2021 NISSAN LEAF steering wheel

Hands on detectionWhen the Steering Assist is activated, it
monitors the driver’s steering wheel
operation.If the steering wheel is not operated or the
driver takes his/her hands off the steering
wheel for a period of time, the warning
O1
appears in the vehicle information display.
If the driver does not operate the steering
wheel af ter the warning has been dis-
played, an audible alert sounds and the
warning flashes in the vehicle information
display, followed by a quick brake applica-
tion to request the driver to take control of
the vehicle again.
If the driver still does not respond, the Pro-
PILOT Assist turns on the hazard flasher
and slows the vehicle to a complete stop.
The driver can cancel the deceleration at
any time by steering, braking, accelerating,
or operating the ProPILOT Assist switch.
WARNING
Steering Assist is not a system for
hands-free driving. Always keep your
hands on the steering wheel and drive
your vehicle safely. Failure to do so
could cause a collision resulting in seri-
ous personal injury or death.
LSD3661
Starting and driving5-115

NOTE:
If the driver lightly touches (instead of
firmly grips) the steering wheel, the
steering torque sensor may not detect
the driver’s hand(s) on the wheel and a
sequence of warnings may occur. When
the driver holds and operates the steer-
ing wheel again, the warnings turn off.
Steering Assist limitations
WARNING
• In the following situations, the cam-
era may not detect lane markers cor-
rectly or may detect lane markers in-
correctly and the Steering Assist may
not operate properly:
– When driving on roads where
there are multiple parallel lane
markers, lane markers that are
faded or not painted clearly, non-
standard lane markers, or lane
markers covered with water, dirt,
snow, etc.
– When driving on roads with dis-
continued lane markers
– When driving on roads with a wid-
ening or narrowing lane width –
When driving on roads where
there are multiple lanes or unclear
lane markers due to road
construction
– When driving on roads where
there are sharply contrasting ob-
jects, such as shadows, snow, wa-
ter, wheel ruts, seams, or lines re-
maining af ter road repairs (the
Steering Assist could detect these
items as lane markers)
– When driving on roads where the
traveling lane merges or
separates
• Do not use the Steering Assist under
the following conditions because the
system may not properly detect lane
markers. Doing so could cause a loss
of vehicle control and result in an
accident.
– During bad weather (rain, fog,
snow, dust, etc.)
– When rain, snow, sand, etc., is
thrown up by the wheels of other
vehicles
– When dirt, oil, ice, snow, water, or
another object adheres to the
camera unit –
When the lens of the camera unit
is foggy
– When strong light (for example,
sunlight or high beams from on-
coming vehicles) shines on the
camera
– When the headlights are not
bright due to dirt on the lens or
the headlights are off in tunnels or
in darkness
– When a sudden change in bright-
ness occurs (for example, when
the vehicle enters or exits a tunnel
or is under a bridge)
– When driving on roads where the
traveling lane merges or sepa-
rates or where there are tempo-
rary lane markers because of road
construction
– When there is a lane closure due to
road repairs
– When driving on a bumpy road
surface, such as an uneven dirt
road
– When driving on sharp curves or
winding roads
– When driving on repeated uphill
and downhill roads
5-116Starting and driving

•Do not use the Steering Assist under
the following conditions because the
system will not operate properly:
– When driving with a tire that is not
within normal tire conditions (for
example, tire wear, abnormal tire
pressure, installation of a spare
tire, tire chains, nonstandard
wheels)
– When the vehicle is equipped with
non-original brake or suspension
parts
– When an object such as a sticker
or cargo obstructs the camera
– When excessively heavy baggage
is loaded in the rear seat or lug-
gage area of your vehicle
– When the vehicle load capacity is
exceeded
• Excessive noise will interfere with the
warning chime sound, and the beep
may not be heard. •
For the ProPILOT Assist system to op-
erate properly, the windshield in
front of the camera must be clean.
Replace worn wiper blades. The cor-
rect size wiper blades must be used
to help make sure the windshield is
kept clean. Only use Genuine NISSAN
wiper blades, or equivalent wiper
blades, that are specifically designed
for use on your vehicle model and
model year. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for the correct parts for your
vehicle.
Steering Assist temporary
standby
Automatic standby due to driving
operation:
When the driver activates the turn signal,
the Steering Assist is temporarily placed in
a standby mode. (The Steering Assist re-
starts automatically when the operating
conditions are met again.)
Automatic standby:
In the following cases, a warning message
is displayed along with the chime, and the
Steering Assist is placed in a temporary
standby mode. (The Steering Assist re- starts automatically when the operating
conditions are met again.)
• When lane markers on both sides are no
longer detected
• When a vehicle ahead is no longer de- tected under approximately 37 mph (60
km/h)
Steering Assist cancel
Under the following conditions, the Steer-
ing Assist cancels, and the Steering Assist
status indicator and the Steering Assist in-
dicator turn off, and the “Not Available Bad
Weather” warning message will appear:
• When unusual lane markers appear inthe traveling lane or when the lane
marker cannot be correctly detected for
some time due to certain conditions (for
example, a snow rut, the reflection of light
on a rainy day, the presence of several
unclear lane markers)
• When the windshield wiper operates in the high (HI) speed operation (the Steer-
ing Assist is disabled when the wiper op-
erates for more than approximately 10
seconds)
Starting and driving5-117

If a risk of a forward impact with a pedes-
trian is detected, the AEB with Pedestrian
Detection system will provide a warning to
the driver by flashing the AEB with Pedes-
trian Detection emergency warning indica-
tor (red), provides an audible alert and the
system will apply partial braking. If the
driver applies the brakes quickly and force-
fully but the AEB with Pedestrian Detection
system detects that there is still the possi-
bility of a forward impact with a pedestrian,
the system will automatically increase the
braking force. If the risk of collision be-
comes imminent and the driver does not
take action, the AEB with Pedestrian Detec-
tion system automatically applies harder
braking.
NOTE:
The vehicle’s brake lights come on when
any braking is performed by the AEB
with Pedestrian Detection system.
Depending on vehicle speed and distance
to the vehicle or pedestrian ahead, as well
as driving and roadway conditions, the sys-
tem may help the driver avoid a forward
collision or may help mitigate the conse-
quences if a collision should be unavoid-
able. If the driver is handling the steering
wheel, accelerating or braking, the AEB withPedestrian Detection system will function
later or will not function.
The automatic braking will cease under the
following conditions:
• When the steering wheel is turned to
avoid a collision.
• When the accelerator pedal is depressed.
• When there is no longer a vehicle or a pedestrian detected ahead.
If the AEB with Pedestrian Detection sys-
tem has stopped the vehicle, the vehicle
will remain at a standstill for approximately
2 seconds before the brakes are released.
Starting and driving5-125

RAB SYSTEM OPERATION
1RAB system warning light and RAB sys-
tem warning indicator
2Steering-wheel-mounted controls (lef t
side)
3Center display When the shif t lever is in the R (Reverse)
position and the vehicle speed is less than
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h), the RAB
system operates.
If a risk of a collision with an obstacle is
detected when your vehicle is backing up,
the RAB system warning indicator will flash
in the vehicle information display, a red
frame will appear in the center display (for
vehicles with the Intelligent Around View
Monitor system), and the system will chime
three times. The system will then auto-
matically apply the brakes. Af ter the auto-
matic brake application, the driver must
depress the brake pedal to maintain brake
pressure.
NOTE:
• The brake lights of the vehicle come on
when braking is performed by the RAB
system.
• When the brakes operate, a noise may be heard. This is not a malfunction.
LSD3673
Starting and driving5-133

•Once the automatic brake control
operates, it does not operate again if
the vehicle approaches the same
obstacle.
• The automatic brake control can only
operate for a short period of time.
Therefore, the driver must depress
the brake pedal.
• In the following situations, the RAB
system may not operate properly or
may not function sufficiently:
– The vehicle is driven in bad
weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– The vehicle is driven on a steep
hill.
– The vehicle’s posture is changed
(e.g., when driving over a bump).
– The vehicle is driven on a slippery
road.
– The vehicle is turned sharply by
turning the steering wheel fully.
– Snow chains are used.
– Wheels or tires other than NISSAN
recommended are used.
– The brakes are cold at low ambi-
ent temperatures or immediately
af ter driving has started. –
The braking force becomes poor
due to wet brakes af ter driving
through a puddle or washing the
vehicle.
• Turn the RAB system off in the follow-
ing conditions to prevent the occur-
rence of an unexpected accident re-
sulting from sudden system
operation:
– The vehicle is towed.
– The vehicle is carried on a flatbed
truck.
– The vehicle is on the chassis
dynamometer.
– The vehicle drives on an uneven
road surface.
– Suspension parts other than
those designated as Genuine
NISSAN parts are used. (If the ve-
hicle height or the vehicle body in-
clination is changed, the system
may not detect an obstacle
correctly.)
• Excessive noise (e.g., audio system
volume, an open vehicle window) will
interfere with the chime sound, and it
may not be heard.SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the RAB system malfunctions, it will be
turned off automatically, the RAB system
warning light will illuminate, and the “Mal-
function: See Owner’s Manual” warning
message will appear in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
Action to take
If the warning light illuminates, park the ve-
hicle in a safe location, turn the EV system
off, and restart the EV system. If the warn-
ing light continues to illuminate, have the
RAB system checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
NOTE:
If the RAB system cannot be operated
temporarily, the RAB system warning
light blinks.
5-136Starting and driving

• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruis-ing speeds with a constant accelerator
position or by using cruise control when
appropriate.
• Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Gently press and release the accelerator pedal
for acceleration and deceleration.
• Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
• Avoid frequent stopping and braking. Maintain a safe distance behind other
vehicles.
• Turn off the air conditioner/heater when it is not necessary.
• Select a moderate temperature setting for heating or cooling to help reduce
power consumption.
• Use the air conditioner/heater and close windows to reduce drag when cruising at
a highway speed. • Release the accelerator pedal to slow
down and do not apply the brakes when
traffic and road conditions allow.– This vehicle is equipped with a regen- erative brake system. The primary pur-
pose of the regenerative brake system
is to provide some power to recharge
the Li-ion battery and extend driving
range. A secondary benefit is “engine
braking” that operates based on Li-ion
battery conditions. In the D (Drive) posi-
tion, when the accelerator pedal is re-
leased, the regenerative brake system
provides some deceleration and some
power to the Li-ion battery. The ECO Drive Report appears for approxi-
mately 30 seconds af ter placing the power
switch in the OFF position, driving the ve-
hicle for more than 0.3 miles (500 m), and
pressing the
button on the steering
wheel.
ECO DRIVE REPORT
Starting and driving5-153

WARNING
• If the READY to drive indicator light is
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering
will be harder to operate.
• When the power steering warning
light illuminates while the READY to
drive indicator light is on, the power
assist for the steering will cease op-
eration. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assistance while driving to
operate the steering wheel with less effort.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, the power as-
sist for the steering wheel will be reduced.
This is to prevent overheating of the power
steering system and help protect it from
getting damaged. When the power assis-
tance is reduced, steering wheel operation
will become harder. When the temperature
of the power steering system goes down,
the power assistance level will return to
normal. Avoid repeating such steering
wheel operations that could cause the
power steering system to overheat. You may hear a noise when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning light
illuminates while the READY to drive indica-
tor light is on, it may indicate the power
steering system is not functioning properly
and may need servicing. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service. For additional
information, see “Power steering warning
light” (P. 2-23).
The power assist for steering stops operat-
ing when both the power steering warning
light and READY to drive indicator light are
illuminated. You will still have control of the
vehicle. However, greater steering effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns and at
low speeds.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
This vehicle is equipped with two braking
systems:
1. Hydraulic brake system
2. Regenerative brake system
Hydraulic brake system
The hydraulic brake system is similar to the
brakes used on conventional vehicles.
The brake system has two separate hy-
draulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions,
you will still have braking at two wheels.
Regenerative brake system
The primary purpose of the regenerative
brake system is to provide some power to
help recharge the Li-ion battery and ex-
tend driving range. A secondary benefit is
“engine braking” that operates based on
battery conditions.
In the D (Drive) range, when the accelerator
is released, the regenerative brake system
provides some deceleration and gener-
ates power for the Li-ion battery. Power is
also generated when the brake pedal is
applied.
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
BRAKE SYSTEM
5-156Starting and driving