belt NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Repair Manual

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

Seat belt warning chime
The seat belt warning chime will sound for about
6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is securely
fastened.
12-volt battery charge warning chime
If the 12-volt battery charge warning light illumi-
nates, the chime will sound when a warning mes-
sage is displayed on the dot matrix crystal display
on the lower display.
When the chime sounds, immediately stop the
vehicle in a safe location and push the P (Park)
position switch on the selector lever and apply
parking brake. The 12-volt battery charge warn-
ing light turns off on the lower display and the
chime will stop when the parking brake is applied
or the vehicle is placed in the P (Park) position.
Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for sup-
port. For details of the meter warnings, see12-
volt battery charge warning light. The dot matrix liquid crystal display
1is located
in the lower display, and it displays charging
related information, Average electricity
consumption/Instant electricity consumption, Av-
erage vehicle speed, Driving distance/Driving
time (Elapsed time) , shift position indicator, the
cruise control, the Intelligent Key operation infor-
mation and other warnings and information.
For details about the odometer, see Odometer/
twin trip odometer.
For details about the cruise control, see Cruise
control in theStarting and driving section.For the details about the NISSAN Intelligent
Key® system, see
NISSAN Intelligent Key® sys-
tem in the Pre-driving checks and adjustments
section.
DOT MATRIX LIQUID CRYSTAL
DISPLAY
2-22Instruments and controls

Do not place the Intelligent Key nearan electric appliance such as a televi-
sion set, personal computer or cellular
phone.
Do not allow the Intelligent Key to come into contact with water or salt
water, and do not wash it in a washing
machine. This could affect the system
function.
If an Intelligent Key is lost or stolen,
NISSAN recommends erasing the ID
code of that Intelligent Key. This will pre-
vent the Intelligent Key from unauthor-
ized use to unlock the vehicle. For infor-
mation regarding the erasing procedure,
contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Mechanical key
To remove the mechanical key, release the lock
knob at the back of the Intelligent Key.
To install the mechanical key, firmly insert it into
the Intelligent Key until the lock knob returns to
the lock position.
Use the mechanical key to lock or unlock the
doors. See Doors.
CAUTION
Always carry the mechanical key in-
stalled in the Intelligent Key.
WARNING
Always have the doors locked while driving. Along with the use of seat
belts, this provides greater safety in
the event of an accident by helping to
prevent persons from being thrown
from the vehicle. This also helps keep
children and others from unintention-
ally opening the doors, and will help
keep out intruders.
Before opening any door, always look for and avoid oncoming traffic.
Do not leave children unattended in- side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls. Un-
attended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
DOORS
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-3

tire briefly to release pressure. When the pres-
sure reaches the designated pressure, the horn
beeps once.
If the hazard indicator does not flash within approximately 15 seconds after starting to in-
flate the tire, it indicates that the Easy Fill Tire
Alert is not operating.
The TPMS will not activate the Easy Fill Tire Alert under the following conditions: – If there is interference from an external de- vice or transmitter.
– The air pressure from the inflation device is not sufficient to inflate the tire such as those
using a power socket.
– If an electrical equipment is being used in or near the vehicle.
– There is a malfunction in the TPMS system.
– There is a malfunction in the horn or hazard indicators.
– If the Easy Fill Tire Alert does not operate due to TPMS interference, move the vehicle
about 3 ft (1 m) backward or forward and try
again.
If the Easy Fill Tire Alert is not working, use a tire
pressure gauge.AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss of
control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey all
traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed, high
speed cornering, or sudden steering maneuvers,
because these driving practices could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle.
As with any vehicle, a
loss of control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the vehicle to
rollover, particularly if the loss of control causes
the vehicle to slide sideways.
Be attentive at all
times, and avoid driving when tired. Never drive
when under the influence of alcohol or drugs (in-
cluding prescription or over-the-counter drugs
which may cause drowsiness) . Always wear your
seat belt as outlined in the
Seat beltsin the Safety
— Seats seat belts and supplemental restraint sys-
tem
 section of this manual, and also instruct your
passengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in colli-
sions and rollovers. In a rollover crash, an unbelted or improperly belted person is
significantly more likely to be injured or
killed than a person properly wearing a
seat belt.
OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
While driving, the right side or left side wheels
may unintentionally leave the road surface. If this
occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by follow-
ing the procedure below. Please note that this
procedure is only a general guide. The vehicle
must be driven as appropriate based on the con-
ditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Do not apply the brakes.
3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with
both hands and try to hold a straight course.
4. When appropriate, slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle to follow the road while the vehicle speed is
reduced. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle
back onto the road surface until vehicle speed
is reduced.
6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turn the steering wheel until both tires return to the
road surface. When all tires are on the road
Starting and driving5-5

4. Push the power switch while depressing thebrake pedal within 10 seconds after the
chime sounds. The power switch position
changes to READY to drive mode.
After step 3 is performed, if the power switch is
pushed without depressing the brake pedal, the
power switch position will change to ACC.
NOTE:
When the power switch is pushed to the
ACC or ON position or READY to drive
mode by the above procedure, the Intelli-
gent Key battery discharge indicator ap-
pears on the dot matrix liquid crystal dis-
play even if the Intelligent Key is inside
the vehicle. This is not a malfunction. To
stop the warning indicator from blinking,
touch the power switch with the Intelli-
gent Key again.
If the Intelligent Key system battery dis-
charge indicator appears on the dot ma-
trix liquid crystal display, replace the bat-
tery as soon as possible. See Intelligent
key battery replacement in theMainte-
nance and do-it-yourself section. Make sure that the area around the vehicle is
clear.
Check fluid levels such as coolant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible.
Check that all windows and lights are clean.
Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper inflation.
Check that all doors are closed.
Position the seat and adjust the head restraints.
Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise.
Check the operation of the warning lights when the power switch is pushed to the ON position.
(See Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders in theInstruments and controls sec-
tion.) 1. Confirm the parking brake is applied.
2. Confirm that the vehicle is in the P (Park)
position.
The EV (Electric Vehicle) is designed not to
operate unless the shift lever is in the P (Park)
or N (Neutral) positions.
The Intelligent Key must be carried with
you when operating the power switch.
3. Depress the brake pedal and push the power switch to place the EV (Electric Vehicle) sys-
tem in the READY to drive position.
To place the vehicle in the READY to drive
position immediately, push and release the
power switch while depressing the brake
pedal with the power switch in any position.
The READY to drive indicator light
in the
meter illuminates.
4. To stop the EV (Electric Vehicle) system, push the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever,
and push the power switch to the OFF
position.
BEFORE STARTING THE EV
(ELECTRIC VEHICLE) SYSTEM STARTING THE EV (ELECTRIC
VEHICLE) SYSTEM
5-10Starting and driving

7 Appearance and care
Cleaning exterior...................... .7-2
Washing ......................... .7-2
Waxing .......................... .7-2
Removing spots ..................... .7-3
Underbody ........................ .7-3
Glass ........................... .7-3
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ...........7-3
Wheels .......................... .7-3
Chrome parts ...................... .7-4
Tire dressing ....................... .7-4
Cleaning interior ....................... .7-4Air fresheners
...................... .7-4
Floor mats ........................ .7-5
Seat belts ........................ .7-5
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) ......7-6
Corrosion protection .................... .7-6
Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion ......................... .7-6
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion ......................... .7-6
To protect your vehicle from corrosion .........7-7

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions before using air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING
To avoid potential pedal interference that
may result in a collision or injury:
NEVER place a floor mat on top of another floor mat in the driver front
position.
Use only genuine NISSAN floor mats specifically designed for use in your
vehicle model. See your NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer for more information.
Properly position the mats in the floor- well using the floor mat positioning
aid. See Floor mat positioning aid
(driver’s side only).
The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex-
tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior. Mats should be main-
tained with regular cleaning and replaced if they
become excessively worn.
Floor mat positioning aid (driver’s side
only)
This vehicle includes front floor mat brackets to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your ve-
hicle model. The driver’s side floor mat has grom-
met holes incorporated in it. Position the mat by
placing the floor mat bracket hook through the
floor mat grommet hole while centering the mat in
the floorwell.
Periodically check to make certain the mats are
properly positioned. The illustration shows the location of floor mat
brackets.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade
before using them.
See
Seat belts in theSafety-Seats seat belts
and supplemental restraint system section.
Bracket position
Appearance and care7-5

WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents to clean the seat belts,
since these materials may severely
weaken the seat belt webbing.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE SUPPLY
EQUIPMENT (EVSE)
The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
can be cleaned by wiping gently with a soft cloth
dampened in a 3% mild soap solution. Wipe and
rinse the soap solution off with a cloth dampened
with water and allow the EVSE to dry in a shady
and well-ventilated place.
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavities, and
other areas.
Damage to paint and other protective coatings caused by gravel and stone chips or minor
traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the ve-
hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion.
Wet floor coverings will not dry completely inside
the vehicle, and should be removed for drying to
avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing, where at-
mospheric pollution exists, or where road salt is
used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate of
corrosion to those parts which are not well ven-
tilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will accel-
erate the corrosion process. Road salt will also
accelerate the disintegration of paint surfaces.
CORROSION PROTECTION
7-6Appearance and care

Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing 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 suffi-
cient 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 (for serviceable 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.
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.
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 thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. For additional information, see Cleaning
exterior in theAppearance and care section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

The original tires have built-in treadwear indicators. When wear indicators
are visible, the tire(s) should be re-
placed.
Tires degrade with age and use. Have tires, over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician, because some
tire damage may not be obvious. Re-
place the tires as necessary to prevent
tire failure and possible personal in-
jury.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation 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 Specificationsin
the Technical and consumer information sec-
tion for recommended types and sizes of tires
and wheels.
WARNING
The use of tires other than those rec- ommended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of these
effects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal injury.
If your vehicle was originally equipped with 4 tires that were the same size
and you are only replacing 2 of the 4
tires, install the new tires on the rear
axle. Placing new tires on the front
axle may cause loss of vehicle control
in some driving conditions and cause
an accident and personal injury. If the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade
vehicle handling characteristics
and/or interference with the brake
discs. Such interference can lead to
decreased braking efficiency and/or
early brake pad/shoe wear. See
Wheels and tires in theTechnical
and consumer information
section of
this manual for wheel off-set dimen-
sions.
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.
Do not install a damaged or deformed wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could
have structural damage and could fail
without warning.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-33