how do I now if I need a software update

I just took ownership of a 2011 Leaf. How do i detect the software/firmware version? What might an update do for me?
Thanks
Newbie

As far as I know, there's no UI in the car to tell you the firmware version that I thinking you're looking for (versions unrelated to the stereo/nav system).

You can find service campaigns and TSBs for the '11 Leaf below.
http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase.html?catid=693#.VF7scmfqnFY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase.html?catid=652#.VF7siGfqnFZ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sure hope you knew what you were doing when you bought that '11 Leaf and that its remaining range autonomy is still useful for your typical use cases. I'm talking about battery capacity bars, remaining capacity, where the car has mostly resided, your range expectation and use cases.

mnburnham said:

I just took ownership of a 2011 Leaf. How do i detect the software/firmware version? What might an update do for me?

Click to expand...

You probably need to ask a Nissan dealer if your car has had updates applied. I got two for my 2011 Leaf:

1) The update to calculate remaining capacity more accurately (P3227). This update also fixes compatibility problems with some charging stations

2) An update that is supposed to fix "grabby brakes" at slow speeds. Much better, but not perfect after the update

"An update that is supposed to fix "grabby brakes" at slow speeds. Much better, but not perfect after the update."

Based on what I've noticed about the "grabby brakes" on my '13, it appears that it's really not a function
of the brakes themselves but a combination of the motor shutting off as the vehicle comes to a stop.
So if one shifts to neutral before coming to a stop using the brakes, there's no "grabby brakes", i.e. a very
smooth stop. A reduction of the problem most likely is achieved by a tweak to the firmware as to when
the motor shuts off.

I would assume that this issue has been discussed in prior threads and some sort of actual systems'
modification, i.e. re-flashing of ECUs, has been revealed.

lorenfb said:

"An update that is supposed to fix "grabby brakes" at slow speeds. Much better, but not perfect after the update."

Based on what I've noticed about the "grabby brakes" on my '13, it appears that it's really not a function
of the brakes themselves but a combination of the motor shutting off as the vehicle comes to a stop.
So if one shifts to neutral before coming to a stop using the brakes, there's no "grabby brakes", i.e. a very
smooth stop. A reduction of the problem most likely is achieved by a tweak to the firmware as to when
the motor shuts off.

I would assume that this issue has been discussed in prior threads and some sort of actual systems'
modification, i.e. re-flashing of ECUs, has been revealed.

Click to expand...

I believe http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=10239" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is the TSB for grabby brakes on pre-13 Leafs. So one should download NTB12-086a from http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase.html?catid=652&sort=d&pp=10&page=2#.VF74xGfqnFY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

For '13 Leafs, the grabby brake TSB is NTB14-017. See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=384714#p384714" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and my post later in the thread for some copy/pasted text from it. My brakes behave MUCH better after the TSB was applied instead of the random hard to modulate braking behavior before.

cwerdna said:

lorenfb said:

"An update that is supposed to fix "grabby brakes" at slow speeds. Much better, but not perfect after the update."

Based on what I've noticed about the "grabby brakes" on my '13, it appears that it's really not a function
of the brakes themselves but a combination of the motor shutting off as the vehicle comes to a stop.
So if one shifts to neutral before coming to a stop using the brakes, there's no "grabby brakes", i.e. a very
smooth stop. A reduction of the problem most likely is achieved by a tweak to the firmware as to when
the motor shuts off.

I would assume that this issue has been discussed in prior threads and some sort of actual systems'
modification, i.e. re-flashing of ECUs, has been revealed.

Click to expand...

I believe http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=10239" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is the TSB for grabby brakes on pre-13 Leafs. So one should download NTB12-086a from http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowledgebase.html?catid=652&sort=d&pp=10&page=2#.VF74xGfqnFY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

For '13 Leafs, the grabby brake TSB is NTB14-017. See http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=384714#p384714" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and my post later in the thread for some copy/pasted text from it. My brakes behave MUCH better after the TSB was applied instead of the random hard to modulate braking behavior before.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. It appears that the early Leafs had the issue at around 10-15 mph versus at creep
like my Leaf.

lorenfb said:

It appears that the early Leafs had the issue at around 10-15 mph versus at creep
like my Leaf.

Click to expand...

After the fix was applied to my 2011 Leaf, I still have problems at "creep" speed (perhaps 2 MPH), but generally isn't a problem otherwise. Since I am used to it now, it doesn't create much of a problem even at the "creep" speed, but I do find it annoying.

Stoaty said:

mnburnham said:

I just took ownership of a 2011 Leaf. How do i detect the software/firmware version? What might an update do for me?

Click to expand...

You probably need to ask a Nissan dealer if your car has had updates applied. I got two for my 2011 Leaf:

1) The update to calculate remaining capacity more accurately (P3227). This update also fixes compatibility problems with some charging stations

2) An update that is supposed to fix "grabby brakes" at slow speeds. Much better, but not perfect after the update

Click to expand...

What's the number of the grabby brakes update?