applicable
laws and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental damage
to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions.
WARNING
• Never ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
• Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
• When towing, make sure that the ax- les, steering system and power train
are in working condition. If any unit is
damaged, dollies must be used.
• Always attach safety chains before towing.
For additional information about towing your ve-
hicle behind a Recreational Vehicle (RV) , refer to
“Flat towing” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
PUSH STARTING TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-13

smoothly and that the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air emits
from the defroster outlets properly and in suffi-
cient quantity when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically.
12-volt battery (for serviceable battery)*:
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines. Vehicles oper- ated in high temperatures or under severe condi-
tions require frequent checks of the 12–volt bat-
tery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1.
Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines
on the reservoir.
Coolant level*: Check the coolant level when
the motor compartment is cold.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for water
or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. Water dripping from the air
conditioner after use is normal. If you should notice any leaks, check for cause and have it
corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure that
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or
loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan and frame. At
the end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. For additional information, refer to
“Cleaning exterior” in the “Appearance and care”
section of this manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

Front manual seat adjustment..........1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light ....1-46
Front seat, Front seat adjustment ........1-3
Fuses.......................8-17
Fusiblelinks ...................8-18
G
Garage door open, HomeLink® Universal . . .2-60 Transceiver ..................2-60
Gauge.......................2-8 Driving range ..................2-8
ECOindicator ................2-10
Li-ion battery available charge gauge .....2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge .....2-10
Li-ion battery temperature gauge .......2-7
Odometer ....................2-6
Power meter ..................2-7
Speedometer ..................2-6
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-54
H
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlights ....................8-22
Bulb replacement ...............8-22
Headlightswitch...............2-43
Heatedseatswitch ...............2-48
Heated steering wheel switch .........2-46Highvoltageprecautions............EV-7
HillStart .....................5-25
Hill Start Assist
..................5-25
HomeLink® universal transceiver ........2-60
Hood release ...................3-17
Horn .......................2-47
How to normal charge .............CH-9
How to quick charge .............CH-15
How to trickle charge (if so equipped) ....CH-11
I
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely
discharged....................6-12
Immediate charge ...............CH-25
Immobilizer system ................2-38
Indicatorlights..................2-20
Indicators for operation .............2-24
Inside rearview mirror ..............3-23
Instrument brightness control ..........2-42
Intelligent Key system ..............3-13
Remote keyless operation ..........3-13
Interior light replacement ............8-24
Interior lights ...................2-59
iPod® player operation (models without
Navigation System) ...............4-57
ISOFIX child restraint ..............1-21
J
Jump starting...................6-10
K
Keyless entry...................3-13
With Intelligent Key system (Refer to Intelligent
Key system) ..................3-13
Keys ........................3-2 For Intelligent Key system ...........3-6
L
Labels.......................1-55
Airbagwarninglabels............1-55
Air conditioner specification label .......9-8
Emission control information label ......9-7
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label . . .9-7
Motor serial number ..............9-7
Tire and Loading Information Label .....8-28
Tire and Loading information label ......9-8
Vehicle identification number (VIN) ......9-6
LATCH system ..................1-21
License plate, Installing front license plate . . .9-8
Light .......................1-55 Airbagwarninglight.............1-55
Bulb replacement ...............8-22
Ceiling light ..................2-59
Fog light switch ................2-46
Index10-3

Headlights bulb replacement........8-22
Headlightswitch...............2-43
Indicatorlights ................2-20
Interior lights .................2-59
Maplights...................2-59
Replacement .................8-22
Warninglights ................2-13
Light reminder warning .............2-25
Lights, Exterior and interior light
replacement ...................8-24
Li-ion battery ...................EV-2
Li-ion battery available charge gauge ......2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge .......2-10
Li-ion battery status check ..........CH-26
Li-ion battery temperature gauge .........2-7
Li-ion battery warmer ..............EV-5
Limited power ..................2-34
Loading information (Refer to vehicle loading
information) ....................9-9
Lock ........................3-6
Automatic door locks .............3-6
Door locks ...................3-4
Power door lock ................3-4
Rearhatchlock................3-18
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low tire pressure warning system (Refer to
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)) . . .5-2M
Maintenance...................8-12 12-volt battery ................8-12
General maintenance .............8-2
Indicators for maintenance ..........2-35
Insidevehicle..................8-3
Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Maintenance requirements ..........8-2
Outside vehicle .................8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-15
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-3
Maplights ....................2-59
Mechanical key (Intelligent Key system) .....3-3
Mirror .......................3-23
Inside rearview mirror.............3-23
Outside mirrors ................3-25
Vanity mirror ..................3-22
Motor....................5-11,9-5 Before starting system ............5-11
Motor compartment ................8-7
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key® system ......3-6,5-7
Key operating range of the door
lock/unlock function ..............3-8
Key operation ..................3-9
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System ......2-38
Nissan Voice Recognition System .......4-76Normal charge..................CH-9
Home charge ................CH-9
Occasional charge .............CH-9
Publiccharge ................CH-9
O
Odometer .....................2-6
Off-road recovery .................5-5
Oil .........................9-2 Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities ....................9-2
Openingrearhatch...............3-11
Outside air temperature .............2-10
Outside mirrors .................3-25
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information ....................9-18
P
Panic alarm....................3-15
Parking ......................5-15
Parking on hills ................5-19
Parking brake break-in ..............5-22
Power .......................3-4 Power door lock ................3-4
Power steering system ............5-20
Power windows ................2-56
Powereconomy.................5-18
Powermeter....................2-7
10-4Index

Poweroutlet...................2-51
Power steering system.............5-20
Powerswitch.................5-7,5-8
Precautions....................5-21 Brake precautions ..............5-21
Charging...................CH-2
Child restraints ................1-19
Cruisecontrol.................5-16
High voltage precautions ..........EV-7
Maintenance ..................8-5
Road accident precautions .........EV-8
Seatbeltusage ................1-8
Supplemental restraint system ........1-39
When starting and driving ...........5-2
Push starting ...................6-13
Q
Quickcharge .................CH-15
R
Rapidairpressureloss..............5-6
Rearcenterseatbelt ..............1-14
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock . . .3-6
Rear hatch....................3-18
Rearseats.....................1-4
RearView Monitor .................4-3
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-42 Rear window wiper and washer switch
....2-41
Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities .....................9-2
Reduction gear fluid ...............8-10
Remote charge ................CH-26
Remote climate control .............4-39
Remote keyless entry function, For Intelligent
Key system ....................3-13
Repairing flat tire .................6-4
Repairing tire ...................6-6
Reporting safety defects ............9-14
Road accident precautions ...........EV-8
Roadside assistance program ..........6-2
Rollover ......................5-5
S
Safety.......................1-16 Childseatbelts................1-16
Reporting safety defects ...........9-14
Sceneguide..................EV-22 At home after driving ............EV-22
Before driving your vehicle (models with
navigation system) .............EV-13
Charging the Li-ion battery .........EV-10
Driving the vehicle .............EV-18
Parking the vehicle .............EV-21
Starting your vehicle ............EV-17
Seat adjustment ..................1-3
Front manual seat adjustment .........1-3Front seats
...................1-3
Seat belt(s) ....................1-16
Child safety ..................1-16
Infants.....................1-17
Injured persons ................1-11
Larger children ................1-17
Precautions on seat belt usage ........1-8
Pregnant women ...............1-11
Rearcenterseatbelt.............1-14
Seat belt cleaning ...............7-6
Seat belt extenders ..............1-15
Seat belt hook ................1-15
Seat belt maintenance ............1-15
Seatbelts....................1-8
Seatbeltswithpretensioners........1-54
Seatbeltwarninglight............2-19
Shoulder belt height adjustment .......1-14
Small children .................1-17
Three-pointtype...............1-11
Seat(s) , Seats ...................1-2
Heatedseats.................2-48
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System) , EV system start ............2-38
Servicing climate control ............4-41
Shifting ......................5-11
Electric shift control system .........5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats .......................1-14
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ........7-3
Speedometer ...................2-6
Index10-5