Nissan Leaf User Guide Manuals

About The Nissan LEAF
This vehicle uses two types of batteries. One is a 12V battery that is the same as the battery in vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, and the other is the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery (high voltage) for the traction motor which propels the vehicle. The Li-ion battery is encased in steel and mounted underneath the vehicle.

The vehicle must be plugged-in in order for the Li-ion battery to be recharged. Additionally, the vehicle system can recharge the Li-ion battery by converting driving force into electricity while the vehicle is decelerating or being driven downhill. This is called regenerative charging. This vehicle is considered to be an environmentally friendly vehicle because it does not emit exhaust gases.

This manual describes first response operations and related warnings for this vehicle. This vehicle is an electrically driven car equipped with a high voltage battery pack. Failure to follow recommended practices during emergency responses will cause death or serious personal injury. Please read this manual in advance in order to understand the features of this vehicle and to help you deal with incidents involving this vehicle. Follow the procedures in order to help assure a safe and successful first response operation.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protective Wear Control
Perform an inspection of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) items before beginning work. Do not use any damaged PPE items.

Daily Inspection
This inspection is performed before and after use. The responder who will be using the items should perform the inspection and check for deterioration and damage.

• Insulated rubber gloves should be inspected for scratches, holes and tears. (Visual check and air leakage test)
• Insulated safety boots should be inspected for holes, damage, nails, metal pieces, wear or other problems on the soles. (Visual check)
• Insulated rubber sheet should be inspected for tears. (Visual check)

How to Handle a Damaged Vehicle at an Accident Scene
The Nissan LEAF high-voltage system incorporates capacitors which are energized whenever the highvoltage system is on. If the high-voltage system is shut down (either through one of the built-in automatic mechanisms or manually through one of the procedures explained in this FRG), the capacitors will begin to gradually discharge. After 5 minutes, the voltage level will have dropped below 60V, and complete discharge requires approximately 10 minutes after high-voltage system shut down. It is within this period of time that responders must be most cautious.

When arriving to an incident involving a Nissan LEAF, the vehicle should be approached with caution and inspected for the level of damage. In addition to overall vehicle condition (location and severity of body damage, air bag deployment, etc.), the high-voltage system should be assessed specifically. The locations of the high-voltage component parts are illustrated in this FRG. Refer to 2-1 High Voltage-Related and 12V-Related Component Locations and Descriptions (FRG-8). Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be worn when approaching a vehicle of unknown condition, as described in this FRG.

Situation 1) High voltage system intact, occupants can be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedures in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE. After HV system shut down, occupant assistance can begin immediately, and no wait period is necessary.

Situation 2) High voltage system intact, occupants cannot be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedure in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE. After HV system shut down, absolute care must be taken not to cut through or damage any HV system wiring, battery or components within ten (10) minutes of HV system shut down, but occupant assistance operations using extrication equipment can begin immediately. The locations of the HV components are illustrated in this guide.

Situation 3) High-voltage (HV) system damaged
If there is any evidence that the HV system has been compromised (such as arcing/sparking, orange wiring harnesses cut or damaged, HV component casings damaged, etc.), the responder may still be at risk of high voltage exposure. The vehicle must be approached with extreme caution prior to initiating any system shut down procedures or rendering assistance to occupants. Appropriate PPE must always be worn as described in this guide, and the ten (10) minute wait time must be observed after HV system shut down in order to ensure the system is de-energized.

In rare situations where vehicle damage is very severe, HV system shut down procedures as described in this guide may not work. In these instances extreme caution and appropriate risk management must be followed to prevent shock or electrocution to the responder or occupant.

High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedures
Any of the following procedures can shut down and isolate the high voltage system. The first response operation should only begin after shutting down the high voltage system. If the vehicle is heavily damaged, for example the Li-ion battery is deformed, broken or cracked, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be used and the Li-ion battery and high voltage components must not be touched.

Li-ion Battery Damage and Fluid Leaks
If electrolyte solution leakage, or damage such as any problem with the Li-ion battery casing are observed, first responders should attempt to neutralize the battery by applying a large volume of water to the battery pack while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The neutralization process helps stabilize the thermal condition of the battery pack but does not discharge the battery.

Li-ion Battery Electrolyte Solution Characteristics:

• Clear in color
• Sweet odor
• Similar viscosity to water
• Since the Li-ion battery is made up of many small sealed battery modules, electrolyte solution leakage should be minimal.