As winter weather sets in it becomes increasingly more important for drivers to maintain their vehicles and be prepared for any vehicles issues that could come up during the colder months. Nissan LEAF drivers have a particularly unique set of considerations when it comes to maintaining and troubleshooting their vehicles, but we hope to cover one of the most basic concerns – how to jumpstart a Nissan LEAF.
Precautions when jumpstarting a LEAF
It is important to note that there are several precautions drivers must take before jumpstarting the Nissan LEAF. As the automaker notes, improper jumpstarting can lead to 12V battery explosion, which may lead to vehicle damage, but more importantly personal injury or operator fatality. As a result, drivers should keep in mind that they should never attempt to jumpstart another vehicle with a LEAF. They should also never attempt to jump a frozen battery or perform a jumpstart to the 12 V battery while the Li-ion battery is being charged. For all other considerations and precautions, please refer to the LEAF’s owner’s manual.
Nissan LEAF jumpstart instructions
Position LEAF (A) and vehicle with charged battery (B) so that the 12V batteries are as close as possible WITHOUT the vehicles touching- Apply the LEAF’s parking brake and push the PARK position
- Turn off all electrical systems inside the LEAF (heater, headlights, radio, etc.)
- Turn power switch OFF if the 12V battery isn’t discharged. If it is, connect the jumper cables to the helping vehicle before pushing the LEAF’s power switch.
- Remove 12V battery’s vent caps and cover battery with wrung-out damp cloth to minimize the possibility of explosion
- Connect jumper cables as illustrated below: 1- 2- 3 -4
- Make sure the jumper cables are away from any moving parts
- Start the helping vehicle’s engine
- While the helping vehicle is running, turn the LEAF’s power switch ON while holding down the brake pedal to put the LEAD in READY MODE
- Once the EV system starts up again disconnect the cables in the opposite order: 4 – 3 – 2- 1
- Keep EV system running for a minimum of 20 minutes to recharge the 12V battery
- Replace all vent caps and safely dispose the damp cloth as it may be contaminated
- If the Li-ion battery isn’t charged, connect the LEAF to a charging station
SCHEDULE CAR MAINTENANCE: Contact the Matt Castrucci Nissan Service Department today
If this process doesn’t turn the LEAF’s EV system back on, contact our team at Matt Castrucci Nissan as soon as possible. Schedule a service appointment with our specialists online or by calling 855-299-1946 ext. 6001.
