Get EV Overview -> The EV (Electric Vehicle) system Guide for Nissan Leaf 4 Door First Generation (2010-2017)

THE EV (ELECTRIC VEHICLE)

SYSTEM

LI-ION BATTERY

The LEAF is an electric vehicle. Some of the

vehicle’s systems operate differently and have

different operating characteristics than vehicles

equipped with an internal combustion engine. It is

important to carefully review the entire Owner’s

Manual for this reason. The main difference is the

LEAF is powered by electricity. The LEAF does

not require and it is not capable of using gasoline

like a vehicle powered by a traditional internal

combustion engine. The LEAF uses electricity

stored in the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. The ve-

hicle Li-ion battery must be charged with electric-

ity before the vehicle can be driven. As the vehicle

operates, the Li-ion battery gradually discharges.

If the Li-ion battery becomes completely dis-

charged, the vehicle will not operate until it is

re-charged. The charging process usually takes

from approximately 30 minutes to 21 hours as

described more fully in this manual.

The Li-ion battery provides power to the electric

motor (traction motor) that moves the vehicle.

WARNING

The Li-ion battery also charges the 12-volt bat-

tery.

Your vehicle contains a sealed Li-ion high

voltage battery. If the Li-ion battery is

disposed of improperly, there is a risk of

severe burns and electrical shock that

may result in serious injury or death and

there is also a risk of environmental dam-

age.

The vehicle must be plugged in for the Li-ion

battery to be charged. Additionally, the vehicle

system can extend the vehicle range by convert-

ing driving force into electricity that is stored in

the Li-ion battery while the vehicle is decelerating

or being driven downhill. This is called regenera-

tive brake. This vehicle is considered to be an

environmentally friendly vehicle because it does

not emit exhaust gases, such as carbon dioxide

and nitrogen oxide.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the Li-ion battery:

•

Do not expose a vehicle to extreme

ambient temperatures for extended

periods.

Do not store a vehicle in temperatures

below −13°F (−25°C) for over seven

days.

Do not leave your vehicle for over 14

days where the Li-ion battery available

charge gauge reaches a zero or near

zero (state of charge).

This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is

the 12-volt battery that is the same as the battery

in vehicles powered by gasoline engines, the

other is the Li-ion battery (high voltage).

•

Do not use the Li-ion battery for any

other purpose.

The 12-volt battery provides power to the vehicle

systems and features such as the audio system,

supplemental restraint systems, headlights and

windshield wipers.

EV-2 EV Overview

• The Li-ion battery has a limited service

life. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF

dealer for information about recycling or

disposal of the Li-ion battery. Do not at-

tempt to recycle or dispose of the Li-ion

battery yourself.

NOTE:

• If the outside temperature is −13°F

(−25°C) or less, the Li-ion battery may

freeze and it cannot be charged or provide

power to run the vehicle. Move the vehicle

to a warm location.

• The capacity of the Li-ion battery in your

vehicle to hold a charge will, like all such

batteries, decrease with time and usage.

As the battery ages and capacity de-

creases, this will result in a decrease from

the vehicle’s initial mileage range. This is

normal, expected, and not indicative of

any defect in your Li-ion battery. NISSAN

estimates that battery capacity will be ap-

proximately 80% of original capacity after

five years, although this is only an esti-

mate, and this percentage may vary (and

could be significantly lower) depending

on individual vehicle and Li-ion battery

usage.

DRIVING WITH A DISCHARGED

LI-ION BATTERY

When a destination is set in the navigation sys-

tem that exceeds the available vehicle range, the

navigation system automatically searches the lo-

cation of nearby charging stations. When the

nearby charging station locations are displayed,

charge the Li-ion battery as soon as possible

(models with navigation system).

Warning lights illuminate on the instrument panel

and messages are displayed on the vehicle infor-

mation display to inform you that the Li-ion bat-

tery charge is low. Instructions are also displayed

on the navigation system screen to direct you to

nearby charging stations (models with navigation

system).

• The Li-ion battery has limited service life,

and when its charging capacity falls below

a specific level, the EV system warning

light will illuminate. Owners should bring

their vehicle in for inspection and possible

battery replacement.

The vehicle’s range is very limited when these

warning lights illuminate and messages are dis-

played. Follow the instructions on the navigation

screen (models with navigation system) and im-

mediately charge the vehicle at the nearest

charging station.

EV Overview EV-3

There are three levels of information that will be

displayed as the Li-ion battery becomes dis-

charged:

1. The following warning lights illuminate on the

instrument panel and messages are displayed

on the vehicle information display at the same

time to indicate low Li-ion battery charge:

• The low battery charge warning light

• The master warning light

• “Li-ion battery level is Low”warning message

is displayed on the vehicle information dis-

play

• See “Li-ion battery low charge warning” in

the “Instruments and controls” section.

• The driving range flashes

2. If the vehicle is driven and the Li-ion battery

᭺

continues to discharge, the driving range on

• Messages are displayed on navigation sys-

tem screen (if so equipped)

• See “Low battery warning” in the “Instru-

ments and controls” section.

NOTE:

the instrument panel changes to “—-”

᭺

Due to traffic conditions, it may be diffi-

cult to get to the charging station sug-

gested by the navigation system. If the

Li-ion battery is almost completely dis-

charged, drive directly to the nearest

charging station (models with naviga-

tion system).

Messages are displayed on the Navigation

System screen (if so equipped). For more

information, see “Low battery warning” in the

“Instruments and controls” section.

3. When the power limitation indicator light

illuminates, traction motor output is lim-

ited resulting in reduced vehicle speed. Stop

the vehicle in a safe location before the Li-ion

battery becomes completely discharged and

EV-4 EV Overview

there is no power available to drive the ve-

hicle. Contact Roadside assistance service

shown in your NISSAN Warranty Information

Booklet. See “If the Li-ion battery becomes

completely discharged” in the “In case of

emergency” section.

The Li-ion battery warmer uses electrical power

from an external source when a charger is con-

nected to the vehicle. The Li-ion battery warmer

uses electrical power from the Li-ion battery

when the charger is not connected to the vehicle.

While the vehicle is not in use

When the EV (Electric Vehicle) system is off for

an extended time, the 12-volt battery may be

automatically charged for a short period of time

on a regular basis.

NOTE:

LI-ION BATTERY WARMER

CHARGING THE 12-VOLT BATTERY

The 12-volt battery is charged automatically us-

ing electricity stored in the Li-ion battery.

• Connect the charger to the vehicle and

place the power switch in the OFF posi-

tion when parking the vehicle if tempera-

tures may go below -1°F (-17°C). This pro-

vides external power to the Li-ion battery

warmer when it operates and does not

discharge the Li-ion battery.

CAUTION

The Li-ion battery warmer does not oper-

ate if the available Li-ion battery charge

is less than approximately 30% and the

charger is not connected to the vehicle.

To help prevent the Li-ion battery from

freezing, do not leave the vehicle in an

environment if temperatures may go be-

low -1°F (-17°C) unless the vehicle is con-

nected to a charger.

When the 12-volt battery is being charged, the

charge status indicator light on the instrument

panel flashes (except when charging the Li-ion

battery or the power switch is in the READY to

drive position). See “Charge status indicator

lights” in the “Charge” section.

• The charging status indicator lights illumi-

nate in a specific pattern when the Li-ion

battery warmer operates. The charging

status indicator lights use the same pat-

tern to indicate 12-volt battery charging,

Climate Ctrl. Timer operation or Remote

Climate Control operation (models with

navigation system). The charging status

indicator lights do not change if the Li-ion

battery warmer operates at the same time

as the above features. See “Charge status

indicator lights” in the “Charging” section.

While vehicle is driven

The Li-ion battery charges the 12-volt battery as

necessary when the power switch is in the

READY to drive position or ON position.

The Li-ion battery warmer helps to prevent the

Li-ion battery from freezing and helps to prevent

significant reductions in the Li-ion battery output

when the temperature is cold. The Li-ion battery

warmer automatically turns on when the Li-ion

battery temperature is approximately -1°F

(-17°C) or colder. The Li-ion battery warmer au-

tomatically turns off when the Li-ion battery tem-

perture is approximately 14°F (-10°C) or higher.

The 12-volt battery is not charged in the following

conditions.

• When the power switch is in ACC position.

• When the power switch is in ON position and

shift position is in the N (Neutal) position.

EV Overview EV-5

• The Li-ion battery warmer uses Li-ion bat-

tery power to operate, even if the vehicle

is connected to a charger when:

– the vehicle’s power switch is in the ON

position.

mote Climate Control (models with navi-

gation system) while the Li-ion battery

warmer operates.

• The Li-ion battery may not charge to the

expected level using the charging timer

when [Start Time] (models with navigation

system) and [End Time] are set while the

Li-ion battery warmer operates.

– there is no electrical power being sup-

plied to the charging equipment.

• When the Li-ion battery warmer is already

in operation using an external power

source, it will continue to use the external

power even if the power switch is placed

in the ON position.

• Set the charging timer [End Time] when

charging in cold weather. The vehicle au-

tomatically determines when to start

charging to fully charge the Li-ion battery,

even if the Li-ion battery warmer operates.

Charging ends before the set end time if

the Li-ion battery is fully charged.

• Vehicle driving range is reduced if the

Li-ion battery warmer operates (Li-ion

battery temperature approximately -1°F

(-17°C) or colder) while driving the vehicle.

You may need to charge the Li-ion battery

sooner than in warmer temperatures.

• The Li-ion battery requires more time to

charge when the Li-ion battery warmer

operates.

• The predicted charging time displayed on

the meter and navigation system (models

with navigation system) increases when

the Li-ion battery warmer operates.

• Climate control performance is reduced

when using the Climate Ctrl. Timer or Re-

EV-6 EV Overview

EV Overview -> The EV (Electric Vehicle) system for Your Nissan Leaf 4 Door First Generation (2010-2017)

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