2021 NISSAN LEAF Owner´s Manual

CAUTION
• NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de-
bris from the passenger compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose.
Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
• Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic com-
ponents inside the vehicle as this
may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing
are extremely corrosive. They accelerate
corrosion and deterioration of underbody
components such as the brake lines, brake
cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be
cleaned periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, it is recommended that you consult
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
7-8Appearance and care

8 Do-it yourself
Maintenance precautions.......................8-2
Motor compartment check locations ...........8-4
Cooling system .................................8-5
Checking coolant level .......................8-6
Changing coolant ............................8-6
Reduction gear fluid .............................8-7
Brake fluid .......................................8-7
Windshield-washer fluid .........................8-8
12-volt battery ...................................8-9
Jump starting ................................ 8-11
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-12
Cleaning .................................... 8-12
Replacing ................................... 8-12
Rear window wiper blade ...................8-14
Brakes ......................................... 8-14
Brake pad wear warning ....................8-14Fuses
.......................................... 8-15
Motor compartment ........................ 8-15
Passenger compartment ...................8-18
Nissan Intelligent Key® battery replacement ....8-19
Lights .......................................... 8-21
Headlights .................................. 8-22
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-22
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-23
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-25
Tire pressure ................................ 8-25
Tire labeling ................................. 8-30
Types of tires ................................ 8-32
Tire chains .................................. 8-33
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-34
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ..........8-37

When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The fol-
lowing are general precautions that should
be closely observed.
WARNING
• The EV system uses high voltage up
to approximately DC 400 volt. The
system can be hot during and af ter
starting and when the vehicle is shut
off. Be careful of both the high volt-
age and the high temperature. Obey
the labels that are attached to the
vehicle.
• Never disassemble, remove or re-
place high-voltage parts and cables
as well as their connectors. High-
voltage cables are colored orange.
• Disassembling, removing or replac-
ing those parts or cables can cause
severe burns or electric shock that
may result in serious injury or death.
The vehicle high-voltage system has
no user serviceable parts. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for any necessary
maintenance. •
Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
chock the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle 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
repairs.
• 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 nec-
essary 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 bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent 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 nega-
tive 12-volt battery cable before
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 removed
from the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it yourself

–The Climate Ctrl. Timer is not ac-
tive or operating. For additional
information, see “Climate Ctrl.
Timer” (P. 4-35).
– 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, see “Charging the 12-volt
battery ” (P. EV-5) and “Charging
status indicator lights” (P. CH-49).
• The power switch is in the OFF posi-
tion. Place the power switch in the ON
position and then in the OFF position
to prevent the 12-volt battery auto-
matically being charged by the Li-ion
battery. For additional information,
see “Charging the 12-volt battery ”
(P. EV-5).
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions. The “Do-it-yourself ” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items that are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. For additional information, see
“Owner’s manual/service manual order in-
formation” (P. 10-21).
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.
Do-it yourself8-3

1. Fuse/Fusible link holder
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. 12-volt battery4. Fuse holder
5. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
6. Fuse/Fusible link holder7. Coolant reservoir cap
LDI3464
MOTOR COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-4Do-it yourself

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 reservoir
cap when the motor compartment is
hot. Wait until the motor compart-
ment cools down.
• The coolant reservoir is equipped
with a pressure type coolant reser-
voir cap. To prevent damage to the
motor compartment, use only a
Genuine NISSAN coolant reservoir
cap.
CAUTION
• Never use any additives in the cool-
ant such as radiator sealer in the
cooling system. This may cause
damage to electrical equipment
such as the motor 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
operate your vehicle, add Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) concentrate following the di-
rections on the container. If an
equivalent coolant other than Genu-
ine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) is used, follow the
coolant manufacturer's instructions
to maintain minimum antifreeze
protection to −34°F (−37°C). The use
of other types of coolant solutions
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equiva-
lent 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)(or equivalent coolant), includ-
ing Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green), or the
use of non-distilled water may re-
duce the life expectancy of the
factory-filled coolant. For additional
information, refer to the “Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this
manual.
COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it yourself8-5

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
OB,
open the reservoir cap and add coolant up
to the MAX level
OA. 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
OA. Tighten the cap securely af ter adding
coolant.
For additional information on the location
of the coolant reservoir, see “Motor com-
partment check locations” (P. 8-4).
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.
LDI3145
8-6Do-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, see
“Recommended fluids/lubricants and ca-
pacities” (P. 10-2).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
Do-it yourself8-7