Japanese direct import console replacement

[jaginoz]

Hi all,

new Leaf owner here.

We just bought a Dec 2015 Leaf from a Japan direct import dealer. We were told the central console is in English - it's in Japanese, the dealer is on the other side of the country and doesn't want to know. The nav system is set up for Japan, which wouldn't be too much of a drama except for the continual reminders to reduce speed because we are near a school (in the middle of nowhere in Australia, but in Chiba prefecture in Japan)! Disabling the options in the menu doesn't seem to have any effect on the greetings and admonitions in Japanese.

So we'd really like to know if it is possible to swap out the Japanese menu and nav system for an Australian map and english version please?

Thanks for any help in advance.

Cheers

Jag

[tomkauf]

Hi Jag,
Our 2015 Leaf had the same issue. Although we imported it from Japan ourselves, so we expected that. Both the Instrument Cluster (above the steering wheel), and Centre Console screen were in Japanese.

I believe it is possible to swap the unit with one from the UK/NZ, but that 'screen' controls a lot of the functions of the car. So even 2nd-hand unit from would cost thousands of $s.
Instead, most people get the unit sent off and reprogrammed to English. Eg:
www.evolutionaustralia.com.au/product-page/nissan-leaf-2015-2017-aze0-2-connect-model-x-g-japanese-to-english-conversion

We did that through our importer in Brisbane, so I'm not sure who he used. But it works, no matter who does the reprogramming. Some pop-up messages are still in Japanese, but 90% of the menus are in English.

They usually have a replacement unit ready, and that price is based on them getting your unit as an exchange.
Maps cannot be updated to Australian ones. Our Leaf still thinks it's in Japan. But the school zone warnings are gone .

[jaginoz]

Hi Tomkauf
the link you posted indicates the vehicle has to be brought to the company (not an option for us given our location). So hopefully the option of removing the head unit and posting is still available.

Heard back from the dealer and he seems willing to rectify the issue, so will explore both options.

Maps aren't so important (mobile devices are what we use now anyway) but we won't miss the school warnings
thanks a lot for your help!
cheers
Jag

[jaginoz]

Hi tomkauf,

spoke with EVs Enhanced in NZ and their representative in Melbourne (Evolution Australia) will be able to perform a logistics-free software update to the console (still no maps tho) instead of having to swap out head unit. Pricing is still up for grabs, supposed to cost the same in NZ as it does now.

[tomkauf]

That sounds great. Let me know how your conversion goes. I wish some of our pop-up menus were in English, but some of the Bluetooth ones are definitely still Japanese.

I knew that people had to bring their unit to them. Which I guess in their NZ locations means driving there. Since that's not possible in Aus, posting the Headunit is the alternative. Hence having a replacement Headunit ready was what helped us speed things up. But that's exciting that they don't have to do that anymore.

And yeah, Map Apps on the phone are so much better . Even up-to-date inbuilt Nav maps we got free in our Subaru are horribly out-of-date. So a little Scosche magnetic mount is what we use.

[jaginoz]

Hey tomkauf - will do, as soon as NZ announces the new version, will update the forum.