maintenance NISSAN LEAF 2021 Owner´s Manual

2021 LEAF
®
2021 NISSAN LEAF®ZE1-D
ZE1-D
Printing : September 2020
Publication No.: Printed in the U.S.A.
OM21EA 0ZE1U0‘20For your safety, read carefully and keep in this vehicle. OWNER’S MANUAL
and MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

This manual was prepared to help you un-
derstand the operation and maintenance
of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many
miles (kilometers) of driving pleasure.
Please read through this manual before
operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Book-
let explains details about the warranties
covering your vehicle. The “Maintenance
and schedules” section of this manual
explains details about maintaining and
servicing your vehicle. Additionally, a
separate Customer Care/Lemon Law
Booklet (U.S. only) will explain how to re-
solve any concerns you may have with
your vehicle, and clarif y your rights un-
der your state's lemon law.
In addition to factory installed options, your
vehicle may also be equipped with addi-
tional accessories installed prior to deliv-
ery. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for details
concerning the particular accessories with
which your vehicle is equipped. It is impor-
tant that you familiarize yourself with all
disclosures, warnings, cautions and in-
structions concerning proper use of such
accessories prior to operating the vehicle
and/or accessory. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer fordetails concerning the particular accesso-
ries with which your vehicle is equipped.
A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer knows your
vehicle best. When you require any service
or have any questions, we will be glad to
assist you with the extensive resources
available to us.
Before driving your vehicle, read your Own-
er’s Manual carefully. This will ensure famil-
iarity with controls and maintenance re-
quirements, assisting you in the safe
operation of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and comfortable trip
for you and your passengers!
• NEVER drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
•
ALWAYS observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for conditions.
• ALWAYS give your full attention to
driving and avoid using vehicle fea-
tures or taking other actions that
could distract you.
• ALWAYS use your seat belts and ap-
propriate child restraint systems.
Pre-teen children should be seated in
the rear seat.
• ALWAYS provide information about
the proper use of vehicle safety fea-
tures to all occupants of the vehicle.
• ALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual
for important safety information.
FOREWORD READ FIRST — THEN DRIVE SAFELY

Table of
contentsIllustrated table of contents
EV Overview
Charging
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Do-it yourself
Maintenance and schedules
Technical and consumer information
Index
0
EV
CH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

EV Overview
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system................EV-2
Li-ion battery ................................... EV-2
Driving with a discharged Li-ion battery .....EV-3
Charging the 12-volt battery .................EV-5
Li-ion battery warmer .......................EV-5
High voltage precautions .......................EV-8
High-voltage components ..................EV-8
Road accident precautions .....................EV-9
Emergency shut-off system ................EV-10
EV characteristics ............................. EV-11
Noise and vibration ........................ EV-12
Life with an EV (scene guide) ..................EV-12
Charging the Li-ion battery .................EV-12
Before driving your vehicle
(models with Navigation System) ...........EV-14
Checking Li-ion battery charging
status ...................................... EV-15
Operating the climate control system
before driving .............................. EV-16Starting your vehicle
....................... EV-17
Driving the vehicle .......................... EV-18
Charging af ter driving ......................EV-21
Efficient use of your vehicle ...................EV-22
Range ..................................... EV-22
Improve driving range .....................EV-22
Li-ion battery life ........................... EV-23
Li-ion battery maintenance ................EV-23
EV unique information .......................EV-24
Meters and indicators .....................EV-24
Approaching Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians (VSP) system .................EV-26
Electric shif t control system ................EV-27
LED headlight (low beam)
(if so equipped) ............................. EV-27
Driving range ............................... EV-27

• The predicted charging time displayedon the meter increases when the Li-ion
battery warmer uses electrical power
from the Li-ion battery.
• The Climate Ctrl. Timer or Remote Cli- mate Control (models with Navigation
System) does not turn on while the Li-
ion battery warmer operates. This is
not a malfunction.
• The charging timer or remote charge (models with Navigation System) does
not turn on while the Li-ion battery
warmer operates. This is not a
malfunction.
• The Li-ion battery may not be charged to the expected level using the charg-
ing timer while the Li-ion battery
warmer operates.
• If the Li-ion battery warmer automati- cally stops because of the Li-ion bat-
tery temperature or outside tempera-
ture change, charging will continue
until the Li-ion battery is fully charged.HIGH-VOLTAGE COMPONENTS
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. Fol-
low the warning labels that are at-
tached to the vehicle.
• Never disassemble, remove or re-
place high-voltage parts and cables
as well as their connectors because
they can cause severe burns or elec-
tric shock that may result in serious
injury or death. High-voltage cables
are colored orange. The vehicle high
voltage system has no user service-
able parts. It is recommended that
you take your vehicle to a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for any neces-
sary maintenance.
HIGH VOLTAGE PRECAUTIONS
EV-8EV Overview

RANGE
The distance you can drive the vehicle
(range) varies considerably depending
upon available charge, weather, tempera-
ture, usage, battery age, topography, and
driving style.
Refer to the Monroney label (window
sticker) for the official EPA range. Your ac-
tual range will vary and could be signifi-
cantly less, either initially or as the battery
ages and with use over time. For additional
information, see “Improve driving range”
(P. EV-22) for information on the factors that
affect vehicle range and how to use the
vehicle to maximize vehicle range.
IMPROVE DRIVING RANGE
Vehicle range depends on a number of
factors.
Actual vehicle range will vary depending
upon:
• Speed,
• Vehicle load,
• Electrical load from vehicle accessories,
• Traffic and road conditions,
• Distance driven without stopping,
• Usage,
• Driving style,• Battery age,
• Weather or temperature,
• Topography,
• Charging habits.
NISSAN recommends the following driv-
ing habits to help maximize vehicle
range:
Before driving:
• Follow recommended periodic
maintenance.
• Keep tires inflated to correct pressure.
• Keep wheels in correct alignment.
• Pre-heat or pre-cool the interior cabin while the vehicle is charging.
• Remove unnecessary cargo from the vehicle.
While driving:
• Drive in ECO mode –– The ECO mode helps reduce power
consumption by reducing acceleration
when compared to the same accelera-
tor pedal position in the D (Drive) posi-
tion (normal mode).
• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruis- ing speeds with constant accelerator po-
sitions or by using cruise control when
appropriate. • Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Gently
press and release the accelerator pedal
for acceleration and deceleration.
• Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
• Avoid extending highway driving with multiple quick charges.
• Avoid frequent stopping and braking. Maintain a safe distance behind other
vehicles.
• Turn off the air conditioner/heater when it is not necessary.
• Select a moderate temperature setting for heating or cooling to help reduce
power consumption.
• Use the air conditioner/heater and close windows to reduce drag when cruising at
highway speed.
• Vehicle range may be substantially re- duced in extremely cold conditions (for
example, -4°F (-20°C)).
• Using the climate control system to heat the cabin when the outside temperature
is below 32°F (0°C) uses more electricity
and affects vehicle range more than
when using the heater when the tem-
perature is above 32°F (0°C).
EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLE
EV-22EV Overview

• When it is cold, use the steering wheelheater in substitution for the heater/air
conditioner. The steering wheel heater
consumes less power than the heater/
air conditioner.
• Release the accelerator pedal to slow down and do not apply the brakes when
traffic and road conditions allow.– – This vehicle is equipped with a regen-
erative brake system. The primary pur-
pose of the regenerative brake system
is to provide some power to recharge
the Li-ion battery and extend driving
range. A secondary benefit is “engine
braking” that operates based on Li-ion
battery conditions. In the D (Drive) posi-
tion, when the accelerator is released,
the regenerative brake system pro-
vides some deceleration and some
power to the Li-ion battery.
LI-ION BATTERY LIFE
The Li-ion battery's ability to hold a charge,
like all batteries, decreases with battery
age and usage which results in decreased
vehicle range when compared to the ve-
hicle range when the vehicle was new. This
is normal and expected, and does not indi-
cate a malfunction of the vehicle or Li-ion
battery. The Li-ion battery's ability to hold a charge
can be affected by how you drive the ve-
hicle, store the vehicle, how you charge the
Li-ion battery and Li-ion battery tempera-
ture during vehicle operation and charging.
To maximize the battery's useful life, use
the following driving and charging habits
where possible:
• Avoid exposing a vehicle to extreme am-
bient temperatures for extended periods.
•
Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures be-
low −13°F (−25°C) for more than seven days.
• Avoid leaving your vehicle for more than 14 days where the Li-ion battery available
charge gauge reaches a zero or near zero
(state of charge).
• Allow the vehicle and Li-ion battery to cool down af ter use before charging.
• Park/store your vehicle in cool locations out of direct sunlight and away from heat
sources.
• Avoid sustained high battery tempera- tures (caused, for example, by exposure
to very high ambient temperatures or ex-
tending highway driving with multiple
quick charges [if so equipped]).
• Use the normal charging or trickle charg- ing methods to charge the Li-ion battery
and minimize the use of public Fast
Charge or Quick Charger. • Moderate driving.
• Use of ECO mode.
• Do not operate the charging timer re-
peatedly while the charge connector is
connected to the vehicle af ter the Li-ion
battery charging is completed. Doing so
may discharge the 12-volt battery.
• The power of the Li-ion battery can be checked on the Li-ion battery available
charge gauge. For additional information,
see “Li-ion battery available charge
gauge” (P. 2-9).LI-ION BATTERY MAINTENANCE
In addition to the regular maintenance rec-
ommended by NISSAN, the LEAF requires
some special Li-ion battery inspections.
• For additional information, refer to theNISSAN Warranty Information Booklet for
significant limitations, exclusions and
possible voiding of your warranty result-
ing from failure to have these necessary
inspections, repairs and/or adjustments
performed.
• For a detailed explanation of the Li-ion battery inspection and intervals, see
“Maintenance and schedules”.
EV OverviewEV-23

1 Safety–Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system
Seats............................................ 1-2Front manual seat adjustment
(for passenger’s seat and if so
equipped for driver’s seat) .....................1-3
Front power seat adjustment
(if so equipped for driver’s seat) ............... 1-4
Rearseats ................................... 1-6
Head restraints/headrests .......................1-7
Adjustable head restraint/headrest
components ................................. 1-8
Non-adjustable head restraint/
headrest components ....................... 1-8
Remove...................................... 1-8
Install ........................................ 1-9
Adjust ........................................ 1-9
Seatbelts ....................................... 1-11
Precautions on seat belt usage ...............1-11
Seat belt warning light and chime ............1-14
Pregnant women ............................ 1-15
Injured persons .............................. 1-15
Three-point type seat belt with
retractor ..................................... 1-15
Seat belt extenders .......................... 1-18Seat belt maintenance
.......................1-19
Child safety ..................................... 1-19
Infants ...................................... 1-20
Small children ............................... 1-20
Larger children .............................. 1-20
Child restraints ................................. 1-22
Precautions on child restraints ..............1-22
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) system ............................ 1-24
Rear-facing child restraint installation
using LATCH ................................ 1-28
Rear-facing child restraint installation
using the seat belts ......................... 1-30
Forward-facing child restraint
installation using LATCH .....................1-33
Forward-facing child restraint
installation using the seat belts .............1-36
Booster seats ................................ 1-41
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ..........1-45
Precautions on SRS ......................... 1-45
Supplemental air bag warning labels ........1-66
Supplemental air bag warning light .........1-66

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 in-
stall child restraints. If the child re-
straint is not secured properly, the
child could be seriously injured or
killed in a collision or a sudden stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
• To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a
mild soap solution or any solution rec-
ommended 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 shoul-
der 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, deterioration, cuts or other dam-
age on the webbing is found, the entire
seat belt assembly should be replaced.
WARNING
Do not allow children to play with the
seat belts. Most seating positions are
equipped with Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) mode seat belts. If the seat
belt becomes wrapped around a child’s
neck with the ALR mode activated, the
child can be seriously injured or killed if
the seat belt retracts and becomes
tight. This can occur even if the vehicle
is parked. Unbuckle the seat belt to re-
lease the child. If the seat belt cannot
be unbuckled or is already unbuckled,
release the child by cutting the seat
belt with a suitable tool (such as a knife
or scissors) to release the seat belt.
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
In addition to the general information in
this manual, child safety information is
available from many other sources, includ-
ing doctors, teachers, government traffic
safety offices, and community organiza-
tions. Every child is different, so be sure to
learn the best way to transport your child.
There are three basic types of child re-
straint systems:
• Rear-facing child restraint
CHILD SAFETY
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-19

pretensioner systems. The monitored cir-
cuits include air bag systems, pretension-
er(s) and all related wiring.
When the power switch is in the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and pretensioner systems
need servicing:
• The supplemental air bag warning lightremains on af ter approximately 7
seconds.
• The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
• The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag, knee air bag
and pretensioner systems may not oper-
ate properly. They must be checked and
repaired. It is recommended that you visit
the nearest NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and/or pretensioner sys-
tems will not operate in an accident. To
help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
this service.
Repair and replacement
procedure
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, knee air bags and pretensioner(s) are
designed to activate on a one-time-only
basis. As a reminder, unless it is damaged,
the supplemental air bag warning light will
remain illuminated af ter inflation has oc-
curred. These systems should be repaired
and/or replaced as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags,
curtain air bags, knee air bags and preten-
sioner(s) and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the maintenance. The power switch should al-
ways be in the LOCK position when work-
ing under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
• Once a front air bag, side air bag, cur-
tain air bag or knee air bag has in-
flated, the air bag module will not
function again and must be replaced.
Additionally, the activated preten-
sioner(s) must also be replaced. The
air bag module and pretensioner(s)
should be replaced. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service. The
air bag modules and pretensioner
system cannot be repaired.
• The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
air bag and knee air bag systems,
and pretensioner system should be
inspected if there is any damage to
the front end or side portion of the
vehicle. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-67