wheel NISSAN LEAF 2014 1.G Workshop Manual

(Park) position. If this occurs, place suit-
able blocks at both the front and back of
a wheel to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. Failure to block a wheel may allow
the vehicle to move unexpectedly which
may result in serious personal injury or
death.
To place the vehicle in the READY position so the
vehicle can be driven, charge the Li-ion battery
until the driving range on the instrument panel
changes from “---” to a numeric distance.Do not attempt to start the system by pushing the
vehicle.
CAUTION
An EV (Electric Vehicle) cannot be push-
started or tow-started. Attempting to do
so may cause traction motor damage.
Tools are located in the side of the cargo area.
PUSH STARTING TOOLS
6-12In case of emergency

When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. Local
service operators are familiar with the applicable
laws and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental damage
to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions.
WARNING
• Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
• Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
• When towing, make sure that the ax-
les, steering system and power train
are in working condition. If any unit is
damaged, dollies must be used.
• Always attach safety chains before
towing.For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , see “Flat towing” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (front) wheels off the ground or
that the vehicle be placed on a flatbed truck as
illustrated.
CAUTION
• Never tow with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage
to the motor.
• When towing this vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not
use towing dollies): Always release
the parking brake.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-13

Pulling a stuck vehicle
Do not use the tie down hook for towing or
vehicle recovery.
Rear:
Do not use the tie down hook to pull the vehicle.
CAUTION
• Tow chains or cables must be attached
only to the vehicle recovery hook or
main structural members of the ve-
hicle. Otherwise, the vehicle body will
be damaged.• Do not use the vehicle tie down hook
to free a vehicle stuck in sand, snow,
mud, etc.
• Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle
tie down hook or recovery hook.
• Always pull the cable straight out from
the front of the vehicle. Never pull on
the vehicle at an angle.
• Pulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the sus-
pension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
• Pulling devices such as ropes or can-
vas straps are not recommended for
use in vehicle towing or recovery.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If the vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc., try
to free it by following the procedure below.
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the
vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
an area around the front tires.4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and
backward.
• Shift back and forth between the R (Reverse)
and D (Drive) positions.
• Apply the accelerator as little as possible to
maintain the rocking motion.
• Release the accelerator pedal before shifting
between R (Reverse) and D (Drive) .
• Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH
(55 km/h) .
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries,
contact a professional towing service to re-
move the vehicle.
Rear
In case of emergency6-15

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.........................7-6
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.........7-6

In order to maintain the appearance of your ve-
hicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, wash your vehicle
as soon as you can:
• after a rainfall to prevent possible damage from
acid rain
• after driving on coastal roads
• when contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on
the paint surface
• when dust or mud builds up on the surface
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and
plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly
using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
• Do not use car washes that use acid in
the detergent. Some car washes, espe-
cially brushless ones, use some acid
for cleaning. The acid may react with
some plastic vehicle components,
causing them to crack. This could af-
fect their appearance, and also could
cause them not to function properly.
Always check with your car wash to
confirm that acid is not used.
• Do not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical de-
tergents, gasoline or solvents.
• Do not wash the vehicle in direct sun-
light or while the vehicle body is hot, as
the surface may become water-
spotted.
• Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable tothe effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface by
using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing is
recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer can assist you in
choosing the proper product.
• Wax your vehicle only after a thorough washing.
Follow the instructions supplied with the wax.
• Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may dam-
age the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care

REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the paint
surface to avoid lasting damage or staining. Spe-
cial cleaning products are available at a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer or any automotive acces-
sory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and causing
the acceleration of corrosion on the underbody
and suspension. Before the winter period and
again in the spring, the underseal must be
checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasivecleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electri-
cal conductors, radio antenna elements
or rear window defroster elements.
SOLAR CELL MODULE (IF SO
EQUIPPED)
The solar cell uses a plastic cover. When clean-
ing the cell:
• Do not polish the solar cell using a dry cloth or a
wax that contains a compound. Doing so may
strip off the hard coating.
• In order to maintain the solar cell’s effective-
ness, be sure to remove any leaves or dirt from
the surface of the cell.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
• Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the vehicle
is washed.
• Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corro-
sion. Such damage may cause loss of pressure
or poor seal at the tire bead.• NISSAN recommends that the road wheels be
waxed to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when wash-
ing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
• Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
• Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as
ambient temperature.
• Rinse the wheel to completely remove
the cleaner within 15 minutes after the
cleaner is applied.
Appearance and care7-3

8 Maintenance and do-it yourself
Maintenance requirement..................8-2
Scheduled maintenance.................8-2
General maintenance...................8-2
Where to go for service.................8-2
General maintenance.....................8-2
Explanation of maintenance items...........8-2
Maintenance precautions..................8-5
Motor compartment check locations............8-7
Cooling system........................8-8
Checking coolant level..................8-9
Changing coolant.....................8-9
Reduction gear fluid.....................8-10
Brake fluid..........................8-10
Window washer fluid....................8-11
12-volt battery........................8-12
Jump starting.......................8-13
Windshield wiper blades..................8-13
Cleaning.........................8-13
Replacing.........................8-13Rear window wiper blade.................8-15
Brakes............................8-15
Brake pad wear warning................8-16
Fuses.............................8-16
Motor compartment...................8-16
Passenger compartment................8-18
Nissan Intelligent Key® battery replacement......8-19
Lights.............................8-21
Headlights........................8-22
Exterior and interior lights...............8-23
Wheels and tires......................8-26
Tire pressure.......................8-26
Tire labeling.......................8-28
Types of tires.......................8-30
Tire chains.......................
.8-31
Changing wheels and tires...............8-32
Emergency tire puncture repair kit..........8-34

When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check the aim of the headlights.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*:When checking
the tires, make sure that no wheel nuts are miss-
ing, and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten
if necessary.
Tire rotation*:Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires to the pres-
sure specified. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components:Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance:If the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight and
level road, or if you detect uneven or abnormal tire
wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment.If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Windshield:Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*:Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming scheduled maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure that the pedal does not
catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
Brake pedal:Check the pedal for smooth op-
eration and make sure that it has the properdistance under it when depressed fully. Check
the brake booster function. If the brake pedal
suddenly goes down further than normal, the
pedal feels spongy or the vehicle seems to take
longer to stop, contact a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat away from
the pedal.
Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Electric shift P (Park) position mechanis-
m:On a steep hill, check that the vehicle is held
securely while the vehicle is in the P (Park) posi-
tion without applying the brakes.
Parking brake:Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a steep hill with only the parking brake applied.
If the parking brake cannot keep a vehicle posi-
tion contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
Seat:Check seat position controls such as the
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, etc. to ensure
that they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
head restraints/headrests move up and down
smoothly and that the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-3

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 undersevere 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 the “Appearance and care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*:Check that there is
an adequate amount of fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions that should be closely observed.
WARNING
• The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses
high voltage up to approximately DC
400 volt. The system can be hot during
and after starting and when the vehicle
is shut off. Be careful of both the high
voltage and the high temperature.
Obey the labels that are attached to
the vehicle.
• Never disassemble, remove or replace
high-voltage parts and cables as well
as their connectors. High-voltage
cables are colored orange.
• Disassembling, removing or replacing
those parts or cables can cause severe
burns or electric shock that may result
in serious injury or death. The vehicle
high voltage system has no user ser-
viceable parts. Take your vehicle to the
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for any
necessary maintenance.• Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
chock the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. Push the P (Park)
position switch on the shift lever or
place the vehicle into the N (Neutral)
position.
• If you must work with the EV (Electric
vehicle) system is turned on, keep
hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from moving fans and any other mov-
ing parts.
• Make sure that the power switch is in
the OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any part replacement or re-
pairs.
• It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
• Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
• Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
• Keep smoking materials, flames and
sparks away from the 12-volt battery.
CAUTION
• Do not work under the hood while the
motor compartment is hot. Push the
power switch in the OFF position and
wait until it cools down.
• Avoid direct contact with used coolant.
Improperly disposed coolant and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to local
regulations for the disposal of vehicle
fluids.
• Never connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized component
while the power switch is in the ON
position.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic cooling fan. It may come on at
any time without warning, even if the
power switch is not in the ACC, ON or
READY to drive position. To avoid in-
jury, always disconnect the negative
12-volt battery cable before working
near the fan.
• Before performing any electrical main-
tenance work on the vehicle such as
the battery, fuses or bulb replacement,
confirm the following:
– The charge connector is removed
from the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-5