First some background. The LEAF uses a liquid coolant for the motor, inverter, and charger. It also uses this coolant for the heater. There is a resistance heater that warms the coolant. This heater runs most of the time, even when the A/C is running. It warms the cooled air back up to meet the temperature set in the automatic climate control.
Now for how to game the system to maximize range. I live in Phoenix and the days have been about 110° and the mornings between 80° and 90°. After pre-cooling the car, and then starting, I drive until the cabin gets comfortable using a 77° set temperature. After a few miles I turn the set temperature DOWN until the energy usage screen shows a DROP in climate control power. I keep doing this, usually in 2° intervals, each time I see the climate control power rise. This keeps the climate control power down to about 250W (a sliver on the energy usage screen climate control power meter). I am usually down to about a 66° set temperature by the time I get to work, over 30 miles away. In the afternoon I do the same thing but first turn the set temperature up to 80° or 82° to reduce the climate control power after I reach comfort. Then I reduce it as needed.
Turning the climate control set temperature down seems counter-intuitive but it works to keep power minimized. This also works when you are not running the A/C but just want the fan to blow through the vents. Turn the climate control set temperature all the way down to prevent the heater from kicking in and regulate the fan speed manually using the fan buttons.
I hope this helps. It works for me.
Now for how to game the system to maximize range. I live in Phoenix and the days have been about 110° and the mornings between 80° and 90°. After pre-cooling the car, and then starting, I drive until the cabin gets comfortable using a 77° set temperature. After a few miles I turn the set temperature DOWN until the energy usage screen shows a DROP in climate control power. I keep doing this, usually in 2° intervals, each time I see the climate control power rise. This keeps the climate control power down to about 250W (a sliver on the energy usage screen climate control power meter). I am usually down to about a 66° set temperature by the time I get to work, over 30 miles away. In the afternoon I do the same thing but first turn the set temperature up to 80° or 82° to reduce the climate control power after I reach comfort. Then I reduce it as needed.
Turning the climate control set temperature down seems counter-intuitive but it works to keep power minimized. This also works when you are not running the A/C but just want the fan to blow through the vents. Turn the climate control set temperature all the way down to prevent the heater from kicking in and regulate the fan speed manually using the fan buttons.
I hope this helps. It works for me.