traction control NISSAN LEAF 2021 Owner´s Manual

Self-test feature
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) in-
cludes electronic sensors, electric pumps,
hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you place
the power switch in the READY to drive po-
sition 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 mal-
function. If the computer senses a mal-
function, it switches the ABS off and illumi-
nates 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 ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this
service.
Normal operation
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) oper-
ates at speeds above 3 to 6 mph (5 to 10
km/h). The speed varies according to road
conditions.When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure. This action is similar to pumping the
brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal and hear a noise
from under the hood or feel a vibration
from the actuator when it is operating. This
is normal and indicates that the ABS is op-
erating properly. However, the pulsation
may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while
driving.
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even
with light pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
drivers responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times. The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions.
• Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power
is transferred to a drive wheel on the
same axle that is not slipping.
• Controls brake pressure and traction motor output to reduce drive wheel slip
based on vehicle speed (traction control
function).
• Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and traction motor output to help
the driver maintain control of the vehicle
in the following conditions:– Understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased
steering input).
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions).
The VDC system can help the driver main-
tain control of the vehicle, but it cannot
prevent loss of vehicle control in all driving
situations.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-159

•If traction motor control related
parts are not NISSAN recommended
or are extremely deteriorated, the
indicator light may illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may illuminate. Do not drive on
these types of roads.
• When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator light may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the EV system af ter driving
onto a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road. The chassis control is an electric control
module that includes the following
functions:
• Intelligent Trace Control
• Intelligent Ride Control
CHASSIS CONTROL
Starting and driving5-161

TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially 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. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded 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 additional in-
formation, see “Tire chains” (P. 8-33).
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
• A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
• A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-drif ts.
• Extra windshield-washer fluid to refill the reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
• Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” un-
der these conditions. Try to avoid
driving on wet ice until the road is
salted or sanded.
• Whatever the conditions, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating too fast, the
drive wheels will lose even more
traction.
•
Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
• Allow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
• Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
• Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
FREEING A FROZEN CHARGE PORT
LID
When the charge port is frozen, melt the ice
using a hair dryer.
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.
5-170Starting and driving

10 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities...................................... 10-2
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ................10-2
Specifications .................................. 10-4
Charging system ............................ 10-4
Motor ....................................... 10-4
Wheels and tires ............................ 10-5
Dimensions and weights ....................10-5
When traveling or registering in another
country ........................................ 10-6
Vehicle identification ........................... 10-7
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
plate ........................................ 10-7
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ............................ 10-7
Traction motor serial number ...............10-8
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S Certification label .........10-8
Emission control information label ..........10-8
Tire and Loading Information label ..........10-9
Air conditioner specification label ...........10-9
Installing front license plate ...................10-10
Vehicle loading information ....................10-11Terms
....................................... 10-11
Vehicle load capacity ....................... 10-12
Loading tips ................................ 10-13
Measurement of weights ...................10-14
Towing a trailer ................................ 10-14
Flat towing .................................... 10-14
Uniform tire quality grading ...................10-15
Treadwear ................................. 10-15
Traction AA, A, B and C ......................10-15
Temperature A, B and C ....................10-15
Reporting safety defects ......................10-16
Telematics overview (models with Navigation
System) ....................................... 10-17
Telematic Control Unit Gen2K .................10-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ...................10-20
Additional Data Recording (on vehicles
equipped with optional ProPILOT
Assist) ...................................... 10-20
Owner's Manual/Service Manual order
inf
ormation ................................... 10-21
Charging information ......................... 10-22
Cold tire pressures ............................ 10-24

TRACTION MOTOR SERIAL
NUMBER
The serial number of the traction motor is
stamped on the traction motor as shown.
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S CERTIFICATION
LABEL
The Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards (F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.) certi-
fication label is affixed as shown. This label
contains valuable vehicle information, such
as: Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR),
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), month
and year of manufacture, Vehicle Identifi-
cation Number (VIN), etc. Review it carefully.
EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION LABEL
The emission control information label is
attached to the underside of the hood as
shown in the illustration.
LTI2419LVT0003XLTI2321
10-8Technical and consumer information

DOT (Department Of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature
A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon actual conditions of their use how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include ac-
celeration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to degen-
erate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of per-
formance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the mini-
mum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information10-15

Maintenance requirements..........9-2Maintenance schedules............9-6Map lights...................2-68Meters and gauges
Instrument brightness control.....2-53MirrorAutomatic anti-glare inside mirror. . .3-24Outside mirrors..............3-25Rearview...................3-24Vanity mirror................3-24Mirrors......................3-24Motor..................... .10-5Before starting system..........5-13Starting the traction motor.......5-14Motor compartment..............8-4Motor serial number.............10-8Moving Object Detection (MOD)......4-20
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key®..........3-2,3-7NISSAN Intelligent Key® system.......5-10NissanConnectOwner's Manual.......4-2Normal charge................CH-9Home charge...............CH-9Occasional charge............CH-9Public charge...............CH-9
O
Occasional charge..............CH-9Odometer....................2-5Off-road recovery................5-8
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Opening rear hatch..............3-12Outside air temperature...........2-12Outside mirrors................3-25Owner's manual/service manual order
information................. .10-21
P
Parking..................5-18,5-19Parking brake operation.........5-19Parking/parking on hills.........5-154Parking brake.................5-18Parking brake break-in...........5-158Power
Power door locks...........3-5, 3-6Power outlet................2-60Power steering system.........5-156Power windows..............2-65Power economy...............5-152Power meter...................2-7Power outlet................. .2-60Power steering................5-156Power switch...............5-9, 5-11Precautions
Brake precautions............5-156Charging................. .CH-2Cruise control...............5-65High voltage precautions........EV-8Maintenance precautions.........8-2Precautions on booster seats......1-22
Precautions on child restraints.....1-22Precautions on seat belt usage.....1-11Precautions on supplemental restraint
system................... .1-45Precautions when starting and
driving.................... .5-4Road accident precautions.......EV-9ProPILOT Assist................5-91Public charge.................CH-9Push starting..................6-13
Q
Quick charge............CH-35, CH-38
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio..........4-41Radio frequency remote controlWarning signals...............3-16Rapid air pressure loss............5-8Rear Automatic Braking (RAB).......5-132Rear center seat belt.............1-18Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).......5-58Rear Door Alert................2-59Rear hatch...................3-19Rear seats................... .1-6Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch..................... .2-47Rear window wiper and washer
switches....................2-46Rearview mirror................3-24
11-5

RearView Monitor................4-3RecordersEvent Data................ .10-20Reduction gear fluid..............8-7Registering a vehicle in another
country..................... .10-7Remote charge...............CH-48Remote climate control...........4-38Repairing flat tire................6-4Repairing tire..................6-6Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .10-16Road accident precautions.........EV-9Roadside assistance program........6-2Rollover......................5-7Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system........1-62
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock.........3-6Child seat belts...............1-19Reporting safety defects (US only). . .10-16Scene guideAt home af ter driving..........EV-21Before driving your vehicle
(models with navigation system). . .EV-14Charging the Li-ion battery......EV-12Driving the vehicle............EV-18Parking the vehicle...........EV-20Starting your vehicle...........EV-17Seat beltChild safety.................1-19
Infants....................1-20Injured person................1-15Larger children...............1-20Precautions on seat belt usage.....1-11Pregnant women..............1-15Rear center seat belt............1-18Seat belt cleaning..............7-6Seat belt extenders............1-18Seat belt maintenance..........1-19Seat belt warning light..........2-18Seat belts...................1-11Seat belts with pretensioners......1-65Shoulder belt height adjustment. . . .1-18Small children................1-20Three-point type..............1-15Seat belt warning light............1-14Seats........................1-2Heated seats................2-55Security system................2-42Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), EV system start.......2-43, 5-13Servicing climate control..........4-40Shif tingElectric shif t control system.......5-14Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-18Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats.......................1-18Speedometer................. .2-5Stability control................5-159Standard maintenance............9-8Starting
Before starting system..........5-13Jump starting................6-10
Precautions when starting and
driving.................... .5-4Push starting................6-13Starting the traction motor.......5-14Status light, Front passenger
air bag..................1-56, 1-58Steering
Heated steering wheel..........2-56Power steering system.........5-156Steering assist switch (models with
ProPILOT assist)................2-59Steering wheel.................3-22Stopping the vehicle..............6-5Storage.................... .2-61Stowing golf bags...............2-65Sun visors....................3-23Sunglasses holder..............2-62Supplemental air bag warning labels. . .1-66Supplemental air bag warning
light....................1-66, 2-18Supplemental restraint system
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system
................... .1-45Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). . .1-45Switch
Autolight switch..............2-48ECO switch................ .2-55Fog light switch..............2-54Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Headlight switch..............2-48Immediate charge switch. . .CH-48, 2-58Instrument brightness control.....2-53Power door lock switch........3-5, 3-6
11-6

Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-47Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-46Turn signal switch.............2-53Wiper and washer switch........2-45
T
Telematic Control Unit Gen2K.......10-19Telematics overview.............10-17Temperature
Li-ion battery temperature gauge. . . .2-7Thef t (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
traction motor start..........2-43, 5-13TireFlat tire................... .6-3Low tire pressure warning system. . .5-4Tire and Loading Information label. .8-28,
10-9
Tire chains................ .8-33Tire dressing.................7-4Tire pressure................8-29Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)................. .5-4, 6-3Tire rotation.................8-34Types of tires................8-32Uniform tire quality grading.......10-15Wheel/tire size...............10-5Wheels and tires..............8-25Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light.....2-20Tonneau cover................ .2-64
To p
Tether strap child restraints.......1-27Top tether strap child restraint.......1-27TowingFlat towing................ .10-14Tow truck towing..............6-13Trailer towing...............10-14Towing a trailer................10-14TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitoring System. .5-4Traction motor
Traction motor serial number......10-8TransceiverHomeLink® Universal
Transceiver
.......2-69, 2-70, 2-72, 2-73Trickle charge................CH-11Turn signal switch...............2-53Type of charge and how to charge the
Li-ion battery................ .CH-5
U
Underbody cleaning..............7-3Uniform tire quality grading........10-15Unplugged status.............CH-48USB/iPod® Charging Ports.........4-40
V
Vanity mirror..................3-24Vehicle
Dimensions and weights.........10-6Loading information...........10-11Security system..............2-42
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.....................5-159Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate...................... .10-7Vehicle immobilizer system.........5-13Vehicle information display.........2-26Vehicle security system
(NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
traction motor start
..............5-13Vents.......................4-25Visors......................3-23
W
Warning
Air bag warning light........1-66, 2-18Hazard warning flasher switch......6-2Indicators for operation.........2-34Low tire pressure warning light.....2-20Seat belt warning light...........1-14Supplemental air bag warning
light.................. .1-66, 2-18Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)..................5-4, 6-3Warning lights............2-15,2-18Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-14Warning light
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning
light
......................2-19BRAKE warning light (red).........2-16BRAKE warning light (yellow).......2-19Seat belt warning light..........2-18
11-7