Nissan Leaf 2018-2025 (ZE1) Owner's Manual : Maintenance precautions

When performing any inspection or maintenance work on your Nissan Leaf, it is imperative to prioritize safety to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to the vehicle's sophisticated components. The following general precautions represent essential safety standards that must be observed during any service procedure.

WARNING

  • The EV system in your Nissan Leaf utilizes a high-voltage architecture of approximately 400 volts DC. This system can remain extremely hot both during and immediately after operation, even when the vehicle is powered down. Always be mindful of both the high-voltage electrical hazards and the high operating temperatures. Strictly adhere to all safety warning labels attached to the vehicle components.
  • Under no circumstances should you attempt to disassemble, remove, or replace any high-voltage components, cables, or connectors. For your safety, these high-voltage cables are identified by their distinctive orange outer insulation.
  • Unauthorized tampering with these specific parts or cables can lead to severe electrical shock or thermal burns, which may result in serious permanent injury or death.

    Please note that the vehicle's high-voltage system contains no user-serviceable components. It is strictly recommended that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for any necessary maintenance or diagnostics.

  • Always park the vehicle on a flat, level surface, engage the parking brake firmly, and utilize wheel chocks to prevent any unexpected movement. Ensure the transmission is securely set by pressing the P (Park) position switch on the shift lever or placing the vehicle in the N (Neutral) position as required by the specific task.
  • If you are required to perform maintenance while the EV system is powered ON, keep your hands, clothing, hair, and all tools clear of radiator fans and any other automated moving parts that may engage without warning.
  • Always ensure that the power switch is explicitly set to the OFF or LOCK position before commencing any repairs or part replacements.
  • For your personal safety, remove any loose clothing and take off all jewelry, including rings, watches, and bracelets, before working under the hood.

    These items can inadvertently cause electrical shorts or become snagged on moving parts.

  • Always wear approved industrial eye protection whenever you are working on your vehicle to guard against debris or chemical splashes.
  • Never position yourself or any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is supported solely by a jack. If work beneath the chassis is required, the vehicle must be supported by certified safety stands placed at the designated jacking points.
  • Maintain a safe distance from the 12-volt battery, keeping all potential sources of flames, sparks, or intense heat away, as the battery may emit flammable hydrogen gas.

CAUTION

  • Do not attempt to perform work under the hood while the motor compartment is hot. Always set the power switch to the OFF position and allow the system ample time to cool down completely before touching any components.
  • Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant, as it can be harmful. If contact occurs, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.

Improper disposal of engine coolant, brake fluid, or other automotive fluids poses a significant threat to the ecosystem. You must strictly adhere to all local, state, and federal environmental regulations regarding the responsible collection and disposal of all vehicle fluids.

  • Never attempt to connect or disconnect the 12-volt battery terminals or any transistorized electronic components while the power switch of your Nissan Leaf is in the ON position, as this can cause harmful voltage spikes.
  • Your Nissan Leaf is equipped with an advanced automatic cooling fan system designed to manage thermal levels. Be aware that this fan can activate spontaneously at any time, even when the power switch is completely inactive (not in the ACC, ON, or READY to drive positions). To prevent any risk of physical injury, always disconnect the negative terminal of the 12-volt battery before conducting any work in the vicinity of the cooling fan.
  • Before initiating any electrical maintenance or system-level service on your Nissan Leaf, such as battery inspections, fuse checks, or bulb replacements, you must verify the following safety prerequisites:
    • Ensure the charging connector is fully detached and removed from the vehicle’s charge port.
    • Confirm that the Climate Control Timer is disabled and not in an active operating cycle.
    • Verify that the 12-volt battery is not currently being charged by the high-voltage Li-ion battery, and ensure that all charging status indicator lights on the dashboard are fully extinguished.
  • The power switch must be set to the OFF position.

    As a final precaution, cycle the power switch from OFF to the ON position, and then back to the OFF position; this action ensures the vehicle's automated systems are locked out, preventing the high-voltage Li-ion battery from initiating an automatic charging sequence for the 12-volt battery while you are working.

  • NOTE:

    In the event that the high-voltage battery is completely depleted, the transmission selector will be locked and cannot be manually shifted into different positions.

    The "Do-it-yourself" section provided here is intended exclusively for basic maintenance tasks that are straightforward for a vehicle owner to perform safely.

    For more advanced technical procedures, a Genuine NISSAN Service Manual is available for purchase. For further guidance on acquiring this documentation, please refer to the "Owner's manual/service manual order information" section of your manual.

    Please be advised that performing incomplete, incorrect, or unauthorized service on your Nissan Leaf may lead to operational complications and could potentially impact the validity of your manufacturer warranty coverage. If you are ever unsure about a specific service procedure or lack the proper tools, we strongly recommend that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to have the work completed by trained professionals.

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