wheel NISSAN LEAF 2012 User Guide

TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. 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.
Consult a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for the
tire type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
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 details, see “Tire
chains” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE

and increase the likelihood of tire
failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an
accident and could result in serious
personal injury. Check the tire pres-
sure for all four tires. Adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended COLD
tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light
OFF. If the light still illuminates
while driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may be flat. If you
have a flat tire, repair it as soon as
possible.
. When a wheel is replaced, the TPMS
will not function and the low tire
pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute. The light
will remain on after 1 minute. Con-
tact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
as soon as possible for tire replace-
ment and/or system resetting.
. Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS. .
If you used the Emergency Tire
Sealant to repair a minor tire punc-
ture, your NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer will also need to replace the
TPMS sensor in addition to repair-
ing or replacing the tire.
. NISSAN recommends using only
NISSAN Genuine Emergency Tire
Sealant provided with your vehicle.
Other tire sealants may damage the
valve stem seal which can cause the
tire to lose air pressure.
REPAIRING FLAT TIRE

CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
Tire rotation
NISSAN recommends rotating the tires
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque using a
torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:80 ft-lb (108 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tigh-
tened to the specification at all times.
It is recommended that wheel nuts be
tightened to the specification at each
tire rotation interval.

.The original tires have built-in
tread wear indicators. When
wear indicators are visible, the
tire(s) should be replaced.
.Tires degrade with age and use.
Have tires, over 6 years old
checked by a qualified techni-
cian, because some tire damage
may not be obvious. Replace the
tires as necessary to prevent tire
failure and possible personal
injury.
.For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Cana-
da) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. See “Specifications” in
the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section for recommended types and sizes of
tires and wheels.

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended lubricants .......................... 9-2Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations .............................................. 9-3
Specifications ............................................................................ 9-4 Charging system ................................................................ 9-4
Motor ..................................................................................... 9-5
Wheels and tires ................................................................ 9-5
Dimensions and weights .................................................. 9-5
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ......................................................................... 9-6
Vehicle identification ................................................................ 9-6 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate .................... 9-6
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ........ 9-6
Traction motor serial number .......................................... 9-7
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S certification label ....................... 9-7
Emission control information label ................................. 9-7
Tire and Loading Information label ................................ 9-8
Air conditioner specification label .................................. 9-8 Installing front license plate .................................................. 9-9
Vehicle loading information ................................................ 9-10 Terms ................................................................................ 9-10
Vehicle load capacity ................................................... 9-11
Securing the load ......................................................... 9-12
Loading tips .................................................................... 9-13
Measurement of weights ............................................. 9-13
Towing a trailer ...................................................................... 9-13
Flat towing .............................................................................. 9-14
Uniform tire quality grading ................................................ 9-14
Treadwear ....................................................................... 9-14
Traction AA, A, B and C ............................................. 9-14
Temperature A, B and C ............................................. 9-14
Reporting safety defects .................................................... 9-15
Telematics overview ............................................................. 9-16
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .............................................. 9-18
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information .... 9-19

Checking coolant level .......................................... 8-8
Cooling system.............................................................. 8-7
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-7
Cruise control............................................................... 5-17
Cup holders.................................................................. 2-49
D
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch........................................................... 2-40
Dimensions and weights............................................. 9-5
Dot matrix liquid crystal display............................... 2-22
Driving Cold weather driving........................................... 5-26
Driving vehicle....................................................... 5-11
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Driving range.................................................................. 2-8
Driving vehicle.............................................................. 5-11
E
ECO indicator.............................................................. 2-10
Efficient use of your vehicle ................................. EV-22
Electric parking brake break-in................................ 5-23
Electric parking brake indicator light...................... 2-19
Electric power steering system ............................... 5-21
Emergency charge.................................................. CH-11
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off...... 5-9, 6-2
Emergency shutoff system........................................ EV-9
Emission control information label............................ 9-7
EV Characteristics ..................................................... EV-9
EV system ..................................................................... EV-2
EV unique information............................................. EV-24
Event Data Recorder (EDR)..................................... 9-18
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) ..... CH-11
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) cleaning..................................................... 7-6
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ................. 9-7
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)..... 2-45
Flat tire............................................................................. 6-2
Flat towing .................................................................... 9-14
Floor mat cleaning ........................................................ 7-5
Fluid Brake fluid................................................................. 8-9
Capacities and recommended lubricants ......... 9-2
coolant ....................................................................... 8-7
Reduction gear fluid............................................... 8-9
Window washer fluid .......................................... 8-10
Fog light switch........................................................... 2-44
Front manual seat adjustment.................................... 1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light.............. 1-44
Front seat, Front seat adjustment............................. 1-3
Fuses.............................................................................. 8-16
Fusible links.................................................................. 8-17
G
Garage door open, HomeLink®Universal
Transceiver............................................................. 2-58
Gauge .............................................................................. 2-5 Driving range............................................................ 2-8
ECO indicator....................................................... 2-10
Li-ion battery available charge gauge................ 2-9
Li-ion battery capacity level gauge.................. 2-10
Li-ion battery temperature gauge........................ 2-7
Odometer.................................................................. 2-6
Power meter ............................................................. 2-7
Speedometer............................................................ 2-6
General maintenance ................................................... 8-2
Glove box...................................................................... 2-51
H
Hazard warning flasher switch................................. 2-45
Head restraints .............................................................. 1-4
Headlights Bulb replacement................................................. 8-21
Headlight Aiming Control ................................. 2-44
Headlight switch................................................... 2-41
Heated seats................................................................ 2-46
Heated steering wheel............................................... 2-45
High voltage precautions .......................................... EV-7
HomeLink
®universal transceiver............................. 2-58
Hood release................................................................ 3-16
Horn................................................................................ 2-46
How to normal charge.............................................. CH-9
How to quick charge.............................................. CH-16
How to trickle charge ............................................ CH-11
I
If the Li-ion battery becomes
completely discharged............................................... 6-12
Immediate charge.................................................... CH-24
Immobilizer system...................................................... 2-36
In-cabin microfilter ...................................................... 4-13
indicator Electric parking brake indicator light............... 2-19
Indicator lights.............................................................. 2-19
Indicators for operation.............................................. 2-23
Inside rearview mirror................................................. 3-20
Instrument brightness control .................................. 2-41
Instrument panel............................................................ 2-4
Intelligent Key system ......................................... 3-6, 5-7 Key operating range ............................................... 3-8
Key operation ........................................................ 3-10
Remote keyless operation.................................. 3-13

Parking brake mechanically release ....................... 6-16
PowerElectric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Power door lock...................................................... 3-4
Power windows .................................................... 2-53
Power economy........................................................... 5-19
Power meter ................................................................... 2-7
Power outlet ................................................................. 2-48
Power switch......................................................... 5-7, 5-8
Precautions Braking precautions............................................. 5-21
Charging................................................................ CH-2
Child restraints...................................................... 1-19
Cruise control........................................................ 5-17
High voltage precautions ................................... EV-7
Maintenance ............................................................. 8-4
Road accident precautions................................ EV-8
Seat belt usage .................................................... 1-10
Supplemental restraint system.......................... 1-36
When starting and driving .................................... 5-2
Push starting ................................................................ 6-12
Q
Quick charge............................................................ CH-16
R
Rapid air pressure loss................................................ 5-5
Rear center seat belt ................................................. 1-16
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock........... 3-6
Rear hatch..................................................................... 3-17
Rear seats....................................................................... 1-4
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch........................................................... 2-40
Rear window wiper and washer switch ............... 2-39
Reduction gear fluid..................................................... 8-9 Remote charge ........................................................ CH-25
Remote climate control.............................................. 4-11
Remote keyless entry function, For Intelligent
Key system.................................................................... 3-13
Repairing flat tire........................................................... 6-3
Repairing tire.................................................................. 6-5
Reporting safety defects........................................... 9-15
Road accident precautions....................................... EV-8
Roadside assistance program ................................... 6-2
Rollover............................................................................ 5-5
S
Safety Child seat belts .................................................... 1-17
Reporting safety defects.................................... 9-15
Scene guide At home after driving......................................... EV-21
Before driving your vehicle .............................. EV-13
Charging the Li-ion battery.............................. EV-10
Driving the vehicle.............................................. EV-17
Parking the vehicle............................................. EV-20
Starting your vehicle.......................................... EV-16
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment.............................. 1-3
Front seats................................................................ 1-3
Seat belt(s) Child safety............................................................ 1-17
Infants...................................................................... 1-17
Injured persons..................................................... 1-12
Larger children...................................................... 1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage........................ 1-10
Pregnant women .................................................. 1-12
Rear center seat belt .......................................... 1-16
Seat belt cleaning................................................... 7-6
Seat belt extenders.............................................. 1-16
Seat belt hooks .................................................... 1-15 Seat belt maintenance........................................ 1-16
Seat belt warning light........................................ 2-18
Seat belts............................................................... 1-10
Seat belts with pretensioners........................... 1-49
Shoulder belt height adjustment...................... 1-15
Small children........................................................ 1-18
Three-point type................................................... 1-12
Seat(s) , Seats................................................................ 1-2 Heated seats......................................................... 2-46
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System) , EV system start.......................................... 2-36
Servicing climate control........................................... 4-14
Shifting Electric shift control system .............................. 5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For
front seats..................................................................... 1-15
Soft bottle holders...................................................... 2-50
Solar cell module .......................................................... 7-3
Speedometer.................................................................. 2-6
Starting .......................................................................... 5-11 Before starting system........................................ 5-10
Jump starting............................................................ 6-9
Precautions when starting and driving .............. 5-2
Push starting ......................................................... 6-12
Status light, Front passenger air bag .................... 1-44
Steering Electric power steering system ........................ 5-21
Heated steering wheel........................................ 2-45
Tilting steering column........................................ 3-19
Stopping the vehicle .................................................... 6-4
Storage .......................................................................... 2-49
Stowing golf bags....................................................... 2-53
Sun visors ..................................................................... 3-20
Supplemental air bag warning labels..................... 1-50
Supplemental air bag warning light............ 1-50, 2-18
Supplemental restraint system................................. 1-36

Precautions on supplemental
restraint system..................................................... 1-36
Switch Autolight switch.................................................... 2-42
Fog light switch.................................................... 2-44
Hazard warning flasher switch.......................... 2-45
Headlight Aiming Control ................................. 2-44
Headlight switch................................................... 2-41
Power door lock switch......................................... 3-5
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch.................................................... 2-40
Turn signal switch ................................................ 2-44
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch..... 2-48
T
Telematics overview.................................................... 9-16
Temperature Li-ion battery temperature gauge........................ 2-7
Theft (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System) ,
traction motor start ..................................................... 2-36
Tilt steering column .................................................... 3-19
Tire Low tire pressure warning light........................ 2-16
Tires Flat tire....................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system...................... 5-2
Tire and Loading information label ......... 8-27, 9-8
Tire chains.............................................................. 8-31
Tire dressing............................................................. 7-4
Tire pressure ......................................................... 8-28
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) ............................................... 5-2, 6-2
Tire rotation............................................................ 8-32
Types of tires......................................................... 8-30
Uniform tire quality grading ............................... 9-14
Wheel/tire size......................................................... 9-5 Wheels and tires.................................................. 8-25
Tools............................................................................... 6-13
To p Tether strap child restraints............................... 1-22
Towing Flat towing ............................................................. 9-14
Tow truck towing.................................................. 6-13
Towing a trailer ..................................................... 9-13
TPMS, Tire pressure monitoring system................. 5-2
TPMS, Tire pressure warning system...................... 6-2
Traction motor Traction motor serial number ............................... 9-7
Trailer towing................................................................ 9-13
Transceiver, HomeLink
®Universal
Transceiver............................................................. 2-58
Transmitter, With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system)..................................... 3-13
Trickle charge........................................................... CH-11
Trip computer............................................................... 2-27
Turn signal switch ....................................................... 2-44
Type of charge and how to charge the
Li-ion battery................................................................ CH-5
U
Underbody cleaning ..................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading ...................................... 9-14
Unplugged status.................................................... CH-25
V
Vanity mirror.................................................................. 3-22
Vehicle Dimensions and weights....................................... 9-5
Identification number (VIN)................................... 9-6
Loading information ............................................. 9-10
Recovery (freeing stuck vehicle) ...................... 6-15 Security system .................................................... 2-35
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch..... 2-48
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system.......... 5-24
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light.......................................................... 2-19
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning light .... 2-19
Vehicle security system ............................................. 2-35
Ventilators........................................................................ 4-2
W
Warning Hazard warning flasher switch.......................... 2-45
Indicators for operation....................................... 2-23
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) ............................................... 5-2, 6-2
Warning information displays............................ 2-31
Warning lights....................................................... 2-13
Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders................................................. 2-12
Warning and indicator lights.................................... 0-10
Warning information displays................................... 2-31
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels................. 1-50
Warning light Air bag warning light................................ 1-50, 2-18
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
warning light.......................................................... 2-14
BRAKE system warning light (yellow) ............ 2-14
BRAKE warning light (red) ................................ 2-15
Low tire pressure warning light........................ 2-16
Seat belt warning light........................................ 2-18
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light.......................................................... 2-19
Washer switch Rear window wiper and washer switch ......... 2-39
Windshield wiper and washer switch............. 2-38
Washing........................................................................... 7-2
Index10-5

webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
emits from the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically.
12-volt battery*: Check the fluid level in each
cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
12-volt battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir. Coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when
the motor compartment is cold.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for water
or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a short period of time. Water dripping
from the air conditioner after use is normal. If you
notice any leaks, check for the cause and have it
corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure that
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or
loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan and frame. At
the end of winter, the underbody should be
thoroughly flushed with plain water, being care-
ful to clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, see
“Cleaning exterior” in the “7. Appearance and
care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.

maintenance.
. Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely
and chock the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. Push the P
position switch on the selector 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
performing 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
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands. .
Keep smoking materials, flames
and sparks away from the 12-volt
battery.