battery NISSAN LEAF 2012 Service Manual

CAUTION
.Be sure to carry the Intelligent Key
with you when operating the vehi-
cle.
. Never leave the Intelligent Key in
the vehicle when you leave the
vehicle.
The Intelligent Key is always communicating with
the vehicle because it receives radio waves. The
Intelligent Key system transmits weak radio
waves. Environmental conditions may interfere
with the operation of the Intelligent Key system
under the following operating conditions.
. When operating near a location where
strong radio waves are transmitted, such
as a TV tower, power station or broad-
casting station.
. When in possession of wireless equipment,
such as a cellular phone, transceiver or CB
radio.
. When the Intelligent Key is in contact with or
covered by metallic materials.
. When any type of radio wave remote control
is used nearby. .
When the Intelligent Key is placed near an
electric appliance such as a personal
computer.
. When the vehicle is parked near a parking
meter.
In such cases, correct the operating conditions
before using the Intelligent Key function or use
the mechanical key.
Although the life of the battery varies depending
on the operating conditions, the battery’s life is
approximately 2 years. If the battery is dis-
charged, replace it with a new one.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost
discharged, firmly apply the foot brake and
touch the power switch with the Intelligent Key.
Then push the power switch while depressing
the brake pedal within 10 seconds after the
chime sound.
Since the Intelligent Key is continuously receiv-
ing radio waves, if the key is left near equipment
that transmits strong radio waves, such as
signals from a TV or personal computer, the
battery life may become shorter.
For information regarding replacement of a
battery, see “Intelligent Key battery replacement”
in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section. Pay special attention that the vehicle battery is
not completely discharged.
As many as 4 Intelligent Keys can be registered
and used with one vehicle. For information about
the purchase and use of additional Intelligent
Keys, contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.

.While the battery is being charged, the
Climate Ctrl. Timer cannot be operated until
the Li-ion battery available charge gauge
reached the full mark. When the battery is
not being charged, the Climate Ctrl. Timer
can be operated, even if the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge has not reached the
full mark.
. When the climate control is set on first
priority, the Climate Ctrl. Timer works
regardless of the remaining battery energy.
. If the Climate Ctrl. Timer starts its operation
while the vehicle is being charged, the
charging time will be prolonged.
. Operating the Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote
climate control in an environment with low
temperature may decrease the rate of
battery charge.
. The Climate Ctrl. Timer settings cannot be
modified while it is operating. If timer
settings are modified while the Climate Ctrl.
Timer is operating, these changes will be
reflected the next time the Climate Ctrl.
Timer operates.
. When charging is set as the first priority, the
Climate Ctrl. Timer does not start until 10
segments of the LI-ION BATTERY AVAIL-
ABLE 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 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 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.

high enough to cause severe or
possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
NOTE:
. To check the Li-ion battery charging
status using an internet enabled smart
phone or personal computer.
—The vehicle must be located in a
cellular phone coverage area.
— The cellular phone must be located
in an area with cellular phone
coverage.
— The computer must be connected to
the internet.
. Some cellular phones are not compa-
tible with this system and cannot be
used to check the Li-ion battery char-
ging status. Confirm this beforehand.
Operating tips
.When the charge connector is connected,
the climate control operates using electric
power. When the charge connector is
disconnected from the vehicle, the climate
control operates using vehicle battery elec-
tric power. .
The climate control can be operated for a
maximum of 2 hours when the charge
connector is connected to the vehicle, or a
maximum of 15 minutes when the charge
connector is disconnected.
. The remote climate control will only start to
operate when the power switch is in the
OFF position. Be sure to check that the
power switch is in the OFF position.
. Remote climate control operation is not
available when the vehicle is in an area of
cellular communication range.
. Communication becomes unavailable when
the vehicle is not used for two weeks or
more. When the power switch is placed in
the ON position, communication with the
NISSAN CARWINGS Data Center can be
restored.
. Air conditioning is limited to the capacity of
the electric power when the charge con-
nector is connected to the vehicle. There-
fore, the temperature may not reach a
comfortable level due to performance of
the air conditioning being limited, if the
outside temperature is excessively high or
low, or if the charge connector is connected
to a 120V outlet. .
If the power switch is in the ON position or
the charge connector is disconnected, while
the remote climate control is being oper-
ated, remote climate control operation is
automatically stopped and an e-mail is sent.
. If remote climate control operation is started
while the vehicle is in normal charge mode,
the climate control operates in climate
control priority mode and charging is con-
tinued.
. If remote climate control operation is started
and charging is stopped while the vehicle is
in quick charge mode, climate control
operation is also stopped.
. If the quick charge connector is connected
and charging is not performed, remote
climate control operation starts using the
battery electric power of the vehicle.

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ............................... 5-2Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ................... 5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ........................................ 5-5
Off-road recovery ............................................................... 5-5
Rapid air pressure loss ..................................................... 5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................................ 5-6
Push-button power switch .................................................... 5-7 Intelligent Key system ....................................................... 5-7
Operating range for EV (Electric Vehicle)
start function ........................................................................ 5-8
Power switch operation .................................................... 5-8
Power switch positions ..................................................... 5-9
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off .................... 5-9
Intelligent Key battery discharge ................................. 5-10
Before starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system .......... 5-10
Starting the EV (Electric Vehicle) system ....................... 5-11
Driving vehicle ........................................................................ 5-11 Electric shift control system ......................................... 5-11
Electric parking brake .......................................................... 5-15 Cruise control ........................................................................ 5-17
Precautions on cruise control .................................... 5-17Cruise control operation ............................................. 5-17
Increasing power economy ................................................ 5-19 Parking/parking on hills ....................................................... 5-20
Electric power steering system ........................................ 5-21
Brake system ......................................................................... 5-21 Braking precautions ..................................................... 5-21
Electric parking brake break-in .................................. 5-23
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .............................. 5-23
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ........................ 5-24
Cold weather driving ........................................................... 5-26 Freeing a frozen door lock .......................................... 5-26
Antifreeze ........................................................................ 5-26
12-volt battery ................................................................ 5-26
Draining of coolant water ............................................ 5-26
Tire equipment ............................................................... 5-27
Special winter equipment ........................................... 5-27
Driving on snow or ice ................................................ 5-27
Freeing a frozen charge port lid ................................ 5-27

speed driving you may feel that regenerative
brake provides less deceleration than the engine
braking in an ordinary vehicle. This is normal.
Less deceleration is provided by the regenera-
tive brake system when the Li-ion battery is fully
charged. Regenerative brake is automatically
reduced when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from becoming
overcharged. Regenerative brake is also auto-
matically reduced when the battery temperature
is high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on
the battery temperature gauge) to prevent Li-ion
battery damage.
The brake pedal should be used to slow or stop
the vehicle depending on traffic or road condi-
tions. The vehicle brakes are not affected by
regenerative brake system operation.
NOTE:
.When applying the regenerative
brakes, you may hear a sound coming
from the regenerative brake system.
This is a normal operating character-
istic of an EV (Electric vehicle) .
. If the power switch position is in a
position other than ON or READY to
drive, you can stop the vehicle by
depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle, and the stopping distance will
be longer.
. When depressing the brake pedal, the
braking pedal feel will not be smooth
or may change when the cooperative
regenerative brake system activates.
However, the electronically controlled
brake system is operating normally and
this does not indicate a malfunction.
Using brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake pads and shoes
faster and will reduce driving range.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
select ECO position before going down a slope
or long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce
braking performance and could result in loss of
vehicle control.

6 In case of emergency
Roadside assistance program .............................................. 6-2
Emergency EV (Electric Vehicle) shut off .......................... 6-2 Flat tire ........................................................................................ 6-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ................... 6-2
Repairing flat tire ................................................................ 6-3
Jump starting ............................................................................. 6-9
If the Li-ion battery becomes completely discharged ... 6-12 Push starting .......................................................................... 6-12
Tools ........................................................................................ 6-13
Towing your vehicle ............................................................. 6-13
Towing recommended by NISSAN .......................... 6-14
Vehicle recovery (freeing stuck vehicle) ................. 6-15
Parking brake mechanical release ................................... 6-16

thing, immediately flush the con-
tacted area with water.
. Keep the 12-volt battery out of the
reach of children.
. The booster battery must be rated at
12 volt. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
. Whenever working on or near a 12-
volt battery, always wear suitable
eye protectors (for example, gog-
gles or industrial safety spectacles)
and remove rings, metal bands, or
any other jewelry. Do not lean over
the 12-volt battery when jump start-
ing.
. Do not attempt to jump start a
frozen battery. It could explode
and cause serious injury.
. Your vehicle has an automatic cool-
ing fan. It could come on at any
time. Keep hands and other objects
away from it.

Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake.
If the 12-volt battery is discharged, the
power switch cannot be moved from
the OFF position. Connect the jumper
cables to the booster vehicle
*Bbefore
pushing the power switch.
3. Push the P position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (headlights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
5. Place the power switch in the OFF position.
6. Remove the vent caps on the 12-volt battery (if so equipped) . Cover the battery with a
firmly wrung out moist cloth to reduce the
hazard of an explosion.
7. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as illustrated (
*1?*2?*3?*4).

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement ....................................................... 8-2Scheduled maintenance ................................................... 8-2
General maintenance ........................................................ 8-2
Where to go for service ................................................... 8-2
General maintenance .............................................................. 8-2 Explanation of maintenance items ................................. 8-2
Maintenance precautions ....................................................... 8-4
Motor compartment check locations .................................. 8-6
Cooling system ......................................................................... 8-7 Checking coolant level ..................................................... 8-8
Changing coolant ............................................................... 8-8
Reduction gear fluid ................................................................ 8-9
Brake fluid .................................................................................. 8-9
Window washer fluid ........................................................... 8-10
12-volt battery ........................................................................ 8-11 Jump starting .................................................................... 8-12
Windshield wiper blades .................................................... 8-12 Cleaning ............................................................................ 8-12
Replacing .......................................................................... 8-12 Rear window wiper blade .................................................. 8-15
Brakes ..................................................................................... 8-15
Brake pad wear warning ............................................. 8-15
Fuses ....................................................................................... 8-16 Motor compartment ...................................................... 8-16
Passenger compartment ............................................. 8-17
Intelligent Key battery replacement .................................. 8-18
Lights ....................................................................................... 8-20 Headlights ....................................................................... 8-21Exterior and interior lights ........................................... 8-22
Wheels and tires .................................................................. 8-25 Tire pressure .................................................................. 8-25
Tire labeling .................................................................... 8-28
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-30
Tire chains ...................................................................... 8-31
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-32
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ........................... 8-34

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.