RANGE
The distance you can drive the vehicle
(range) varies considerably depending
upon available charge, weather, tempera-
ture, usage, battery age, topography, and
driving style.
Refer to the Monroney label (window
sticker) for the official EPA range. Your ac-
tual range will vary and could be signifi-
cantly less, either initially or as the battery
ages and with use over time. For additional
information, see “Improve driving range”
(P. EV-23) for information on the factors that
affect vehicle range and how to use the
vehicle to maximize vehicle range.
IMPROVE DRIVING RANGE
Vehicle range depends on a number of
factors.
Actual vehicle range will vary depending
upon:
• Speed,
• Vehicle load,
• Electrical load from vehicle accessories,
• Traffic and road conditions,
• Distance driven without stopping,
• Usage,
• Driving style,• Battery age,
• Weather or temperature,
• Topography,
• Charging habits.
NISSAN recommends the following driv-
ing habits to help maximize vehicle
range:
Before driving:
• Follow recommended periodic
maintenance.
• Keep tires inflated to correct pressure.
• Keep wheels in correct alignment.
• Pre-heat or pre-cool the interior cabin while the vehicle is charging.
• Remove unnecessary cargo from the vehicle.
While driving:
• Drive in ECO mode –– The ECO mode helps reduce power
consumption by reducing acceleration
when compared to the same accelera-
tor pedal position in the D (Drive) posi-
tion (normal mode).
• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruis- ing speeds with constant accelerator po-
sitions 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 extending highway driving with multiple quick charges.
• 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
highway speed.
• Vehicle range may be substantially re- duced in extremely cold conditions (for
example, -4°F (-20°C)).
• Using the climate control system to heat the cabin when the outside temperature
is below 32°F (0°C) uses more electricity
and affects vehicle range more than
when using the heater when the tem-
perature is above 32°F (0°C).
EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLE
EV OverviewEV-23
WARNING
• If you use any medical electric de-
vices, such as an implantable cardiac
pacemaker or an implantable cardio-
vascular defibrillator, check with the
electric medical device manufac-
turer concerning the effects that
charging may have on implanted de-
vices before starting the charge op-
eration. Charging may affect the
operation.
• Make sure there is no water or for-
eign materials in the charge port,
charge connector, or electrical plug,
and that they are not damaged or
affected by rust or corrosion. If any of
these conditions are noticeable, do
not charge the Li-ion battery. This
may result in a short circuit or electric
shock and could cause a fire which
may result in serious personal injury
or death.
• To avoid serious personal injury or
death when the Li-ion battery is
charging, be aware of the following
precautions. –
Do not touch the metal contacts of
the charge port, charge connec-
tor, electrical plug or Genuine
NISSAN Adapter.
– Do not touch the vehicle and EVSE
when there is lightning.
– Do not pull, twist, bend, step on, or
drag the cable.
• Make sure the charge connector is
removed from the charge port before
starting your vehicle. If the charge
connector is only partially engaged
and the connector latch is unlocked,
it is possible to place the EV in the
READY to drive position.
• Do not touch the plug or the Genuine
NISSAN Adapter if they are wet or
with wet hands. Do not put the plug
or the Genuine NISSAN Adapter in
water, liquid or snow. This may cause
an electric shock which may result in
serious personal injury or death.
• Do not disassemble or modif y the
charge port, the EVSE or the Genuine
NISSAN Adapter. This may cause a
fire or an electric shock which may
result in serious personal injury or
death. •
If you notice an unusual odor, smoke
or abnormal noises coming from the
vehicle, stop charging immediately.
• Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or get caught in, the
traction motor cooling fan. The cool-
ing fan can start at any time during
charging.
• Do not use extension cords or adapt-
ers unless they are Genuine NISSAN
parts.
• Do not use the Genuine NISSAN
Adapter with any devices except the
Genuine NISSAN EVSE.
• Do not allow an unattended child to
handle or use this product.
• Use the EVSE with outlet and wiring
installed according to the
regulations/standards.
• Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
case securely through the fastener
on the bottom of the luggage board.
If the case suddenly becomes loose,
it may cause serious injury or death.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHARGING
CH-2Charging
If the BRAKE warning light (red) also illumi-
nates, stop the vehicle immediately and
have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service. For additional
information, see “Brake system” (P. 5-161).
WARNING
• Pressing the brake pedal when the
power switch position is not in the
ON or READY to drive position and/or
low brake fluid level may increase the
stopping distance and braking will
require greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
•
If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
• The cooperative regenerative brake
system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light illu-
minates when the READY to drive in-
dicator light is ON. If you judge it to be
safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because
driving could be dangerous.
Electric Vehicle (EV) system
warning light
This light illuminates if there is a malfunction
in the following systems. Have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
• Traction motor and inverter system
• Charge port or on-board charger
• Li-ion battery system
• Cooling system
• Shif t control system
• Emergency shut off system is activated. For additional information, see “Emer-
gency shut-off system” (P. EV-10).
orElectronic
parking brake
system warning
light (if so
equipped)
The electronic parking brake system warn-
ing light function for the electronic braking
brake system. When the power switch is
placed in the ON position, the light illumi-
nates for a few seconds. If the warning light
illuminates at any other time, it may indicate
that the electronic parking brake system is
not function properly. Have the system checked immediately. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status light
(located on the center of the instrument
panel) will be lit and the passenger front air
bag and passenger knee airbag will be
turned off depending on how the front pas-
senger seat is being used.
For front passenger air bag status light op-
eration, see “NISSAN Advanced Air Bag Sys-
tem (front seats)” (P. 1-53).
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) that moni-
tors the tire pressure of all tires.
The low tire pressure warning light warns
of low tire pressure or indicates that the
TPMS is not functioning properly.
Af ter the power switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1
second and then turns off.
2-20Instruments and controls
WARNING
• The air conditioning cooling function
operates only when the power
switch is in the ON position or when
the READY to drive indicator light is
ON.
• Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the assis-
tance of others alone in your vehicle.
Pets should also not be lef t alone.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to causes severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals. •
Do not use the recirculation mode for
long periods as it may cause the inte-
rior air to become stale and the win-
dows to fog up.
NOTE:
• Odors from inside and outside the ve- hicle can build up in the air conditioner
unit. Odor can enter the passenger
compartment through the vents.
• When parking, set the heater or air conditioner controls to turn off air re-
circulation to allow fresh air into the
passenger compartment. This should
help reduce odors inside the vehicle. The climate control system (air conditioner
and heater functions) can be operated
when the READY to drive indicator light is
illuminated. However, while charging, the
climate control system can be used when
the power switch is in the ON position.
The fan, heater and air conditioning can be
turned on manually, using the timer func-
tion and using the remote climate control
function.
These functions operate in the following
conditions.
Power switch position
LOCK/OFFACCON READY to drive
Fan --Available Available
Heater and air conditioner --Available*1 Available
Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) AvailableAvailable- -
Remote control*2 AvailableAvailable- -
*1: The climate control system will only start when charging is being performed. Af ter charging is complete, it will continue to operate if the EVSE (El ectric Vehicle
Supply Equipment) is connected.
*2: Models with Navigation System.
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER
(automatic)
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems4-29
NOTE:
• If thefan speed control dial, MODE
button, orintake air control but-
ton is operated while AUTO is in use, all
the other buttons operate in AUTO
mode.
• While the AUTO indicator is illuminated, electric power consumption of the air
conditioner can be economized com-
pared to the amount consumed while
the AUTO indicator is not illuminated.
The HEAT indicator light and the A/C indi-
cator light illuminates according to the op-
eration modes of the climate control
system.
Operation
mode A/C
indicator HEAT
indicator
Cooling
(HEAT off ) ON OFF
Heating
(A/C off ) OFF ON
Manual operation
The manual mode can be used to control
the heater and air conditioner to your de-
sired temperature. The HEAT indicator light and the A/C indi-
cator light illuminates according to the op-
eration modes.
Operation
mode
A/C
indicator HEAT
indicator
Cooling
(HEAT off ) ON OFF
Dehumidi-
fied heating ON ON
Heating
(A/C off ) OFF ON
Ventilation OFF OFF
Cooling
1. Press the A/C button to illuminate the A/C indicator light.
2. Press the
HEAT button to turn off
the HEAT indicator light.
• Do not set the temperature higher than the outside air temperature. Do-
ing so may prevent the temperature
from being controlled properly.
• A visible mist may be seen coming from the ventilators in hot, humid con-
ditions as the air is cooled rapidly. This
does not indicate a malfunction. Dehumidified heating
1. Press the A/C button to illuminate the
A/C indicator light.
2. Press the
HEAT button to illuminate
the HEAT indicator light
NOTE:
Electric power consumption of climate
control increases while A/C button indi-
cator and
HEAT button indicator si-
multaneously illuminate. As a result, the
driving range may be decreased.
Heating (A/C off )
1. Press the
HEAT button to illuminate
the HEAT indicator light.
2. Press the A/C button to turn off the A/C indicator light.
• Do not set temperature lower than the outside air temperature. Doing so may
prevent the temperature from being
controlled properly.
• If the windows fog up, use dehumidi- fied heating instead of the A/C off
heating.
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems4-33
8. Climate control system ON·OFF button
9. AUTO climate control ON button
10. MODE (manual air flow control) button
11. A/C (air conditioner) ON·OFF button
Automatic operation (AUTO)
The AUTO mode may be used year-round
as the system automatically controls con-
stant temperature, air flow distribution and
fan speed.
1. Press the AUTO button. The AUTO indica-tor will be illuminated.
2. Press the temperature control button to set the desired temperature.
When any of the following functions are
operated, the AUTO indicator will turn off.
• The
HEAT or A/C button is pressed.
• The fan speed control or ventilator air flow control is operated.
However, the functions that were not oper-
ated continue operating in AUTO mode.
NOTE:
• If thefan speed control button,
MODE button, orintake air control
button is operated while AUTO is in use,
all the other buttons operate in AUTO
mode.
• While the AUTO indicator is illuminated, electric power consumption of the air
conditioner can be economized com-
pared to the amount consumed while
the AUTO indicator is not illuminated.
The HEAT indicator light and the A/C indi-
cator light illuminates according to the op-
eration modes of the climate control
system.
Operation
mode A/C
indicator HEAT
indicator
Cooling
(HEAT off ) ON OFF
Heating
(A/C off ) OFF ON
Manual operation
The manual mode can be used to control
the heater and air conditioner to your de-
sired temperature. The HEAT indicator light and the A/C indi-
cator light illuminates according to the op-
eration modes.
Operation
mode
A/C
indicator HEAT
indicator
Cooling
(HEAT off ) ON OFF
Dehumidi-
fied heating ON ON
Heating
(A/C off ) OFF ON
Ventilation OFF OFF
Cooling
1. Press the A/C button to illuminate the A/C indicator light.
2. Press the
HEAT button to turn off
the HEAT indicator light.
• Do not set the temperature higher than the outside air temperature. Do-
ing so may prevent the temperature
from being controlled properly.
• A visible mist may be seen coming from the ventilators in hot, humid con-
ditions as the air is cooled rapidly. This
does not indicate a malfunction.
4-36Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems
• 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
5-158Starting and driving
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock be-
comes frozen, heat the key before inserting
it into the key hole or use the remote key-
less entry key fob.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is possible that the
outside temperature will drop below 32°F
(0°C), check the antifreeze to ensure proper
winter protection. For additional informa-
tion, see “Cooling system” (P. 8-5).
12-VOLT BATTERY
If the 12-volt battery is not fully charged
during extremely cold weather conditions,
the 12-volt battery fluid may freeze and
damage the 12-volt battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the 12-volt battery
should be checked regularly. For additional
information, see “12-volt battery” (P. 8-9).
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, see “Cooling system” (P. 8-5).
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, see “Tire chains” (P. 8-33).
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.
5-174Starting and driving