2000 RENAULT CLIO Owners Manual

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2.01
Section 2: Driving
(advice on use relating to fuel economy and the environment)
Running in - Ignition switch ........................................................................................................................... 2.02
Starting and stopping the engine .................................................................................................................... 2.03
Special notes on petrol versions ..................................................................................................................... 2.04
Special notes on diesel versions ..................................................................................................................... 2.05
Advice on anti-pollution and how to economise on fuel ................................................................ 2.06
¬2.08
Environment ...................................................................................................................................................... 2.09
Proactive automatic gearbox ............................................................................................................... 2.10
¬2.12
Power-assisted steering .................................................................................................................................... 2.13
Handbrake - Gear lever .................................................................................................................................... 2.13
Anti-lock braking system ................................................................................................................................. 2.14

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2.02
RUNNING IN IGNITION SWITCH
Petrol version
For the first625 miles(1,000 km), do
not exceed 80 mph (130 km/h) in the
highest gear or 3,000 to 3,500 rpm.
After 625 miles(1,000 km), you may
drive your car normally, but it is
only after 1,500 miles (3,000 km)
have been covered that you may
reasonably expect full performance.
Service intervals:refer to the vehicle’s
Warranty and Servicing booklet.
Diesel version
For the first750 miles(1,500 km), do
not exceed 2,500 rpm. On completion
of this mileage you may drive faster,
but the vehicle will only provide top
performance after approximately
4,000 miles (6,000 km).
During the running in period, do not
accelerate hard while the engine is
still cold and do not let the engine
rev too high.
Service intervals:refer to the vehicle’s
Warranty and Servicing booklet.“Stop” position and anti-theft lock
applied St
To lock, remove the key and turn the
steering wheel until the latch clicks
as it engages in the steering column.
To unlock, turn the key and steering
wheel slightly.
“Accessories” position A
The ignition is switched off. Any
accessories (radio...) will continue
to function.“Ignition on” position M
The ignition is on:
• petrol version:the engine may be
started
• diesel version:the heater plugs
are on.
“Start” position D
If the engine does not start, turn the
key back before activating the starter
motor again. Release the key as soon
as the engine starts.

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2.03
STARTING AND STOPPING THE ENGINE
Starting the engine
OVehicles with an automatic
transmission
Refer to the paragraph
“Automatic transmission” in
section 2.
Vehicles with an immobiliser
system
In very cold conditions
(temperature below than –20°C):
so that it is easier to start the
engine, switch on the ignition for
several secondsbeforestarting
the engine.
Ensure the immobiliser system is
not operational. Refer to section
1 “immobiliser system”.
OPetrol injection
Engine cold or hot
- Turn the key to the start
positionwithout accelerating
- Release the key as soon as the
engine starts.
ODiesel injection
Engine cold or warm
Turn the key to the “Ignition on”
positionMand hold it there until
the preheating warning light
extinguishes (the colder the
engine, the more preheating is
required).
Turn the key to the “Start”
positionDand hold it there for
periods of a maximum of 10
seconds, until the engine starts.
In cold weather (below –10°C)
press down the clutch pedal and
accelerate fully while activating
the starter. After releasing the
key, when the engine has gained
speed, lift your foot off the
accelerator to let the engine
return to idling speed. Allow the
engine to idle for a few seconds
before removing your foot from
the clutch pedal.Hot engine
Turn the key directly to the “Start”
position. If the engine does not start
first time, repeat the operation using
preheating.
Do not allow the engine to race; let it
idle for a few moments.
Stopping the engine
With the engine idling, return the
key to the “Stop” position.
If there is a child (or animal) in the car, never leave it unattended with the key in the ignition. With the key in
the ignition it would be possible to operate the electrical equipment such as the windows and there is a risk
that the child may be seriously injured (by trapping his or her neck, arm, hand, etc.).
Never switch off the ignition before the vehicle has stopped completely.Once the engine has stopped, the power
steering, brake servo and passive safety devices such as air bags and pretensioners will no longer operate. When the
key has been removed, the steering will lock.

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2.04
SPECIAL POINTS - PETROL VERSIONS
The following operating conditions
may cause the catalytic converter to
overheat and thus reduce its
efficiencyor even destroy it and
cause heat damage to the vehicle:
• Driving for a long time with the
low fuel level warning light
illuminated;
• Faulty ignition, running out of
fuel or spark plug disconnected
occurring as engine misfiring and
snatches when driving;
• Using leaded petrol;
• Using lubrication additives or
fuel which is not approved by
Renault;
• Loss of power;
• The fitting of non-recognised
security systems which have been
integrated into the fuel injection
system for immobilisation
purposes;
Bump starting the vehicle, as
unburnt petrol in the system, may
affect the catalyst if the car does not
start quickly. However, jump
starting with jump leads across the
battery is permissible;If you note any of the above faults,
have the necessary repairs carried
out as soon as possible by your
Renault Dealer.
These faults may be avoided by
taking your vehicle regularly to
your Renault Dealer at the intervals
specifiedinyour“Warrantyand
Servicing” booklet.
Starting problems
To avoid damaging the catalytic
converter,do not keep tryingto start
the engine (using the starter, or by
pushing or pulling the vehicle)
without having identified and
corrected the cause of the fault.
If the fault cannot be found, do not
try to start the engine again, but call
for the assistance of a Renault
Dealer.
Never park the vehicle or
run the engine in locations
where combustible
substances or materials
such as grass or leaves may come
into contact with a hot exhaust
system.

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2.05
SPECIAL POINTS - DIESEL VERSIONS
Diesel engine speed
Diesel engines have an injection
system with a mechanical governor
which prevents overrevving of the
engineregardless of the gear engaged.
Running out of fuel
After filling the tank,if you have run
completely out of fuel,on condition
that the battery is fully charged, the
engine may be started normally.
If, after a few seconds, after several
attempts, the engine will not start,
call for the assistance of a Renault
Dealer.
Winter precautions
To avoid any problems in icy
conditions:
• ensure your battery is always well
charged.
• ensure the fuel level in the tank
never drops too low to avoid
condensation forming at the
bottom of the tank.
Vehicles fitted with a diesel fuel
heater
This allows diesel fuel to be used
with no additives down to–18°C,
or, in the case of a vehicle used
regularly over short distances
(engine cold)down to–5°C.

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2.06
ADVICE ON ANTIPOLLUTION AND HOW TO ECONOMISE ON FUEL WHEN DRIVING
RENAULT actively participates in
the reduction of pollutant exhaust
gas emissions and in saving energy.
By virtue of its design, its original
settings and moderate fuel
consumption, your RENAULT
conforms to the current antipollution
standards. Technical design cannot
achieve everything, however. The
level of exhaust gas pollutant
emissions and the fuel
consumption of your vehicle is
within your control. Ensure that
your vehicle is maintained
correctly, and that you drive and use
it carefully.Maintenance
Not observing the antipollution
legislation may lead to the owner of
the vehicle being prosecuted.
Replacing parts of the engine, the
fuel supply system and the exhaust
with parts which are not original
parts recommended by the
manufacturer may mean that your
vehicle no longer conforms to the
antipollution regulations.
Have your vehicle checked and
adjusted by your Renault Dealer in
accordance with the instructions in
your Warranty and Servicing booklet.
Your Renault Dealer has all the
equipment necessary to ensure that
your vehicle is maintained to its
original standard.
Always remember that the emission
of pollutant fumes is directly linked
to fuel consumption.
Engine adjustments
• ignition:this requires no adjustment
• spark plugs:optimum conditions
of use, performance and output
require that the specifications
laid down by our Design
Department be rigorously
adhered to.
If the spark plugs have to be
replaced, use the make, type and
gap specified for your engine.
Consult your Renault Dealer for
this information.
• idle speed:this requires no
adjustment.
• air filter, diesel fuel filter:a
blocked cartridge reduces output
and must be replaced.
• injection pump setting:this must
be set to the recommended values.

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2.07
ADVICE ON ANTIPOLLUTION AND HOW TO ECONOMISE ON FUEL WHEN DRIVING(continued)
Monitoring exhaust gas
The exhaust gas monitoring system
will detect any malfunctioning of
the vehicle’s exhaust gas
depollution system.
If this system malfunctions, toxic
substances may be released into the
atmosphere or mechanical damage
may occur.
This warning light on the
instrument panel will
indicate if there are any
problems with the system.
It illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes
within 3 seconds.
- If it illuminates continuously,
consult your Renault Dealer as
soon as possible.
- If it flashes, reduce the engine
speed until the light stops
flashing. Consult your Renault
Dealer as soon as possible.
Driving
•Drive carefully for the first few
miles until the engine reaches its
normal operating temperature
rather than letting it warm up
while stationary.
• Speed is expensive.
• “Snappy” driving uses a lot of
fuel: drive with a “light right
foot”.• Brake as little as possible by
suitably anticipating an obstacle
or bend and then simply releasing
the accelerator pedal.
• Avoid sudden acceleration.
• Do not overrev the engine in
intermediate gears.
Use the highest gear possible
without labouring the engine.
(On versions with an automatic
transmission, try to always use
positionD.)
• Try not to maintain the same
speed up a hill as you would on
the level; keep your foot in the
same position on the accelerator
pedal.
• Double declutching and
accelerating before switching off
the engine are superfluous
actions in modern cars.
• Bad weather, flooded roads
Do not drive on flooded
roads if the depth of
water is above the lower
edge of the wheel rims.

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2.08
ADVICE ON ANTIPOLLUTION AND HOW TO ECONOMISE ON FUEL WHEN DRIVING(continued)
General hints
•Electricity is “fuel”; switch off all
the electrical units which are not
really needed.
However,(with safety always in
mind), keep your lights on when
the visibility is bad (see and be
seen).
• Try to use the air vents. Driving at
a speed of 60 mph (100 km/h)
with the windows open will
increase the use of fuel by 4%.•For vehicles fitted with air
conditioning,morefuelmaybe
used during urban driving; switch
off the system when it is not really
needed.
• Never fill the fuel tank up to the
brim to avoid it overflowing.
• Do not leave an empty roof rack in
position.
• Use a trailer for carrying bulky
objects.
• When towing a caravan, fit a wind
deflector and adjust it properly.
• Avoid using the car for door to
door calls (short journeys with
long stops in between), as the
engine never reaches its ideal
temperature. Try to group your
calls.
Tyres
•Inflation pressures which are too
low may increase fuel
consumption.
• The use of non-recommended
tyres may also increase fuel
consumption.