Page 545 of 610

• Park the vehicle on a level surface,apply the parking brake securely
and chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving. Push the P
(Park) position switch on the shif t
lever or place the vehicle into the N
(Neutral) position.
• If you must work with the EV (Electric Vehicle) system is turned on, keep
hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from moving fans and any other
moving parts.
• Make sure that the power switch is in the OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any part replacement or re-
pairs.
• It is advisable to secure or remove any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
• Always wear eye protection when- ever you work on your vehicle.
• Never get under the vehicle while it is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
•
Keep smoking materials, flames and
sparks away from the 12-volt battery.
CAUTION
• Do not work under the hood while the motor compartment is hot. Push
the power switch in the OFF position
and wait until it cools down.
• Avoid direct contact with used cool- ant. Improperly disposed coolant
and/or other vehicle fluids can dam-
age the environment. Always con-
form to local regulations for the dis-
posal of vehicle fluids.
• Never connect or disconnect the battery or any transistorized com-
ponent while the power switch is in
the ON position.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an au- tomatic cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if
the power switch is not in the ACC,
ON or READY to drive position. To
avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative 12-volt battery cable be-
fore working near the fan.
• Before performing any electrical maintenance work on the vehicle
such as the battery, fuses or bulb re-
placement, confirm the following:
– The charge connector is removedfrom the vehicle. – The Climate Ctrl. Timer is not ac-
tive or operating. For additional
information, refer to “Climate Ctrl.
Timer” in the “Monitor, climate, au-
dio, phone and voice recognition
systems” section of this manual.
– The 12-volt battery is not being charged by the Li-ion battery and
that all charging status indicator
lights are off. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Charging the 12-
volt battery ” in the “EV overview”
section and “Charging status indi-
cator lights” in the “Charging” sec-
tion of this manual.
• The power switch is in the OFF posi- tion. Place the power switch in the
ON position and then in the OFF po-
sition to prevent the 12-volt battery
automatically being charged by the
Li-ion battery. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Charging the 12-
volt battery ” in the “EV overview”
section of this manual.
The “Maintenance and do-it-yourself ” sec-
tion gives instructions regarding only
those items that are relatively easy for an
owner to perform.
8-6Maintenance and do-it yourself
Page 546 of 610
A Genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. For additional information, refer
to “Owner’s manual/service manual order
information” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties and could affect your warranty
coverage.If in doubt about any servicing,
it is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
1. Fuse/Fusible link holder
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. 12-volt battery
4. Fuse holder5. Fuse/Fusible link holder
6. Coolant reservoir cap
7. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
MOTOR COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-7
Page 547 of 610

The cooling system is filled at the factory
with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
and 50% water to provide year-round anti-
freeze and coolant protection. The anti-
freeze solution contains rust and corrosion
inhibitors. Additional cooling system addi-
tives are not necessary.
WARNING
• Never remove the coolant tank cap when the motor compartment is
hot. Wait until the motor compart-
ment cool down.
• The coolant tank is equipped with a special type coolant tank cap. To
prevent damage to the motor com-
partment, use only a Genuine
NISSAN coolant tank cap.
CAUTION
•
Never use any additives in the coolant
such as radiator sealer in the cooling
system. This may cause damage to
electrical equipment such as the mo-
tor and inverter.
•When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only a Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to −34°F (−37°C) . If additional
freeze protection is needed due to the
weather conditions where you oper-
ate your vehicle, add Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
concentrate following the directions
on the container. If and equivalent
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufac-
ture's instructions to maintain mini-
mum antifreeze protection to −34°F
(−37°C). The use of other types of cool-
ant solutions other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) or equivalent may damage the
cooling system.•The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 125,000 miles (200,000 km)
or 15 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue),
including Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green), or the use
of non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of the factory-filled
coolant. For additional information,
refer to the NISSAN Service and Main-
tenance Guide.
COOLING SYSTEM
8-8Maintenance and do-it yourself
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CHECKING COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir
when the high-voltage parts are cold. If
the coolant level is below the MIN level
B,
open the reservoir cap and add coolant up
to the MAX level
A. If the reservoir is empty,
check the coolant level in the coolant res-
ervoir when the high-voltage parts are
cold. If there is insufficient coolant in the
coolant reservoir, fill the coolant reservoir
with coolant up to the reservoir cap open-
ing and also add it to the reservoir up to the
MAX level
A. Tighten the cap securely af ter adding cool-
ant.
For additional information on the location
of the coolant reservoir, refer to “Motor
compartment check locations” in this sec-
tion.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, it is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
CHANGING COOLANT
It is recommended that major cooling sys-
tem repairs should be performed by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The service
procedures can be found in the appropri-
ate NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance.
WARNING
•
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
motor compartment is hot.
• Never remove the coolant reservoir cap when the motor compartment is
hot. Serious burns could be caused
by high-pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
• Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
• Keep coolant out of reach of children and pets.
Coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-9
Page 549 of 610

When checking or replacement is required,
it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
CAUTION
• Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. Do not mix with other fluids.
• Using reduction gear fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
will cause deterioration in driveabil-
ity and reduction gear durability,
and may damage the reduction
gear, which is not covered by the
NISSAN New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty. For additional brake fluid information, refer
to “Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
WARNING
• Use only new fluid from a sealed container. Old, inferior or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake
system. The use of improper fluids
can damage the brake system, and
affect the vehicle’s stopping ability.
• Clean the filler cap before removing.
• Brake fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in marked con-
tainers out of the reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, immediately wash the
surface with water. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line
Bor the brake
warning light illuminates, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
A.
If fluid must be added frequently, the
system should be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
REDUCTION GEAR FLUID BRAKE FLUID
8-10Maintenance and do-it yourself
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To check the fluid level, use your finger to
plug the center hole
1of the cap/tube
assembly, then remove it from the reser-
voir. If there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid.
For Canada
Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir
periodically. Add windshield-washer fluid
when the “Low Washer Fluid” message ap-
pears on the vehicle information display.
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle
information display warnings and indica-
tors” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion of this manual. To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir,
lif t the cap
1and pour the windshield-
washer fluid into the reservoir opening.
Add a windshield-washer solvent to the
reservoir for better cleaning. In the winter
season, add a windshield-washer anti-
freeze. Follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid:
Genuine NISSAN Windshield-Washer Con-
centrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalentCAUTION
• Do not substitute antifreeze coolant for windshield-washer solution. This
may result in damage to the paint.
• Do not fill the windshield-washer reservoir with windshield-washer
fluid concentrates at full strength.
Some methyl alcohol based
windshield-washer fluid concen-
trates may permanently stain the
grille if spilled while filling the
windshield-washer reservoir.
• Pre-mix windshield-washer fluid concentrates with water to the
manufacturer’s recommended lev-
els before pouring the fluid into the
windshield-washer reservoir. Do not
use the windshield-washer reser-
voir to mix the windshield-washer
fluid concentrate and water.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-11
Page 551 of 610
• Keep the 12-volt battery surface clean anddry. Clean the 12-volt battery with a solu-
tion of baking soda and water.
• Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened.
12-VOLT BATTERY
8-12Maintenance and do-it yourself
Page 552 of 610

NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1.Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the EV system 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 healthWARNING
• Do not expose the 12-volt battery to flames or electrical sparks. Hydro-
gen gas generated by the 12-volt
battery is explosive. Do not allow 12-
volt battery fluid to contact your
skin, eyes, fabrics or painted sur-
faces. Af ter touching a 12-volt bat-
tery or 12-volt battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid con-
tacts your eyes, skin or clothing, im-
mediately flush with water for at
least 15 minutes and seek medical
attention.
• Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in the 12-volt battery is low. Low 12-
volt battery fluid can cause a higher
load on the 12-volt battery which
can generate heat, reduce battery
life, and in some cases lead to an
explosion. • When working on or near a 12-volt
battery, always wear suitable eye
protection and remove all jewelry.
• 12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds. Wash hands af ter
handling.
• Keep the 12-volt battery out of the reach of children.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-13