Headlight warning lightFront fog light indicator light (if so equipped)Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indicator
light
Low battery charge warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake,
fasten the seat belts and place the power switch
for LEAF to the ON position without starting the
engine. The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on:
,
The following lights (if so equipped) come on
briefly and then turn off:
(yellow) ,,or(red) ,
or,,,,,
,
If any light does not come on or operate in a way
other than described, it may indicate a burned-
out bulb and/or a system malfunction. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
Some indicators and warnings are also displayed
on the vehicle information display. For additionalinformation, refer to “Vehicle information display”
in this section.
WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle infor-
mation display” in this section.
12-volt battery charge
warning light
The DC/DC converter converts 400 volt Li-ion
battery voltage to charge the 12-volt battery.
This light illuminates continuously after the bulb is
checked when the power switch is in the ON
position, and turns off when the power switch is
placed in the READY to drive position.
When this warning light illuminates, a chime
sounds and the following warnings are also dis-
played.
• Master warning (red)
• EV system warning light The following messages also flash on and off on
the vehicle information display.
If the vehicle is being driven; “Stop the vehicle”
and if the vehicle is stopped; “When parked apply
parking brake”. When these messages flash, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe location, pull
the parking brake switch and push the P (Park)
position switch on the shift lever to place the
vehicle in the P (Park) position. The warning on
the meter and the chime stops when the parking
brake is operated or the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position. Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for this service.
Instruments and controls2-13
If the electric power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the READY to drive indicator light is
ON, it may indicate the electric power steering
system is not functioning properly and may need
servicing. Have the electric power steering sys-
tem checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
When the electric power steering warning light
illuminates while the READY to drive indicator is
ON, the power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of the
vehicle. At this time, greater steering efforts are
required to operate the steering wheel, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, refer to “Power steer-
ing system” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.
Seat belt warning light
The light and chime remind you to fasten your
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the
power switch is placed in the ON position, and
will remain illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is
fastened. At the same time, the chime will sound
for approximately 6 seconds unless the driver’s
seat belt is securely fastened.The seat belt warning light for the front passenger
will illuminate if the seat belt is not fastened when
the front passenger’s seat is occupied. The front
passenger seat belt warning light does not acti-
vate until 5 seconds after the power switch is in
the ON position.
For additional information, refer to “Seat belts” in
the “Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section of this manual for pre-
cautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
After turning the power switch to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light will
illuminate. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the supple-
mental front air bag and supplemental side air
bag, curtain side-impact air bag systems and/or
pretensioner seat belt are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and preten-
sioner systems need servicing and your vehicle
must be taken to your nearest NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
• The supplemental air bag warning light remains
on after approximately 7 seconds. • The supplemental air bag warning light flashes
intermittently.
• The supplemental air bag warning light does not illuminate at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemental
Restraint Systems and/or the pretensioners may
not function properly.
For additional information, refer to “Supplemental
restraint system (SRS)” in the “Safety — Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system”
section of this manual.WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag and/or pre-
tensioner systems will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon as
possible.
Instruments and controls2-19
INDICATOR LIGHTS
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle infor-
mation display” in this section.
ECO mode switch indicator light
This indicator illuminates within the vehicle infor-
mation display when the ECO mode has been
activated.
The ECO mode is used to help extend that range
that the vehicle can be driven by consuming less
power.
Exterior light indicator light
This indicator illuminates when the headlight
switch is turned to the AUTO,
or
position and the front parking lights, side marker
lights, tail and license plate lights are on. The
indicator turns off when these lights are turned
off.
Front fog light indicator light (if
so equipped)
The front fog indicator light illuminates when the
front fog lights are on. For additional information,
refer to “Fog light switch” in this section.
Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status light (located
on the center of the instrument panel) will be lit
and the passenger front air bag will be turned off
depending on how the front passenger seat is
being used.
For front passenger air bag status light operation,
refer to “NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)” in the “Safety — Seats, seat belts
and supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This light illuminates when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is
selected.
Plug-in indicator light
This light illuminates when the charge connector
is connected to the vehicle and blinks during
charging.
NOTE:
If the charge connector is connected to the
vehicle, the power switch can not be placed
in the READY to drive position.
Power limitation indicator light
When the power limitation indicator light is illu-
minated, the power provided to the traction motor
is reduced. Therefore the vehicle is not as re-
sponsive when the accelerator is depressed
while the power limitation light is illuminated.
When this light comes on, the warning display
appears on the center display and the vehicle
information display. Follow the instructions pro-
vided on the center display.
This light illuminates in the following conditions.
• Li-ion battery available charge is extremely low
• Li-ion battery temperature is very low (approxi-
mately −4°F (−20°C)
• When the temperature of the EV system is high (motor, inverter, coolant system, Li-ion battery
etc.)
• When the EV system has a malfunction.
If the low battery charge warning light is illumi-
nated, charge the Li-ion battery as soon as pos-
sible.
2-20Instruments and controls
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
This light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light
This light illuminates when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates that the VDC system is not operating.
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a brake pad requires replacement, it will
make a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will first
occur only when the brake pedal is depressed.
After more wear of the brake pad, the sound will
always be heard even if the brake pedal is not
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the warning sound is heard.
Electric shift control system reminder
chime
If an improper shift operation is performed, for
safety reasons a chime will sound and at the
same time, depending on the conditions, the
operation will be canceled or the shift position
will switch to the N (Neutral) position.
For additional information, refer to “Driving the
vehicle” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
Key reminder chime
A chime will sound if the driver’s side door is
opened while the power switch is pushed to the
ON or ACC position.
Make sure that the power switch is pushed to the
OFF position, and take the Intelligent Key with
you when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
The light reminder chime will sound when the
driver side door is opened with the light switch in
the
orposition, and the power
switch is in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.
Turn the light switch off when you leave the
vehicle.
Parking brake reminder chime
A chime sounds if the parking brake is set and the
vehicle is driven. The chime will stop if the parking
brake is released or the vehicle speed returns to
zero.
Power switch reminder chime
The power switch reminder chime will sound
when the driver’s door is opened while the power
switch is in the ON or READY to drive position.
Push the power switch to the OFF position.
Seat belt warning chime
The seat belt warning chime will sound for about
6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is securely
fastened.
12-volt battery charge warning chime
If the 12-volt battery charge warning light illumi-
nates, the chime will sound when a warning mes-
sage is displayed on the vehicle information dis-
play on the lower display.
2-22Instruments and controls
LEAF dealer for registration. This is because the
registration process will erase the memory of all
key codes previously registered into the NISSAN
Vehicle Immobilizer System. After the registration
process, these components will only recognize
keys coded into the NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System during registration. Any key that is not
given to the dealer at the time of registration will
no longer be able to start your vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not allow the immobilizer system key,
which contains an electrical transponder,
to come into contact with water or salt
water. This could affect system function.
WARNING
• Always have the doors locked while driving. Along with the use of seat
belts, this provides greater safety in
the event of an accident by helping to
prevent persons from being thrown
from the vehicle. This also helps keep
children and others from unintention-
ally opening the doors, and will help
keep out intruders.
• Before opening any door, always look for and avoid oncoming traffic.
• To help avoid risk of injury or death through unintended operation of the
vehicle and or its systems, including
entrapment in windows or inadvertent
door lock activation, do not leave chil-
dren, people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tem-
perature inside a closed vehicle on a
warm day can quickly become high
enough to cause a significant risk of
injury or death to people and pets.
When the doors are locked using one of the
following methods, the doors cannot be opened
using the inside or outside door handles. The
doors must be unlocked to open the doors.
LOCKING WITH MECHANICAL KEY
(DRIVER’S SIDE ONLY)
The power door lock system allows you to lock or
unlock all doors simultaneously using the me-
chanical key.
• Turning the driver’s door key cylinder towards the front of the vehicle
1will lock all doors and
the rear hatch.
DOORS
3-4Pre-driving checks and adjustments
CAUTION
• When charging is finished, be sure to close the charge port cap. If water or
dust gets inside the charge port, this
may cause a malfunction.
• Pay particular attention when using the normal charge port as the charge
port lid can be closed even when the
normal charge port cap is open.
• Close the quick charge (if so equipped) port cap before closing the charging
lid. The quick charge port cap can be
damaged if it is open when closing the
charge port lid.WARNING
• Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
• Do not adjust the steering wheel any closer to you than is necessary for
proper steering operation and comfort.
The driver’s air bag inflates with great
force. If you are unrestrained, leaning
forward, sitting sideways or out of po-
sition in any way, you are at greater
risk of injury or death in a crash. You
may also receive serious or fatal inju-
ries from the air bag if you are up
against it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and as far
away as practical from the steering
wheel. Always use the seat belts.
TILT OPERATION
Push the lock lever down1and adjust the
steering wheel up or down
2to the desired
position.
Pull the lock lever up
3to lock the steering
wheel in place.
STEERING WHEEL
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-21
pressure reaches the designated pressure, the
horn beeps once.
• If the hazard indicator does not flash within approximately 15 seconds after starting to in-
flate the tire, it indicates that the Easy-Fill Tire
Alert is not operating.
• The TPMS will not activate the Easy-Fill Tire Alert under the following conditions: – If there is interference from an external de- vice or transmitter.
– The air pressure from the inflation device is not sufficient to inflate the tire, such as those
using a power socket.
– If electrical equipment is being used in or near the vehicle.
– There is a malfunction in the TPMS system.
– There is a malfunction in the horn or hazard indicators.
– If the Easy-Fill Tire Alert does not operate due to TPMS interference, move the vehicle
about 3 ft (1 m) backward or forward and try
again.
If the Easy-Fill Tire Alert is not working, use a tire
pressure gauge.AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss of
control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey
all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed,
high speed cornering, or sudden steering ma-
neuvers, because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle. As with
any vehicle, a loss of control could result in
a collision with other vehicles or objects, or
cause the vehicle to rollover, particularly if
the loss of control causes the vehicle to
slide sideways. Be attentive at all times, and
avoid driving when tired. Never drive when under
the influence of alcohol or drugs (including pre-
scription or over-the-counter drugs which may
cause drowsiness) . Always wear your seat belt
as outlined in “Seat belts” in the “Safety — Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system”
section of this manual, and also instruct your
passengers to do so. Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in colli-
sions and rollovers.
In a rollover crash, an
unbelted or improperly belted person is
significantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.
OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
While driving, the right side or left side wheels
may unintentionally leave the road surface. If this
occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by follow-
ing the procedure below. Please note that this
procedure is only a general guide. The vehicle
must be driven as appropriate based on the con-
ditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Do not apply the brakes.
3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight course.
4. When appropriate, slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle to follow the road while the vehicle speed is
reduced. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle
back onto the road surface until vehicle speed
is reduced.
Starting and driving5-5
• Make sure that the area around the vehicle isclear.
• Check fluid levels such as coolant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer fluid as frequently as
possible.
• Check that all windows and lights are clean.
• Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper inflation.
• Check that all doors are closed.
• Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
• Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise.
• Check the operation of the warning lights when the power switch is pushed to the ON position.
For additional information, refer to “Warning
lights, indicator lights and audible reminders” in
the “Instruments and controls” section of this
manual. 1. Confirm the parking brake is applied.
2. Confirm that the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position.
When the power switch is placed in the ON
position, the EV is designed not to operate
unless the shift lever is in the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) positions.
The Intelligent Key must be carried with
you when operating the power switch.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the power switch to place the EV system in the READY
to drive position.
To place the vehicle in the READY to drive
position immediately, push and release the
power switch while depressing the brake
pedal with the power switch in any position.
The READY to drive indicator light
in the
meter illuminates.
4. To stop the EV system, push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever, and push the
power switch to the OFF position.
ELECTRIC SHIFT CONTROL
SYSTEM
This vehicle is electronically controlled to pro-
duce maximum available power and smooth op-
eration.
The recommended operating procedures for this
vehicle are shown on the following pages.
Starting vehicle
1. After placing the vehicle in the READY to driveposition, fully depress the foot brake pedal
before moving the shift lever to the D (Drive)
position.
The shift lever of this vehicle is designed
so that the foot brake pedal must be
depressed before shifting from the P
(Park) position to any driving position
while the power switch is in the ON po-
sition.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other positions if the power switch is
placed in the LOCK, OFF or ACC position
or if the key is removed.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed, and move the shift lever to the D (Drive) position.
BEFORE STARTING THE EV SYSTEM STARTING THE EV SYSTEM DRIVING THE VEHICLE
Starting and driving5-11