The LEAF is an electric vehicle. Some of the
vehicle’s systems operate differently and
have different operating characteristics
than vehicles equipped with an internal
combustion engine. It is important to care-
fully review the entire owner's manual for
this reason. The main difference is the LEAF
is powered by electricity. The LEAF does not
require and it is not capable of using gaso-
line like a vehicle powered by a traditional
internal combustion engine. The LEAF uses
electricity stored in the lithium ion (Li-ion)
battery. The vehicle’s Li-ion battery must
be charged with electricity before the ve-
hicle can be driven. As the vehicle operates,
the Li-ion battery gradually discharges. If
the Li-ion battery becomes completely dis-
charged, the vehicle will not operate until it
is re-charged.
This vehicle uses two types of batteries.
One is the 12-volt battery that is the same
as the battery in vehicles powered by
gasoline engines, the other is the Li-ion
battery (high voltage).
The 12-volt battery provides power to the
vehicle systems and features such as the
audio system, supplemental restraint sys-
tems, headlights and windshield wipers.The Li-ion battery provides power to the
electric motor (traction motor) that moves
the vehicle.
The Li-ion battery also charges the 12-volt
battery.
The vehicle must be plugged in for the Li-
ion battery to be charged. Additionally, the
vehicle system can extend the vehicle
range by converting driving force into elec-
tricity that is stored in the Li-ion battery
while the vehicle is decelerating or being
driven downhill. This is called regenerative
braking. This vehicle is considered to be an
environmentally friendly vehicle because it
does not emit exhaust gases, such as car-
bon dioxide and nitrogen oxide.WARNING
Your vehicle contains a sealed Li-ion
high voltage battery. If the Li-ion bat-
tery is disposed of improperly, there is a
risk of severe burns and electrical
shock that may result in serious injury
or death and there is also a risk of envi-
ronmental damage.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the Li-ion
battery:
• Do not expose the vehicle to extreme
ambient temperatures for extended
periods.
• Do not store the vehicle in tempera-
tures below −13°F (−25°C) for more
than seven days.
• Do not leave the vehicle for more
than 14 days where the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge reaches a
zero or near zero.
• Do not use the Li-ion battery for any
other purpose.
THE EV (Electric Vehicle) SYSTEM LI-ION BATTERY
EV-2EV Overview
The light will turn off af ter approximately 2
seconds if the system is operational. If the
light does not come on, have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light
This light illuminates when the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) is turned off in the
vehicle information display. This indicates
that the VDC system is not operating. For
additional information, see “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” (P. 5-164).
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
(other)
For additional information, see “Vehicle in-
formation display” (P. 2-26)
Exterior light
indicator light (green)
This indicator illuminates when the head-
light switch is turned to the AUTO,orposition and the front parking lights,
side marker lights, tail and license plate
lights are on. The indicator turns off when
these lights are turned off.
Front fog light indicator
light (green) (if so
equipped)
The front fog indicator light illuminates
when the front fog lights are on. For addi-
tional information, see “Fog light switch”
(P. 2-55).
High Beam Assist indicator
light (green)
The indicator light illuminates when the
headlights come on while the headlight
switch is in the AUTO position with the high
beam selected. This indicates that the high
beam assist system is operational. For ad-
ditional information, see “Headlight beam
select” (P. 2-51).
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This light illuminates when the headlight
high beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Plug-in
indicator light (green)
This light illuminates when the charge con-
nector is connected to the vehicle and
blinks during charging.
NOTE:
If the charge connector is connected to
the vehicle, the power switch cannot be
placed in the READY to drive position.
READY to drive
indicator light (green)
The READY to drive indicator light illumi-
nates when the EV system is powered and
the vehicle may be driven.
The READY to drive indicator light will turn
off in the following conditions.
• Certain EV system malfunctions.
• The READY to drive indicator light turns off immediately before the Li-ion battery
is completely discharged. If the Li-ion bat-
tery becomes completely discharged,
the vehicle must be charged in order to
be driven. For additional information, see
“Low battery charge indicator” (P. 2-36).
2-24Instruments and controls
Vehicle Settings
The vehicle settings menu allows the user to change the settings for the lights, locks, wipers and other vehicle settings.
Some menu items shown below may not be equipped on your vehicle.
Menu ItemExplanation
Rear Door Alert Displays the available Rear Door Alert options. For additional information, see “Rear Door Alert”
(P. 2-60).
Horn & Alert When selected, the alert is displayed and horn sounds.
Alert Only When selected, only the alert is displayed.
OFF When selected, no alert or horn will be active.
Lighting Displays the available lighting options.
Auto Room Lamp Allows user to turn the auto room lamp on or off
Light Sensitivity Allows user to change when the lights illuminate based on the brightness outside the vehicle.
Light Off Delay Allows user to change the duration of time t hat the automatic headlights stay on af ter the vehicle
is shut off.
Locking Displays the available locking options.
Ext. Door Switch Allows user to turn the exterior door switch on or off. When turned on, the request switch on the
door is activated.
Selective Unlock Allows user to turn selective unlock on or off. When turned on, only the current door is unlocked
af ter the door unlock operation. When the door handle request switch on the driver’s or front pas-
senger’s side door is pushed to be unlocked, only the corresponding door is unlocked first. All the
doors can be unlocked if the door unlock operation is performed again within 5 seconds. When
this item is turned off, all the doors will be unlocked af ter the door unlock operation is performed
once.
Wipers Displays the available wiper settings. For additional information, see “Wiper and washer switch”
(P. 2-45).
Speed Dependent Allows user to turn the speed dependent feature on or off.
Instruments and controls2-31
Low Washer Fluid
This warning appears when the washer
tank fluid is at a low level. Add washer fluid
as necessary. For additional information,
see “Windshield-washer fluid” (P. 8-8).
Press Brake Pedal
This message may appear in the following
situations:
• The driver tries to release the electronicparking brake manually without depress-
ing the brake pedal.
• The vehicle is stopped on a steep hill; and there is a possibility of moving back-
wards, even if the electronic parking
brake is applied.
For additional information, see “Electronic
parking brake” (P. 5-19).
Press brake pedal to
operate e-Pedal switch
This indicator appears when trying to turn
the e-Pedal off without depressing the
brake pedal when the vehicle is stopped.
Depress the brake pedal before pulling the
e-Pedal switch.
Push brake and power
switch to drive
This indicator appears while the vehicle is
in the P (Park) position. This indicator
means that the EV system will start when
the power switch is pressed with the brake
pedal depressed.
Rear seat belt reminder
This warning appears for 65 seconds af ter
the power switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion and the EV system is started.
This warning shows the status of the rear
seat belts. When one of the rear seat belts is
buckled, the corresponding rear seat belt
warning will appear in gray. When one of
the rear seat belts is unbuckled, the rear
seat belt warning will appear red.
Af ter a change in buckle status, a chime will
sound and the warning will appear for an-
other 65 seconds.
Release Parking Brake
This warning appears when the vehicle
speed is above 4 mph (7 km/h) (models not
equipped with electronic parking brake) or
2 mph (4 km/h) (models equipped with
electronic parking brake) and the parking
brake is applied. Stop the vehicle and re-
lease the parking brake.
Reminder Turn OFF
Headlights
This warning appears when the power
switch is turned to the OFF position but the
headlight switch is still on. Turn off the
headlight switch.
Shif t to P range
This warning appears alternately with
door/rear hatch open warning when the
driver's door is opened with the shif t posi-
tion in any position other than the P (Park)
position. If this warning appears, push the P
(Park) position switch and place in the P
(Park) position.
For additional information, see “Door open”
(P. 2-35).
Shipping Mode On Push Storage Fuse
This warning may appear if the extended
storage switch is not pushed in. When this
warning appears, push in the extended
storage switch to turn off the warning.
For additional information, see “Extended
storage switch” (P. 8-19).
Instruments and controls2-37
The system helps deter vehicle thef t but
cannot prevent it, nor can it prevent the
thef t of interior or exterior vehicle compo-
nents in all situations. Always secure your
vehicle even if parking for a brief period.
Never leave your keys in the vehicle, and
always lock it when it is lef t unattended. Be
aware of your surroundings, and park in
secure, well-lit areas whenever possible.
Many devices offering additional protec-
tion, such as component locks, identifica-
tion markers, and tracking systems, are
available at auto supply stores and spe-
cialty shops. A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
may also offer such equipment. Check with
your insurance company to see if you may
be eligible for discounts for various thef t
protection features.
How to arm the vehicle security
system
1. Close all windows.The system can be armed even if the
windows are open.
2. Place the power switch in the LOCK or OFF position and remove the Intelligent
Key from the vehicle. 3. Close all doors. Lock all doors. The doors
can be locked with:
• the LOCK
button on the Intelli-
gent Key
• any request switch
• the power door lock switch
4. Confirm that the security indicator light illuminates. The security indicator light
stays on for about 30 seconds. The ve-
hicle security system is now pre-armed.
Af ter about 30 seconds the vehicle se-
curity system automatically shif ts into
the armed phase. The security light be-
gins to flash once every approximately 3
seconds. If, during this 30-second pre-
arm time period, the door is unlocked, or
the power switch is placed in the ACC or
ON position, the system will not arm.
Even when the driver and/or passengers
are in the vehicle, the system will acti-
vate with all doors locked and the power
switch in the OFF position. When placing
the power switch to the ACC or ON posi-
tion, the system will be released.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the
following alarm:
• The headlights blink and the horn sounds intermittently.
• The alarm automatically turns off af ter approximately 50 seconds. However, the
alarm reactivates if the vehicle is tam-
pered with again.
The alarm is activated by:
• Unlocking the door without using the In- telligent Key or the request switch. (Even if
the door is opened by releasing the door
inside lock knob, the alarm will activate.)
• Opening the hood.
How to stop an activated alarm
The alarm will stop when a door is un-
locked by pushing the UNLOCKbut-
ton on the Intelligent Key, door handle re-
quest switch, or when the power switch is
pushed in the ACC or ON position.
If the system does not operate as de-
scribed above, have it checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer for this service.
Instruments and controls2-43
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the rear window defroster.HEADLIGHT SWITCH
Lighting
1Rotate the switch to theposition,
the front parking, tail, license plate, and
instrument panel lights come on.
2Rotate the switch to theposition,
the headlights come on and all the
other lights remain on.
LIC3026
Type B (if so equipped)
SIC3668
Type A (if so equipped)
LIC3241
Type B (if so equipped)
HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
2-48Instruments and controls
Autolight system
The autolight system allows the headlights
and tail lights to be set so they turn on and
off automatically.
To set the autolight system:
1. Make sure the headlight switch is in theAUTO position
O1.
2. Place the power switch in the ON position.
3. The autolight system automatically turns the headlights and tail lights on
and off.
LIC4564
Type C (if so equipped)
LIC4597
Type D (if so equipped)
SIC3669
Instruments and controls2-49
To turn the autolight system off, turn the
switch to the OFF,orposition.
The autolight system can turn on the
headlights and tail lights automatically
when it is dark and turn off the headlights
when it is light.
For US models: The headlights and tail
lights will also be turned on automatically
at twilight or in rainy weather (when the
windshield wiper is operated continuously).
If the power switch is placed in the OFF
position and one of the doors is opened
and this condition continues, the head-
lights remain on for 45 seconds.
Automatic headlights off delay
You can keep the headlights on for up to
180 seconds af ter you push the power
switch to OFF and open any door then
close all the doors.
You can adjust the period of the automatic
headlights off delay from 0 seconds (OFF)
to 180 seconds. The factory default setting
is 45 seconds.
NOTE:
For additional information on adjust-
ing the automatic headlights off de-
lay, see “Vehicle information display ”
(P. 2-26).
Be sure not to put anything on top of the
photo sensor
O1located on the top of
the instrument panel. The photo sensor
controls the autolight; if it is covered, the
photo sensor reacts as if it is dark and
the headlights will illuminate.Headlight beam select
1To select the low beam, have the lever
in the neutral position as shown and
rotate the switch to the desired posi-
tion. For additional information, see
“Headlight switch” (P. 2-48).
2To select the high beam, push the lever
forward while the switch is in the
position. The high beams will come on
and the high beam indicator (blue)
will illuminate. Pull it back to return to
the low beam.
SAA1232SIC3670
2-50Instruments and controls