GetOffYourGas said:
You say abusing, I say using to the fullest. To me, abusing implies intentionally adding stress when it isn't needed.
I'm not an EE or battery-guru, but my understanding is that driving the Leaf to VLBW (dashes for both GOM and Percent Remaining) is somewhat hard on the battery ... the flip side of "babying the battery".
As controlled tests when we first got our 2015 Leaf "S" that was a 2 year lease turn-in with 14,500 miles, I did twice check what happened when the battery went to Turtle Mode. The power output was significantly reduced. I was slowly circling the block where the Nissan dealer was located, so I figured the risks were acceptable.
I did note that I could get about 10 miles at slooow speed from when the "Percent Remaining" went from under 5% to VLBW dashes"---", and then to Turtle Mode. The charger showed that the vehicle had an indicated 2% left. Whew. I haven't "Turtled" since.
I haven't tested having the battery depleted even further past Turtle to "lights off". If I did, I'd park at a charging station once Turtle was reached, and use the heater as a battery drain. I've no interest in pushing or towing the Leaf.
I don't have LeafSpy + ELM327, but that would seem a Very Good Idea for such testing for the extra curious who want more than a superficial understanding of the Leaf battery.
My impression is that the original leasing owner wasn't abusive to the battery. At 33,5000 miles, there are still 12 bars left. I would rate our battery care as being between "baby'ing" and careful.