battery location NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Owners Manual

NOTE:
If the outside temperature is 13°F
(25°C) or less, the Li-ion battery may
freeze and it cannot be charged or provide
power to run the vehicle. Move the vehicle
to a warm location.
The capacity of the Li-ion battery in your
vehicle to hold a charge will, like all such
batteries, decrease with time and usage.
As the battery ages and capacity de-
creases, this will result in a decrease from
the vehicle’s initial mileage range. This is
normal, expected, and not indicative of
any defect in your Li-ion battery. NISSAN
estimates that battery capacity will be ap-
proximately 80% of original capacity after
five years, although this is only an esti-
mate, and this percentage may vary (and
could be significantly lower) depending
on individual vehicle and Li-ion battery
usage.
The Li-ion battery has limited service life,
and when its charging capacity falls be-
low a specific level, the EV system warn-
ing light will illuminate. Owners should
bring their vehicle in for inspection and
possible battery replacement.
The Li-ion battery has a limited service
life. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for information about recycling or
disposal of the Li-ion battery. Do not at-
tempt to recycle or dispose of the Li-ion
battery yourself.
DRIVING WITH A DISCHARGED
LI-ION BATTERY
When a destination is set in the navigation sys-
tem that exceeds the available vehicle range, the
navigation system automatically searches the lo-
cation of nearby charging stations. When the
nearby charging station locations are displayed,
charge the Li-ion battery as soon as possible
(models with navigation system) .
Warning lights illuminate on the instrument panel
and messages are displayed on the dot matrix
liquid crystal display to inform you that the Li-ion
battery charge is low. Instructions are also dis-
played on the navigation system screen to direct
you to nearby charging stations (models with
navigation system) .
The vehicle’s range is very limited when these
warning lights illuminate and messages are dis-
played. Follow the instructions on the navigation
screen (models with navigation system) and im- mediately charge the vehicle at the nearest
charging station.
EV OverviewEV-3

There are three levels of information that will be
displayed as the Li-ion battery becomes dis-
charged:
1. The following warning lights illuminate on theinstrument panel and messages are displayed
on the dot matrix liquid crystal system screen
display at the same time to indicate low Li-ion
battery charge:
The low battery charge warning light
The master warning light
“Li-ion battery level is Low” warning message is displayed on the dot matrix liquid crystal
display
See 16. Li-ion battery low charge warning 
in the Instruments and controls section.
Messages are displayed on navigation sys- tem screen (if so equipped)
See Low battery warning in theInstru-
ments and controls section. The driving range flashes
1.
NOTE:
Due to traffic conditions, it may be diffi-
cult to get to the charging station sug-
gested by the navigation system. If the
Li-ion battery is almost completely dis-
charged, drive directly to the nearest
charging station (models with naviga-
tion system) . 2. If the vehicle is driven and the Li-ion battery
continues to discharge, the driving range on
the instrument panel changes to “---”2.
Messages are displayed on the Navigation
System screen (if so equipped) . For more
information, see “Low battery warning” in the
“Instruments and controls” section.
3. When the power limitation indicator light
illuminates, traction motor output is lim-
ited resulting in reduced vehicle speed. Stop
the vehicle in a safe location before the Li-ion
battery becomes completely discharged and
EV-4EV Overview

WARNING
In case of a collision:
If your vehicle is drivable, pull your vehicle off the road, push the P (Park)
position switch on the selector lever,
apply the parking brake and turn the
EV (Electric Vehicle) system off.
Check your vehicle to see if there are exposed high-voltage parts or cables.
For their locations, see High voltage
components
. To avoid personal injury,
never touch high-voltage wiring, con-
nectors, and other high-voltage parts,
such as inverter unit and Li-ion battery.
An electric shock may occur if exposed
electric wires are visible when viewed
from inside or outside of your vehicle.
Therefore, never touch exposed elec-
tric wires.
If the vehicle receives a strong impact to the floor while driving, stop the ve-
hicle in a safe location and check the
floor. Leaks or damage to the Li-ion battery
may result in a fire. If you discover
them, contact emergency services im-
mediately. Since the fluid leak may be
lithium manganate from the Li-ion bat-
tery, never touch the fluid leak inside
or outside the vehicle. If the fluid con-
tacts your skin or eyes, wash it off
immediately with a large amount of
water and receive immediate medical
attention to help avoid serious injury.
If a fire occurs in the EV (Electric Ve- hicle) , leave the vehicle as soon as
possible. Only use a type ABC, BC or C
fire extinguisher that is meant for use
on electrical fires. Using a small
amount of water or the incorrect fire
extinguisher can result in serious in-
jury or death from electrical shock.
If your vehicle needs to be towed, do it with the front wheels raised. If the
front wheels are on the ground when
towing, the traction motor may gener-
ate electricity. This may damage the
components of the EV (Electric Ve-
hicle) system and cause a fire. If you are not able to safely assess the
vehicle due to vehicle damage, do not
touch the vehicle. Leave the vehicle
and contact emergency services. Ad-
vise 1st responders that this is an elec-
tric vehicle.
In the event of an accident that re- quires body repair and painting, the
vehicle should be delivered to a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to have
the Li-ion battery pack and high volt-
age parts such as the inverter, includ-
ing the wiring harness, removed prior
to painting. Li-ion battery packs ex-
posed to heat in the paint booth will
experience capacity loss. Damaged Li-
ion battery packs may also pose safety
risks to untrained mechanics and re-
pair personnel.
ROAD ACCIDENT PRECAUTIONS
EV-8EV Overview

Release the accelerator pedal to slow downand do not apply the brakes when traffic and
road conditions allow. – This vehicle is equipped with a regenerative brake system. The primary purpose of re-
generative brake system is to provide some
power to recharge the Li-ion battery and
extend driving range. A secondary benefit is
“engine braking” that operates based on
Li-ion battery conditions. In the D (Drive)
position, when the accelerator is released,
the regenerative brake system provides
some deceleration and some power to the
Li-ion battery.
LI-ION BATTERY LIFE
The Li-ion battery’s ability to hold a charge, like all
batteries, decreases with battery age and usage
which results in decreased vehicle range when
compared to the vehicle range when the vehicle
was new. This is normal and expected, and does
not indicate a malfunction of the vehicle or Li-ion
battery.
The Li-ion battery’s ability to hold a charge can be
affected by how you drive the vehicle, store the
vehicle, how you charge the Li-ion battery and
Li-ion battery temperature during vehicle opera-
tion and charging. To maximize vehicle range, NISSAN recom-
mends using the default setting, long distance
mode (100% charge) . To maximize the battery’s
useful life, use the following driving and charging
habits where possible:
Avoid exposing a vehicle to extreme ambient
temperatures for extended periods.
Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures below 13°F (25°C) for over 7 days.
Avoid leaving your vehicle for over 14 days where the Li-ion battery available charge gauge
reaches a zero or near zero (state of charge) .
Allow the vehicle and Li-ion battery to cool down after use before charging.
Park/store your vehicle in cool locations out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
Avoid sustained high battery temperatures (caused, for example, by exposure to very high
ambient temperatures or extending highway
driving with multiple quick charges) .
Use the normal charging or trickle charging methods to charge the Li-ion battery and mini-
mize the use of public Fast Charge or Quick
Charger.
Avoid sustained high battery state of charge (caused, for example, by frequently charging to
100% state of charge and/or leaving the battery above 80% state of charge for long periods of
time) .
Allow the battery charge to be below at least 80% before charging.
Moderate driving.
Use of ECO mode.
If the vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time, charge the Li-ion battery using
the long life mode once every 3 months. Do not
operate the charging timer repeatedly while the
charge connector is connected to the vehicle
after the Li-ion battery charging is completed.
Doing so may discharge the 12-volt battery.
The power of the Li-ion battery can be
checked on the Li-ion battery available charge
gauge. See Li-ion battery available charge
gauge in theInstruments and controls for
details.
LI-ION BATTERY MAINTENANCE
In addition to the regular maintenance recom-
mended by NISSAN, the LEAF requires some
special Li-ion battery inspections.
See the NISSAN Warranty Information Booklet for significant limitations, exclusions and pos-
sible voiding of your warranty resulting from
EV-24EV Overview

Pass the lower side belt of the EVSE
(Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
case securely through the fastener on
the bottom of the luggage board. If the
case suddenly becomes loose, it may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the charging
equipment:
– Do not close the charge port lid
without closing the cap.
– Do not subject the charging equip- ment to impact.
– Do not pull or twist the charge cable.
– Do not drag the charge cable. – Do not store and use charging
equipment in locations where the
temperature is over 185°F (85°C) .
– Do not place the charging equip- ment close to a heater or other heat
source.
Make sure the cap is closed on the charge port when charging is finished.
If the charge port lid is closed when
the cap is open, water or foreign mate-
rials may enter the charge port.
Do not charge when a vehicle body cover is in use. This may cause dam-
age to the charge connector.
Do not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12-volt battery at the same time
that the Li-ion battery is being
charged. Doing so may damage the
vehicle or charging equipment and
could cause an injury. See Jump start-
ing in the In case of emergencysec-
tion. Trickle charging is performed using
the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply
Equipment) provided with the vehicle.
NISSAN recommends using an AC 110
- 120 volt, 15A, dedicated electrical
circuit and outlet. The dedicated cir-
cuit is used to help prevent circuit
damage or the circuit breaker from
tripping due to the high draw of charg-
ing the Li-ion battery. If the dedicated
circuit is not used, the circuit may
cause adverse interference on MCB
(Moulded Circuit Board) and house-
hold electrical appliances such as
televisions and audio systems. If the
circuit is shared, and another electrical
device is being used at the same time
the vehicle is charging, the breaker
may trip. A licensed professional elec-
trician should install a dedicated cir-
cuit if one is not already available.
ChargingCH-3

working with state, municipalities utility compa-
nies and others to assist in the preparation of
markets and infrastructure, but makes no repre-
sentations that public charging stations will be
available in locations where you wish to operate
the vehicle, nor can NISSAN predict the period of
time it may take for public charging infrastructure
to be developed in your area. Depending on
where you live or drive, there may not be sufficient
public charging stations available to meet your
particular needs for driving range and charging
away from your home. Trip planning is therefore
important, and you should plan trips with these
facts in mind.
Quick charge uses public charging stations (up
to 50 kW of power) .
The time needed to charge the Li-ion battery from
discharged (low battery charge warning light illu-
minated) to 80% charged using the a quick char-
ger depends on many factors including the Li-ion
battery temperature and the type of quick charger
used.
It may take more time to charge the Li-ion battery
using the quick charger if the vehicle is parked in
a cold location (for example below 32°F (0°C))
for a long time.The Li-ion battery temperature gauge can be
used to estimate the approximate time needed to
charge the Li-ion battery to 80%.
Li-ion battery tempera-
ture gauge Estimated charge
time
A3 or fewer seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 90 minutes
B4-5 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-90
minutes
C6-7 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30
minutes
D8-9 segments illu-
minatedApproximately 30-60
minutes
Li-ion battery tempera-
ture gauge Estimated charge
time
A3 or fewer seg-
ments illuminated More than approxi-
mately 90 minutes
E10 or more seg-
ments illuminatedMore than approxi-
mately 60 minutes
NOTE:
Charging time is typically limited to 60 min-
utes when using a quick charger. Press the
start switch on the quick charger after it
stops if additional charge time is necessary
to reach an 80% charge.
See
How to quick charge.
Power Limitation Mode
This mode protects the health and operation of
the vehicle’s Li-ion battery. This mode operates in
certain extreme conditions (heat, cold, low state
of charge) . Power available to vehicle systems,
including its traction motor, is limited resulting in
limited performance, acceleration and top speed.
Charging may be automatically terminated, espe-
cially with repeated quick charging in extreme hot
weather.
CH-8Charging

SymptomPossible cause Possible solution
Charging timer cannot be
performed. The charge cable is not connected. Connect the charge cable.
The time on the clock is wrong. The charging timer function does not start charging based on the clock located on the upper dis-
play. Confirm that the date and time shown on the charging timer screen are the same as the GPS
time and date. If the 12-volt battery is discharged or if the Li-ion battery is disconnected, the time
setting must be updated. There must be a GPS signal to adjust the timer setting clock.
The immediate charge switch has been pushed. Charging timer does not operate when immediate charge is selected.
Charging timer has not been set. Set the charging timer schedule. See
Charging timer
.
Charging does not start because the charging
timer start time and end time are set and the cur-
rent time is before the set start time.
Confirm when the charging timer time is set to start charging. Change the charging timer setting to the
desired charge time or press the immediate charge button. See Charging timer
.
Charging does not start because only the charg-
ing timer start time is set and the current time is
after the set start time.
Charging does not start because only the charg-
ing timer end time is set and the current time is
after the set end time.
Charging does not start because the charge
amount has been set to 80% and the Li-ion bat-
tery is already charged to more than 80%. When the charge percentage in the charging timer is set to 80%, the Li-ion battery cannot be
charged more than 80%. Confirm the charge percentage set in the charging timer. Change the
charging percentage to the desired charge setting.
Remote charge cannot be performed. The charge cable is not connected.
Connect the charge cable beforehand.
Communication with the vehicle cannot be
established. Confirm that there is a cellular signal in your location. Remote charge cannot be started unless the
web enabled smart phone can connect to the internet.
Confirm that there is a cellular signal at the vehicle location.
If the power switch is in the OFF position for more than 2 weeks, the remote charge function can no
longer be used until power switch is in ON position.
ChargingCH-39

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

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

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