In order to maintain the appearance of
your vehicle, it is important to take proper
care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:
• Af ter a rainfall to prevent possible dam-age from acid rain.
• Af ter driving on coastal roads.
• When contaminants such as soot, bird droppings, tree sap, metal particles or
bugs get on the paint surface.
• When dust or mud builds up on the surface.
Whenever possible, store or park your ve-
hicle inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in
a shady area or protect the vehicle with a
body cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint sur-
face when putting on or removing the
body cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge
and plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thor-
oughly using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose dishwashing liq-
uid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot)
water.
CAUTION
• Do not use car washes that use acid in the detergent. Some car washes,
especially brushless ones, use some
acid for cleaning. The acid may react
with some plastic vehicle compo-
nents, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and
also could cause them not to func-
tion properly. Always check with
your car wash to confirm that acid is
not used.
• Do not wash the vehicle with strong household soap, strong chemical
detergents, gasoline or solvents.
• Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
• Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of
clean water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the
doors, hatches and hood are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of road salt. There-
fore, these areas must be regularly
cleaned. Make sure that the drain holes in
the lower edge of the door are open. Spray
water under the body and in the wheel
wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint sur-
face by using a damp chamois to dry the
vehicle.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
Polishing is recommended to remove
built-up wax residue and to avoid a weath-
ered appearance before reapplying wax.
A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer can assist
you in choosing the proper product.
• Wax your vehicle only af ter a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should
be performed regularly as prescribed in
this section. If you detect any unusual
sounds, vibrations or smell, be sure to
check for the cause or have a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer do it promptly. In addition,
it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer if you think that re-
pairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, refer to “Maintenance precau-
tions” in this section.
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with “*” is found in this section.
Outside vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and motor hood:Check that all
doors and the motor hood operate prop-
erly. Also ensure that all latches lock se-
curely. Lubricate hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers and links if necessary. Make sure
that the secondary latch keeps the motor
hood from opening when the primary latch
is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion frequently.
Lights*:
Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights and other
lights are all operating properly and in-
stalled securely. Also check the aim of the
headlights.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure that no wheel nuts
are missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated ev-
ery 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
of ten and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in all
tires to the pressure specified. Check care-
fully for damage, cuts or excessive wear. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components:
Replace the
TPMS transmitter grommet seal, valve core
and cap when the tires are replaced due to
wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance: If the ve-
hicle pulls to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect un-
even or abnormal tire wear, there may be a
need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at least
every six months for cracks or other dam-
age. Have a damaged windshield repaired
by a qualified repair facility.
Wiper blades*: Check for cracks or wear if
they do not wipe properly.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-3
Inside vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing scheduled maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure that the
pedal does not catch or require uneven
effort. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer
to stop, it is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer immediately.
Keep the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Electric shif t P (Park) position mecha-
nism: On a steep hill, check that the vehicle
is held securely while the vehicle is in the P
(Park) position without applying the brakes. Parking brake:
Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake
cannot keep a vehicle position, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
Seat: Check seat position controls such as
the seat adjusters, seatback recliners, etc.
to ensure that they operate smoothly and
that all latches lock securely in every posi-
tion. Check that the head restraints/
headrests move up and down 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 webbing 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 op-
erating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
emits from the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating
the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check
that the wipers and washers operate prop-
erly and that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically.
12-volt battery (except for maintenance
free batteries)*: Check the fluid level in
each cell. The fluid should be at the bottom
of the filler opening. Vehicles operated in
high temperatures or under severe condi-
tions require frequent checks of the 12–volt
battery fluid level.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself
Replacing
1. Push the release tabA, and move the
wiper blade down the wiper arm
B
while pushing the release tab to remove.
2. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until a click sounds.
3. Rotate the wiper blade so that the dimple is in the groove.
CAUTION
• Af ter wiper blade replacement, re- turn the wiper arm to its original po-
sition; otherwise it may be damaged
when the hood is opened.
• Make sure the wiper blades contact the glass; otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure. Be careful not to clog the washer nozzle
A.
This may cause improper windshield
washer operation. If the nozzle is clogged,
remove any objects with a needle or small
pin
B. Be careful not to damage the nozzle.
8-16Maintenance and do-it yourself
MOTOR COMPARTMENT
WARNING
• Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high-voltage parts
and cables, as well as their connec-
tors. High-voltage cables are col-
ored orange. Touching, disassem-
bling, removing or replacing those
parts and cables can cause severe
burns or electric shock that may re-
sult in serious injury or death. • Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified
on the fuse box cover. This could
damage the electrical system or
electronic control units or cause a
fire. If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate, check for an open fuse.
1. Confirm that the power switch and the
headlight switch are turned off.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by pushing the tab and lif ting the
cover from the right side, and then the
lef t side.
4. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
5. Remove the fuse using the fuse puller located in the passenger compartment
fuse box.
FUSES
8-18Maintenance and do-it yourself
G
Garage door open, HomeLink®
Universal.....................2-75
Gauge ...............2-7, 2-8, 2-9, 2-10
General maintenance ...........8-2, 8-3
Glovebox ....................2-67
H
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Headlight switch ................2-53
Headlights ................2-53, 8-25
Headlights bulb replacement ........8-25
Heated seat switch ..............2-60
Heated seats ..................2-60
Heated steering wheel ............2-62
Heated steering wheel switch ........2-62
Heater ......................4-31
High voltage precautions ...........EV-9
HillStart.....................5-153
Hill Start Assist .................5-153
Home charge .................CH-10
HomeLink® universal transceiver ......2-75
Hood release ..................3-17
Horn .......................2-60
How to normal charge ...........CH-10
How to quick charge ........CH-35, CH-38
How to trickle charge
(if so equipped) ........CH-11, CH-17, CH-25
I
Identification number (VIN) ...........9-7
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely
discharged ....................6-13
Immediate charge ..............CH-49
Immediate Charge switch ..........2-63
Immobilizer system ...........2-49, 5-13
Indicator lights .................2-24
Indicators for maintenance .........2-42
Indicators for operation ............2-37
Infants ......................1-19
Injured persons .................1-13
Inside rearview mirror ..........3-24, 3-25
Inside vehicle ...................8-4
Instrument brightness control .......2-58
Intelligent Around View Monitor .......4-14
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
(for vehicles without ProPILOT Assist) . . .5-56
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA) ......5-139
Intelligent Forward Forward Collision
Warning (I-FCW) ................5-128
Intelligent Key battery .............8-22
Intelligent Key system .............3-14
Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI) ......5-31
Interior appearance care ............7-4
Interior light replacement ...........8-27
Interior lights ..................2-73
iPod® player operation ............4-62
ISOFIX child restraint ..............1-23
J
Jump starting..................6-10
K
Key operating range of the door lock/unlock
function......................3-8
Key operation ..................3-10
Keyless entry ..................3-14
Keys......................3-2, 3-6
L
Labels ............1-61, 8-32, 9-7, 9-8, 9-9
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) .......5-26
Larger children .................1-20
LATCH system ..................1-23
Li-ion battery ..................EV-2
Li-ion battery available charge gauge . . .2-10
Li-ion battery status check ........CH-50
Li-ion battery temperature gauge ......2-8
Li-ion battery warmer .............EV-5
License plate, Installing front license
plate ........................9-9
Light ........1-61, 2-17, 2-24, 2-53, 2-59, 2-73,
2-74, 8-25, 8-26
Lights, Exterior and interior light
replacement ..................8-27
Loading information ..............9-10
Index10-3