Removing spots

To preserve the pristine finish of your Nissan Leaf, it is essential to remove stubborn contaminants such as road tar, oil splatters, industrial fallout, insect residue, and tree sap as promptly as possible. If left to sit, these substances can chemically bond with or etch the paint surface, leading to permanent staining or deep damage that may be difficult to rectify. Specialized automotive cleaning products designed for these specific contaminants are readily available at your local NISSAN certified LEAF dealer or at reputable automotive accessory retailers.

Underbody

In regions where road salt and de-icing chemicals are applied during the winter months, the underbody of your Nissan Leaf requires consistent and thorough cleaning.

Maintaining a clean undercarriage effectively prevents the accumulation of corrosive salt and debris, which significantly accelerates rust and oxidation on critical structural components, the chassis, and the suspension system.

We advise that the vehicle's protective underseal be inspected by a professional technician before the onset of winter and again in the spring. If any areas of the protective coating have been compromised, they should be re-treated promptly to ensure long-term structural integrity.

Glass

Maintain optimal visibility by using a high-quality glass cleaner to eliminate smoke, grime, and environmental dust film from all windows. It is a common occurrence for interior glass surfaces to develop a light, hazy film after the vehicle has been parked for an extended duration under intense, hot sun due to the off-gassing of interior materials.

A standard glass cleaner applied with a clean, soft microfiber cloth will easily lift this film, restoring absolute clarity to your view.

CAUTION

When cleaning the interior side of the windows, never utilize sharp-edged scrapers, abrasive scrubbing pads, or harsh chlorine-based disinfectant cleaners. These materials can cause irreparable damage to the sensitive electrical conductors, including the radio antenna elements integrated into the glass and the rear window defroster grid.

Wheels

To keep your Nissan Leaf looking its best, we recommend washing the wheel assemblies thoroughly every time you wash the vehicle exterior.

• Be sure to clean the inner barrel of the wheels whenever the tires are removed for service or when you are performing a deep cleaning of the vehicle's underside.
• Periodically inspect the wheel rims for any signs of dents, cracks, or corrosion. Such structural imperfections can lead to a loss of tire pressure or prevent a proper airtight seal at the tire bead, potentially affecting handling and safety.
• NISSAN recommends applying a protective layer of wax to the wheels to provide a barrier against road salt in areas where winter road treatments are frequently used.

CAUTION

Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steel wool when washing the wheels, as these will permanently scratch the finish and compromise the protective coating.

Aluminum alloy wheels

Clean your alloy wheels regularly using a sponge dampened in a gentle, pH-balanced soap solution. This is especially vital during the winter months in climates where road salt is applied, as the chemical properties of the salt can cause rapid discoloration and pitting if the wheels are not cleaned frequently.

Prolonged exposure to salt will inevitably discolor the metallic finish if it is not removed through routine maintenance.

CAUTION

To protect the appearance and longevity of your alloy wheels, strictly adhere to these guidelines to prevent staining or permanent discoloration:

• Never use cleaners that contain high concentrations of strong acids or caustic alkali, as these will react aggressively with the wheel finish.
• Avoid applying any wheel cleaning solutions while the wheels are hot from recent driving. Always ensure the wheels have cooled to the ambient air temperature before starting the cleaning process.
• Always rinse the wheels thoroughly with plenty of water to ensure every trace of cleaning solution is removed within 15 minutes of initial application.

Chrome parts

To maintain the high-luster finish of chrome components, clean them regularly using a specialized, non-abrasive chrome polish that is formulated to protect the metal without causing micro-scratches.

Tire dressing

NISSAN does not generally recommend the use of supplemental tire dressings. Most tire manufacturers apply a specialized protective coating to the sidewalls during production, which is designed to inhibit the natural browning or discoloration of the rubber. Applying third-party tire dressings may cause a chemical reaction with this factory coating, potentially forming a sticky compound that can be slung off the tire while driving, leading to unsightly staining on the paintwork of your Nissan Leaf.

If you choose to use a tire dressing, observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of damage:

• Prioritize the use of a high-quality, water-based tire dressing, as these are generally less aggressive than oil-based alternatives which can dissolve the tire's factory-applied protective layer more rapidly.
• Apply only a very light, thin coat to the sidewall to avoid the product migrating into the tire tread or grooves, where it is notoriously difficult to remove and may negatively impact traction.
• Always wipe away any excess dressing using a clean, dry towel, ensuring that no residue remains in the tread or grooves of the tire.
• Allow the dressing to cure and dry completely according to the specific recommendations provided by the product manufacturer before operating the vehicle.

• Cleaning interior
• Corrosion protection