Airflow improvement for Leaf

I found this post @www.mynissanleaf.com and its very useful to Sri Lankan Leafers. In this post he mention 30C is the optimal working temperature. But 30C is way too hot for a Leaf pack. It might be Optimal for providing power. I saw some Leafers laminating under carpets in Sri Lanka.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Heating up and cooling down happens at the same rate if everything else stays the same. If heat is locked in a pocket below the vehicle (heat rises cold falls down) that may change things.

For those who have garages can use regular fan just to circulate air better under the belly. Weak 20-50W fan is all that is needed. Hardest part is to get air moving in the gap between battery and car. Also cooling down interior should help (open window).

30C is the optimal working temperature for battery. Pretty much ideal for hardcore usage. But 40C is the upper edge for Optimal working temperature, ok for use but not for rapidcharge. 30C is upper edge for storage. Nothing bad in 8hours of storage at 30C. 35C is above Optimal storage and 40C is upper edge.

PS! have an idea. I believe battery service plug cover is a direct access to that air gap between car and battery.
I believe that just removing carpet and metal cover will allow MASSIVE airflow improvement.
I ask somebody to do some measurements with hot battery (no need for hot weather)
If it works then it will drastically speed up battery heat dissipation.
It is even possible to push cold AC air from cabin onto the battery upper part if vehicle is stationary and air re-circulation is disabled. Tight space between car and battery is ideal for uniform distribution of airflow (stationary).
It is safe only if there are no children inside the vehicle. But for adults it is absolutely safe. Just don't remove the fuse.
Depending on airflow this might have to be closed when driving on highway.

If this is the case I guarantee a massive change in battery cool-down period while stationary (or heatup for nordic users): stationary in garage, windows ajar, heat rises by itself.

Source : Which factors have the biggest impact on battery life?

DIY Self-made always ON Fog light for Nissan Leaf

Self-made always ON Fog Light without wiring... Its very easy, simple & cheap.

1. Purchase '3M Colorful Silver White Reflective Safety Warning Conspicuity Tape Film Sticker' from eBay for $1.89 or less http://www.ebay.com/itm/272029344089?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=570843064320&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 

2. Cut 5cm piece and draw circle shape & cut it & stick it.... That's all....

Please make sure to cut small 6 or 8 through radius, otherwise bit of hard to stick it on that surface. This'll help many Nissan Leaf S users

Wheel Alignment specifications for Nissan LEAF

Wheel Alignment should be checked whenever new tires are installed, tyre rotations, suspension components installed, when the vehicle has encountered a major road hazard or curb and any time unusual tire wear patterns appear. more info pl visit http://www.anewtoronto.com/wheel%20alignment.html


Alignment specifications for 2011 LEAF

Alignment specifications for 2012 LEAF

Source: http://www.electricvehiclewiki.com/Suspension

Nissan Leaf Cabin air filter replacement...

The great thing about the Nissan LEAF is the minimal amount of maintenance that is required to keep the car running in tip-top shape. One of the “Major” maintenance items for the LEAF is the annual or 15,000 mile replacement of the cabin air filter.

The replacement of the cabin air filter in the LEAF is very easy, but has some “gotchas” that can sneak up on you if you are not careful.  The cabin filter is also in a very tight space under the dashboard, and requires some contortions to access it.  If you are a big person, or have big hands, you may find the replacement of this filter difficult or cumbersome.

It is recommended that the cabin filter be replaced annually or at every 15,000 mile battery check.  The LEAF cabin air filter is available from a variety of sources since the LEAF filter also fits a large number of other Nissan vehicles.  Prices vary from about $10 on Amazon to almost $50 from your local Nissan parts counter.  There are 2 types of cabin air filters, one uses microfiber to trap particulates including pollen, and the other adds a layer of activated charcoal to not only filter particulates, but also to trap odors. The combination filter is the more expensive of the two.   If you have your Nissan Dealer replace this filter, plan on spending up to $100 for just the labor plus the retail cost of the basic filter.  Many LEAF owners have reported spending upwards of $150 or more to have this filter replaced.

If you follow the instructions in this DIY, you can spend as little at $10 to replace the filter, and then you can use the $140 you just saved on a great evening with your significant other!

To replace the filter, start by moving the passenger seat all the way back so that you will have some room to work, and empty out the glovebox.

Next remove the trim panel under the glovebox in the passenger footwell.

This trim panel is held in by 5 clips and just pulls down and out.  Start on the right side of the panel and gently pull the panel down.

Next from inside the glovebox, remove the access door on the left side of the glovebox.  There is a little latch in the back of the door with a finger access.  Pop the latch and pull out the door .

The next steps can be done by either working through the small access door in the glovebox, or preferable working from underneath the glovebox and using the access hole in the glovebox to see what you are doing.  It helps for the next couple of steps to have a flashlight or work-light on to illuminate the filter access area.

The next step is the most difficult part of this DIY.  Next we must remove the white access hatch cover on the side of the Heater/AC box.

This rectangular hatch is secured by a clip at the bottom that is a molded part of the hatch cover and because of its position on the bottom of the hatch, how tight it is under there, and how awkward it is to reach under there, it is very easy to break this clip off.  Patience is the watchword in popping off the clip and removing the hatch cover.

I found that a small 4″ flat-bladed screwdriver works for me.  Gently insert the screwdriver between the clip and the body of the heater box, and twist the blade of the screwdriver just a bit to get the clip to spring off of its tang on the heater box. It just takes a bit, and I mean “just a bit”!  Once it is loose, then rotate the cover upward to disengage it from the clip at the top.  Now the filter will be exposed.  If you have long fingernails, you can also spring the clip using them as well.

Because this step is so difficult and invariably there will be some that will break or stress this clip, there are solutions to save the day.  You can get a replacement cover at your local Nissan parts counter for about $5.

If you do break off the clip, you can also do a pretty effective repair using superglue and your kitchen brûlée torch.  Use the superglue to reattach the clip to the cover, and once that has set, take your brûlée torch and very quickly and lightly pass the tip of the flame over where the break was.  The superglue will help fuse the clip back to the cover, and will give the cover extra life until you have time to get a new cover that you can replace at your next filter maintenance.  One ingenious LEAF owner took this one step further with the new clip and attached a lanyard to the end of the clip making the springing of the clip foolproof.  I highly recommend this modification to the cover.

This lanyard was made with floral decoration wire, but just about any thin wire or twine will work.

Now it is time to remove and replace the filter.  The hatch opening on the side of the heater box is smaller than filter, so it must be squeezed in and out of the hatch.  To remove the old filter, pull on the tab on the side of the old filter to get it out partway, then pull on the other side of the filter to get that side out.  Depending on the manufacturer of the filter, the tab may be on the top or the bottom.

Here is a filter removal trick that I learned the hard way.  It is recommended that a rag or towel be placed on the footwell under to the filter access hatch to catch all of the larger detritus that the filter has caught.  As you pull out the filter, a good part of that stuff will come off of the filter and fall into the footwell.  Better to catch it in a rag, then clean it up later.  Never the less, once you are done removing the filter, it is a good idea to vacuum up the area, and if you can get a crevice tool in the filter access hatch, clean that out too.

Now installing the new filter is the exact opposite of the removal.  Squeeze the end of the filter to get it into the heater box.  Pay attention to the proper orientation of the filter, there will be an arrow pointing forward, make sure to install the filter pointing that way.  After you have the filter in the heater box, you will need to move it around and poke it a bit to get the filter to spring completely open and straight.  Use the tab on the filter to help with that.

Next reinstall the access hatch cover, hook it into the top pivot clip first, lining it up side to side, then swing it down and until the bottom clip snaps in place.  If you added a lanyard to the clip, make sure that it is hanging in a way that is accessible.

After you have the access hatch cover secure, replace the access door in the side of the glovebox, and the lower trim panel under the glovebox, and you are done!

Source: DIY: LEAF Cabin Air Filter Replacement --> http://sfbayleafs.org/technical/diys/leaf-cabin-air-filter-replacement/

See this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRljFOwBzFc

You can buy from http://www.autobay.lk/ads/air-filters-and-cabin-filters/

or eBay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Nissan-Leaf-Cube-Particulate-Cabin-Air-Filter-VALEO-2010-/161342063832?hash=item2590bc84d8%3Ag%3Ag7EAAOSws65TouNQ&vxp=mtr

rather than pay the $100 for the dealers.

Nissan Leaf Long life mode setting... 80% charge

Cooler climates users charge regularly to 100% and others have tried to stick to 80%.
Temperature seems to be the largest factor.

Zero Emissions button --> Settings --> Long Life Mode (80% charge) --> ON

Tips:
* Don't do multiple quick-charges in a short amount of time.
* Try to garage or shade it when parked
* Charge to 80% when you don't need the car for a long tip
* Don't charge if there are more than six in battery temp bars or lower than two
* Lifting your foot off the accelerator rather than hitting the brakes.

Also you can set the charge timer (if you wish) by pressing the blue “e” Zero Emission button to the lower left of the navigation screen. This will bring up your 

selection menu. You can select a 100% charge, or an 80% charge. You can set the charge to start and/or stop at any time you wish. 


I am charging to 100% every time. Most people feel that stopping at 80%, so I wouldn't and don't worry about that.

Driving and charging habits from http://livingleaf.info/2012/07/care-and ... f-battery/

NISSAN recommends you use the following driving and charging habits, where possible, to help maximize the battery’s useful life:

* Avoid exposing a vehicle to ambient temperatures above 120°F (49°C) for over 24 hours.
* Avoid storing a vehicle in temperatures below −13°F (−25°C) for over 7 days.
* Avoid leaving your vehicle for over 14 days where the Li-ion battery available charge gauge reaches a zero or near zero (state of charge).
* Allow the vehicle and Li-ion battery to cool down after use before charging.
* Park/store your vehicle in cool locations out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.
* Avoid sustained high battery temperatures (caused, for example, by exposure to very high ambient temperatures or extending highway driving with multiple quick 

charges).
* Use the normal charging or trickle charging methods to charge the Li-ion battery and minimize the use of public Fast Charge or Quick Charger.
* Avoid sustained high battery state of charge (caused, for example, by frequently charging to 100% state of charge and/or leaving the battery above 80% state of 

charge for long periods of time).
* Allow the battery charge to be below at least 80% before charging.
Moderate driving.
* Use of ECO mode.
* NISSAN recommends charging the batteries using the long life mode unless the vehicle is going to be driven a long distance. See “Charging timer” in the “CH. Charging”section.
* If the vehicle will not be used for an extended period of time, charge the Li-ion battery using the long life mode once every 3 months. Do not operate the charging timer repeatedly while the charge connector is connected to the vehicle after the Li-ion battery charging is completed. Doing so may discharge the 12-volt battery. The power of the Li-ion battery can be checked on the Li-ion battery available charge gauge. See “Li-ion battery available charge gauge” in the “2. Instruments and controls” for details.

DIY Nissan Leaf Trunk Light Bulb troubleshoot....

My Leaf's trunk light not function when i open the trunk lid. So i remove the trunk light and found that the connector was disconnected.

The only tool needed is a flat-head screwdriver with small piece of fabric used to pry out the light housing.

1. Open the trunk lid and locate the cargo area light bulb housing at the right side.

2. Insert a small flat-head screwdriver in to the notch on the passenger side of the housing.

3. Gently pry out the edge of the light housing and then remove it from the panel of the trunk.

4. Connect the electrical connector

If you need to replace the old bulb gently press the release tab on the electrical connector and slide it straight off the housing.