Considering leaf - so many questions!

[RonDawg]

I do, unfortunately, live in the hot area of LA (valley). So I will probably put extra strain on the battery.

A few things you can do to extend the life of the battery in a hot climate:

1. Try to not charge to 100% unless you need the range that day, and minimize the time it sits at 100%. The 2013 is better than later years in that regard because it's the last year Nissan offered the "long life mode" which if enabled automatically stopped charging at 80%. That feature was removed starting in 2014, so you have to remember to disconnect the car (physically, or via CarWings which the Leaf S does not have) manually if you don't want a 100% charge.

2. When feasible, charge during the coolest time of day. If you are on a Time of Use plan, there is also the added benefit of cheaper electricity by charging in the middle of the night.

I presume you live in a LADWP-supplied area and if so here's more info on your plan options with an electric car:

https://www.ladwp.com/cs/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=LADWP004810&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased

 

[jjeff]

How would I test if leafspy works with my odb adapter? I don't see a free version on iOS. Only a $20 version.

Personally I just use an old Samsung S3 phone for my Leafspy, which also lets me use the cheaper BT and not WiFi adapter. Others have also just purchased a cheaper prepaid smart phone, again just for Leafspy.

 

[JohnKuthe]

I live in Los Angeles. Currently have about a 20 mile round trip commute (if you call that a commute). I was at CarMax over the weekend and saw some used Leafs and was amazed how cheap they were. I am seeing 2013 models with 30k ish miles for 8k or even less in some instances. This blew my mind how cheap. I'm starting to wonder Why they are so cheap? Is it because the batteries have seriously degraded by this point? I would LOVE to be able to buy a car for 8k and pay cash and not have a car payment. I'm coming from a $400+ per month payment so this would be a dream....

It's because they are all or most off a 3 year lease, and they have taken that "new car" depreciation hit!

I got a 2013 Leaf with about 35k miles and it's sweet! Ashtrays not even close to full!

John Kuthe.,..

 

[pmc]

How would I test if leafspy works with my odb adapter? I don't see a free version on iOS. Only a $20 version.

Hi Ron, I was in the same boat so I purchased this ODB thing from Amazon, I'm using it with my iPhone and LeafSpy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QJRYMFC/

 

[RonSwanson]

How would I test if leafspy works with my odb adapter? I don't see a free version on iOS. Only a $20 version.

Hi Ron, I was in the same boat so I purchased this ODB thing from Amazon, I'm using it with my iPhone and LeafSpy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QJRYMFC/

Thanks, I'll keep this one in mind.

Does anyone know if the unit I have will work with Leaf Spy? I'm not finding much online.

https://www.amazon.com/Carista-Bluetooth-OBD2-Adapter-Scanner/dp/B00YVHGTBM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1491833980&sr=1-1&keywords=carista

I watched some YouTube videos on the LeafSpy last night and am pretty confident I know how to find what I'm looking for when I head to the dealers. This is assuming they allow me to use it (not sure why they wouldn't). Some of you mentioned some concerns about the bars and/or LeafSpy being accurate. What's a good rule of thumb to make assumptions around if Leaf Spy and the bar readings are accurate or if they are possibly inaccurate?

 

[RonSwanson]

Can anyone help me out with a specific car?

https://www.carmax.com/car/14365632#&gid=1&pid=8

It looks like it is showing full bars? Or maybe 11 bars? And the mileage is showing as 60 only and it looks to be fully charged. Just curious if anyone can shed any insight on the car in the link.

 

[alozzy]

Looks like it was originally sold in Burlingame, CA which is in the SF bay area:

http://cpo.nissanusa.com/nna/?1N4AZ0CP6DC417751

No CHADEMO DCQC, which also means 3.6 kw charging rate too.

Personally, I think you should find a better deal. Mine is an SV with CHADEMO QC and had 46k miles at purchase. Battery is in good shape. Bought it in Seattle WA for $7995 US.

 

[RonSwanson]

Looks like it was originally sold in Burlingame, CA which is in the SF bay area:

http://cpo.nissanusa.com/nna/?1N4AZ0CP6DC417751

No CHADEMO DCQC, which also means 3.6 kw charging rate too.

Personally, I think you should find a better deal. Mine is an SV with CHADEMO QC and had 46k miles at purchase. Battery is in good shape. Bought it in Seattle WA for $7995 US.

Thanks, I think CarMax is too high as well. Do you recommend just searching out Craigslist, Autotrader etc.? I worry about buying things from an individual but I suppose the best deals will come this way.

I actually found a car similar to yours that I'm looking into. It's a 2013 Leaf SV with 40k miles. I called the dealer asking about the number of bars showing and the build date and he acted like I was speaking another language. I had to explain to him. He said he'd "try to get the info" and get back to me. I'd make a trip but don't want to waste time over something they could find so easily!

 

[alozzy]

Found several SV models on Auto Trader for SF Bay area under $9K, here's just one example:

https://goo.gl/tHoy2M

Worth checking out the battery on it and whether it has L3 CHADEMO port or not, if that's important to you.

Use Autotrader's advanced search filters to filter on make, model, trim, year, price, zip, etc to find the others...

 

[alozzy]

Based on the LED headlight package, that one should have CHADEMO.

 

[RonSwanson]

Found several SV models on Auto Trader for SF Bay area under $9K, here's just one example:

https://goo.gl/tHoy2M

Worth checking out the battery on it and whether it has L3 CHADEMO port or not, if that's important to you.

Use Autotrader's advanced search filters to filter on make, model, trim, year, price, zip, etc to find the others...

I'd prefer to find one in my area (LA Area). Not sure how fun a 400 mile drive would be in a car with 75 mile range.

 

[alozzy]

Sorry, I was basing the search on your Carmax link:

https://www.carmax.com/car/14365632#&gid=1&pid=8

That Leaf is in Pleasanton, CA which I thought was in the bay area.

 

[RonSwanson]

Sorry, I was basing the search on your Carmax link:

https://www.carmax.com/car/14365632#&gid=1&pid=8

That Leaf is in Pleasanton, CA which I thought was in the bay area.

Carmax offers free transfers within a certain distance if you find a car you want to look at. My apologies for not being more specific.

 

[alozzy]

No worries, I'm Canadian so I'm not familiar with CarMax - they are US only

 

[RonSwanson]

Everyone mentions to make sure it was built 4/2013 or later. Can you go by the CarFax report that shows the first date as "Vehicle Manufactured" to verify this date?

 

[RonSwanson]

Urgent! Going to look at this one soon is there anything in particular I should look out for it has 12 bars.

http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=449265194

How do validate in leafspy

http://imgur.com/2hyzeSZ

 

[LeftieBiker]

Yes, the Carfax manufacture date can be used to see build date. Don't buy a Leaf made before 4/2013 unless you have low range needs and it's cheap, or it has a new battery pack.

 

[alozzy]

Here's the original sale sticker for that Leaf :

http://cpo.nissanusa.com/nna/?1N4AZ0CPXDC418806

It's got the QC package, nice to have. Originally sold in Sunnyvale, CA so probably spent it's life in that area if one owner.

Looks like a decent prospect, if the battery seems OK. Ask for an extended test drive, reset trip counter, drive it so that 25% of battery discharges, then multiply the trip counter miles by 4. If the calculated miles don't match up with the battery state then be suspicious. Wouldn't hurt to ask the dealer for a LeafSpy screenshot.

 

[alozzy]

From the screenshot you provided, it has 12 bars still. Assuming 90% SOH, then you should be able to drive about 20 miles on 25% discharge of battery. If 4 x the trip counter is less than 70 miles then it's probably had a BMS reset, in which case don't buy it.

Keep in mind, the steps I've given will help you ballpark the battery health. It's not a guarantee and nor are the SOH and AHr values reported by Leaf Spy.

 

[alozzy]

Oh, also look at the drivers side door pillar sticker as that should have the date of manufacture.