2010-2017 Nissan Leaf 4 Door Instruments and controls -> Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders User Manual
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Instruments and controls -> Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders for Your Nissan Leaf 4 Door First Generation (2010-2017)

WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND  
AUDIBLE REMINDERS  
12-volt battery charge warning light  
Low tire pressure warning light  
Master warning light (red/yellow)  
High beam indicator light  
Plug in indicator light  
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light  
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians  
(VSP) system warning light  
Power steering warning light  
Seat belt warning light  
Power limitation indicator light  
READY to drive indicator light  
BRAKE system warning light (yellow)  
BRAKE warning light (red)  
Supplemental air bag warning light  
Security indicator light  
Electric shift control system warning light  
EV system warning light  
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) warning light  
Exterior light indicator  
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights  
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off indicator  
light  
2-12 Instruments and controls  
Headlight warning light  
Front fog light indicator light (if so equipped)  
Front passenger air bag status light  
Low battery charge warning light  
parking brake”. When these messages flash, im-  
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe location, pull  
the parking brake switch and push the P (Park)  
position switch on the shift lever to place the  
vehicle in the P (Park) position. The warning on  
the meter and the chime stop when the parking  
brake is operated or the vehicle is in the P (Park)  
position. Contact a NISSAN certified LEAF  
dealer for support.  
CHECKING BULBS  
WARNING LIGHTS  
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake,  
and push the power switch in the ON position.  
The following lights will illuminate (if so  
equipped):  
12-volt battery charge  
warning light  
The DC/DC converter converts 400 volt Li-ion  
battery voltage to charge the 12-volt battery.  
,
,
This light illuminates continuously after the bulb is  
checked when the power switch is in the ON  
position, and turns off when the power switch is  
placed in the READY to drive position.  
The following lights illuminate briefly and then  
turn off:  
(yellow),  
,
,
or  
(red),  
,
CAUTION  
or  
,
,
,
When this warning light illuminates, a chime  
sounds and the following warnings are also dis-  
played.  
•
The DC/DC converter system may not  
be functioning properly if the 12-volt  
battery charge warning light illumi-  
nates continuously when the power  
switch is in the READY to drive posi-  
tion. Immediately stop the vehicle in a  
safe location and contact a NISSAN  
certified LEAF dealer.  
,
,
If any light does not illuminate, it may indicate a  
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the electri-  
cal system. Have the system checked by a  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
• Master warning (red)  
• EV system warning light  
The following messages also flash on and off on  
the vehicle information display.  
Some indicators and warnings are also displayed  
on the vehicle information display in the lower  
display. (See “Vehicle information display” in this  
section.)  
If the vehicle is being driven: “Stop the vehicle”  
and if the vehicle is stopped: “When parked apply  
Instruments and controls 2-13  
– If the 12-volt charge warning light con-  
tinues to illuminate when the vehicle is  
in the READY to drive mode, there may  
be a malfunction in the DC/DC con-  
Approaching Vehicle Sound  
for Pedestrians (VSP) system  
warning light  
•
If the 12-volt warning light illuminates  
continuously when the power switch is  
in the READY to drive position. Do not  
charge the 12-volt battery while this  
warning light is illuminated. It may  
lead to a malfunction of the DC/DC  
converter system. Contact a NISSAN  
certified LEAF dealer.  
The Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians  
(VSP) system warning light is located on the  
instrument panel.  
verter. Contact  
a
NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer for inspection.  
or  
Anti-lock Braking  
System (ABS)  
warning light  
This light comes on if there is a malfunction in the  
VSP system.  
NOTE:  
If the VSP system warning light illuminates while  
the power switch is in ON position, or in the  
READY to drive position, it may indicate the VSP  
system is not functioning properly. Have the sys-  
tem checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
• If the vehicle does not go into the READY  
to drive position (when the power switch  
is pushed with the brake pedal is de-  
pressed), jump-start the vehicle to place  
the power switch in the READY to drive  
position. See “Jump starting” in the “In  
case of emergency” section.  
When the power switch is in the ON or READY to  
drive position, the Anti-lock Braking System  
(ABS) warning light illuminates and then turns off.  
This indicates the ABS is operational.  
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the  
power switch is in READY to drive position, or  
while driving, it may indicate the ABS is not  
functioning properly. Have the system checked  
by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
See “Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestri-  
ans (VSP) system” in the “EV overview” section.  
• Do not jump-start the vehicle and contact  
a
inspection:  
BRAKE system warning light  
(yellow)  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for  
– If the 12-volt charge warning light  
turns off when the vehicle is in the  
READY to drive mode, the 12-volt bat-  
tery may be discharged or there may be  
a malfunction in the 12-volt battery re-  
lated system.  
This light functions for both the cooperative re-  
generative brake and the electronically driven  
intelligent brake systems. When the power  
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-  
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates  
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. (See  
“Brake system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-  
tion.)  
2-14 Instruments and controls  
switch is placed in the ON position or in the  
READY to drive position, the light remains illumi-  
nated for about 2 or 3 seconds. If the light illumi-  
nates at any other time, it may indicate that the  
cooperative regenerative brake and/or the elec-  
tronically driven intelligent brake systems are not  
functioning properly. Have the system checked  
by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. If the BRAKE  
warning light (red) also illuminates, stop the ve-  
hicle immediately and contact a NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer. For additional information, see  
“Brake system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-  
tion.  
ing light illuminates, the Vehicle Dynamic Control  
(VDC) warning light and the brake system warn-  
ing light (yellow) also illuminate.  
•
The cooperative regenerative brake  
system may not be working properly if  
the brake system warning light illumi-  
nates when the READY to drive indica-  
tor light is ON. If you judge it to be safe,  
drive carefully to the nearest service  
station for repairs. Otherwise, have  
your vehicle towed because driving  
could be dangerous.  
If the light illuminates while the power switch is in  
the READY to drive position with the parking  
brake not applied, stop the vehicle and perform  
the following items.  
1. Check the brake fluid level. If brake fluid is  
necessary, add fluid and have the system  
checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
See “Brake fluid” in the “Maintenance and  
do-it-yourself” section.  
or  
BRAKE warning  
light (red)  
When the power switch is placed in the ON  
position or in the READY to drive position, the  
light remains illuminated for about a few seconds.  
If the light illuminates at any other time, it may  
indicate that the hydraulic brake system is not  
functioning properly. If the BRAKE warning light  
illuminates, stop the vehicle immediately and  
contact a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the  
warning system checked by a NISSAN certi-  
fied LEAF dealer.  
WARNING  
•
Pressing the brake pedal when the  
power switch position is not in the ON  
or READY to drive position and/or low  
brake fluid level may increase the  
stopping distance and braking will re-  
quire greater pedal effort as well as  
pedal travel.  
WARNING  
•
Your brake system may not be working  
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-  
ing could be dangerous. If you judge  
the brake system to be safe, drive care-  
fully to the nearest service station for  
repairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle  
towed because driving it could be dan-  
gerous.  
Parking brake indicator:  
•
If the brake fluid level is below the  
minimum or MIN mark on the brake  
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the  
brake system has been checked at a  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON  
position, the light comes on when the parking  
brake is applied.  
Low brake fluid warning light:  
When the power switch is in the ON position, the  
light warns of a low brake fluid level. If this warn-  
Instruments and controls 2-15  
NOTE:  
EV system warning  
light  
This light illuminates if there is a malfunction in the  
following systems. Contact a NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer.  
•
•
Pressing the brake pedal when the  
power switch position is not in the ON  
or READY to drive position and/or low  
brake fluid level may increase the  
stopping distance and braking will re-  
quire greater pedal effort as well as  
pedal travel.  
If the brake fluid level is below the  
minimum or MIN mark on the brake  
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the  
brake system has been checked at a  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
The low battery charge warning light turns  
off immediately before the Li-ion battery is  
completely discharged and the vehicle will  
stop. If the Li-ion battery becomes com-  
pletely discharged, the vehicle must be  
charged in order to be driven.  
• Traction motor and inverter system  
• Charge port or on board charger  
• Li-ion battery system  
Low tire pressure warning  
light  
• Cooling system  
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure  
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire  
pressure of all tires.  
• Shift control system  
• Emergency shut off system is activated. See  
“Emergency shut off system” in the “EV over-  
view” section.  
Electric shift control system  
warning light  
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low  
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not  
functioning properly.  
This light illuminates to warn when a malfunction  
occurs in the electric shift control system. When  
the master warning illuminates, the chime sounds  
and the message, “When parked apply parking  
brake”, is displayed on the vehicle information  
display.  
Headlight warning  
light  
This light illuminates if the LED headlights are  
After the power switch is placed in the ON posi-  
tion, this light illuminates for about 1 second and  
then turns off.  
malfunctioning. Contact  
LEAF dealer.  
a
NISSAN certified  
Low tire pressure warning:  
When the power switch is in the OFF position,  
the chime sounds continuously. Make sure the  
parking brake is applied.  
Low battery charge warning  
light  
This light illuminates when the available Li-ion  
battery charge is getting low. Charge as soon as  
it is possible, preferably before the Li-ion battery  
available charge gauge reaches the bottom line.  
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-  
sure, the warning light will illuminate. A CHECK  
TIRE PRESSURE warning also appears on the  
vehicle information display.  
Have the system checked by a NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer.  
2-16 Instruments and controls  
When the low tire pressure warning light illumi-  
nates, you should stop and adjust the tire pres-  
sure to the recommended COLD tire pressure  
shown on the Tire and Loading Information label.  
The low tire pressure warning light does not  
automatically turn off when the tire pressure is  
adjusted. After the tire is inflated to the recom-  
mended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at  
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate the  
TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning  
light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire  
pressure.  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The CHECK TIRE  
PRESSURE warning does not appear if the low  
tire pressure warning light illuminates to indicate  
a TPMS malfunction.  
and may lead to an accident and could  
result in serious personal injury. Check  
the tire pressure for all four tires. Ad-  
just the tire pressure to the recom-  
mended COLD tire pressure shown on  
the Tire and Loading Information label  
to turn the low tire pressure warning  
light OFF. If the light still illuminates  
while driving after adjusting the tire  
pressure, a tire may be flat. If you have  
a flat tire, repair it as soon as possible.  
When a wheel is replaced, the TPMS  
will not function and the low tire pres-  
sure warning light will flash for ap-  
proximately 1 minute. The light will re-  
main on after 1 minute. Contact your  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon  
as possible for tire replacement  
and/or system resetting.  
For additional information, see “Vehicle informa-  
tion display” and “Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-  
tem (TPMS)”in the “Starting and driving”section.  
WARNING  
•
Radio waves could adversely affect  
electric medical equipment. Those  
who use a pacemaker should contact  
the electric medical equipment manu-  
facturer for the possible influences be-  
fore use.  
•
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning appears  
each time the ignition switch is placed in the ON  
position as long as the low tire pressure warning  
light remains illuminated.  
•
•
If the light does not illuminate when  
the power switch is placed in the ON  
position, have the vehicle checked by a  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon  
as possible.  
If the light illuminates while driving,  
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or  
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,  
pull off the road to a safe location and  
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.  
Driving with under-inflated tires may  
permanently damage the tires and in-  
crease the likelihood of tire failure.  
Serious vehicle damage could occur  
For additional information, see “Vehicle informa-  
tion display” in the “Instruments and Controls”  
section and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System  
(TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and  
“In case of emergency” section.  
•
•
Replacing tires with those not origi-  
nally specified by NISSAN could affect  
the proper operation of the TPMS.  
TPMS malfunction:  
CAUTION  
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the low  
tire pressure warning light will flash for approxi-  
mately 1 minute when the power switch is placed  
in the ON position. The light will remain on after  
the 1 minute. Have the system checked by a  
The TPMS is not a substitute for the  
regular tire pressure check. Be sure to  
check the tire pressure regularly.  
Instruments and controls 2-17  
switch is placed in the ON position, and will  
remain illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is  
fastened. At the same time, the chime will sound  
for approximately 6 seconds unless the driver’s  
seat belt is securely fastened.  
Power steering warning light  
•
•
If the vehicle is being driven at speeds  
of less than 16 MPH (25 km/h), the  
TPMS may not operate correctly.  
Be sure to install the specified size of  
tires to the four wheels correctly.  
When the power switch is in the ON position, the  
electric power steering warning light illuminates  
and turn off when the power switch is placed in  
the READY to drive position. This indicates the  
electric power steering system is operational.  
The seat belt warning light for the front passenger  
will illuminate if the seat belt is not fastened when  
the front passenger’s seat is occupied. The front  
passenger seat belt warning light does not acti-  
vate until 5 seconds after the power switch is in  
the ON position.  
Master warning light  
(red/yellow)  
If the electric power steering warning light illumi-  
nates while the READY to drive indicator light is  
ON, it may indicate the electric power steering  
system is not functioning properly and may need  
servicing. Have the electric power steering sys-  
tem checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.  
There are two types of master warning lights:  
yellow and red. These lights illuminate if any  
warning lights or indicator lights are illuminated or  
if various vehicle information warnings appear in  
the vehicle information display.  
See “Seat belts”in the “Safety — Seats seat belts  
and supplemental restraint system” section for  
precautions on seat belt usage.  
Yellow master warning light:  
When the electric power steering warning light  
illuminates while the READY to drive indicator is  
ON, the power assist to the steering will cease  
operation but you will still have control of the  
vehicle. At this time, greater steering efforts are  
required to operate the steering wheel, especially  
in sharp turns and at low speeds.  
The yellow master warning light is located on the  
upper display.  
Supplemental air bag warning  
light  
This light illuminates when a yellow warning light  
on the lower display is illuminated or when a  
message is displayed on the vehicle information  
display.  
After turning the power switch to the ON posi-  
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light will  
illuminate. The supplemental air bag warning light  
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the supple-  
mental front air bag and supplemental side air  
bag, curtain side-impact air bag systems and/or  
pretensioner seat belt are operational.  
See “Power steering system” in the “Starting and  
driving” section.  
Red master warning light:  
The red master warning light is located on the  
upper display.  
Seat belt warning light  
If any of the following conditions occur, the front  
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and preten-  
sioner systems need servicing and your vehicle  
This light illuminates when a red warning light on  
the lower display is illuminated or when a warning  
is displayed on the vehicle information display.  
The light and chime remind you to fasten seat  
belts. The light illuminates whenever the power  
2-18 Instruments and controls  
must be taken to your nearest NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer.  
Vehicle Dynamic Control  
(VDC) warning light  
The light will blink when the Vehicle Dynamic  
Control (VDC) system is operating, thus alerting  
the driver that the vehicle is nearing its traction  
limits. The road surface may be slippery.  
Front fog light indicator  
light (if so equipped)  
• The supplemental air bag warning light remains  
on after approximately 7 seconds.  
The front fog light indicator light illuminates when  
the front fog lights are on. See “Fog light switch”  
in this section.  
• The supplemental air bag warning light flashes  
intermittently.  
Front passenger air bag status  
light  
The front passenger air bag status light (located  
on the center of the instrument panel) will be lit  
and the passenger front air bag will be turned  
OFF depending on how the front passenger seat  
is being used.  
• The supplemental air bag warning light does not  
illuminate at all.  
When the VDC warning light illuminates with  
VDC system turned on, this light alerts the driver  
to the fact that the VDC system’s fail-safe mode  
is operating, for example the VDC system may  
not be functioning properly. Have the system  
checked by a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. If a  
malfunction occurs in the system, the VDC sys-  
tem function will be canceled but the vehicle is  
still driveable. For additional information, see “Ve-  
hicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” in the  
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.  
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemental  
Restraint Systems and/or the pretensioners may  
not function properly.  
For additional information, see “Supplemental re-  
straint system” in the “Safety — Seats seat belts  
and supplemental restraint system” section.  
For front passenger air bag status light operation,  
see “NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System (front  
seats)” in the “Safety — Seats seat belts and  
supplemental restraint system” section of this  
manual.  
WARNING  
If the supplemental air bag warning light  
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,  
side air bag, curtain air bag and/or pre-  
tensioner systems will not operate in an  
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself  
or others, have your vehicle checked by a  
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer as soon as  
possible.  
INDICATOR LIGHTS  
Exterior light indicator  
High beam indicator light  
(blue)  
This light illuminates when the headlight high  
beam is on and goes out when the low beam is  
selected.  
This indicator illuminates when the headlight  
switch is turned to the AUTO (if so equipped),  
or  
position and the front parking  
lights, side maker lights, tail and license plate  
lights are on. The indicator turns off when these  
lights are turned off.  
Instruments and controls 2-19  
• When the temperature of EV system is high  
(motor, inverter, coolant system, Li-ion battery  
etc.)  
Plug in indicator light  
WARNING  
This light illuminates while charge connector is  
connected to the vehicle and blinks during charg-  
ing.  
Power limitation mode can result in re-  
duced power and vehicle speed. The re-  
duced speed may be lower than other  
traffic, which could increase the chance  
of a collision. Be especially careful when  
driving. If the vehicle cannot maintain a  
safe driving speed, pull to the side of the  
road in a safe area. Charge the Li-ion  
battery if the charge is low or allow the  
Li-ion battery to cool.  
• When the EV system has a malfunction.  
If the low battery charge warning light is illumi-  
nated, charge the Li-ion battery as soon as pos-  
sible.  
NOTE:  
If the charge connector is connected to the  
vehicle, the power switch can not be placed  
in the READY to drive position.  
If this indicator illuminates because the Li-ion  
battery is cold due to low outside temperatures,  
move the vehicle to a warmer location. The Li-ion  
battery temperature may be increased by charg-  
ing the Li-ion battery.  
Power limitation indicator light  
READY to drive indicator light  
When the power limitation indicator light is illu-  
minated, the power provided to the traction motor  
is reduced. Therefore the vehicle is not as re-  
sponsive when the accelerator is depressed  
while the power limitation light is illuminated.  
If the light illuminates when the EV system be-  
comes hot due to continuous hill climbing either  
continue driving at a slower safe speed, or stop  
the vehicle in a safe location. If this indicator does  
not turn off, contact a NISSAN certified dealer.  
The READY to drive indicator light illuminates  
when the EV (Electric Vehicle) System is pow-  
ered and the vehicle may be driven.  
The READY to drive indicator light will turn off in  
the following conditions.  
When this light comes on, the warning display  
appears on the navigation display and the vehicle  
information display. Follow the instructions pro-  
vided on the navigation display.  
If the indicator illuminate when a part in the EV  
system has malfunctioned. If the indicator illumi-  
nates in a situation other than those described  
above, or if it does not turn off, there may be a  
system malfunction. Contact a NISSAN certified  
LEAF dealer.  
• Certain EV (Electric Vehicle) system malfunc-  
tions.  
• The READY to drive indicator light turns off  
immediately before the Li-ion battery is com-  
pletely discharged If the Li-ion battery becomes  
completely discharged, the vehicle must be  
charged in order to be driven. See “Low battery  
charge warning light” in this section.  
This light illuminates in the following conditions.  
• Li-ion battery available charge is extremely low  
• Li-ion battery temperature is very low (approxi-  
mately −4°F (−20°C)  
2-20 Instruments and controls  
Make sure that the power switch is pushed to the  
OFF position, and take the Intelligent Key with  
you when leaving the vehicle.  
Security indicator light  
AUDIBLE REMINDERS  
Brake pad wear warning  
This light blinks when the power switch is in the  
ACC, OFF or LOCK position. This function indi-  
cates the security system equipped on the ve-  
hicle is operational.  
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.  
When a brake pad requires replacement, it will  
make a high pitched scraping sound when the  
vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will first  
occur only when the brake pedal is depressed.  
After more wear of the brake pad, the sound will  
always be heard even if the brake pedal is not  
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as  
possible if the warning sound is heard.  
Light reminder chime  
The light reminder chime will sound when the  
driver side door is opened with the light switch in  
If the security system is malfunctioning, this light  
will remain on while the power switch is in the ON  
position. For additional information, see “Security  
systems” in this section.  
the  
or  
position, and the power  
switch in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.  
Turn the light switch off when you leave the  
vehicle.  
Turn signal/hazard indicator  
lights  
This light flashes when the turn signal switch  
lever or hazard switch is turned on.  
Parking brake reminder chime  
Electric shift control system reminder  
chime  
If an improper shift operation is performed, for  
safety reasons a chime will sound and at the  
same time, depending on the conditions, the  
operation will be cancelled or the shift position  
will switch to the N position.  
A chime sounds if the parking brake is set and the  
vehicle is driven. The chime will stop if the parking  
brake is released or the vehicle speed returns to  
zero.  
Vehicle Dynamic Control  
(VDC) off indicator light  
This light illuminates when the Vehicle Dynamic  
Control (VDC) switch is pushed to OFF. This  
indicates that the VDC system is not operating.  
See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system” in  
the “Starting and driving” section.  
Power switch reminder chime (if so  
equipped)  
The power switch reminder chime will sound  
when the driver’s door is opened while the power  
switch is in the ON or READY position. Push the  
power switch to the OFF position.  
For more details, see “Driving vehicle” in the  
“Starting and driving” section.  
Key reminder chime  
A chime will sound if the driver’s side door is  
opened while the power switch is pushed to the  
ON or ACC position.  
Instruments and controls 2-21  

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