NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Owners Manual

12-volt battery charge warning lightLow tire pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator light
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning lightMaster warning light (red/yellow)Plug in indicator light
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning lightPower steering warning lightPower limitation indicator light
BRAKE system warning light (yellow)Seat belt warning lightREADY to drive indicator light
BRAKE warning light (red)Supplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
Electric shift control system warning lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
EV system warning lightExterior light indicatorVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indicator
light
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-12Instruments and controls

Headlight warning lightFront fog light indicator light (if so equipped)
Low battery charge warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake,
and push the power switch in the ON position.
The following lights will illuminate (if so
equipped):
,or,,
The following lights illuminate briefly and then
turn off:
(yellow) ,,or(red) ,
or,,,,,,
,
If any light does not illuminate, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the electri-
cal system. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Some indicators and warnings are also displayed
on the dot matrix crystal display in the lower
display. (SeeDot matrix liquid crystal display.)
WARNING LIGHTS
12-volt battery charge
warning light
The DC/DC converter converts 400 volt Li-ion
battery voltage to charge the 12-volt battery.
This light illuminates continuously after the bulb is
checked when the power switch is in the ON
position, and turns off when the power switch is
placed in the READY to drive position.
When this warning light illuminates, a chime
sounds and the following warnings are also dis-
played.
Master warning (red)
EV system warning light
The following messages also flash on and off on
the dot matrix liquid crystal display.
If the vehicle is being driven: “Stop the vehicle”
and if the vehicle is stopped: “When parked apply parking brake”. When these messages flash, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe location, pull
the parking brake switch and push the P (Park)
position switch on the selector lever to place the
vehicle in the P (Park) position. The warning on
the meter and the chime stop when the parking
brake is operated or the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for support.
CAUTION
The DC/DC converter system may not be functioning properly if the 12-volt
battery charge warning light illumi-
nates continuously when the power
switch is in the READY to drive posi-
tion. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe location and contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
Instruments and controls2-13

If the 12-volt warning light illuminatescontinuously when the power switch is
in the READY to drive position. Do not
charge the 12-volt battery while this
warning light is illuminated. It may
lead to a malfunction of the DC/DC
converter system. Contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
NOTE:
If the vehicle does not go into the READY
to drive position (when the power switch
is pushed with the brake pedal is de-
pressed) , jump-start the vehicle to place
the power switch in the READY to drive
position. See Jump starting in theIn
case of emergency section.
Do not jump-start the vehicle and contact
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for in-
spection: – If the 12-volt charge warning light turns off when the vehicle is in the
READY to drive mode, the 12-volt bat-
tery may be discharged or there may
be a malfunction in the 12-volt battery
related system. – If the 12-volt charge warning light con-
tinues to illuminate when the vehicle is
in the READY to drive mode, there may
be a malfunction in the DC/DC con-
verter. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for inspection.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the power switch is in the ON or READY to
drive position, the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then turns off.
This indicates the ABS is operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
power switch is in READY to drive position, or
while driving, it may indicate the ABS is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. (See
Brake system in theStarting and driving sec-
tion.)
Approaching Vehicle Sound
for Pedestrians (VSP) system
warning light
The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system warning light is located on the
instrument panel.
This light comes on if there is a malfunction in the
VSP system.
If the VSP system warning light illuminates while
the power switch is in ON position, or in the
READY to drive position, it may indicate the VSP
system is not functioning properly. Have the sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
See Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestri-
ans (VSP) in theEV overview section.
BRAKE system warning light
(yellow)
This light functions for both the cooperative re-
generative brake and the electronically driven
intelligent brake systems. When the power
switch is placed in the ON position or in the
READY to drive position, the light remains illumi-
nated for about 2 or 3 seconds. If the light illumi-
nates at any other time, it may indicate that the
2-14Instruments and controls

cooperative regenerative brake and/or the elec-
tronically driven intelligent brake systems are not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. If the BRAKE
warning light (red) also illuminates, stop the ve-
hicle immediately and contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer. For additional information, see
Brakesin theStarting and driving section.
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 re-
quire 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 at a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The cooperative regenerative brake
system may not be working properly if
the brake system warning light illumi-
nates when the READY to drive indica-
tor 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.orBRAKE warning
light (red)
When the power switch is placed in the ON
position or in the READY to drive position, the
light remains illuminated for about a few seconds.
If the light illuminates at any other time, it may
indicate that the hydraulic brake system is not
functioning properly. If the BRAKE warning light
illuminates, stop the vehicle immediately and
contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the parking
brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the power switch is in the ON position, the
light warns of a low brake fluid level. If this warn- ing light illuminates, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) warning light and the brake system warn-
ing light (yellow) also illuminate.
If the light illuminates while the power switch is in
the READY to drive position with the parking
brake not applied, stop the vehicle and perform
the following items.
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brake fluid is
necessary, add fluid and have the system
checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
See Brake fluid in theMaintenance and
do-it-yourself section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer.
WARNING
Your brake system may not be working properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge
the brake system to be safe, drive
carefully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could be
dangerous.
Instruments and controls2-15

Pressing the brake pedal when thepower 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 re-
quire 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 at a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Electric shift control system
warning light
This light illuminates to warn when a malfunction
occurs in the electric shift control system. When
the master warning illuminates, the chime sounds
and the message, “When parked apply parking
brake”, is displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display.
When the power switch is in the OFF position,
the chime sounds continuously. Make sure the
parking brake is applied.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
EV system warning
light
This light illuminates if there is a malfunction in the
following systems. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
Traction motor and inverter system
Charge port or on board charger
Li-ion battery system
Cooling system
Shift control system
Emergency shut off system is activated. See
Emergency shut off system in theEV over-
view section.
Headlight warning
light
This light illuminates if the LED headlights are
malfunctioning. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
Low battery charge warning
light
This light illuminates when the available Li-ion
battery charge is getting low. Charge as soon as
it is possible, preferably before the Li-ion battery
available charge gauge reaches the bottom line.
NOTE:
The low battery charge warning light turns
off immediately before the Li-ion battery is
completely discharged and the vehicle will
stop. If the Li-ion battery becomes com-
pletely discharged, the vehicle must be
charged in order to be driven.
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors 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.
After the power switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion, this light illuminates for about 1 second and
then turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-
sure, the warning light will illuminate. A CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning also appears on the
dot matrix liquid crystal display.
2-16Instruments and controls

When the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates, you should stop and adjust the tire pres-
sure to the recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Information label.
The low tire pressure warning light does not
automatically turn off when the tire pressure is
adjusted. After the tire is inflated to the recom-
mended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate the
TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning
light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire
pressure.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning appears
each time the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position as long as the low tire pressure warning
light remains illuminated.
For additional information, seeDot Matrix Liquid
Crystal Display in theInstruments and Con-
trols section and Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem (TPMS) in theStarting and driving section
and In case of emergency section.
TPMS malfunction:
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the low
tire pressure warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute when the power switch is placed
in the ON position. The light will remain on after
the 1 minute. Have the system checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE warning does not appear if the low
tire pressure warning light illuminates to indicate
a TPMS malfunction.
For additional information, see
Dot matrix liquid
crystal display andTire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) in theStarting and driving
section.
WARNING
Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those
who use a pacemaker should contact
the electric medical equipment manu-
facturer for the possible influences be-
fore use.
If the light does not illuminate when the power switch is placed in the ON
position, have the vehicle checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon
as possible.
If the light illuminates while driving, avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Driving with under-inflated tires may
permanently damage the tires and in-
crease 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 pressure for all four tires. Ad-
just the tire pressure to the recom-
mended 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 pres-
sure warning light will flash for ap-
proximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Contact your
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon
as possible for tire replacement
and/or system resetting.
Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
CAUTION
The TPMS is not a substitute for the regular tire pressure check. Be sure to
check the tire pressure regularly.
Instruments and controls2-17

If the vehicle is being driven at speedsof less than 16 MPH (25 km/h) , the
TPMS may not operate correctly.
Be sure to install the specified size of tires to the four wheels correctly.
Master warning light
(red/yellow)
There are two types of master warning lights:
yellow and red. These lights illuminate if any
warning lights or indicator lights are illuminated or
if various vehicle information warnings appear in
the dot matrix liquid crystal display.
Yellow master warning light:
The yellow master warning light is located on the
upper display.
This light illuminates when a yellow warning light
on the lower display is illuminated or when a
message is displayed on the dot matrix liquid
crystal display.
Red master warning light:
The red master warning light is located on the
upper display.
This light illuminates when a red warning light on
the lower display is illuminated or when a warning is displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal dis-
play.
Power steering warning
light
When the power switch is in the ON position, the
electric power steering warning light illuminates
and turn off when the power switch is placed in
the READY to drive position. This indicates the
electric power steering system is operational.
If the electric power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the READY to drive indicator light is
ON, it may indicate the electric power steering
system is not functioning properly and may need
servicing. Have the electric power steering sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
When the electric power steering warning light
illuminates while the READY to drive indicator is
ON, the power assist to the steering will cease
operation but you will still have control of the
vehicle. At this time, greater steering efforts are
required to operate the steering wheel, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
See
Power steering system in theStarting and
driving section.
Seat belt warning
light
The light and chime remind you to fasten seat
belts. The light illuminates whenever the power
switch is placed in the ON position, and will
remain illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is
fastened. At the same time, the chime will sound
for approximately 6 seconds unless the driver’s
seat belt is securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light for the front passenger
will illuminate if the seat belt is not fastened when
the front passenger’s seat is occupied. The front
passenger seat belt warning light does not acti-
vate until 5 seconds after the power switch is in
the ON position.
SeeSeat belts in theSafety — Seats seat belts
and supplemental restraint system section for
precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
After turning the power switch to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light will
illuminate. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the supple-
mental front air bag and supplemental side air
2-18Instruments and controls

bag, curtain side-impact air bag systems and/or
pretensioner seat belt are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and preten-
sioner systems need servicing and your vehicle
must be taken to your nearest NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
The supplemental air bag warning light remainson after approximately 7 seconds.
The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
The supplemental air bag warning light does not illuminate at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemental
Restraint Systems and/or the pretensioners may
not function properly.
For additional information, see Supplemental re-
straint system in theSafety — Seats seat belts
and supplemental restraint system section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag and/or pre-
tensioner systems will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon as
possible.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) warning light
The light will blink when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) system is operating, thus alerting
the driver that the vehicle is nearing its traction
limits. The road surface may be slippery.
When the VDC warning light illuminates with
VDC system turned on, this light alerts the driver
to the fact that the VDC system’s fail-safe mode
is operating, for example the VDC system may
not be functioning properly. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. If a
malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC sys-
tem function will be canceled but the vehicle is
still driveable. For additional information, see
Ve-
hicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system in the5
Starting and driving of this manual.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Exterior light
indicator
This indicator illuminates when the headlight
switch is turned to the AUTO (if so equipped) ,
orposition and the front parking
lights, side maker lights, tail and license plate
lights are on. The indicator turns off when these
lights are turned off.
Front fog light indicator light (if
so equipped)
The front fog light indicator light illuminates when
the front fog lights are on. See Fog light switch (if
so equipped).
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 will be turned
OFF depending on how the front passenger seat
is being used.
For front passenger air bag status light operation,
see NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System (front
seats) in theSafety — Seats seat belts and
supplemental restraint system section of this
manual.
Instruments and controls2-19

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
This light illuminates while charge connector is
connected to the vehicle and blinks during charg-
ing.
NOTE:
If the charge connector is connected to the
vehicle, the power switch can not be placed
in the READY to drive position.
Power limitation indicator light
When the power limitation indicator light is illu-
minated, the power provided to the traction motor
is reduced. Therefore the vehicle is not as re-
sponsive when the accelerator is depressed
while the power limitation light is illuminated.
When this light comes on, the warning display
appears on the navigation display and the dot
matrix liquid crystal display. Follow the instruc-
tions provided on the navigation display.This light illuminates in the following conditions.
Li-ion battery available charge is extremely low
Li-ion battery temperature is very low (approxi-
mately 4°F (20°C)
When the temperature of EV system is high (motor, inverter, coolant system, Li-ion battery
etc.)
When the EV system has a malfunction.
If the low battery charge warning light is illumi-
nated, charge the Li-ion battery as soon as pos-
sible.
If this indicator illuminates because the Li-ion
battery is cold due to low outside temperatures,
move the vehicle to a warmer location. The Li-ion
battery temperature may be increased by charg-
ing the Li-ion battery.
If the light illuminates when the EV system be-
comes hot due to continuous hill climbing either
continue driving at a slower safe speed, or stop
the vehicle in a safe location. If this indicator does
not turn off, contact a NISSAN certified dealer.
If the indicator illuminate when a part in the EV
system has malfunctioned. If the indicator illumi-
nates in a situation other than those described
above, or if it does not turn off, there may be a system malfunction. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
WARNING
Power limitation mode can result in re-
duced power and vehicle speed. The re-
duced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the
road in a safe area. Charge the Li-ion
battery if the charge is low or allow the
Li-ion battery to cool.
READY to drive indicator
light
The READY to drive indicator light illuminates
when the EV (Electric Vehicle) System is pow-
ered and the vehicle may be driven.
The READY to drive indicator light will turn off in
the following conditions.
Certain EV (Electric Vehicle) system malfunc- tions.
The READY to drive indicator light turns off immediately before the Li-ion battery is com-
pletely discharged If the Li-ion battery becomes
completely discharged, the vehicle must be
2-20Instruments and controls

charged in order to be driven. SeeLow battery
charge warning light.
Security indicator
light
This light blinks when the power switch is in the
ACC, OFF or LOCK position. This function indi-
cates the security system equipped on the ve-
hicle is operational.
If the security system is malfunctioning, this light
will remain on while the power switch is in the ON
position. For additional information, see Security
systems later in this section.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
This light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light
This light illuminates when the Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates that the VDC system is not operating.
SeeVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system in
the Starting and driving section.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a brake pad requires replacement, it will
make a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will first
occur only when the brake pedal is depressed.
After more wear of the brake pad, the sound will
always be heard even if the brake pedal is not
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the warning sound is heard.
Electric shift control system reminder
chime
If an improper shift operation is performed, for
safety reasons a chime will sound and at the
same time, depending on the conditions, the
operation will be cancelled or the shift position
will switch to the N position.
For more details, see Driving vehiclein the
Starting and driving section.
Key reminder chime
A chime will sound if the driver’s side door is
opened while the power switch is pushed to the
ON or ACC position. Make sure that the power switch is pushed to the
OFF position, and take the Intelligent Key with
you when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
The light reminder chime will sound when the
driver side door is opened with the light switch in
the
orposition, and the power
switch in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.
Turn the light switch off when you leave the
vehicle.
Parking brake reminder chime
A chime sounds if the parking brake is set and the
vehicle is driven. The chime will stop if the parking
brake is released or the vehicle speed returns to
zero.
Power switch reminder chime (if so
equipped)
The power switch reminder chime will sound
when the driver’s door is opened while the power
switch is in the ON or READY position. Push the
power switch to the OFF position.
Instruments and controls2-21