2020 NISSAN LEAF tires

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
• The ABS is a sophisticated device, but
it cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slip-
pery surfaces. Remember that stop-
ping distances on slippery surfaces
will be longer than on normal sur-
faces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if
you are using tire chains. Always
maintain a safe distance from the ve-
hicle in front of you. Ultimately, the
driver is responsible for safety.
• Tire type and condition may also af-
fect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
– For additional information, refer
to “Wheels and tires” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself ” sec-
tion of this manual. The 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 slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
Anti-lock Braking System will operate 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 Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) in-
cludes 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 po-
sition 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 mal-
function. If the computer senses a mal-
function, it switches the ABS off and illumi-
nates 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 ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this
service.
Normal operation
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) oper-
ates at speeds above 3 to 6 mph (5 to 10
km/h). The speed varies according to road
conditions.
Starting and driving5-159

Theindicator light flashes if this oc-
curs. All other VDC functions are off and the
indicator light will not flash. The VDC
system is automatically reset to on when
the power switch is placed in the OFF posi-
tion then back to the ON position. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Vehicle infor-
mation display” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic fea-
ture 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
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully. •
Do not modif y the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deteriorated
the VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the
indicator light may flash or
theindicator light may
illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and
the
indicator light may
illuminate.
• If traction motor control related
parts are not NISSAN recommended
or are extremely deteriorated, the
indicator light may illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may illuminate. Do not drive on
these types of roads. •
When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator light may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the EV system af ter driving
onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
Starting and driving5-161

DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be lef t outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system. Refill
before operating the vehicle. For additional
information, refer to “Cooling system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself ” section
of this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced in
snowy and icy conditions. If you operate
your vehicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN
recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or
ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit
their use. Check local, state and provincial
laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may
be poorer than that of non-studded
snow tires.Tire chains may be used. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Tire chains” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself ” section of this
manual.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
• A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-
move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
• A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow- drif ts.
• Extra windshield-washer fluid to refill the reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
• Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” un-
der these conditions. Try to avoid
driving on wet ice until the road is
salted or sanded. •
Whatever the conditions, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating too fast, the
drive wheels will lose even more
traction.
• Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry
pavement.
• Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
• Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
• Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
FREEING A FROZEN CHARGE PORT
LID
When the charge port is frozen, melt the ice
using a hair dryer.
5-170Starting and driving

To shut off the EV system in an emergency
situation while driving, perform the follow-
ing procedure.
• Rapidly push the power switch three con-secutive 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 moni-
tors tire pressure of all tires. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, and the “Tire
Pressure Low — Add Air” warning appears
on the vehicle information display, one or
more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. If the vehicle is being driven with
low tire pressure, the TPMS will activate and
warn you of it by the low tire pressure warn-
ing light. This system will activate only
when the vehicle is driven at speeds above
16 mph (25 km/h). For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Warning lights, indicator lights
and audible reminders” in the “Instruments
and controls” section 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
manufacturer for the possible influ-
ences before 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
permanently 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 in-
jury. Check the tire pressure for all
four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pres-
sure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label to turn the low tire
pressure warning light OFF. If the
light still illuminates while driving af-
ter adjusting the tire pressure, a tire
may be flat or the TPMS may be mal-
functioning. If you have a flat tire, re-
pair it as soon as possible. If no tire is
flat and all tires are properly inflated,
have the vehicle checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
EMERGENCY EV (Electric Vehicle)
SHUT OFF FLAT TIRE
In case of emergency6-3

•When replacing a wheel without the
TPMS such as the spare tire, the TPMS
will not function and the low tire
pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute. The light will
remain on af ter 1 minute. Have your
tires replaced and/or TPMS system
reset as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for these services.
• Replacing tires with those not origi-
nally specified by NISSAN could af-
fect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
• The Genuine NISSAN Emergency Tire
Repair Sealant or equivalent can be
used for temporarily repairing a tire.
Do not inject any other tire liquid or
aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as
this may cause a malfunction of tire
pressure sensors. •
NISSAN recommends using only
Genuine NISSAN Emergency Tire
Sealant provided with your vehicle.
Other tire sealants may damage the
valve stem seal which can cause the
tire to lose air pressure. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer as soon as possible
af ter using tire repair sealant (for
models equipped with the emer-
gency tire puncture repair kit).
REPAIRING FLAT TIRE
WARNING
• Af ter using Genuine NISSAN Emer-
gency Tire Sealant to repair a minor
tire puncture, do not drive the vehicle
at speeds faster than 50 mph (80
km/h).
• Immediately af ter using the Genuine
NISSAN Emergency Tire Sealant to
repair a minor tire puncture, it is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer. The Genuine
NISSAN Emergency Tire Sealant can-
not permanently seal a punctured
tire. Continuing operation of the ve-
hicle without a permanent tire repair
can lead to a crash. •
If you used the Genuine NISSAN
Emergency Tire Sealant to repair a
minor tire puncture, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer to replace the
TPMS sensor in addition to repairing
or replacing the tire.
• NISSAN recommends using only
Genuine NISSAN Emergency Tire
Sealant provided with your vehicle.
Other tire sealants may damage the
valve stem seal which can cause the
tire to lose air pressure.
This vehicle does not have a spare tire. The
emergency tire puncture repair kit (Genu-
ine NISSAN Emergency Tire Sealant) is sup-
plied with the vehicle instead of a spare tire.
It can be used to temporarily repair minor
tire punctures.
If possible, have the vehicle towed to a fa-
cility that can repair or replace the flat tire.
Using the emergency tire puncture repair
kit may cause a malfunction of the tire
pressure sensor and cause the low tire
pressure warning light to illuminate.
6-4In case of emergency

CAUTION
• To avoid the emergency tire puncture
kit being damaged during storage or
use:
– Only use the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit on your vehicle. Do
not use it on other vehicles.
– Only use the kit to inflate the tires
of your vehicle and to check the
vehicle’s tire pressure.
– Only plug the compressor into a
12-volt DC car power point.
– Keep the kit free of water and dirt.
– Do not disassemble or modif y the
kit.
– Do not drop the kit or allow hard
impacts to the kit.
• Do not use the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit under the following
conditions. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer or professional road
assistance.
– when the sealant has passed its
expiration date (shown on the la-
bel attached to the bottle) –
when the cut or the puncture is
approximately 0.25 in (6 mm) or
longer
– when the tire sidewall is damaged
– when the vehicle has been driven
with extremely low tire pressure
– when the tire has come off the in-
side or the outside of the wheel
– when the tire wheel is damaged
– when two or more tires are flat
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
4. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shif t lever to the P (Park) position.
5. Turn off the EV system.
6. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance. 7. Have all passengers get out of the ve-
hicle and stand in a safe place, away
from traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
• Make sure the parking brake is se-
curely applied and the vehicle is
placed into the P (Park) position.
• Never repair tires when the vehicle is
on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This
is hazardous.
• Never repair tires if oncoming traffic
is close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-
fessional road assistance.
In case of emergency6-5

If the tire pressure does not increase to26
psi (180 kPa) within 10 minutes, the tire
may be seriously damaged and the tire
cannot be repaired with this tire repair
kit. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
7. When the tire pressure is at the specified amount, turn the air compressor off. If
the tire cannot be inflated to the speci-
fied amount, the air compressor can be
turned off at the minimum of 26 psi (180
kPa). Remove the power plug from the
power outlet and quickly remove the
hose from the tire valve. Attach the pro-
tective cap and valve cap. Properly stow
the emergency tire puncture repair kit in
the cargo area.
CAUTION
To avoid serious personal injury when
stowing the emergency tire puncture
repair kit:
• Keep the sealant bottle screwed into
the compressor. Failure to do so can
cause the sealant to spray into the air
and get into your eyes or on the skin.
8. Immediately drive the vehicle for 10 min- utes or 2 miles (3 km) at a speed below
50 mph (80 km/h). 9. Af ter driving, make sure that the air
compressor switch is in the OFF posi-
tion, then screw the hose securely onto
the tire valve. Check the tire pressure
with the pressure gauge. Temporary re-
pair is completed if the tire pressure
does not drop.
Make sure the pressure is adjusted to
the pressure that is specified on the Tire
and Loading Information label before
driving.
10. If the tire pressure drops, repeat the steps from 5 to 9. If the pressure drops
again or under 19 psi (130 kPa), the tire
cannot be repaired with this tire re-
pair kit. If the tire cannot be repaired,
the driver should not drive on it any
further. The car should be towed to the
nearest dealership.
The sealant bottle and hose cannot be
reused to repair another punctured tire.
It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to pur-
chase replacements.
Af ter repairing tire
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for tire repair/
replacement as soon as possible.
WARNING
• Af ter using Genuine NISSAN Emer-
gency Tire Sealant to repair a minor
tire puncture, do not drive the vehicle
at speeds faster than 50 mph (80
km/h).
• Immediately af ter using Genuine
NISSAN Emergency Tire Sealant to
repair a minor tire puncture, it is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer. The Genuine
NISSAN Emergency Tire Sealant can-
not permanently seal a punctured
tire. Continuing operation of the ve-
hicle without a permanent tire repair
can lead to a crash.
• Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pres-
sure sensors.
• If you used the Genuine NISSAN
Emergency Tire Sealant to repair a
minor tire puncture, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer to replace the
TPMS sensor in addition to repairing
or replacing the tire.
In case of emergency6-9

•When towing this vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do
not use towing dollies): Always re-
lease the parking brake.
NOTE:
If your vehicle cannot be moved because
the vehicle cannot be shif ted to the N
(Neutral) position, please refer to the
LEAF Roadside Assistance Guide which is
located at www.NISSANUSA.com. If your
vehicle cannot be moved because the
parking brake cannot be released, refer
to “Parking brake” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious per-
sonal injury or death when recovering a
stuck vehicle:
• Contact a professional towing ser-
vice to recover the vehicle if you have
any questions regarding the recov-
ery procedure. •
Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle.
• Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to
tow or free a stuck vehicle.
• Only use devices specifically de-
signed for vehicle recovery and fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Always pull the recovery device
straight out from the front of the ve-
hicle. Never pull at an angle.
• Route recovery devices so they do
not touch any part of the vehicle ex-
cept the attachment point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device de-
signed specifically for vehicle recovery. Al-
ways follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If the vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., try to free it by following the procedure
below.
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions. 3. Turn the steering wheel lef t and right to
clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
• Shif t back and forth between the R (Reverse) and D (Drive) positions.
• Apply the accelerator as little as pos- sible to maintain the rocking motion.
• Release the accelerator pedal before shif ting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive).
• Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55 km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed af ter a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-15