Get EV Overview -> Efficient use of your vehicle Guide for Nissan Leaf 4 Door First Generation (2010-2017)

EFFICIENT USE OF YOUR VEHICLE

RANGE

The distance you can drive the vehicle (range)

varies considerably depending upon available

charge, weather, temperature, usage, battery

age, topography, and driving style.

• electrical load from vehicle accessories,

• traffic and road conditions.

• Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.

• Avoid frequent stopping and braking. Maintain a

safe distance behind other vehicles.

NISSAN recommends the following driving

habits to help maximize vehicle range:

• Turn off the air conditioner/heater when it is not

necessary.

Before driving:

• Select a moderate temperature setting for heat-

ing or cooling to help reduce power consump-

tion.

Vehicle range depends on a number of factors.

When the Li-ion battery is new, the estimated ve-

hicle range with a fully charged Li-ion battery is

estimated to be 84 miles (134 km) based on EPA

laboratory tests. These tests represent a combina-

tion of city and highway driving conditions. Your

actual range can vary, either initially or as the bat-

tery ages and with use over time. The majority of

drivers will experience vehicle ranges between 62

to 138 miles (99 to 222 km) based on the many

factors that affect vehicle range. See “Improve

driving range” in this section for information of the

factors that affect vehicle range and how to use the

vehicle to maximize vehicle range. Please refer to

the Monroney label for ‘official’ EPA range values.

• Follow recommended periodic maintenance.

• Keep tires inflated to correct pressure.

• Keep wheels in correct alignment.

• Use the air conditioner/heater and close win-

dows to reduce drag when cruising at highway

speed.

• Pre-heat or pre-cool the interior cabin while the

vehicle is charging.

• Remove unnecessary cargo from the vehicle.

• Vehicle range may be substantially reduced in

extremely cold conditions (for example -4°F

(-20°C).

While driving:

• Drive in ECO mode

• Using the climate control system to heat the

cabin when outside temperature is below 32°F

(0°C) uses more electricity and affects vehicle

range more than when using the heater when

the temperature is above 32°F (0°C).

– In the ECO position more regenerative

brake is applied when the accelerator pedal

is released in comparison to the D (Drive)

position and more power is provided to the

Li-ion battery (models with navigation sys-

tem).

IMPROVE DRIVING RANGE

Vehicle range depends on a number of factors.

• Drive at a constant speed. Maintain cruising

speeds with a constant accelerator positions or

by using cruise control when appropriate.

Actual vehicle range will vary depending upon:

• Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Gently press

and release the accelerator pedal for accelera-

tion and deceleration.

• speed,

• vehicle load,

EV Overview EV-23

• Release the accelerator pedal to slow down

and do not apply the brakes when traffic and

road conditions allow.

The Li-ion battery’s ability to hold a charge can be

affected by how you drive the vehicle, store the

vehicle, how you charge the Li-ion battery and

Li-ion battery temperature during vehicle opera-

tion and charging.

• Use the normal charging or trickle charging

methods to charge the Li-ion battery and mini-

mize the use of public Fast Charge or Quick

Charger.

– This vehicle is equipped with a regenerative

brake system. The primary purpose of re-

generative 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)

position, when the accelerator is released,

the regenerative brake system provides

some deceleration and some power to the

Li-ion battery.

• Avoid repetitive charging of the Li-ion battery

with high battery state of charge.

To maximize the battery’s useful life, use the fol-

lowing driving and charging habits where pos-

sible:

• Moderate driving.

• Use of ECO mode.

• Avoid exposing a vehicle to extreme ambient

temperatures for extended periods.

• If the vehicle will not be used for an extended

period of time, charge the Li-ion battery once

every 3 months. Do not operate the charging

timer repeatedly while the charge connector is

connected to the vehicle after the Li-ion battery

charging is completed. Doing so may discharge

the 12-volt battery.

• Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures below

−13°F (−25°C) for over 7 days.

• Avoid leaving your vehicle for over 14 days

where the Li-ion battery available charge gauge

reaches a zero or near zero (state of charge).

LI-ION BATTERY LIFE

The power of the Li-ion battery can be

checked on the Li-ion battery available charge

gauge. See “Li-ion battery available charge

gauge” in the “Instruments and controls” for

details.

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 vehicle range when the vehicle

was new. This is normal and expected, and does

not indicate a malfunction of the vehicle or Li-ion

battery.

• Allow the vehicle and Li-ion battery to cool

down after use before charging.

• Park/store your vehicle in cool locations out of

direct sunlight and away from heat sources.

• Avoid sustained high battery temperatures

(caused, for example, by exposure to very high

ambient temperatures or extending highway

driving with multiple quick charges).

EV-24 EV Overview

EV UNIQUE INFORMATION

LI-ION BATTERY MAINTENANCE

METERS AND INDICATORS

In addition to the regular maintenance recom-

mended by NISSAN, the LEAF requires some

special Li-ion battery inspections.

The vehicle has two displays to provide informa-

tion regarding vehicle operation:

• Upper display

• Lower display

• See the NISSAN Warranty Information Booklet

for significant limitations, exclusions and pos-

sible voiding of your warranty resulting from

failure to have these necessary inspections, re-

pairs and/or adjustments performed.

• See the NISSAN Service and Maintenance

Guide for a detailed explanation of the Li-ion

battery inspection and intervals.

Upper display

Master warning lights:

The master warning lights are located in the

upper display.

The master warning lights illuminate when any

warning lights or indicators illuminate in the lower

display or when messages are displayed on the

vehicle information display.

For additional information, see “Master warning

light” in the “Instruments and controls” section.

EV Overview EV-25

EV Overview -> Efficient use of your vehicle for Your Nissan Leaf 4 Door First Generation (2010-2017)

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