Lists of driver feedback

Lists of driver feedback on vehicle features and any other aspects of the vehicle ownership and leasing experience

Collected likes

(asterisk indicates disagreement – appears under both likes and dislikes)

• A google doc with a list of about two dozen likes, with individual comments and explanation, prepared circa late 2011.
• Acceleration
• Quietness of operation
• *Brakes
• Roominess of cabin
• No more smelly and unhealthy-to-breathe emissions when walking in the vicinity of an operating or recently-operating car
• No more oil changes required
• Reduction in the number of items that might require driver attention over the years: no oil, no fuel filters, reduced wear and tear on friction brakes, no engine belts to be concerned about, no engine or engine maintenance or eventual replacement required.

Collected dislikes

(Many of the dislikes mentioned here also tend to result in formalized constructive suggestions, mentioned below in the suggestions section.)
(asterisk indicates disagreement – appears under both likes and dislikes)

• A google doc with a list of issues or things that could be improved assembled by some drivers circa December 2011. (This document is also linked under suggestions)
• *Brakes
• Tires
• Lack of a robust thermal management system for the battery
• Range could be better
• Heater on earlier models (2011-2012) uses too much energy
• Absurdly annoying nag upon vehicle startup to give Nissan permission to access vehicle data.
• Dashboard display of nearby charge stations is insufficient – a serious inquiry into nearby stations often requires use of a smart phone.

Collected workarounds and cottage industry innovations

(these might serve as de facto suggestions for Nissan to consider)

• EVSE Upgrade offers an upgrade of the Level 1 EVSE that comes as part of the standard equipment for the Leaf such that it can then work with a 240 Volt outlet (such as a laundry dryer uses) and not just a standard 120 Volt outlet.
• EVSE Upgrade also offers a workaround for the fact that in 2011-2012 models, the heater automatically comes on and significantly drains the battery when outside temperature is below a certain point and the HVAC is engaged.
• A small light is suggested for under the recharging hatch and possibly also for the EVSE Level 1 that comes with the vehicle. Some drivers have devised a workaround of installing a small light in that area.
• Some drivers are switching into neutral to coast in some of their driving. They do this to maximize energy efficiency in certain situations where coasting in (de facto) neutral is thought to be preferable to regen braking. In some cases, they claim significant energy savings from this work-around driving method.

Collected suggestions to Nissan

(asterisk indicates that disagreement is noted – some drivers or observers have voiced that they do not think the suggestion is a good one)

• One google doc from December 2011 with a list of issues and some related suggestions for improvement. (This document is also linked under dislikes).
• An additional google doc from December 2011 with a list of suggestions for improvement.
• It has been suggested since many drivers still require an IC Vehicle for longer trips, that Nissan offer deals in various ways – such as via conventional car rental, or via some other less common method, to allow Leaf drivers to have access to an IC Vehicle at some price for when it is needed. This might also include on up to selling or leasing two vehicles at once.
• *Display kWh remaining to be used.
• Offer a vehicle option with better range (For 2013, this item has to some extent been actioned in Japan and possibly in the US model).
• *Offer a vehicle option with a higher number of kWh
• Alter the Leaf, or offer an option, with a much improved thermal management system, such that the vehicle’s batteries might last longer in the hands of some driver use patters or in some climates. This is a highly controversial area dealt with separately in the wiki, but the point here is simply to note that some drivers have voiced (suggested) that they would like to see this measure tried. disagreement has been voiced on this suggestion?
• Alter the Leaf, or offer an option, with batteries which are less succeptible to degradation attributable to heat (such as the Toshibas?) Battery degradation is a highly controversial area dealt with separately in the wiki, but the point here is simply to note that some drivers have voiced (suggested) that they would like to see this measure tried. disagreement has been voiced on this suggestion?
• Please find a way to stop the nag upon vehicle startup to give Nissan permission to access vehicle data. This is not only annoying but momentarily requires driver inattention to the road at startup, each and every time a trip starts.
• *Drive option that better incorporates neutral/coasting. Background: Some drivers are switching into neutral to coast, particularly in highway driving. They do this to maximize energy efficiency in certain situations where coasting in (de facto) neutral is thought to be preferable to regen braking. They report significant energy savings from this driving method. However, other drivers are unwilling or unable to implement this method effectively. Some of these drivers may favor simply staying in ECO but trying to feather the pedal to achieve 0 kW over some stretches (though it is not possible to do this as consistently as when switched into neutral). There is disagreement as to whether it would be a good idea to try to automate the procedures of the coasters. There are also legal and safety concerns that have been voiced on this matter. The suggestion to better incorporate (automate) a drive feature of neutral/coasting is made in order to try to broaden the number of drivers who can achieve energy savings, and to see if it can be done safely. One possible way, among several, to do this might be a drive option that accelerates when the pedal is pressed, but which goes to neutral (0 kw traction) instead of regen when the pedal is let up completely.
• *Improve the dashboard readout of nearby charge stations accessible to the public so that more stations are included.
• Headlights that turn or illuminate with the steering direction so that night-time view to the right and to the left is improved when turning the vehicle.

Collected improvements that Nissan has made

(* asterisk indicates this item was previously a feedback/suggestion item))

• *For the 2013 model year vehicles in the US: it was reported in Q1 2012 that that the efficiency of the heating system will be improved.
• *For the 2013 model year vehicles in the US: A small light is apparently added to the charge port.
• *For the 2013 model year vehicles in Japan, and possibly the US: Range is improved.

Collected suggestions that Nissan has announced that it has decided not to action

• As of the Andy Palmer/Chelsea Sexton interview video in mid-2012, Andy Palmer indicated that, due to US laws and legal advice, it would not be removing the permission nag each time the car is started.