What I've found about the car so far

[garygid]

Measuring all the its cell voltages (at rest) gives the LEAF the ability to calculate an ESTIMATE of the remaining charge.

Charge counting, by the LEAF measuring the current in and out, also helps. Watching the voltage on the lowest-voltage cell helps calculate (estimate) when the "tank is (or will be) empty".

Watching the voltage on the highest-voltage cell should limit the charging.

After charging, perhaps when turning the car ON, it appears that the LEAF's higher-voltage cells are discharged for some time, to better "balance" the cells in the pack. Presumably, this could also warm the pack a bit.

 

[gudy]

Hi Gudy, and thank for all the info about your car !

Like a previous post asked, i would like to know how much Kw the car display show when you put defrost with maximum heat ? Je demeure au Quebec dans un climat tres froid l'hivers, le systeme de chauffage/degivrage sera utilisé souvent. I took the liberty of speaking french because i think you are french ? and my english is not very good.

Merci pour les informations

I've commented about it somewhere ... I've to put the heat to 90F, the max that the LEAF will let you set, with the outside temp at 40F.
The climate control was using between 3 and 4.5 kWh if I remember correctly. It's actually not constant (it keeps moving every 10s or so from 1 number to an other one).
I really don't expect the 6kWh to be used except in really bad climates ... but Canada can get cold
I've also noticed that even at 40/50 outside, it's not that cold in the car without the climate control on. The only trouble is with the fog on the windshield ... you do have to turn on the defrost every few minutes, and it's a little bit annoying.
Also, at highway speeds, at night, you'll feel some cool air on your legs ... it's fine when you have pants, but if your wife is wearing a dress, you'll have to turn on the climate control

 

[evnow]

I've also noticed that even at 40/50 outside, it's not that cold in the car without the climate control on. The only trouble is with the fog on the windshield ... you do have to turn on the defrost every few minutes, and it's a little bit annoying.

Can't you leave the defrost on ? How much power does that take ... ?

 

[DaveEV]

I've also noticed that even at 40/50 outside, it's not that cold in the car without the climate control on. The only trouble is with the fog on the windshield ... you do have to turn on the defrost every few minutes, and it's a little bit annoying.

Can't you leave the defrost on ? How much power does that take ... ?

Yeah, I would think that the LEAF has a humidity sensor so it's able to determine how much AC it needs to run to dehumidify the air when running in heat/defrost mode. I believe the Prius has one. Perhaps someone with the service manuals can check.

 

[johnr]

I've commented about it somewhere ... I've to put the heat to 90F, the max that the LEAF will let you set, with the outside temp at 40F.
The climate control was using between 3 and 4.5 kWh if I remember correctly. It's actually not constant (it keeps moving every 10s or so from 1 number to an other one).
I really don't expect the 6kWh to be used except in really bad climates ... but Canada can get cold
I've also noticed that even at 40/50 outside, it's not that cold in the car without the climate control on. The only trouble is with the fog on the windshield ... you do have to turn on the defrost every few minutes, and it's a little bit annoying.
Also, at highway speeds, at night, you'll feel some cool air on your legs ... it's fine when you have pants, but if your wife is wearing a dress, you'll have to turn on the climate control

Defrost typically requires running both the heater and A/C - the A/C dehumidifies the air and the heater heats it up. So it might use more energy than just the heater alone.

As for the cool air coming through the vents, here's what I do: with the fan turned off, push the button for recirculating air. This shuts off the outside vents so you don't get cool air entering the car

 

[evnow]

I think we may find manual control to be more efficient than auto. I normally just run the defrost during days when the outside is 40/50.

 

[LTLFTcomposite]

I am curious what the ride is like. Is it like a Versa/Sentra type car, or does the extra weight of the batteries make it feel more like a larger car such as an Altima/Camry/Accord?

(sorry if this was answered elsewhere; I looked around a bit and didn't see any discussion about this)

 

[gasmiser1]

I am curious what the ride is like. Is it like a Versa/Sentra type car, or does the extra weight of the batteries make it feel more like a larger car such as an Altima/Camry/Accord?

(sorry if this was answered elsewhere; I looked around a bit and didn't see any discussion about this)

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I've driven the Leaf 4 times now (total 6 miles) and been a passenger 3 times (total 20 miles). The ride is totally smooth, more like a Nissan Maxima (not like the harsher Accord ride quality). It's unbelievably quiet and has impressive V-6 like instantaneous acceleration. Can't wait to own my red Leaf

 

[TRONZ]

I would call it a very "planted" car. It feels substantial and solid but Nissan pulled some tricks to mask the weight. Great torque, light steering and tight/low mass centralization give it a unique "Zen" feel and a very smooth ride. You will like it!

 

[derkraut]

I would call it a very "planted" car. It feels substantial and solid but Nissan pulled some tricks to mask the weight. Great torque, light steering and tight/low mass centralization give it a unique "Zen" feel and a very smooth ride. You will like it!

I agree with Tronz; The ride (both as the driver, and as a passenger in the back seat) seemed much better than my Prius. It really rides like a much larger vehicle, imho. I was very pleased.

 

[JPC2822]

Gudy,
How did you get "Gudy" from "Olivier Chalouhi"?

 

[malloryk]

:lol: John! I've often wondered the same thing!

 

[JPC2822]

Hope you and your AV charger are well Mallory! Great minds question and think alike!

 

[TimeHorse]

Gudy,
How did you get "Gudy" from "Olivier Chalouhi"?

I don't know if you want the answer to that. People who ask how you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey usually come to regret it when I respond.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Gudy,
How did you get "Gudy" from "Olivier Chalouhi"?

LOL!! well only a 100+ wpm typist would ask a question like that!!

15 characters to 4...hmmm

 

[LTLFTcomposite]

Thanks all for your responses. I recently took a short road trip in our civic and was reminded of its "smallness"... that sort of jumpy feeling you get at highway speeds. Contrasted with a Camry I rented earlier this year for a several hour long drive that was a lot more stable. Apples to oranges comparison I know, but I was wondering if the leaf was an apple or an orange

 

[leafkabob]

I don't know if you want the answer to that. People who ask how you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey usually come to regret it when I respond.

OK, I'll bite. How do you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey?

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

I don't know if you want the answer to that. People who ask how you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey usually come to regret it when I respond.

OK, I'll bite. How do you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey?

wow this could be a new thread!!! i am guessing he is an efficiency expert or time management specialist

alternate guess; he delivers clocks for a living!!

 

[Jimmydreams]

I don't know if you want the answer to that. People who ask how you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey usually come to regret it when I respond.

OK, I'll bite. How do you get TimeHorse from Jeffrey?

wow this could be a new thread!!! i am guessing he is an efficiency expert or time management specialist

alternate guess; he delivers clocks for a living!!

See this:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2143

 

[WWBD]

Gudy, others who already have cars...

Are you guys as annoyed as I am about having to click "ACCEPT" on the Carwings agreement every single time the car starts? Just show me my console, darnit! Is there some way to keep this from happening?