Nissan LEAF 2023 Owners Manual
10.3.3. Jump starting
To start the electric vehicle system with a booster battery, the instructions and precautions below must be followed.
Jump starting provides power to the 12-volt system to allow the electrical systems to operate. The electrical systems must be operating to allow the Li-ion battery to be charged. Jump starting does not charge the Li-ion battery. The Li-ion battery must be charged before the vehicle can be driven.
If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to a 12-volt battery explosion, resulting in severe injury or death. It could also damage your vehicle.
Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in the vicinity of the 12-volt battery. Keep all sparks and flames away from the 12- volt battery.
Do not allow battery fluid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a corrosive sulphuric acid solution that can cause severe burns. If the fluid comes into contact with anything, immediately flush the contacted area with water.
Keep the 12-volt battery out of the reach of children.
The booster battery must be rated at 12 volt. Use of an improperly rated battery can damage your vehicle.
Whenever working on or near a 12-volt battery, always wear suitable eye protectors (for example, goggles or industrial safety spectacles) and remove rings, metal bands, or any other jewellery. Do not lean over the 12-volt battery when jump starting.
Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause serious injury.
Your vehicle has an automatic cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep hands and other objects away from it.
Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage to the Power Delivery Module (PDM) and cause personal injury.
Do not attempt to perform a jump start on the 12-volt battery at the same time that the Li-ion battery is being charged. Doing so may damage the vehicle or charging equipment and could cause an injury.
The LEAF cannot be used as a booster vehicle because it cannot supply enough power to start a petrol or diesel engine vehicle. However it is no problem using a petrol or diesel engine vehicle to supply power to the 12-volt battery of the LEAF.
If the booster battery is in another vehicle (B), position the two vehicles ( (A) and (B) ) to bring their 12-volt batteries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
Apply the parking brake.
Push the P position switch on the shift lever to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position.
Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (headlights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
Place the power switch in the OFF position.
Remove the vent caps on the 12-volt battery (where fitted). Cover the battery with a firmly wrung out moist cloth to reduce the hazard of an explosion.
Connect jumper cables in the sequence as illustrated ( (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) ).
If the 12-volt battery is discharged, the power switch cannot be moved from the OFF position. Connect the jumper cables to the booster vehicle (B) before pushing the power switch.
Always connect positive (+) to positive (+) and negative (−) to body ground (for example, as illustrated), not to the 12-volt battery.
Make sure the jumper cables do not touch moving parts in the motor compartment and that the cable clamps do not contact any other metal.
Start the engine of the booster vehicle (B).
While the booster vehicle (B) engine is running, place the electric vehicle system in the READY to drive position.
If the system does not start right away, push the power switch to the OFF position and wait 10 seconds before trying again.
After starting the electric vehicle system of your vehicle, carefully disconnect the negative cable and then the positive cable ( (4) → (3) → (2) → (1) ) and keep the READY to drive position over 20 minutes to charge the 12-volt battery.
Install the vent caps (where fitted). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the vent holes because it may be contaminated with corrosive acid.
If necessary connect the vehicle to a charging station or EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) to charge the Li-ion battery, See
. The vehicle can not be driven until the Li-ion battery is charged.
If it is not possible to turn the system ON by following this procedure, contact a knowledgeable LEAF repairer such as a NISSAN certified electric vehicle dealer immediately.