Get Appearance and care Guide for Nissan Leaf 4 Door Second Generation (2018-2025)

7 Appearance and care

Cleaning exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Air fresheners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Floor mats (if so equipped) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5

Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6

Corrosion protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

Most common factors contributing to

Removing spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Underbody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Aluminum alloy wheels (if so equipped). . . . . . . 7-4

Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

Tire dressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

Cleaning interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4

vehicle corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

Environmental factors influence the

rate of corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

Protect your vehicle from corrosion . . . . . . . . . . 7-7

CLEANING EXTERIOR

In order to maintain the appearance of

your vehicle, it is important to take proper

care of it.

WASHING

•

Do not use car washes that use acid

in the detergent. Some car washes,

especially brushless ones, use some

acid for cleaning. The acid may react

with some plastic vehicle compo-

nents, causing them to crack. This

could affect their appearance, and

also could cause them not to func-

tion properly. Always check with your

car wash to confirm that acid is not

used.

Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge

and plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thor-

oughly using a mild soap, a special vehicle

soap or general purpose dishwashing liq-

uid mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot)

water.

To protect the paint surfaces, wash your

vehicle as soon as you can:

• After a rainfall to prevent possible dam-

age from acid rain.

• After driving on coastal roads.

CAUTION

• When contaminants such as soot, bird

droppings, tree sap, metal particles or

bugs get on the paint surface.

•

Do not concentrate water spray di-

rectly on the sonar sensors (if so

equipped) on the bumper as this will

result in damage to the sensors. Do

not use pressure washers capable of

spraying water over 1,200 psi (8,274

kPa) to wash your vehicle. Use of

high-pressure washers over 1,200 psi

(8,274 kPa) can result in damage to or

removal of paint or graphics. Avoid

using a high-pressure washer closer

than 12 inches (30 cm) to the vehicle.

Always use a wide-angle nozzle only,

keep the nozzle moving and do not

concentrate the water spray on any

one area.

•

Do not wash the vehicle with strong

household soap, strong chemical de-

tergents, gasoline or solvents.

• When dust or mud builds up on the sur-

face.

Whenever possible, store or park your ve-

hicle inside a garage or in a covered area.

Do not wash the vehicle in direct sun-

light or while the vehicle body is hot,

as the surface may become

water-spotted.

When it is necessary to park outside, park in

a shady area or protect the vehicle with a

body cover.

•

Avoid using tight-napped or rough

cloths, such as washing mitts. Care

must be taken when removing

caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-

stances so the paint surface is not

scratched or damaged.

Be careful not to scratch the paint sur-

face when putting on or removing the

body cover.

7-2 Appearance and care

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of

clean water.

Machine compound or aggressive polish-

ing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish

may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.

CAUTION

When cleaning the inside of the win-

dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,

abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based

disinfectant cleaners. They could dam-

age the electrical conductors, radio an-

tenna elements or rear window de-

froster elements.

Inside flanges, seams and folds on the

doors, hatches and hood are particularly

vulnerable to the effects of road salt. There-

fore, these areas must be regularly

cleaned. Make sure that the drain holes in

the lower edge of the door are open. Spray

water under the body and in the wheel

wells to loosen the dirt and wash away

road salt.

REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,

insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible

from the paint surface to avoid lasting

damage or staining. Special cleaning prod-

ucts are available at a NISSAN certified

LEAF dealer or any automotive accessory

stores.

WHEELS

Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle

to maintain their appearance.

Avoid leaving water spots on the paint sur-

face by using a damp chamois to dry the

vehicle.

UNDERBODY

• Clean the inner side of the wheels when

the wheel is changed or the underside of

the vehicle is washed.

In areas where road salt is used in winter,

the underbody must be cleaned regularly.

This will prevent dirt and salt from building

up and causing the acceleration of corro-

sion on the underbody and suspension.

Before the winter period and again in the

spring, the underseal must be checked

and, if necessary, re-treated.

WAXING

• Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or

corrosion. Such damage may cause loss

of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.

Regular waxing protects the paint surface

and helps retain new vehicle appearance.

Polishing is recommended to remove

built-up wax residue and to avoid a weath-

ered appearance before reapplying wax.

• NISSAN recommends that the road

wheels be waxed to protect against road

salt in areas where it is used during win-

ter.

A NISSAN certified LEAF dealer can assist

you in choosing the proper product.

GLASS

Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and

dust film from the glass surfaces. It is nor-

mal for glass to become coated with a film

after the vehicle is parked in the hot sun.

Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will easily

remove this film.

• Wax your vehicle only after a thorough

washing. Follow the instructions supplied

with the wax.

CAUTION

Do not use abrasive cleaners when

washing the wheels.

• Do not use a wax containing any abra-

sives, cutting compounds or cleaners

that may damage the vehicle finish.

Appearance and care 7-3

CLEANING INTERIOR

Occasionally remove loose dust from the

interior trim, plastic parts and seats using a

vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush.Wipe

the vinyl and leather surfaces (if so

equipped) with a clean, soft cloth damp-

ened in mild soap solution, then wipe clean

with a dry soft cloth.

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS (if so

equipped)

TIRE DRESSING

NISSAN does not recommend the use of

tire dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a

coating to the tires to help reduce discolor-

ation of the rubber. If a tire dressing is ap-

plied to the tires, it may react with the coat-

ing and form a compound. This compound

may come off the tire while driving and

stain the vehicle paint.

Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in

a mild soap solution, especially during win-

ter months in areas where road salt is used.

Salt could discolor the wheels if not re-

moved.

Regular care and cleaning is required in

order to maintain the appearance of the

leather (if so equipped).

CAUTION

If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the

following precautions:

Follow the directions below to avoid

staining or discoloring the wheels:

Before using any fabric protector, read the

manufacturer’s recommendations. Some

fabric protectors contain chemicals that

may stain or bleach the seat material.

• Use a water-based tire dressing. The

coating on the tire dissolves more easily

with an oil-based tire dressing.

•

Do not use a cleaner that uses strong

acid or alkali contents to clean the

wheels.

Use a cloth dampened only with water to

clean the meter and gauge lens.

• Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help

prevent it from entering the tire tread/

grooves (where it would be difficult to re-

move).

•

Do not apply wheel cleaners to the

wheels when they are hot. The wheel

temperature should be the same as

ambient temperature.

WARNING

• Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry

towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-

pletely removed from the tire tread/

grooves.

Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot

steam cleaners) on the seat. This can

damage the seat or occupant classifi-

cation sensor (weight sensor). This can

also affect the operation of the air bag

system and result in serious personal

injury.

•

Rinse the wheel to completely re-

move the cleaner within 15 minutes

after the cleaner is applied.

• Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-

mended by the tire dressing manufac-

turer.

CHROME PARTS

Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-

abrasive chrome polish to maintain the fin-

ish.

7-4 Appearance and care

• Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip on

the vents. These products can cause im-

mediate damage and discoloration

when spilled on interior surfaces.

CAUTION

•

Never use benzine, thinner, or any

similar material.

Small dirt particles can be abrasive

and damaging to the leather sur-

faces (if so equipped) and should be

removed promptly. Do not use saddle

soap, car waxes, polishes, oils, clean-

ing fluids, solvents, detergents or

ammonia-based cleaners as they

may damage the leather’s natural

finish.

Carefully read and follow the manufactur-

er’s instructions before using air freshen-

ers.

•

Never use fabric protectors unless

recommended by the manufacturer.

LPD2378

Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on

meter or gauge lens covers. It may

damage the lens cover.

FLOOR MATS (if so equipped)

WARNING

To avoid potential pedal interference

that may result in a collision, injury or

death:

AIR FRESHENERS

Most air fresheners use a solvent that

could affect the vehicle interior. If you use

an air freshener, take the following precau-

tions:

•

NEVER place a floor mat on top of

another floor mat in the driver front

position or install them upside down

or backwards.

• Hanging-type air fresheners can cause

permanent discoloration when they con-

tact vehicle interior surfaces. Place the air

freshener in a location that allows it to

hang free and not contact an interior sur-

face.

•

Use only Genuine NISSAN floor mats,

or equivalent floor mats, that are

specifically designed for use in your

vehicle model and model year.

Appearance and care 7-5

When installing Genuine NISSAN floor mats,

follow the installation instructions provided

with the mat and the following:

•

Properly position the mats in the

floorwell using the floor mat posi-

tioning hook. For additional informa-

tion, refer to "Floor mat installation"

in this section.

1. Position the floor mat in the floorwell so

that the floor mat grommet holes are

aligned with the hook(s).

•

Make sure the floor mat does not in-

terfere with pedal operation.

2. Secure the grommet holes into the

hook(s) and ensure that the floor mat is

properly positioned.

Periodically check the floor mats to

make sure they are properly

installed.

3. Make sure the floor mat does not inter-

fere with pedal operation. With the

power switch in the OFF position, the

selector lever in the P (Park) position fully

apply and release all pedals. The floor

mat must not interfere with pedal op-

eration or prevent the pedal from re-

turning to its normal position.

•

After cleaning the vehicle interior,

check the floor mats to make sure

they are properly installed.

LVA0002X

The use of Genuine NISSAN floor mats can

extend the life of your vehicle carpet and

make it easier to clean the interior. Mats

should be maintained with regular clean-

ing and replaced if they become exces-

sively worn.

Positioning hooks

The illustration shows the location of floor

mat positioning hooks.

It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN

certified LEAF dealer for details about in-

stalling the floor mats in your vehicle.

SEAT BELTS

The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping

them with a sponge dampened in a mild

soap solution. Allow the belts to dry com-

pletely in the shade before using them.

Floor mat installation

Your vehicle is equipped with floor mat po-

sitioning hook(s). The number and shape of

the floor mat positioning hooks for each

seating position varies depending on the

vehicle.

For additional information, refer to “Seat

belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and

supplemental restraint system” section of

this manual.

7-6 Appearance and care

CORROSION PROTECTION

MOST COMMON FACTORS

CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE

CORROSION

• The accumulation of moisture-retaining

dirt and debris in body panel sections,

cavities, and other areas.

Temperature

WARNING

A temperature increase will accelerate the

rate of corrosion to those parts which are

not well ventilated.

Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in

the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or

chemical solvents to clean the seat

belts, since these materials may se-

verely weaken the seat belt webbing.

Air pollution

• Damage to paint and other protective

coatings caused by gravel and stone

chips or minor traffic accidents.

Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in

the air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt

use will accelerate the corrosion process.

Road salt will also accelerate the disinte-

gration of paint surfaces.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

INFLUENCE THE RATE OF

CORROSION

PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM

CORROSION

• Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep

the vehicle clean.

Moisture

Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on

the vehicle body underside can accelerate

corrosion. Wet floor coverings will not dry

completely inside the vehicle, and should

be removed for drying to avoid floor panel

corrosion.

• Always check for minor damage to the

paint and repair it as soon as possible.

• Keep drain holes at the bottom of the

doors open to avoid water accumulation.

• Check the underbody for accumulation

of sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with

water as soon as possible.

Relative humidity

Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of

high relative humidity, especially those ar-

eas where the temperatures stay above

freezing, where atmospheric pollution ex-

ists, or where road salt is used.

Appearance and care 7-7

CAUTION

•

NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de-

bris from the passenger compart-

ment by washing it out with a hose.

Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.

Never allow water or other liquids to

come in contact with electronic com-

ponents inside the vehicle as this

may damage them.

Chemicals used for road surface deicing

are extremely corrosive. They accelerate

corrosion and deterioration of underbody

components such as the brake lines, brake

cables, floor pan and fenders.

In winter, the underbody must be

cleaned periodically.

For additional protection against rust and

corrosion, which may be required in some

areas, it is recommended that you consult

a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.

7-8 Appearance and care

Appearance and care for Your Nissan Leaf 4 Door Second Generation (2018-2025)

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