Chicagoland area

[OldQuadDog]

I also tried using my PIN and I.D. Number but got the same msg. Before the rush I went to Libertyville, mid afternoon on Tuesday and got out in a blistering 7 minutes! There was 2 cashier Windows for renewals but only one open. No comment on cost... This cashier was fast and efficient! No need for the second window then.

[Phatcat73]

Did you need to bring in anything to the SOS for renewal? proof of insurance and registration?

[OldQuadDog]

I brought my registration and just handed it to the attendant. No one asked about proof of insurance but I would have it just in case..

On another topic I just did my 4 year battery check up. All 5 stars. (I haven't heard of anyone getting anything but 5). Libertyville Nissan is now getting $60.00 for the service. I lost 1 bar early this year. I have the LeafDD OBD reader and am at 55 ampere-hours capacity andHx is down to 66.4

[redLEAF]

I brought my registration and just handed it to the attendant. No one asked about proof of insurance but I would have it just in case..

On another topic I just did my 4 year battery check up. All 5 stars. (I haven't heard of anyone getting anything but 5). Libertyville Nissan is now getting $60.00 for the service. I lost 1 bar early this year. I have the LeafDD OBD reader and am at 55 ampere-hours capacity andHx is down to 66.4

+1 on both; even when you did it the old way via snail mail, you simply put the insurance policy number on the back, I avoided the 'convenience fee' by writing them a check at the counter but sorry, don't trust them to process EFT and don't think they waive this fee anyway if you can do the 'regular' renewals online ... anyone check this yet with ICE renewals?

My LEAF goes in tomorrow at another Nissan dealer for the 4 year battery check so we'll have another data point on b-checks past the free ones; I also lost my first bar

[Phatcat73]

$60 for a battery check is much better than the $100 Arlington Nissan charges. However I'm conflicted if it's even a worthwhile maintenance activity. I'll probably skip # 3 this March.

[Evoforce]

$60 for a battery check is much better than the $100 Arlington Nissan charges. However I'm conflicted if it's even a worthwhile maintenance activity. I'll probably skip # 3 this March.

I have talked to Nissan battery techs and several service writers and they all say that the battery checks, after the first two, are not necessary for the battery capacity replacement warranty. I have also had a battery replaced without the yearly checks done. The Nissan Battery Tech said they do them so the customer can feel good about the condition of their battery.

However, their was an instance where someone on this forum, who was barely out of warranty, filed a claim through the BBB and one of the material (proofs) that needed to be presented, was the annual battery checkup. This appeared to weigh heavy in their favor to win a battery replacement through BBB as their arbitrator.

[redLEAF]

$60 for a battery check is much better than the $100 Arlington Nissan charges. However I'm conflicted if it's even a worthwhile maintenance activity. I'll probably skip # 3 this March.

I have talked to Nissan battery techs and several service writers and they all say that the battery checks, after the first two, are not necessary for the battery capacity replacement warranty. I have also had a battery replaced without the yearly checks done. The Nissan Battery Tech said they do them so the customer can feel good about the condition of their battery.

However, their was an instance where someone on this forum, who was barely out of warranty, filed a claim through the BBB and one of the material (proofs) that needed to be presented, was the annual battery checkup. This appeared to weigh heavy in their favor to win a battery replacement through BBB as their arbitrator.

I would hate myself if for lack of a $60 battery check they faulted the owner for not 'properly maintaining' their car and denied a battery replacement under warranty (its worth about $5,500?) ; but in reality its doubtful that mine will degrade quickly enough to qualify for one so I suppose you could bank these charges to save up for a replacement you're paying yourself ... mine has had 3 checks; all 5 stars but only this past year lost its first 'bar' of capacity

[redLEAF]

Follow up on last post for traction battery check worth mentioning; this is its 4th battery check but of course my mileage is a bit on the low side so may not pertain to others; I bought my '12 SL new from this dealer as well -- actual mileage is now 35,572 and traction battery check was free!

My delivery date (as in my sign') is 12/23/11 so 4 years old tomorrow; just had them lube the drivers window (also free) and replace the cabin filter; I do realize that last one could be a self service but as some have broken the plastic tabs getting the filter out, etc. and the dealer can make a few bucks small price to pay -- total wait 1 hour as well. Dealer is McGrath Nissan in Elgin.

On traction battery report, as expected 5 stars all the way down but did note 1 bar capacity loss; at my slow rate of loss doubtful we'll get a new battery under warranty but we'll see how quickly we lose the next bar, etc.

Interestingly enough, at least initially service writer thought my car may have been bought used but verified on their system it was purchased new from them (I had changed out that back plate surround from the dealer provided one to the MNL '100% electric' one which may have thrown them off) so perhaps that helped on the no charge battery check --- not sure if they'll continue it for the LEAF's they've sold but welcome anyways.

Everything else was still fine as I had my 'regular' mechanic check the brakes and fluid, etc. when he put my new tires on over the summer; went with run flats and with icy/wet conditions have been quite happy with minimal impact on range, much better grip and a bit smoother ride over rough pavement, etc. -- as I'm off for a few days now as well as the holidays, I'm catching up on some old records, etc. so am quite pleased how low the maintenance has been on its 4th anniversary; I don't really track its electricity use to the dollar but that's even bigger factor in running costs vs ICE's we also own. We've been averaging about 9K miles per year which of course excludes any long trips; its still our 'go to' car for all but our longest errands but we've been lucky as of late with milder (can't really call it winter yet) temps.

[redLEAF]

Haven't posted any higher EL series plate sightings in a bit (other than that white Tesla a while back) so this one is worth noting (although perhaps downtown Chicago spotters may have seen some even higher ones)

Yesterday, passed a silver LEAF with IL plate '3637 EL' out in Long Grove area so they've definitely passed the 3,500 level, slowly but surely more and more EV's being registered here; not a 'true' indicator of overall EV volumes as not everyone either opts and even knows about them who buys an EV here (no thanks to some dealers) but glad to see some new owners; perhaps these are re-registered used LEAF's in the secondary market (many are shipped in from auto auctions elsewhere rather than trade-ins') but doesn't matter .. the number is still going up!

Passed the 3700 level; spied a medium blue Tesla S sporting plate 3773 EL out and about in the NW 'burbs; have heard that new Tesla's have been showing up in the North Shore area so we should see the 3800 level or perhaps 4000 in the not so distant future ... far cry from the high 200's series that started with home-built EV's and a handful of Tesla roadsters and newLEAF's and a handful of Th!nk's but its been 4+ years now and IL showed over 611K new car registered in '13 so still a very small and pretty rare sight.

[mitrals]

Guys: I wanted to check with you how the Leaf's doing in winters in Chicago. I have my eyes on a few leafs around the country. I have dealer access and can buy from anywhere in the country. So for I have narrowed it down to either 2012 SL or 2013 SV with QC and LED. For the sake of discussion, both cars have similar battery degradation since I will be buying from a cool climate place. With the heater on in winter to about 68, what kind of range will I get for mixed driving? Is the heater in the 2013 a lot more efficient than 2012?

Edit: My daily commute is 21 miles, and I have a CMAX Energi that I will keep for the first few months atleast. The Energi is perfect in spring summer and fall where I can make my commute using electricity but in winter the range drops to 12-13 miles. My wife also has an ICE vehicle that I can use if needed.