Leaf Lease Lessons Learned

Overview

The title is a tongue twister but it is not as hard as getting a new Nissan Leaf. I thought I was good at getting a new car but I still messed up a bit this time. I was quick and efficient, i.e. I sent out the price inquiry email one day, and next day went to the dealership, did the test drive and got the car. However I was not well prepared, got an unexpected price increase and a couple other surprises. I am sharing everything about getting a Nissan Leaf (either lease or purchase), so that you will do better than me. I hope this video will save you time and money.

It is easier if you make a cash purchase because you only need to the compare out-door price. For electrical vehicle, there are some good reasons to lease, but then there are more variables to compare, thus you need to watch this video. I will talk about what feature/option you should get, how to compare the prices/terms, energy rebates, caveat, VPP pricing etc.

Alternative Methods

There is more than one way to approach this task. Here are the most common methods, ranked by difficulty and cost.

Professional Service

Take your vehicle to a certified mechanic or dealership for professional diagnosis and repair.

Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Estimated Cost: $100-$300+
Notes: Guaranteed workmanship; saves time and eliminates guesswork

DIY Following Manufacturer Manual

Consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual and perform the procedure yourself with basic hand tools.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $20-$100 for parts
Notes: Most cost-effective; requires patience and willingness to learn

Online Tutorial + DIY

Watch detailed video tutorials specific to your make and model, then perform the repair yourself.

Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $20-$100 for parts
Notes: Combines visual learning with hands-on practice; pause and rewind as needed

Tips and Common Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls and use these tips to get the job done right the first time.

Read the relevant section of your owner’s manual before starting any repair.
Take photos of each step with your phone so you can reverse the process if needed.
Label all connectors, bolts, and hoses as you remove them to avoid confusion during reassembly.
Use the correct tool for the job — forcing a wrong-size wrench rounds off bolt heads.
Work on a level surface with the parking brake engaged and wheels chocked.
Keep a magnetic tray nearby to hold small bolts and fasteners so they do not roll away.
If a bolt will not budge, apply penetrating oil and wait 10-15 minutes before trying again.
Clean all mating surfaces before reassembly to ensure proper seals.

Tools and Materials

Item	Estimated Cost
Socket wrench set	$20-$60
Screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead)	$10-$25
Pliers (needle-nose and standard)	$10-$20
Work light or flashlight	$10-$25
Shop towels / rags	$5-$10
Nitrile gloves	$5-$10
Owner’s manual	Free

When to Take It to a Mechanic

Not every repair is a DIY job. Take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic if:

You are unsure about the diagnosis — misdiagnosing the problem wastes money on unnecessary parts.
The repair involves safety systems (brakes, steering, suspension) — mistakes here can be dangerous.
Special tools or equipment are required that you do not own and would cost more than the shop labor.
The vehicle is under warranty — DIY repairs can void warranty coverage if something goes wrong.
You do not feel confident after watching tutorials and reading guides — there is no shame in hiring a professional.

Video Tutorial

For the full video tutorial, visit Genius Asian.

Continue learning with these related guides:

This article was originally published on cartrek.com on 2015-03-03. Content has been updated and expanded for 2026.