2016 Nissan LEAF Project
Back to Electric Vehicles | Back to Automotive Projects
The Car
Specifications
- Motor: AC synchronous, 80 kW (107 hp), 254 N·m (187 lb·ft)
- Battery: 24 kWh or 30 kWh (30 kWh pack introduced mid-2016 on SV/SL trims)
- Thermal management: passive air-cooled (no active liquid cooling)
- EPA range: ~84 miles (24 kWh) / ~107 miles (30 kWh)
- Onboard charger: 3.3 kW (S trim) or 6.6 kW (SV/SL trim)
- Level 2 charging: SAE J1772, 240V
- DC fast charge: CHAdeMO (optional on S, standard on SV/SL)
- Trims: S, SV, SL
Notes
The 2016 is the last generation of the AZE0 platform (2013–2017). The 30 kWh pack uses the same physical footprint as the 24 kWh pack and is a drop-in upgrade for earlier AZE0 cars. The AZE0 battery tray is also compatible with aftermarket 40 kWh upgrades using cells from the ZE1 (2018+) generation.
General Resources
Part Suppliers
- OEM Parts
- EV-Specific Parts
- Battery Modules (AZE0 platform: 24 kWh or 30 kWh packs; ZE1 40 kWh cells for upgrade)
- 12V Accessory Battery (BCI Group 51R, ~340 CCA)
Wheels and Tires
- Standard Wheel and Tire Sizes
- S trim: 195/65R15 on 15×6.0J steel wheels, offset +45 mm, 4×100 mm bolt pattern
- SV/SL trim: 205/55R16 on 16×6.5J alloy wheels, offset +45 mm, 4×100 mm bolt pattern
- Lug nut torque: 83 lb·ft (112 N·m), M12×1.25
- Recommended tire pressure: 36 psi front and rear (check door jamb placard)
- Tires
- TPMS Sensors (315 MHz)
Shop Manual Sources
- Official Service Manuals
- 2015 Nissan LEAF Service Manual (AZE0 platform -- applicable to 2013–2017)
- Community-Sourced Documentation
Special Tools
- OBD-II Diagnostic Adapters
- LeafSpy Pro -- Leaf-specific OBD-II app for battery health, SOH, cell balance, GIDS, quick charge count
- pyOBD -- open-source OBD-II diagnostic software
- OBDuino -- Arduino-based OBD-II gauge
- OBDLink -- Bluetooth/Wi-Fi OBD-II adapters (compatible with LeafSpy Pro)
- Battery Tools
- Charging Equipment
- TPMS Tools
- Autel MaxiTPMS TS508 -- TPMS sensor programming, relearn, and diagnostic tool
- ATEQ VT55 OBDII -- TPMS relearn tool with OBD-II interface
- ATEQ VT46 -- basic TPMS trigger and relearn tool
- Relearn procedure for 2016 LEAF: drive-relearn (no tool required after sensor replacement if using OEM sensors); aftermarket sensors require programming before installation
Upgrade Projects
- Battery Capacity Upgrades
- Charging Upgrades
- Thermal Management
- Motor and Drivetrain
- Harbor Freight Jack Modification for LEAF Lift Points No warranty expressed or implied for .3MF files. May not be fit for purpose. No Liability assumed. You are responsible for safety in use.
- The LEAF has pinch-weld rocker jack points and a front subframe jack point; a standard jack saddle can damage pinch welds without an adapter
- MyNissanLeaf: Proper Jack Points and Lift Procedure
- Jack Stand Pad
- Harbor Freight 1-1/2 Ton Scissor Jack
- Modification: Open slot to fit, add TPU printed pad to protect paint.
- For hydraulic floor jack, 3-D print 50% density PLA adapter. Load behind seam, slot for seam to hold position.
- No warranty expressed or implied for .3MF files. May not be fit for purpose. No Liability assumed. You are responsible for safety in use.
- Spare Tire Storage in Rear Cargo Area
- The 2016 LEAF ships with a tire inflation kit only; no factory spare tire provision
- MyNissanLeaf: Spare Tire in Cargo Area Discussion
- A 195/65R15 compact or full spare on a 15×6.0 steel wheel fits flat under the cargo floor mat with minor trimming of the foam insert, or upright against the rear seat back with a securing strap
This LEAF shipped with 205/55 R16 tires on 16x6.5J rims. One was received cracked with a very slow leak when purchased in 2024. After repair, will likely make a reasonable spare rim. Will need to build a raised floor to provide a flat-ish surface. Add compartments for tools, jack, CHAdeMO to CCS adapter.
- Paintless Dent Removal (PDR)
Roy Ward
Email -- contact@roybward.net
Web -- http://roybward.net/~royward/index.shtml (HTML originated 1993)
Last Modified: Tuesday, 07-Apr-2026 11:43:23 PDT