Nissan Leaf Dashboard Explained (First Generation)

This page explains the various digital icons, gauges and displays on the Nissan Leaf first generation dashboard. The Nissan Leaf first generation was manufactured from 2010 to 2017.

Nissan Leaf First Generation

This is the Nissan Leaf dashboard explained for the first generation. An explanation of each gauge and icon can be read under the diagram.

First generation Nissan Leaf dashboard explained.
First generation Nissan Leaf dashboard explained.
  1. Master warning lights
  2. ECO driving indicator
  3. Speedometer
  4. Clock
  5. Outside air temperature
  6. Turn signal/Hazard indicator light
  7. Battery capacity level gauge
  8. Battery available charge gauge
  9. Driving range
  10. Vehicle information display
  11. READY to drive indicator light
  12. ECO mode indicator light
    • ECO switch
    • Odometer/twin trip odometer
    • Trip computer
    • Shift “P” warning
    • Indicator for timer
  13. Power meter
  14. Warning and indicator lights. For the various warning lights and icons, see Nissan Leaf dashboard warning lights.
  15. Battery temperature gauge

1: Master Warning Lights

The master warning lights illuminate in yellow or red; red being the most urgent. The master warning lights may illuminate along with another warning and a message. See Nissan Leaf dashboard warning lights.

2: ECO Driving Indicator

First generation Nissan Leaf ECO indicator gauge
First generation Nissan Leaf ECO indicator gauge

The Nissan Leaf ECO indicator displays how economically the vehicle is being driven and is affected by the following conditions:

  • Operation of the accelerator pedal 
  • Operation of the brake pedal
  • Current driving conditions
  • Current traffic conditions
  • Usage of heater / air conditioner
  • When the vehicle is not in motion, but accessories are switched on
  1. These bar indicate your level of economical driving. The more bars displayed indicates a more economical style of driving, better for preserving battery charge.
  2. If you consistently drive economically, the more segments of the large tree will be displayed.
  3. By consistently driving in a economical style, all segments of the large tree will be displayed, followed then by a small ECO tree. The large ECO tree is then reset. By long term ECO driving, the more small ECO trees will be displayed.

4,5: Time and Air Temperature

First generation Nissan Leaf time and air temperature gauge
First generation Nissan Leaf time and air temperature gauge
  1. Current time.
  2. Outside air temperature displayed in °F or °C.

7,8,9: Battery Charge, Capacity and Range

First generation Nissan Leaf battery charge, battery capacity and vehicle range meter
First generation Nissan Leaf battery charge, battery capacity and vehicle range meter
  1. The driving range can be displayed in miles or km and provides an estimated distance that the vehicle can be driven before recharging is necessary.
  2. This gauge indicates the approximate available battery charge to run the vehicle. The low battery charge warning light illuminates Nissan Leaf low battery charge warning light when the Li-ion battery available charge
    gauge is getting low.
  3. This gauge indicates the amount of charge the battery is capable of storing. With age and usage, the battery charge capacity decreases. This gauge also decreases over time and battery usage.

12: Odometer/Twin Trip Odometer

First generation Nissan Leaf Odometer
First generation Nissan Leaf Odometer
  1. Odometer/twin trip odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
  2. Twin trip odometer records the distance of individual trips.
  3. Pressing the trip switch changes the display as follows: TRIP A → TRIP B → TRIP A. To reset the trip, press and hold button.

13: Power Meter

First generation Nissan Leaf power meter dashboard gauge
First generation Nissan Leaf power meter dashboard gauge

The Nissan Leaf power meter displays (A) the traction motor power consumption and (B),  the regenerative brake power provided to the battery. The white dot (1) in the display moves right or left depending on whether power is being provided to the motor or whether the regenerative brake system is charging the battery.

  • White dot moves to the right: Power being sent to motor (battery discharging)
  • White dot moves to the left: Power being sent to battery via regenerative braking (battery charging)

The Nissan Leaf power meter also displays both the power to the motor and regenerative power and if it’s limited. When power or regenerative braking is limited, the circles on the display
change from a double circle to a single circle as can be seen (2) in the diagram.

15: Battery Temperature Gauge

First generation Nissan Leaf Battery Temperature Gauge
First generation Nissan Leaf Battery Temperature Gauge

This is the Nissan Leaf battery temperature gauge. The battery temperature is within the normal range when the display is within zone ‘1’ on the diagram. The temperature of the battery varies depending on the outside temperature and driving conditions.

If the temperature of the battery approaches the red zone, reduce speed as this will reduce the temperature of the battery. If the temperature of the battery is in the red zone, the vehicle will enter reduced power mode, where it will now become less responsive.

More Information on the Nissan Leaf

Nissan Dashboard Warning Lights Nissan Leaf Dashboard Warning Lights

Nissan Dashboard Warning Lights  How to Drive the Nissan Leaf Efficiently