tire size NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Owners Manual

Center of rear seat
Selecting correct set of seat belts:
The center seat belt buckle is identified by the
CENTER mark
A. The center seat belt tongue
can be fastened onlyinto the center seat belt
buckle.
SEAT BELT EXTENDERS
If, because of body size or driving position, it is
not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder belt
and fasten it, an extender that is compatible with
the installed seat belts is available that can be
purchased. The extender adds approximately 8 in (200 mm) of length and may be used for either
the driver or front passenger seating position.
See a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for assis-
tance with purchasing an extender if an extender
is required.
WARNING
Only NISSAN seat belt extenders, made by the same company which
made the original equipment seat
belts, should be used with NISSAN
seat belts.
Adults and children who can use the standard seat belt should not use an
extender. Such unnecessary use could
result in serious personal injury in the
event of an accident.
Never use seat belt extenders to install child restraints. If the child restraint is
not secured properly, the child could
be seriously injured in a collision or a
sudden stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a mild
soap solution or any solution recommended for
cleaning upholstery or carpets. Then wipe with
a cloth and allow the seat belts to dry in the
shade. Do not allow the seat belts to retract until
they are completely dry.
If dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide
of the seat belt anchors, the seat belts may
retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder belt guide with
a clean, dry cloth.
Periodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components, such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires and
anchors, work properly. If loose parts, deterio-
ration, cuts or other damage on the webbing is
found, the entire seat belt assembly should be
replaced.
1-14Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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

WARNING
Do not leave children or adults who would normally require the support of
others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent opera-
tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot, sunny
days, temperatures in a closed vehicle
could quickly become high enough to
cause severe or possibly fatal injuries
to people or animals.
Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher
than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop
or collision, unsecured cargo could
cause personal injury.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the ve-
hicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla- tion pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces power efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stop-
ping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the installation of replacement or alter-
nate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Additional information
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) .
Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop
in tire pressure (for example, a flat tire while
driving) .
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
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving

Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
holding effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes are re-
placed, in order to maintain optimum braking
performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle Ser-
vice Manual, and it can be performed by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a sophisticated device, but it cannot
prevent accidents resulting from care-
less or dangerous driving techniques.
It can help maintain vehicle control
during braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than
on normal surfaces even with ABS.
Stopping distances may also be longer
on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the driver is responsible for safety.
Tire type and condition may also affect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install thespecified size of tires on all four
wheels.
– For detailed information, see
Wheels and tires in theMainte-
nance and do-it-yourself section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you push the power
switch in the READY to drive position and move
the vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse.
When the self-test occurs, you may hear a
“clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Starting and driving5-21

The predicted charging time displayed on
the meter and navigation system in-
creases when the Li-ion battery warmer
operates.
Vehicle range may be substantially re-
duced in extremely cold conditions (for
example under -4°F (-20°C)) .
Using the climate control system to heat
the cabin when outside temperature is
below 32°F (0°C) uses more electricity and
affects vehicle range more than when us-
ing the heater when the temperature is
above 32°F (0°C) .
Climate control performance is reduced
when using the Climate Ctrl. Timer or Re-
mote Climate Control while the Li-ion bat-
tery warmer operates. Set only the charg-
ing timer [End Time] when charging in
cold weather. The vehicle automatically
determines when to start charging to fully
charge the Li-ion battery, even if the Li-ion
battery warmer operates. Charging ends
before the set end time if the Li-ion bat-
tery is fully charged.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply deicer
through the key hole. If the lock becomes frozen,
heat the key before inserting it into the key hole or
use the remote keyless entry keyfob.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is possible that the outside
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check
the antifreeze to ensure proper winter protection.
For additional information, see Cooling system
in the Maintenance and do-it-yourself section.
12-VOLT BATTERY
If the 12-volt battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the 12-volt
battery fluid may freeze and damage the 12-volt
battery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the 12-
volt battery should be checked regularly. For ad-
ditional information, see12-volt batteryin the
Maintenance and do-it-yourself section.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system. Refill before
operating the vehicle. For details, see Coolingsystem
in theMaintenance and do-it-yourself
section.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be sub-
stantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If
you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD & SNOW
or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels. Consult
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some U.S. states and
Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see Tire
chains in theMaintenance and do-it-yourself
section.
Starting and driving5-25

Tire and Loading Information label
1Seating capacity: The maximum number of
occupants that can be seated in the ve-
hicle.
2Vehicle load limit: See Vehicle loading in-
formation in theTechnical and consumer
information section.
3Original size: The size of the tires originally
installed on the vehicle at the factory.
4Cold tire pressure: Inflate the tires to this
pressure when the tires are cold. Tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3 or more hours, or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate
speeds. The recommended cold tire infla-
tion is set by the manufacturer to provide
the best balance of tire wear, vehicle han-
dling, driveability, tire noise, etc., up to the
vehicle’s GVWR.
5Tire size — see Tire labeling.
6Spare tire size or compact spare tire size (if
so equipped)
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-27

Checking tire pressure
1. Remove the valve stem cap from the tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge securely onto thevalve stem. Do not press too hard or force the
valve stem sideways, otherwise air will es-
cape. If the hissing sound of air escaping from
the tire is heard while checking the pressure,
reposition the gauge to eliminate this leakage.
3. Remove the gauge.
4. Read the tire pressure on the gauge stem and compare it to the specification shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. 5. Add air to the tire as necessary. If too much air
is added, press the core of the valve stem
briefly with the tip of the gauge stem to re-
lease pressure. Recheck the pressure and
add or release air as necessary.
6. Install the valve stem cap.
7. Check the pressure of all of the tires.
SIZE COLD TIRE
INFLATION
PRESSURE
FRONT
ORIGINAL
TIRE P205/55R16
89H 250 kPa,
36 PSI
FRONT
ORIGINAL
TIRE P215/50R17
90V 250 kPa,
36 PSI
REAR
ORIGINAL
TIRE P205/55R16
89H 250 kPa,
36 PSI
REAR
ORIGINAL
TIRE P215/50R17
90V 250 kPa,
36 PSI
TIRE LABELING
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of the tire and
also provides the tire identification number (TIN)
for safety standard certification. The TIN can be
used to identify the tire in case of a recall.
Example
8-28Maintenance and do-it yourself

1Tire size (example: P215/60R16 94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for passenger vehicles. (Not all tires have this
information.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from side-
wall edge to sidewall edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire’s ratio of
height to width.
4. R: The “R” stands for radial. 5. Two-digit number (16): This number is the
wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This number is the tire’s load index. It is a measurement of
how much weight each tire can support. You
may not find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive the vehicle faster than the tire speed rating.
2TIN (Tire Identification Number) for a new
tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “Department of Transportation”. The symbol can be placed
above, below or to the left or right of the Tire
Identification Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s identification mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size
4. Three-digit code: Tire type code (Optional)
5. Three-digit code: Date of Manufacture
6. Four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbersExample
Example
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-29

3103 means the 31st week of 2003. If these
numbers are missing, then look on the other
sidewall of the tire.
3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-coated
fabric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ma-
terials in the tire, which include steel, nylon,
polyester, and others.
4Maximum permissible inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the tire. Do not
exceed the maximum permissible inflation
pressure.
5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum load in
kilograms and pounds that can be carried by
the tire. When replacing the tires on the ve-
hicle, always use a tire that has the same load
rating as the factory installed tire.
6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an inner
tube (“tube type”) or not (“tubeless”) .
7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the tire has radial
structure.
8Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are defined
throughout this section, Intended Outboard
Sidewall is (1) the sidewall that contains a white-
wall, bears white lettering or bears manufacturer,
brand and/or model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same molding on the other
sidewall of the tire, or (2) the outward facing
sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a par-
ticular side that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
When changing or replacing tires, be sure all four tires are of the same type
(Example: Summer, All Season or
Snow) and construction. A NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer may be able to
help you with information about tire
type, size, speed rating and availabil-
ity. Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory equipped
tires, and may not match the potential
maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed
the maximum speed rating of the tire.
Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies all season tires on some mod-
els to provide good performance all year, includ-
ing snowy and icy road conditions. All Season
tires are identified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S
(Mud and Snow) on the tire sidewall. Snow tires
have better snow traction than All Season tires
and may be more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some models
to provide superior performance on dry roads.
Summer tire performance is substantially re-
duced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not have
the tire traction rating M&S on the tire sidewall.
8-30Maintenance and do-it yourself

If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
SNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all four
wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select
tires equivalent in size and load rating to the
original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed rat-
ings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some U.S. states and
Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of
studded snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may
be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
Use of tire chains may be prohibited according to
location. Check the local laws before installing
tire chains. When installing tire chains, make sure
they are the proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer’s suggestions.
Use only SAE Class S chains.Class “S”
chains are used on vehicles with restricted tire to
vehicle clearance. Vehicles that can use Class
“S” chains are designed to meet the SAE stan-
dard minimum clearances between the tire and
the closest vehicle suspension or body compo-
nent required to accommodate the use of a win-
ter traction device (tire chains or cables) . The
minimum clearances are determined using the
factory equipped tire size. Other types may dam-
age your vehicle.
Use chain tensioners when recommended by the
tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be secured or
removed to prevent the possibility of whipping
action damage to the fenders or underbody. If
possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed. Otherwise, your vehicle may be damaged and/or vehicle handling and performance may be
adversely affected.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
front wheels and not on the rear wheels.
Do not use tire chains on dry roads. Driving with
tire chains in such conditions can cause damage
to the various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-31