NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Owners Manual

When adding or replacing coolant, besure to use only a Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to 34°F (37°C) . If additional
freeze protection is needed due to the
weather conditions where you operate
your vehicle, add Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
concentrate following the directions
on the container. If and equivalent
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufac-
ture’s instructions to maintain mini-
mum antifreeze protection to 34°F
(37°C) . The use of other types of
coolant solutions other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) or equivalent may damage the
cooling system. The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 125,000 miles (200,000 km)
or 15 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) ,
including Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green) , or the use
of non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of the factory-filled
coolant. Refer to the NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide for more de-
tails.
CHECKING COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the high voltage parts are cold. If the coolant
level is below the MIN level
2, open the reservoir
cap and add coolant up to the MAX level
1.If
the reservoir is empty, check the coolant level in
the coolant tank when the high voltage parts
are cold. If there is insufficient coolant in the
coolant tank, fill the coolant tank with coolant up
to the reservoir cap opening and also add it to the
reservoir up to the MAX level
1.
Tighten the cap securely after adding coolant.
8-8Maintenance and do-it yourself

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer.
CHANGING COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be per-
formed by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the appropri-
ate NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance.
WARNING
To avoid the danger of being scalded, never change the coolant when the
motor compartment is hot.
Never remove the coolant tank cap when the motor compartment is hot.
Serious burns could be caused by
high-pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator.
Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
Keep coolant out of reach of children and pets. Coolant must be disposed of properly. Check
your local regulations.
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
servicing.
CAUTION
Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic Fluid S. Do not mix with other fluids.
Using reduction gear fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic Fluid S will
damage the reduction gear, which is
not covered by the NISSAN new ve-
hicle limited warranty.
REDUCTION GEAR FLUID
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-9

For additional brake fluid information, seeCa-
pacities and recommended lubricants in the
Technical and consumer information section of
this manual.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con- tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system.
The use of improper fluids can damage
the brake system, and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
Clean the filler cap before removing.
Brake fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in marked containers
out of the reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is
below the MIN line
1or the brake warning light
illuminates, add Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy
Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3fluid up to
the MAX line
2. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. Except for Canada
To check the fluid level, use your finger to plug the
center hole
1of the cap/tube assembly, then
remove it from the reservoir. If there is no fluid in
the tube, add fluid.
For Canada
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Add window washer fluid when the low washer
fluid warning appears on the dot matrix liquid
crystal display. (See 9. Low washer warning (if
so equipped) in theInstruments and controls
section.)
BRAKE FLUID WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-10Maintenance and do-it yourself

To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift the
cap and pour the window washer fluid into the
reservoir opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of win-
dow washer fluid.
Recommended fluid:
Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concen-
trate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
CAUTION
Do not substitute anti-freeze coolant for window washer solution. This may
result in damage to the paint.
Do not fill the window washer reservoir tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank. Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer’s rec-
ommended levels before pouring the
fluid into the window washer reservoir
tank. Do not use the window washer
reservoir tank to mix the washer fluid
concentrate and water. Keep the 12-volt battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the 12-volt battery with a solution of
baking soda and water.
Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electronic ac- cessories that consume battery power when
the engine is not running (Phone chargers,
GPS, DVD players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
WARNING
Do not expose the 12-volt battery to flames or electrical sparks. Hydrogen
gas generated by the 12-volt battery is
explosive. Do not allow 12-volt battery
fluid to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics
or painted surfaces. After touching a
12-volt battery or 12-volt battery cap,
12-VOLT BATTERY
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-11

do not touch or rub your eyes. Thor-
oughly wash your hands. If the acid
contacts your eyes, skin or clothing,
immediately flush with water for at
least 15 minutes and seek medical at-
tention.
Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in the 12-volt battery is low. Low 12-
volt battery fluid can cause a higher
load on the 12-volt battery which can
generate heat, reduce battery life, and
in some cases lead to an explosion.
When working on or near a 12-volt battery, always wear suitable eye pro-
tection and remove all jewelry.
12-volt battery posts, terminals and re- lated accessories contain lead and
lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.
Keep the 12-volt battery out of the reach of children. Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the UPPER LEVEL
1and LOWER
LEVEL
2lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level to the indicator in each
filler opening. Do not overfill. 1. Remove the cell plugs
A.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
1line.
If the side of the 12-volt battery is not clear,
check the distilled water level by looking di-
rectly above the cell; the condition
1indi-
cates OK and the condition
2needs more to
be added.
3. Tighten cell plugs
A.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
12-volt battery fluid level.
8-12Maintenance and do-it yourself

JUMP STARTING
Jump starting provides power to the 12 volt sys-
tem to allow the electrical systems to operate.
The electrical systems must be operating to allow
the Li-ion battery to be charged. Jump starting
does not charge the Li-ion battery. The Li-ion
battery must be charged before the vehicle can
be driven.
If jump starting is necessary, seeJump starting
in the In case of emergency section. If the
power switch does not switch to READY to drive
position by jump starting, the 12-volt battery may
have to be replaced. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a washer
solution or a mild detergent. Your windshield is
clean if beads do not form when rinsing with clear
water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth soaked
in a washer solution or a mild detergent. Then
rinse the blade with clear water. If your windshield
is still not clear after cleaning the blades and
using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can dam-
age the windshield and impair driver vi-
sion.
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
Pulling up the wiper arm
The wiper arm should be in the up position when
replacing the wiper. Pull up the wiper arm manually or using the wiper
rise-up function.
Wiper rise-up function:
To pull up the wiper arm, pull the lever
1within
one minute after the power switch is turned off.
The wiper operation stops in mid-operation and
wiper arm can be pulled up.
To lower the wiper arm, place the wiper arm in the
down position and then push the lever
2up
once after the power switch is turned on.
Type A
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-13

CAUTION
Do not operate the windshield wiper
while arm is pulled up. The wiper arm or
hood may be damaged.
Replacing
1. Push the release tabA, and move the wiper
blade down the wiper arm
1while pushing
the release tab to remove.
2. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until a click sounds.
3. Rotate the wiper blade so that the dimple is in the groove.
CAUTION
After wiper blade replacement, return the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when
the hood is opened.
Make sure the wiper blades contact the glass; otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure. Be careful not to clog the washer nozzle
A. This
may cause improper windshield washer opera-
tion. If the nozzle is clogged, remove any objects
with a needle or small pin
B. Be careful not to
damage the nozzle.
8-14Maintenance and do-it yourself

Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer if
checking or replacement is required.If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer.
WARNING
Do not adjust the height of the brake
pedal. Doing so could alter the effective-
ness of the brakes, which could result in
a serious accident and personal injury. If
adjustment is required, contact a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
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 wear warning sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed. For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide.
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE BRAKES
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-15

MOTOR COMPARTMENT
WARNING
Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high-voltage parts and
cables, as well as their connectors.
High-voltage cables are colored or-
ange. Touching, disassembling, re-
moving or replacing those parts and
cables can cause severe burns or elec-
tric shock that may result in serious
injury or death.
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire. If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Confirm that the power switch and the head-
light switch are turned off.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by pushing the tab
1and lifting the cover from
the right side
2, and then the left side3.
4. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
5. Remove the fuse using the fuse puller located in the passenger compartment fuse box.
FUSES
8-16Maintenance and do-it yourself

6. If the fuse is openA, replace it with a new
fuse
B.
7. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked, and if necessary, repaired by
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not operate and
the fuses are in good condition, check the fusible
links in the holders
1,2and3. If any of these
fusible links are melted, replace only with genuine
NISSAN parts. For checking and replacing the fusible links in the
holders
1,2and3, contact a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-17