traction control NISSAN LEAF 2013 1.G Owners Manual

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

Li-ion battery is fully charged to prevent
the Li-ion battery from becoming over-
charged. Regenerating brake is also auto-
matically reduced when the battery tem-
perature is high/low (indicated by the red/
blue zones on the Li-ion battery
temperature gauge) to prevent Li-ion bat-
tery damage.
The brake pedal should be used to slow or
stop the vehicle depending on traffic or
road conditions. The vehicle brakes are
not affected by regenerative brake system
operation.NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or vi-
bration as a normal characteristic of this vehicle.
Traction motor noise from motor compartment.
Water pump and radiator fan noise while charg- ing.
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote climate control
(models with navigation system) is used.
Relay operation noise and vibration at start-up and shut-down of the EV (Electric Vehicle) sys-
tem (power switch placed in the ON and OFF
position) .
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) . This section provides a brief explanation for the
most important LEAF functions. Refer to the spe-
cific sections of this manual for detailed explana-
tions of the vehicle features and operation.
CHARGING THE LI-ION BATTERY
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow the
proper handling instructions may cause
serious injury or death. Be sure to read
the Charge section and follow the pro-
cedures and guidelines described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (SCENE GUIDE)
EV-10EV Overview

ECO indicator:
This indicator provides instant information about
how efficiently the vehicle is being operated. You
can see how changing your driving style or op-
eration of vehicle accessories affects power con-
sumption.
For additional information, seeECO indicatorin
the Instruments and controls section.Lower display
Li-ion battery temperature gauge:
This gauge displays the temperature of the Li-ion
battery.
For additional information, see Li-ion battery
temperature gauge in theInstruments and con-
trols section. Power meter:
This meter displays the actual traction motor
power consumption and the regenerative brake
power provided to the Li-ion battery.
For additional information, see
Power meterin
the Instruments and controls section.
EV-26EV Overview

LI-ION BATTERY TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the temperature of the Li-ion
battery.
The temperature of the Li-ion battery is within the
normal range when the display is within the zone
1shown in the illustration.
The temperature of the Li-ion battery varies ac-
cording to the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
NOTE:
If the display indicates that the tempera-
ture of the Li-ion battery is near the red
zone end of the normal range, reduce
vehicle speed to decrease the tempera-
ture. If the indicator is over the normal
range, the power provided to the traction
motor is reduced when the power limita-
tion indicator light is illuminated. There-
fore the vehicle is not as responsive when
the accelerator is depressed while the
power limitation light is illuminated. See
Power limitation indicator light.
If the outside temperature is extremely
low, the Li-ion temperature gauge may not
display a temperature reading. The ve-
hicle may not be able to be put in the
READY to drive mode. Contact a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
POWER METER
This meter displays the actual traction motor
power consumption
Aand the regenerative
brake power provided to the Li-ion battery
B.
The white dot
1in the display moves right or left
depending on demand.
The white dot moves to the right when power is
provided to the traction motor (Li-ion battery dis-
charges) .
The white dot moves to the left when power is
generated and provided to the Li-ion battery by
Instruments and controls2-7

the regenerative brake system (Li-ion battery
charging) .
The power meter also indicates if the power
provided to the motor is limited or if regenerative
braking is limited. When power or regenerative
braking is limited, the circles on the display
change from a double circle to a single circle
2.
Regenerative braking is automatically reduced
when the Li-ion battery is fully charged to prevent
the Li-ion battery from becoming overcharged.
Regenerative braking is also automatically re-
duced when the Li-ion battery temperature is
high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on the
Li-ion battery temperature gauge) to prevent Li-
ion battery damage.
The more regenerative braking is reduced the
more double circles change to single circles
If the Li-ion battery charge is low, power provided
to the traction motor is reduced. Motor output is
also limited if the Li-ion battery temperature is
high/low (indicated by the red/blue zones on the
Li-ion battery temperature gauge) or the Li-ion
battery charge level is low.
The more power provided to the traction motor is
reduced the more double circles change to
single circles.
DRIVING RANGE
The driving range1(miles or km) provides an
estimated distance that the vehicle can be driven
before recharging is necessary. The driving range
is constantly being calculated, based on the
amount of available Li-ion battery charge and the
actual power consumption average.
NOTE:
The driving range display will flash when
the low battery charge warning light illu-
minates. Additionally, if you continue to
drive the vehicle in this state and the Li-
ion battery is close to being completely
discharged, “---” will be displayed. Charge
the Li-ion battery as soon as possible.
When the Li-ion battery is charged, the
original display will be restored.
After the vehicle is charged, the displayed
driving range is calculated based on the
actual average energy consumption of the
previous driving. The displayed driving
range will vary every time the vehicle is
fully charged.
The driving range will increases or de-
creases when the air conditioner, heater
or Li-ion battery warmer is turned on or
off, or the vehicle is shifted between D
(Drive) and ECO, or when any other acces-
sory is turned on or off based on driving.
2-8Instruments and controls

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

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

16. Li-ion battery low charge warning
This indicator appears when the Li-ion battery is
getting low. The low battery charge warning light
and the master warning light (yellow) also illumi-
nate. Charge the Li-ion battery as soon as pos-
sible. The [i] symbol is shown on the dot matrix
liquid crystal display, this indicates that further
information is available on the navigation display.
Check the navigation display for further informa-
tion and instructions.
17. Power limitation warning
This display appears when the Li-ion battery ca-
pacity is getting too low to move the vehicle or if
there is any reason to limit traction power (Li-ion
battery low or high temperature etc.) . The power
limitation indicator light and the master warning
light (yellow) also illuminate. The [i] symbol is
shown on the dot matrix liquid crystal display.
This indicates that further information is available
on the navigation display. Check the navigation
display for further information and instructions.
18. DC/DC converter warning
This warning appears if the DC/DC converter
system is not functioning properly. The 12-volt
battery charge warning (red) light also and the
master warning light illuminate. Stop the vehiclein a safe location and contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
19. Apply parking brake warning
This warning appears if the DC/DC converter
system is not functioning properly after the “Stop
the vehicle” message above. If this warning ap-
pears on the display, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and push the P (Park) position switch on
the selector lever. If the parking brake is applied,
the display turns off. Contact a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer.
20. Check tire pressure warning
This warning appears when the low tire pressure
warning light in the meter illuminates and low tire
pressure is detected. The warning appears each
time the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position as long as the low tire pressure warning
light remains illuminated.
If this warning appears, stop the vehicle and
adjust the tire pressure to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and Load-
ing Information label. (See “Low tire pressure
warning light” earlier in this section and “TIRE
PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)” in
the “Starting and driving” section.)
21. Cruise control indicator
Cruise main switch indicator:
This indicator is displayed when the cruise con-
trol main switch is pushed. When the main switch
is pushed again, the indicator disappears. When
the cruise control main switch indicator is dis-
played, the cruise control system is operational.
Cruise set switch indicator:
This indicator is displayed while the vehicle
speed is controlled by the cruise control system.
If the indicator blinks while the power switch is in
the READY to drive position, it may indicate that
the cruise control system is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer.
See
Cruise control in theStarting and driving
section for details.
22. Shift position indicator
The shift position indicator shows the vehicle
position when the power switch is in the ON or
READY to drive position. For more details, see
Driving vehicle in theStarting and driving sec-
tion of this manual.
2-26Instruments and controls

The front seats and the rear outboard seats can
be warmed by built-in heaters. The switches lo-
cated on the center console and at the side of the
front passenger seatback can be operated inde-
pendently of each other.
1. Place the power switch in the ON position.
2. Push the LO or HI position of the switch, asdesired, depending on the temperature. The
indicator light in the switch will illuminate.
3. To turn off the heater, return the switch to the level position. Make sure the indicator light
goes off.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat, auto-
matically turning the heater on and off. The indi-
cator light will remain on as long as the switch is
on.
When the vehicle’s interior is warmed, or before
you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn the switch
off.
NOTE:
The heated seats consumes less power
than the heater and can be used to either
help extend vehicle range by reducing
heater use or to maximize comfort by
supplementing the heater. The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system on for most driv-
ing conditions.
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the VDC
system reduces the traction motor output to re-
duce wheel spin. The traction motor speed will be
reduced even if the accelerator is depressed to
the floor. If maximum traction motor power is
needed to free a stuck vehicle, turn the VDC
system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC OFF
switch. The
indicator will illuminate.Push the VDC OFF switch again to turn on the
VDC system, or the VDC is automatically turned
back on when the power switch is placed in the
off position and then placed back in the READY
to drive position. See
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system in the5 Starting and driving
section.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH
2-48Instruments and controls