8 Maintenance and do-it yourself
Maintenance requirement.......................8-2
Scheduled maintenance .....................8-2
General maintenance ........................8-2
Where to go for service .......................8-2
General maintenance ...........................8-2
Explanation of maintenance items ...........8-2
Maintenance precautions .......................8-5
Motor compartment check locations ...........8-7
Cooling system .................................8-8
Checking coolant level .......................8-9
Changing coolant ............................8-9
Reduction gear fluid ............................ 8-10
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid .........................8-11
12-volt battery .................................. 8-12
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-14
Cleaning .................................... 8-14
Replacing ................................... 8-14Rear window wiper blade
...................8-17
Brakes ......................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning ....................8-17
Fuses .......................................... 8-18
Motor compartment ........................ 8-18
Passenger compartment ...................8-21
Nissan Intelligent Key® battery replacement ....8-22
Lights .......................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................. 8-25
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-25
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-26
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-28
Tire pressure ................................ 8-28
Tire labeling ................................. 8-33
Types of tires ................................ 8-35
Tire chains .................................. 8-36
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-37
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ..........8-39
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 7,500 miles (12,000 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.
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
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-3
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.
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 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 high voltage parts are cold. Make
sure that the coolant level is between the
MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
water or other fluid leaks af ter the vehicle
has been parked for a while. Water dripping from the air conditioner af ter 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
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, otherwise rust will form on the
floor pan and frame. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, re-
fer 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
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 driveability
and reduction gear durability, and
may damage the reduction gear,
which is not covered by the NISSAN
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. 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 con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system.
The use of improper fluids can dam-
age 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 sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, immediately wash the sur-
face with water. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line
OBor the brake
warning light illuminates, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
OA.
If fluid must be added frequently, the sys-
tem should be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
LDI3143
REDUCTION GEAR FLUID BRAKE FLUID
8-10Maintenance and do-it yourself
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer if checking or replace-
ment is required.If the brakes do not operate properly, have
the brakes checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
WARNING
Do not adjust the height of the brake
pedal. Doing so could alter the effec-
tiveness of the brakes, which could re-
sult in a serious accident and personal
injury. If adjustment is required, it is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it will make a high pitched
scraping sound when the vehicle is in mo-
tion. This scraping sound will first occur
only when the brake pedal is depressed.
Af ter 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
wear warning sound is heard. Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.
For additional information, re-
fer to the maintenance log section of your
NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.
BRAKES
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-17
•If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different off-set
could cause premature tire wear, de-
grade vehicle handling characteris-
tics, affect the VDC system and/or in-
terference with the brake discs. Such
interference can lead to decreased
braking efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear. For additional infor-
mation on wheel-off set dimensions,
refer to “Wheels and tires” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
• When replacing a wheel without the
TPMS such as the spare tire, the TPMS
will not function when a wheel is re-
placed, 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. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
• Replacing tires with those not origi-
nally specified by NISSAN could af-
fect the proper operation of the
TPMS. •
The TPMS sensor may be damaged if
it is not handled correctly. Be careful
when handling the TPMS sensor.
• When replacing the TPMS sensor, the
ID registration may be required. It is
recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for ID
registration.
• Do not use a valve stem cap that is
not specified by NISSAN. The valve
stem cap may become stuck.
• Be sure that the valve stem caps are
correctly fitted. Otherwise the valve
may be clogged up with dirt and
cause a malfunction or loss of
pressure.
• Do not install a damaged or de-
formed wheel or tire even if it has
been repaired. Such wheels or tires
could have structural damage and
could fail without warning.
• The use of retread tire is not
recommended.
• For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
For additional information on care of
wheels, refer to “Cleaning exterior” in the
“Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
EMERGENCY TIRE PUNCTURE
REPAIR KIT
The emergency tire puncture repair kit
(Emergency Tire Sealant) is supplied with
the vehicle instead of a spare tire. It can be
used to temporarily repair minor tire punc-
tures.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-39
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself ” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Fluid typeCapacity (approximate)
Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US
Measure Imperial
Measure
Cooling system
coolant With reservoir 5.3 L 5-5/8 qt 4-5/8 qt
• Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Reservoir 0.5 L 1/2 qt 1/2 qt
Reduction gear fluid 1.4 L 1-1/2 qt 1-1/4 qt • Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
• Using reduction gear fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
will cause deterioration in driveability and reduction gear durability,
and may damage the reduction gear, which is not covered by the
NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Brake fluid Refill to the proper level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it- yourself ” section. • Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid* or equivalent DOT 3
*: Available in mainland U.S.A. through a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer.
Multi-purpose grease — — — • NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — • HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner specification
label” in this section.
Air conditioning system lubricants — — — • With heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil ND-OIL11 or equiva-
lent.
• Without heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil AE10 or equiva- lent.
Windshield washer fluid (US) 2.5 L 5/8 gal 1/2 gal • Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze fluid or equivalent
Windshield washer fluid (Canada) 4.5 L 1–1/4 gal 1 gal
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS/
LUBRICANTS AND CAPACITIES
9-2Technical and consumer information
10 Index
1
12-volt battery.................8-12
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).....5-159Additional data recording (on vehicles
equipped with optional
ProPILOT Assist)
...............9-20Advanced air bag system.........1-49Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system........1-49Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system.....1-58Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system.....1-58Air bag warning labels............1-62Air bag warning light.........1-62, 2-21Air bag warning light,
supplemental..............1-62, 2-21Air conditionerAir conditioner specification label. . .9-9Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations.......9-3AlarmHowtostopalarm
(refer to, vehicle security system)
. . .2-44Alcohol, drugs and driving..........5-9Antenna................... .4-43
Antifreeze...................5-169Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).....5-159Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light.......................2-16Appearance care
Exterior appearance care.........7-2Interior appearance care.........7-4At home af ter driving...........EV-21Audible reminders..............2-24Autolight switch...............2-49Autolight system...............2-49Automatic anti-glare inside mirror. . . .3-25Automatic climate control
(models with Navigation System). . . .4-35Automatic climate control
(models without Navigation System). .4-32Automatic door locks.............3-6Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with
Pedestrian Detection...........5-125Avoiding collision and rollover........5-7
B
Battery.....................8-2212-volt battery...............8-12Battery saver system..........2-53Li-ion battery.............EV-2, 2-7Li-ion battery available charge
gauge.................... .2-9Li-ion battery temperature gauge. . .2-7
Battery replacement
Key fob...................8-22Before driving your vehicle
(models with navigation system). . . .EV-15Before starting system...........5-14Blind Spot Intervention® (BSI).......5-47Blind Spot Warning (BSW)..........5-37Booster seats................ .1-39Brake...............5-19,5-20,8-17Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). . . .5-159Brake fluid.................8-10Brake system...............5-157BRAKE system warning light
(yellow)....................2-17BRAKE warning light (red)........2-17Parking brake operation.........5-20Brake fluid...................8-10Brake precautions.............5-157Brake system................5-157BRAKE system warning light (yellow). . .2-17BRAKE warning light (red)..........2-17Brightness control
Instrument panel.............2-54Bulb replacement...........8-24,8-25
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2Care of wheels.................7-3