charging NISSAN LEAF 2011 User Guide

EV Overview
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system ...................................... EV-2
Li-ion battery .......................................................................... EV-2 Driving with a discharged Li-ion battery ................... EV-3
Charging the 12-volt battery ........................................ EV-5
Li-ion battery heater (if so equipped) ........................ EV-5
High voltage precautions .................................................... EV-7
High-voltage components ............................................. EV-7
Road accident precautions ................................................ EV-8 Emergency shut-off system .......................................... EV-9
EV (Electric Vehicle) characteristics ................................ EV-9
Noise and vibration ...................................................... EV-10
Life with an EV (scene guide) ........................................ EV-10 Charging the Li-ion battery ........................................ EV-10
Before driving your vehicle ........................................ EV-13
Starting your vehicle .................................................... EV-16 Driving the vehicle ..................................................... EV-17
At home after driving ................................................. EV-21
Efficient use of your vehicle ............................................ EV-22
Range ............................................................................ EV-22
Improve driving range ............................................... EV-22
Li-ion battery life ......................................................... EV-23
Li-ion battery maintenance ...................................... EV-23
EV unique information ...................................................... EV-24 Meters and indicators ............................................... EV-24
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system .............................................................. EV-27
Electric shift control system .................................... EV-29
Electric parking brake ............................................... EV-29
LED headlight (low beam) ....................................... EV-29
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ........................ EV-30
Driving range button ................................................ EV-30

CHARGING THE 12-VOLT BATTERY
While vehicle is driven
The Li-ion battery charges the 12-volt battery as
necessary when the power switch is in the
READY to drive position.
While the vehicle is not in use
When the EV (Electric Vehicle) system is off, the
12-volt battery charges automatically for 5
minutes every 5 days.
The charge timing resets to 5 days without
charging the 12-volt battery if:
.The vehicle is placed in the READY to drive
position for more than 5 minutes.
. The Li-ion battery is charged for more than 5
minutes.
When charging the 12-volt battery, the charge
status indicator light on the instrument panel
illuminates. See “Charging status indicator
lights” in the “CH. Charging” section.
LI-ION BATTERY HEATER (if so
equipped)
CAUTION
The Li-ion battery heater does not
operate if the available Li-ion battery
charge is less than approximately 30%
and the charger is not connected to the
vehicle. To help prevent the Li-ion
battery from freezing, do not leave the
vehicle in an environment if tempera-
tures may go below -48F (-208C) unless
the vehicle is connected to a charger.
The Li-ion battery heater helps to prevent the Li-
ion battery from freezing and helps to prevent
significant reductions in the Li-ion battery output
when the temperature is cold. The Li-ion battery
heater automatically turns on when the Li-ion
battery temperature is approximately -48 F
(-208C) or colder. The Li-ion battery heater
automatically turns off when the Li-ion battery
temperture is approximately 148F (-108C) or
higher.
The Li-ion battery heater uses electrical power
from an external source when a charger is
connected to the vehicle. The Li-ion battery
heater uses electrical power from the Li-ion battery when the charger is not connected to the
vehicle.
NOTE:
.
Connect the charger to the vehicle and
place the power switch in the OFF
position when parking the vehicle if
temperatures may go below -48 F
(-208C) . This provides external power
to the Li-ion battery heater when it
operates and does not discharge the
Li-ion battery.
. The charging status indicator lights
illuminate in a specific pattern when
the Li-ion battery heater operates. The
charging status indicator lights use the
same pattern to indicate 12-volt battery
charging, A/C-Heater Timer (Climate
Ctrl. Timer) operation or Remote Cli-
mate Control operation. The charging
status indicator lights do not change if
the Li-ion battery heater operates at
the same time as the above features.
See “Charging status indicator lights”
in the “CH. Charging” section.
. The Li-ion battery heater uses Li-ion
battery power to operate, even if the
vehicle is connected to a charger when:
EV OverviewEV-5

ion battery is fully charged. Regenera-
tive brake is automatically reduced
when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from
becoming overcharged. Regenerating
brake is also automatically reduced
when the battery temperature is high/
low (indicated by the red/blue zones
on the Li-ion battery temperature
gauge) to prevent Li-ion battery da-
mage.
. The brake pedal should be used to
slow or stop the vehicle depending on
traffic or road conditions. The vehicle
brakes are not affected by regenerative
brake system operation.
NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or
vibration as a normal characteristic of this
vehicle.
.Traction motor noise from motor compart-
ment.
. Noise and vibration when releasing and
applying the electric parking brake.
. Water pump and radiator fan noise while
charging. .
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the
A/C-Heater Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) or
remote climate control is used.
. Relay operation noise and vibration at start-
up and shut-down of the EV (Electric
Vehicle) system (power switch placed in
the ON and OFF position) .
. Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) .
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow
the proper handling instructions may
cause serious injury or death. Be sure
to read the “CH. Charging” section and
follow the procedures and guidelines
described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (scene guide)

EV OverviewEV
ChargingCH
9
Index10

ion battery is fully charged. Regenera-
tive brake is automatically reduced
when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from
becoming overcharged. Regenerating
brake is also automatically reduced
when the battery temperature is high/
low (indicated by the red/blue zones
on the Li-ion battery temperature
gauge) to prevent Li-ion battery da-
mage.
. The brake pedal should be used to
slow or stop the vehicle depending on
traffic or road conditions. The vehicle
brakes are not affected by regenerative
brake system operation.
NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or
vibration as a normal characteristic of this
vehicle.
.Traction motor noise from motor compart-
ment.
. Noise and vibration when releasing and
applying the electric parking brake.
. Water pump and radiator fan noise while
charging. .
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the
A/C-Heater Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) or
remote climate control is used.
. Relay operation noise and vibration at start-
up and shut-down of the EV (Electric
Vehicle) system (power switch placed in
the ON and OFF position) .
. Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) .
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow
the proper handling instructions may
cause serious injury or death. Be sure
to read the “CH. Charging” section and
follow the procedures and guidelines
described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (scene guide)

Charging
Precautions on charging .................................................... CH-2
Types of charge and how to charge the
Li-ion battery ......................................................................... CH-5How to normal charge .................................................. CH-9
How to trickle charge ................................................ CH-11
How to quick charge (if so equipped) .................. CH-15
Charging methods ............................................................ CH-18 Charging timer ............................................................. CH-18 Charging related remote function ......................... CH-24
Charging related indicator lights .................................. CH-26 Charging status indicator lights ............................ CH-26
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
control box indicator light ....................................... CH-28
Charging troubleshooting guide ................................... CH-30

WARNING
.If you use any medical electric
devices, such as an implantable
cardiac pacemaker or an implanta-
ble cardiovascular defibrillator,
check with the electric medical de-
vice manufacturer concerning the
effects that charging may have on
implanted devices before starting
the charge operation. Charging
may affect the operation.
. If you have an implantable cardiac
pacemaker or an implantable cardi-
ovascular defibrillator, while the Li-
ion battery is charging:
— Do not stay inside the vehicle.
— Do not go inside the vehicle, for
example to remove or place an
item in the passenger compart-
ment.
— Do not open the rear hatch, for example to remove or place an
item in the cargo area.
Charging may affect the operation
of electric medical device and result
in serious personal injury or death. .
Make sure there is no water or
foreign 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 perso-
nal 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 con-
nector or electrical plug.
— Do not touch the vehicle and charger when there is lightning.
A lightning strike may back feed
into the charger causing da-
mage and possible personal in-
jury or death.
. Make sure the charge connector is
removed from the charge port be-
fore starting your vehicle. If the
charge connector is only partially engaged and the connector latch is
unlocked, it is possible to place the
EV (Electric Vehicle) in the READY
to drive position.
. Do not plug in or unplug the plug
with wet hands and do not stand in
water, liquid or snow. This may
cause an electric shock which may
result in serious personal injury or
death.
. Do not disassemble or modify the
charge port or the EVSE (Electric
Vehicle Supply Equipment) . This
may cause a fire.
. If you notice an unusual odor or
smoke 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.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHARGING

.Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
(Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
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.
CAUTION
.To prevent damage to the charging
equipment:
— Do not close the charge port lid
without closing the cap. — Do not subject the charging
equipment to impact.
— Do not pull or twist the charge cable.
— Do not drag the charge cable.
— Do not store and use charging equipment in locations where
the temperature is over 1858F
(858C) .
— Do not place the charging equip- ment close to a heater or other
heat source.
. Make sure the cap is closed on the
charge port when charging is fin-
ished. If the charge port lid is closed
when the cap is open, water or
foreign materials may enter the
charge port.
. Do not charge when a vehicle body
cover is in use. This may cause
damage to the charge connector.
. Do not attempt to perform a jump
start on the 12-volt battery at the
same time that the Li-ion battery is
being charged. Doing so may da-
mage the vehicle or charging equip- ment and could cause an injury. See
“Jump starting” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.
. Trickle charging is performed using
the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) provided with the vehi-
cle. NISSAN recommends using an
AC 110 - 120 volt, 15A, dedicated
electrical circuit and outlet. The
dedicated circuit is used to help
prevent circuit damage or the circuit
breaker from tripping due to the
high draw of charging the Li-ion
battery. If the dedicated circuit is
not used, the circuit may cause
adverse interference on MCB
(Moulded Circuit Board) and house-
hold electrical appliances such as
televisions and audio systems. If the
circuit is shared, and another elec-
trical device is being used at the
same time the vehicle is charging,
the breaker may trip. A licensed
professional electrician should in-
stall a dedicated circuit if one is not
already available.
ChargingCH-3

.Pay particular attention when using
the normal charge port as the
charge port lid can be closed even
when the normal charge port cap is
open.
. Close the quick charge port cap
before closing the charging lid. The
quick charge port cap can be da-
maged if it is open when closing the
charge port lid.

.The A/C-Heater Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer)
settings cannot be modified while it is
operating. If timer settings are modified
while the A/C-Heater Timer (Climate Ctrl.
Timer) is operating, these changes will be
reflected the next time the A/C-Heater Timer
(Climate Ctrl. Timer) operates.
. When charging is set as the first priority, the
A/C-Heater Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) does
not start until 10 segments of the LI-ION
BATTERY AVAILABLE CHARGE GAUGE
are illuminated.
. When the climate control is set as the first
priority, the climate control system will be
turned on as scheduled by the A/C-Heater
Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) regardless of the
remaining battery energy.
. Even when the climate control is set as the
first priority, the climate control system will
be turned off when the climate control
spends more electric than the charging Li-
ion battery.
. The Li-ion battery may not charge or may
even become discharged if the A/C-Heater
Timer (Climate Ctrl. Timer) or remote climate
control is used in low ambient temperatures.REMOTE CLIMATE CONTROL
This vehicle incorporates a communication
device that is called a TCU (Telematics Com-
munication Unit). The communication connec-
tion between this unit and NISSAN CARWINGS
Data Center allows for various remote function
services.
Even when away from the vehicle, climate
control can be started by accessing the
NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center website
using a cellular phone or a personal computer.
When operation is started, or at the set start
time, the NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center
accesses the vehicle. When the vehicle receives
a command for remote operation, the climate
control immediately turns ON and operates for
the specified period of time. Confirmation of the
ON/OFF of the climate control operation can be
checked by accessing the website or by e-mail.
Establishing the CARWINGS
TMservice is ne-
cessary before using the service. See LEAF
Navigation System Owner’s Manual.