parking brake NISSAN LEAF 2020 Owner´s Manual

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Push the P (Park) position switch on theshif t lever.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into the street when parked on a slope, it
is a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
• HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB
O1:
Turn the wheels into the curb and
move the vehicle forward until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb. • HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB
O2:
Turn the wheels away from the curb
and move the vehicle back until the
curb side wheel gently touches the
curb.
• HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO CURB
O3:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the power switch in the OFF position.
WARNING
• If the READY to drive indicator light is
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering
will be harder to operate.
• When the power steering warning
light illuminates while the READY to
drive indicator light is on, the power
assist for the steering will cease op-
eration. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assistance while driving to
operate the steering wheel with less effort.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, the power as-
sist for the steering wheel will be reduced.
This is to prevent overheating of the power
steering system and help protect it from
getting damaged. When the power assis-
tance is reduced, steering wheel operation
will become harder. When the temperature
of the power steering system goes down,
the power assistance level will return to
normal. Avoid repeating such steering
wheel operations that could cause the
power steering system to overheat.
SSD0488
POWER STEERING SYSTEM
5-156Starting and driving

NOTE:
• When applying the regenerativebrakes, you may hear a sound coming
from the regenerative brake system.
This is a normal operating characteris-
tic of an EV.
• If the power switch position is in a po- sition other than ON or READY to drive,
you can stop the vehicle by depressing
the brake pedal. However, greater foot
pressure on the brake pedal will be re-
quired to stop the vehicle, and the
stopping distance will be longer.
• When depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal feel will not be smooth or
may change when the cooperative re-
generative brake system activates.
However, the electronically controlled
brake system is operating normally
and this does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will cause overheating of
the brakes, wearing out of the brake pads
and shoes faster, and will reduce driving
range. To help reduce brake wear, and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce speed
and select B mode before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and
could result in loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
• While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking or accelerat-
ing. Abrupt braking or accelerating
could cause the wheels to skid, which
could result in an accident.
• If the brake pedal is depressed with
the EV system OFF, you may feel an
increased brake pedal effort and a
decreased pedal stroke. If the BRAKE
warning light does not illuminate
and the brake pedal feels like it has
returned to its normal state af ter the
EV system is started, this indicates
that there is no malfunction and the
vehicle can be operated normally.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As
a result, the braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking. To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping the brake pedal
to heat up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
have dried.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced,
in order to assure the best braking perfor-
mance.
This procedure is described in the Genuine
NISSAN Service Manual, and it can be per-
formed by a certified repair facility. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF dealer.
5-158Starting and driving

may indicate that the Intelligent Trace Con-
trol is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service.
WARNING
The Intelligent Trace Control may not
be effective depending on the driving
condition. Always drive carefully and
attentively.
When the Intelligent Trace Control is oper-
ating, you may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal, hear a noise and sense slight decel-
eration. This is normal and indicates that
the Intelligent Trace Control is operating
properly.
Even if the Intelligent Trace Control is
turned off, some functions will remain on to
assist the driver (for example, avoidance
scenes).
INTELLIGENT RIDE CONTROL
This system senses upper body motion
(based on wheel speed information) and
controls motor torque. This will enhance
ride comfort in effort to restrain uncom-
fortable upper body movement when passing over undulated road surfaces. This
system comes into effect above 25 mph
(40 km/h).
When the VDC system is turned off in the
vehicle information display, the Intelligent
Ride Control is also turned off.
WARNING
The Intelligent Ride Control may not be
effective depending on the driving con-
dition. Always drive carefully and at-
tentively.
When the Intelligent Ride Control is operat-
ing, you may hear a noise and sense slight
deceleration. This is normal and indicates
that the Intelligent Ride Control is operat-
ing properly.
If the “Chassis Control System Error: See
Owner’s Manual” warning message ap-
pears in the vehicle information display, it
may indicate that the Intelligent Ride Con-
trol is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service. The sonar (parking sensor) system sounds
a tone to inform the driver of obstacles
near the bumper.
When the “DISPLAY” key is ON, the sonar
view will automatically appear in the meter.
WARNING
• The RSS is a convenience but it is not
a substitute for proper parking.
• The driver is always responsible for
safety during parking and other ma-
neuvers. Always look around and
check that it is safe to do so before
parking.
LSD3247
REAR SONAR SYSTEM (RSS)
Starting and driving5-163

PARKING BRAKE
CAUTION
• When parking in an area where the
outside temperature is below 32°F
(0°C), the parking brake, if applied,
may freeze in place and may be diffi-
cult to release.
• For safe parking, it is recommended
that you place the shif t lever in the P
(Park) position and securely block
the wheels.
Starting and driving5-171

CAUTION
• To avoid the emergency tire puncture
kit being damaged during storage or
use:
– Only use the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit on your vehicle. Do
not use it on other vehicles.
– Only use the kit to inflate the tires
of your vehicle and to check the
vehicle’s tire pressure.
– Only plug the compressor into a
12-volt DC car power point.
– Keep the kit free of water and dirt.
– Do not disassemble or modif y the
kit.
– Do not drop the kit or allow hard
impacts to the kit.
• Do not use the emergency tire punc-
ture repair kit under the following
conditions. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer or professional road
assistance.
– when the sealant has passed its
expiration date (shown on the la-
bel attached to the bottle) –
when the cut or the puncture is
approximately 0.25 in (6 mm) or
longer
– when the tire sidewall is damaged
– when the vehicle has been driven
with extremely low tire pressure
– when the tire has come off the in-
side or the outside of the wheel
– when the tire wheel is damaged
– when two or more tires are flat
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
4. Push the P (Park) position switch on the shif t lever to the P (Park) position.
5. Turn off the EV system.
6. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance. 7. Have all passengers get out of the ve-
hicle and stand in a safe place, away
from traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
• Make sure the parking brake is se-
curely applied and the vehicle is
placed into the P (Park) position.
• Never repair tires when the vehicle is
on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This
is hazardous.
• Never repair tires if oncoming traffic
is close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-
fessional road assistance.
In case of emergency6-5

CAUTION
LEAF cannot be used as a booster ve-
hicle because it cannot supply enough
power to start a gasoline engine. How-
ever, a gasoline engine vehicle can be
used to jump start LEAF's 12-volt bat-
tery.
1. If the booster battery is in another ve-hicle
OB, position the two vehicles (OA)
and
OB) to bring their 12-volt batteries
into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake. If the 12-volt battery is discharged, the
power switch cannot be moved from
the OFF position. Connect the jumper
cables to the booster vehicle
OBbe-
fore pushing the power switch. 3. Push the P (Park) position switch to
place the vehicle in the P (Park) position.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical sys- tems (headlights, heater, air conditioner,
etc.).
5. Place the power switch in the OFF position.
6. Ensure vent caps are level and tight.
7. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as illustrated (O1→O2→O3→O4).
LCE2388
In case of emergency6-11

•When towing this vehicle with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do
not use towing dollies): Always re-
lease the parking brake.
NOTE:
If your vehicle cannot be moved because
the vehicle cannot be shif ted to the N
(Neutral) position, please refer to the
LEAF Roadside Assistance Guide which is
located at www.NISSANUSA.com. If your
vehicle cannot be moved because the
parking brake cannot be released, refer
to “Parking brake” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious per-
sonal injury or death when recovering a
stuck vehicle:
• Contact a professional towing ser-
vice to recover the vehicle if you have
any questions regarding the recov-
ery procedure. •
Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle.
• Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to
tow or free a stuck vehicle.
• Only use devices specifically de-
signed for vehicle recovery and fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Always pull the recovery device
straight out from the front of the ve-
hicle. Never pull at an angle.
• Route recovery devices so they do
not touch any part of the vehicle ex-
cept the attachment point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device de-
signed specifically for vehicle recovery. Al-
ways follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
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 lef t and right to
clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
• Shif t back and forth between the R (Reverse) and D (Drive) positions.
• Apply the accelerator as little as pos- sible to maintain the rocking motion.
• Release the accelerator pedal before shif ting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive).
• Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55 km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed af ter a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-15

that the secondary latch keeps the motor
hood from opening when the primary latch
is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion 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 in-
stalled securely. Also check the aim of the
headlights.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure that no wheel nuts
are missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated ev-
ery 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
of ten and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in all
tires to the pressure specified. Check care-
fully 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 ve-
hicle pulls to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect un-
even 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 Information Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at least
every six months for cracks or other dam-
age. Have a damaged windshield repaired
by a qualified repair facility.
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 performing scheduled maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, 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
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer
to stop, it is recommended that you visit 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 shif t P (Park) position mecha-
nism: On a steep hill, check that the vehicle
is held securely while the vehicle is in the P
(Park) position without applying the brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation 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 position, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
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 posi-
tion. Check that the head restraints/
headrests move up and down smoothly
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-3

When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The fol-
lowing are general precautions that should
be closely observed.
WARNING
• The EV system uses high voltage up
to approximately DC 400 volt. The
system can be hot during and af ter
starting and when the vehicle is shut
off. Be careful of both the high volt-
age and the high temperature. Obey
the labels that are attached to the
vehicle.
• Never disassemble, remove or re-
place high-voltage parts and cables
as well as their connectors. High-
voltage cables are colored orange.
• Disassembling, removing or replac-
ing 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 serviceable parts. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified 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 shif t 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
moving parts.
• Make sure that the power switch is in
the OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any part replacement or
repairs.
• 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 when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
• Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary 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 cool-
ant. Improperly disposed coolant
and/or other vehicle fluids can dam-
age the environment. Always con-
form to local regulations for the dis-
posal of vehicle fluids.
• Never connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the power switch is in the
ON position.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic 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
injury, always disconnect the nega-
tive 12-volt battery cable before
working near the fan.
• Before performing any electrical
maintenance work on the vehicle
such as the battery, fuses or bulb re-
placement, confirm the following:
– The charge connector is removed
from the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-5

10 Index
1
12-volt battery.................8-12
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).....5-159Additional data recording (on vehicles
equipped with optional
ProPILOT Assist)
...............9-20Advanced air bag system.........1-49Air bag systemAdvanced air bag system........1-49Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system.....1-58Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system.....1-58Air bag warning labels............1-62Air bag warning light.........1-62, 2-21Air bag warning light,
supplemental..............1-62, 2-21Air conditionerAir conditioner specification label. . .9-9Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations.......9-3AlarmHowtostopalarm
(refer to, vehicle security system)
. . .2-44Alcohol, drugs and driving..........5-9Antenna................... .4-43
Antifreeze...................5-169Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).....5-159Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light.......................2-16Appearance care
Exterior appearance care.........7-2Interior appearance care.........7-4At home af ter driving...........EV-21Audible reminders..............2-24Autolight switch...............2-49Autolight system...............2-49Automatic anti-glare inside mirror. . . .3-25Automatic climate control
(models with Navigation System). . . .4-35Automatic climate control
(models without Navigation System). .4-32Automatic door locks.............3-6Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with
Pedestrian Detection...........5-125Avoiding collision and rollover........5-7
B
Battery.....................8-2212-volt battery...............8-12Battery saver system..........2-53Li-ion battery.............EV-2, 2-7Li-ion battery available charge
gauge.................... .2-9Li-ion battery temperature gauge. . .2-7
Battery replacement
Key fob...................8-22Before driving your vehicle
(models with navigation system). . . .EV-15Before starting system...........5-14Blind Spot Intervention® (BSI).......5-47Blind Spot Warning (BSW)..........5-37Booster seats................ .1-39Brake...............5-19,5-20,8-17Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). . . .5-159Brake fluid.................8-10Brake system...............5-157BRAKE system warning light
(yellow)....................2-17BRAKE warning light (red)........2-17Parking brake operation.........5-20Brake fluid...................8-10Brake precautions.............5-157Brake system................5-157BRAKE system warning light (yellow). . .2-17BRAKE warning light (red)..........2-17Brightness control
Instrument panel.............2-54Bulb replacement...........8-24,8-25
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2Care of wheels.................7-3